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Bicycle Aerodynamics Engineer

Gsal's picture
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started by Gsal on January 15, 2009

So I'm currently working at a bike shop and I was drawing out some bicycle designs when i thought that I could probably design/engineer bicycles as a profession some day. Does anybody know what kind of college major/engineering study is usually related to bicycle design/aerodynamic studies?

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kylie's picture
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kylie posted 44 weeks ago.

I believe fluid dynamics/fluids engineering is one of the main ones for aero studies (based on the path a friend took).

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brittda's picture
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brittda posted 44 weeks ago.

Industrial Design, perhaps with a business minor (if you plan to market them yourself ) ?

tri-ac's picture
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tri-ac posted 44 weeks ago.

i like both those ideas, but i'd adjust it just a bit:
get a mechanical engineering degree undergrad and then get a grad industrial design degree

bgreinke's picture
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bgreinke posted 44 weeks ago.

+1 to tri-ac. A mechanical engineering degree is much more marketable and broad based, however you probably won't get into as much fluid dynamics (at least that isn't inside pipes, pumps, and turbomachinery) as you would with an aeronautical engineering degree. At the University of Wisconsin (GO BADGERS!) that's in the engineering mechanics department. If you are really interested in the aerodynamics portions, probably look to schools that have a close relationship with companies like Boeing, Lockheed-Martin, etc since they'd fund a lot of research. Good luck.

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J.Michael's picture
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J.Michael posted 44 weeks ago.

You might check out...

http://www.erau.edu/

They have an undergrad in Aerospace Engineering and MBA in Mechanical Engineering.

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longhair's picture
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longhair posted 44 weeks ago.

I have a masters degree in mechanical engineering. I mostly work in machinery and manufacturing. Mechanical engineering is probably your best bet to work in this field.
Low speed aerodynamics and compressible fluid flow are good upper level undergraduate classes and graduate courses for your interest.

I would also high recommend composite material design and some sort of metallurgy, as most frames are fairly exotic in their material. A familiarity with bearings and general machine design will also be helpful.

Occasionally I put a design on paper and put a plan together for execution, but so far I have not followed through...too busy training. :)

Gsal's picture
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Gsal posted 44 weeks ago.

thanks everyone ...still open to suggestions but i think i get the overall idea

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TriSooner's picture
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TriSooner posted 44 weeks ago.

tri-ac wrote:
i like both those ideas, but i'd adjust it just a bit:
get a mechanical engineering degree undergrad and then get a grad industrial design degree

+1 Coming from somone who can't stop going to school, and although Engineering out of my perview, I'd say Mech Eng undergrade followed with a joint MBA/JD (MBA for marketing, finance, accounting, etc. JD for contracts, mergers, and liability issues. I'm sure frame fabricators spend just as much on R&D as they do defendling lawsuits). You're looking at seven to eight years and well over $100k in tuition.

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xc800runner posted 44 weeks ago.

TriSooner wrote:
Coming from somone who can't stop going to school, and although Engineering out of my perview, I'd say Mech Eng undergrade followed with a joint MBA/JD (MBA for marketing, finance, accounting, etc. JD for contracts, mergers, and liability issues. I'm sure frame fabricators spend just as much on R&D as they do defendling lawsuits). You're looking at seven to eight years and well over $100k in tuition.

I wouldn't worry about the JD. If you're in frame development, marketing, sales, etc., you won't have time to give to the legal side of things. An MBA also isn't necessary, though it may be helpful if you plan to work in corporate for a major frame manufacturer. If you want to be on the design front, these 2 degrees are superfluous. You should go mechanical engineering, applied physics, or fluids engineering for undergrad (unless your school has aeronautical engineering) with a masters/Ph.D somewhere in Aeronautics. But then you'll likely be snatched up by an aircraft manufacturer at a ridiculous salary and forget about designing bike frames.

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bhanrah posted 44 weeks ago.

I would go to the careers section of Felt, Specialized, Cannondale and see what they ask for. From what I remember it would be a BS in MechE. Don't Worry about the MBA, JD, etc... I would try to intern at a bike manufacturer while you are in school. I would minor in Taiwanese too!