Proffesional bike mechanic or bike engineers out there?

[xtcman]

Hi guys, I am currently in matric (the middle of finals) and I am starting to have second opinions (myself) about the course I have chosen for post matric.

 

I am at a technical high school and I am a Mechanical Engineering student.

 

I have currently applied to a private design college for Industrial Design.

 

However, due to this being a private college, they have had issues and the course has been cancelled.

 

I chose the industrial design course because I would like to design bikes and or bike components in the future.

 

I work at my lbs (local bike store) on the holidays and whenever I have spare time to earn extra cash, which is almost always spent on stuff for my bike.

 

I would like to know if anybody could advise me on what to do and if they have any experience in the bicycle industry.

 

I am an A-student in math and physics and along with Mechanical Technology I do EGD ( Engineering Graphics and Design)

 

Please help.

[jcza]

https://community.bikehub.co.za/topic/122645-apprentice-mechanics-wanted/page__st__32

[Johan Bornman]

http://www.thehubsa....ed/page__st__32

 

Nope. The OP sounds like a classic mechanical engineering student to me.

 

Go to varsity, study mech eng. I may be wrong, I don't know you. But Industrial Design isn't your way into the industry.

 

Do mech eng. Go overseas, worm your way into one of the many bicycle companies either in Taiwan, Europe or the US where actual development happens. Don't waste your time and talent swinging spanners unless it is to supplement your pocket money whilst at varsity.

[xtcman]

Thank you, guess I'll be taking a gap year "swinging spanners" and apply for mech eng in 2014.

[kosmonooit]

'industrial design" courses are more about look & feel, not inner functionality or any real suss as to how things work.

 

Look at the time studying as an investment in the future. Aim as high as you can.

 

BSc Mech Eng is a serious 4 year commitment, but one you will never regret. A few options here, UCT is the best right now. Then follow that up with MSc overseas, and get a job at SpaceX or JPL and do something really interesting.

 

Then there is the Technician / Technical College route, at the "Universities of Technology" - its all changed since I was there, but courses are more pick & choose, you end up with a decent qualification and you can take it from there. But you don't really delve into the essence of physics and science. Maths skills will be limited.

Edited November 4, 2012 by kosmonooit

[xtcman]

What about training overseas? Pre mechanic, frame building etc...?

[Simon Kolin]

Hi XTCman,

 

If I can make this suggestion, why don’t you contact with the following 2 gentlemen and discuss with them directly.

 

Matthew Sowter – South African who has been working at Enigma Bikes (www.enigmabikes.com) in the UK and taught/mentored by master frame builder Mark Riley.

 

Victor Momsen – South African who fabricates Momsen Bikes (www.momsenbikes.com). He is in KZN.

 

PM me for their email addresses.

 

Cheers,

 

Simon

[Bianchi]

What about training overseas? Pre mechanic, frame building etc...?

 

Building the frames for the larger companies are tbh, mostly cheapish labour. Same deal as assembling cars.

Like Johan Bornman said, try worm your way into one of the companies, but you'll want to get into the development department.

[kosmonooit]

You cant design frames without a decent mathematics education since you will be using methods like "finite element analysis" which is all about Differential Equations - that's about 2nd Year University Maths.

 

Frame Building is about an understanding of materials / welding / composites etc which is more about technical skills.

Edited November 4, 2012 by kosmonooit

[Minion]

You cant design frames without a decent mathematics education since you will be using methods like "finite element analysis" which is all about Differential Equations - that's about 2nd Year University Maths.

Most FEM users don't really need to (and a fair number of them don't) know the detailed maths behind the programs they use. You do, however, need a good understanding of structural mechanics which does still require an understanding of maths.

[pista]

I would like to know if anybody could advise me on what to do and if they have any experience in the bicycle industry.

 

Get hold of Victor Momsen @ Momsen Bikes and i am sure he will point you i the right direction.He designed for a few big brands.