I Dont Understand What Companies Want From Riders Nowadays?

[Davetrials]

A while ago you people used to send cvs to companies and await a reply or youd get spotted for being the best, but recently ive seen some very under par riders(no one inparticular) with all these companies thowing stuff at them, im not gonna list anyone or any names, its just some observation ive been making

Theres a lot of dammed good riders who well dont ride for anyone, why dont you snap those up instead of sum kid whos been riding a week whos just nailed a back hop.

[Joe Papasnap Maher]

A while ago you people used to send cvs to companies and await a reply or youd get spotted for being the best, but recently ive seen some very under par riders(no one inparticular) with all these companies thowing stuff at them, im not gonna list anyone or any names, its just some observation ive been making

Theres a lot of dammed good riders who well dont ride for anyone, why dont you snap those up instead of sum kid whos been riding a week whos just nailed a back hop.

Dave your talking about yourself

I wont start, otherwise you mite bite my head off, like last nite

[SCOTTY___]

A while ago you people used to send cvs to companies and await a reply or youd get spotted for being the best, but recently ive seen some very under par riders(no one inparticular) with all these companies thowing stuff at them, im not gonna list anyone or any names, its just some observation ive been making

Theres a lot of dammed good riders who well dont ride for anyone, why dont you snap those up instead of sum kid whos been riding a week whos just nailed a back hop.

Toxin springs to mind

Craig

[CurtisRider]

i've noticed this, alot of the real talented riders dont appear to be sponsored, although i have heard quite a few saying they dont want to actually ride for anyone, cos they will have to use parts they dont like

and yes there are some uber shite riders who are sponsered-lucky them i guess, all i got was discounts off parts

[Davetrials]

I dont have companies thowing stuff at me joe.

[Joe Papasnap Maher]

I dont have companies thowing stuff at me joe.

Nope, very true...and i dont know anyone who does have companies throwing them selves at people...

I want names..?

[PaRtZ]

Toxin springs to mind

You mean alex Hes not AS sponsored as CLS was to zoo

I agree, there are better riders out there, unquestionable, but some don't want to have the restricting boundaries of being sponsored. I don't think that n00bs (the word you're looking for dave ) are being sponsored though dave, otherwise koxx'd be all over me

[James_Porter]

ye man... good topic.

sponsorship isnt what it used to be...what i mean by this is that it used to be people like...ashton and that who were sponsored, people who were god like. not average riders off a forum who have a deal just cause they make videos, thats the only reason i got picked to be "sponsored" cause i make videos, i put money on it phil wouldnt have picked me up if i didnt make videos.

dan jones is the biggest example (IMO) of amazing riders that arent sponsored, and its just cause they dont make videos.

Edited January 23, 2006 by James_Porter

[Shaun H]

What people sometimes don't seem to realise is that companies don't base sponsorship *soley* on riding ability.

It's no good sponsoring the best rider in the world if he's never going to compete or release any videos, much better to sponsor a lesser rider who will do one or more of these things so the company does actually get promotion.

[Trials Dave]

ye man... good topic.

sponsorship isnt what it used to be...what i mean by this is that it used to be people like...ashton and that who were sponsored, people who were god like. not average riders off a forum who have a deal just cause they make videos, thats the only reason i got picked to be "sponsored" cause i make videos, i put money on it phil wouldnt have picked me up if i didnt make videos.

dan jones is the biggest example (IMO) of amazing riders that arent sponsored, and its just cause they dont make videos.

ye i agree. sponsorship doesnt seem to be as official as it used to be.

i also agree that there are many riders who should be sponsored who arent and some that are sponsored who should not be. i am not goin to 'name call' though because i dont really care.

[Gaz M]

ye man... good topic.

sponsorship isnt what it used to be...what i mean by this is that it used to be people like...ashton and that who were sponsored, people who were god like. not average riders off a forum who have a deal just cause they make videos, thats the only reason i got picked to be "sponsored" cause i make videos, i put money on it phil wouldnt have picked me up if i didnt make videos.

dan jones is the biggest example (IMO) of amazing riders that arent sponsored, and its just cause they dont make videos.

i was talking about this the other day, when i first started sponsership was valued so much more than it is now, like youd only be sponsered if you were the best and it was something everyone aimed for, now nearly everyone is sponsered, and i agree dave there are a LOAD of riders who are sponsered and shouldnt really be just some riders are really lucky and theyll always have companies support wheras others can be just as good and wont

[dave85]

The idea that people should be sponsored because theyre good is a bit odd to me. I understand what the company gets out of it but personally I'd much rather get to wherever im going without any help. Trials bikes arent *that* expensive and the running costs are about bugger all, but i suppose some support is helpful if your casing a rear rim each month

Big money sponsorship is still the same, very few people (and thats still only men like Ashton and the koxx, echo and monty teams) can say they have full factory support rather than a bike shop giving them free bits.

[Tomm]

Yeah, most of the sponsorship deals wouldn't really appeal to me. I wouldn't want to be limited to using one (possibly sub-par) component, even if it was free. Obviously if you're getting paid to ride, that's a bit different, but most of these deals are a bit rubbish.

[Shaun H]

Yeah, most of the sponsorship deals wouldn't really appeal to me. I wouldn't want to be limited to using one (possibly sub-par) component, even if it was free. Obviously if you're getting paid to ride, that's a bit different, but most of these deals are a bit rubbish.

Well look at Cap, I'm sure at least half (probably more) of the stuff on his bike isn't even *available* at Trials-UK yet he's still sponsored by Ko Ko. I'd just like to add before any bitching I consider this one rider who *does* deserve to be sponsored, mad taps

[Waynio]

its all about what a rider can offer.

if someone can offer a good range of riding ability and of good feedback to others and promote products etc etc. for example james porter to me, has come onto the scene massive and will stay on the scene but has got a blinding sponsorship deal BECOS he has the nack, the composure, riding ability and most of all he has a bloody good personality who will talk to anyone and give anyone GOOD advice.

thats the idea of sponsorship to me. i dont like to see people who are sponsored due to JUST their ability cos some sponsored riders come across to me as being quite "up" with themselves.like ye "i am the best at this" "i can do that easy" blah blah blah.

id rather go out on the street/natral have fun and enjoy myself talking and communicating with people. NOT saying well i can EASY do a 14ft drop, or a 10ft static gap blah blah blah. thats big headed and is no need for it. people will stand out for WHO they are NOT what they can do. (most of the time) the best comes to those who are like that. NOT who are totally up their own arse further than the M1!!!!

Waynio........................

[Tomm]

people will stand out for WHO they are NOT what they can do.

I kind of agree with that, but I don't imagine that Deng has ever met Craig (Lee Scott) or Neil. But it's been a very good move for Deng, he must have sold hundreds (thousands?) of frames on the back of CLS. It's all about the videos

[robster]

its all about what a rider can offer.

if someone can offer a good range of riding ability and of good feedback to others and promote products etc etc. for example james porter to me, has come onto the scene massive and will stay on the scene but has got a blinding sponsorship deal BECOS he has the nack, the composure, riding ability and most of all he has a bloody good personality who will talk to anyone and give anyone GOOD advice.

thats the idea of sponsorship to me. i dont like to see people who are sponsored due to JUST their ability cos some sponsored riders come across to me as being quite "up" with themselves.like ye "i am the best at this" "i can do that easy" blah blah blah.

id rather go out on the street/natral have fun and enjoy myself talking and communicating with people. NOT saying well i can EASY do a 14ft drop, or a 10ft static gap blah blah blah. thats big headed and is no need for it. people will stand out for WHO they are NOT what they can do. (most of the time) the best comes to those who are like that. NOT who are totally up their own arse further than the M1!!!!

Waynio........................

people who are promoting the sport to younger riders who have a natural abillity as well are people who in my eyes should be sponsored. It's not just about riding, it has to be a complete package some body who the younger riders asspire to be like, not some premadonna who is like Wayne says is up there own ass.

[thefletch]

I totally agree with Waynio, and i think most of you are missing the point.

For example most the the worlds best riders hardly ever make videos. i.e. when did Benito or Vincent or Ot Pi last post a topic saying new video.

Being sponsered never used to have anything to do with videos, its only in the last year or two that it has got like this, i think this is because trials-forum seems to be the 'be all and end all' to most riders, especially riders who are new to the sport.

Do bare in mind that most the best natural (i say natural because its only in the UK that street is the more popular diciplin) riders in the country dont use the forum and they are the ones with the good sponsership deals.

Because street is so big in the uk, things like group rides are much more common than in other countries around the world, and group rides are a pefect opportunity for companies to prmote products or their shop etc. Videos and the forum also help this alot, and this is why i think sposership has become so common and less ''special''.

Finally, its not just about riding ability( shouldnt be anyway, and isnt anywhere else in the world), its personality, the level of input they have into the sport, attitude towards the sport and other riders etc. In mountain biking in general there are loads of cases where riders attitudes have lost or gained them a deal regardless of how good they are.

Complicted to explain so please dont argue with me if it makes no sense to you.

Edited January 23, 2006 by thefletch

[anzo]

I'm fairly new to bike trials, and a lot of riders on these forums are sponsored, if not by bike manufactures then online shops or clothing companies.

As an ex-mototrials rider, I know that sponsorship is VERY difficult, simply because there are hardly any 'aftermarket' part manufactures. Where as in bike trials you can have the choice of hundreds of forks, cranks, rims ect...in moto-trials there is ONE and that is the main manufacture whether it be Sherco, Gas Gas ect.

More manufactures means more sponsorship. I don't believe that they sponsor the first kid that comes a long, I think they help out those in need that have potential, and I respect them for it.

When MR.X starts riding at 12 years old, and at 15 he's sponsored by Cleanbikes, at 16 by Selectbikes ect, it will build up a good profile and then at 19 they could be in with Monty, Koxx or whoever.

I think these companies are helping out. Be thankful, in mototrials the only way to get a good sponsorship deal, or even a discount is to have the surname 'Lampkin'.

[Trials Dave]

ever since the internet came along, thats when it all changed!

[thefletch]

thats a fair comment i suppose, hadnt thort of it in that way, but its true to some extent. (refering to anzo's comment)

Edited January 23, 2006 by thefletch

[Bendee]

did i speak to you about this on sunday dave? i think i might of as it has been on my mind for a while now i can name like 10 riders that really arnt good enough for sponcership yet they still have it, i know of two riders that i can honestly say are shit and still have sponsors.

its actually pretty anoying seeing these people with frames ect when i know they dont deserve it.

[Joe_Elding]

What really annoys me is 12/13 year olds who have been riding a year, and there alright nothing special and they get sponsered because there young and 'could' be good when there older.

Pisses me roight off.

[SQuiT-man]

You all seem to forget one important thing: Companies are trying to MAKE MONEY for themselves- they have to earn a living, and any oppertunities that they can promote their company to make more profit than they spend in doing so is a good oppertunity. Obviousy this seems to range a bit between some companies, such as deng (purely into profit, so sponsors pretty much only riders who can go big and do movies, for their "GO BIG" image that they know people will want to follow when people see their videos- this can bee seen perhaps by the fact that Deng may not have met a lot of his riders- its the paperwork that counts, which IMO is completely fair enough) and cleanbikes (a little less into just profit, they seem to actually slightly "help" riders a bit up to the top, probably because they get pleasure out of seeing their riders in their county aspire).

Ways to promote your trials company well are:

*Sponsor an amasing comp rider- if they win the champs, people will all be like "I want one of those!!"

*Sponsor someone who makes amasing videos- people will be like "Those frames make you ride HUGE"

*Sponsor a girl who perhaps isnt as good as some of the male competition (no offense)- makes your company look good, and promotes the company to girls, plus makes it look like "anyone can ride that bike" (no offense.. lmao at how bad that all sounds)

*Spnosor a young 'un who is good for his age- promotes company to other younger people who want the image/to ride like that

Thats how I see it.

[PaRtZ]

What really annoys me is 12/13 year olds who have been riding a year, and there alright nothing special and they get sponsered because there young and 'could' be good when there older.

Pisses me roight off.

So if you were in their shoes, You would turn down any deal offered?

As waynio said I guess its how a rider sells a product. Having said that, why don't companies sponsor big breasted beautiful pornstars to sell products? Would attract attention to the company