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The importance of having a mounted bicycle camera as you’re constantly riding cannot be overstated. This equipment can be used for various purposes, ranging from documenting your amazing cycling experience to being able to record bad incidents for the sake of evidence.
Cyclists should have mounted bicycle cameras to help them capture their experience on the road and provide evidential records, thereby curbing careless driving. These cameras play a big role in ensuring all cyclists can feel safe and continue to have rewarding cycling journeys.
If you’re a cyclist, keep reading as you’ll learn more about the relevance of bicycle cameras and what they can do for you. You’ll also learn how to select a camera that works for you and the best places to mount your bicycle camera.
You Can Record While Cycling With a Mounted Bicycle Camera
In recent times, there has been a consistent clamor for the use of bicycle cameras. This clamor is in the wake of multiple road altercations with other motorists in which cyclists are regularly exposed to harassment and harm.
As a countermeasure, many cyclists today use bicycle cameras to ensure they can adequately document every aspect of their cycling journey. This documentation will give them sufficient evidence if further actions need to be taken.
Note that when it comes to getting a bicycle camera, the fact remains that this can be for multiple reasons. These include but aren’t limited to the following:
Mounted Bicycle Cameras Can Provide Evidential Record
When you place your camera at a particular strategic angle, you can efficiently see any potential accidents that could happen from your side.
In this regard, the mounted camera is a good source of video evidence that can be used to verify the actions that you performed leading up to a particular altercation.
Practically, the camera would be able to show that you indeed looked left and right, thus effectively signaling your intentions before making any move on the road.
Additionally, the cameras have proven very effective in use as they have an awesome sound quality and offer quality visuals.
You can easily get this with bullet-type cameras — they’re small, discreet, and lightweight, allowing you to easily place them at strategic angles and get amazing shots of ongoing activities.
You Can Use Bicycle Cameras To Capture Your Experience
In the first place, your reason for cycling might differ from that of the next person. However, you cannot deny that the thrill and sense of adventure you can get from it is something worth saving to be viewed later.
The mounted bicycle camera is an awesome tool in this regard as it can help you capture every moment without fail effectively.
Depending on the angle and location where the camera is placed, you can get a full view of the scenery and surrounding sounds in the best quality.
Bicycle Cameras Help Cyclists Curb Oppressive and Careless Driving
A major issue that always pops up when it comes to cycling is that some motorists don’t have sufficient regard for the welfare of cyclists.
The disregard could be for several reasons. One might be that the average car user might be dissatisfied with the cyclist’s pace, often resulting in intimidating driving by the driver. In a scenario like this, often, the driver drives recklessly and endangers the cyclist.
To limit and eventually eradicate such incidents from happening, you’re encouraged to use a mounted bicycle camera. That’s because they can make a reckless driver behave properly upon realizing credible footage against them is being recorded.
Thanks to the evidence captured by the mounted bicycle camera, your story as a cyclist is effectively corroborated even if there are no witnesses.
How To Select the Right Mounted Bicycle Camera for You
When it comes to mounted bicycle cameras, there are numerous factors that you have to consider, ensuring you don’t end up with an ineffective camera or one that isn’t compatible with your bicycle.
In this regard, the essential parameters you can always rely on include getting a camera with size and weight proportionate to your bicycle’s size.
Also, you can select a camera with a looping video feature for continuous recording and long battery life to last you through your whole cycling time. The part of the bicycle where you’d like to place the camera is another factor determining the kind of bicycle camera you’d prefer.
Consider the Size and Weight of the Camera
The camera’s size is one of the biggest determinants of its purchase. If your bicycle is on the small side, there’s no need for an obstructive camera, as this would only affect how you operate the bicycle and damage your riding efficiency.
However, it’s vital that in your hunt for a camera that’s functional and proportionate to your bicycle, you also consider battery life. Smaller cameras have a limited battery life, thus looking for a way to strike a balance between portability and longevity.
Get a Bicycle Camera With a Looping Video Feature
The quality is a must-have for all your cycling adventures. In a practical sense, the looping video feature gives your camera the ability to record continuously. This feature ensures you never have to worry about running out of space because it’ll automatically write over any existing footage.
Additionally, you can save footage before it gets overwritten, so nothing gets lost. The feature speaks for itself, and as such, it’s important to get a camera that comes with such a handy feature.
Opt for a Camera With a Long Battery Life
It can be devastating when you’re on the go, and your camera dies on you. The effects are terrible, seeing as you won’t be able to capture any more memories. In some cases, you won’t have sufficient evidence of accidents. That’s why getting a camera with a quality battery life is crucial.
As discussed, smaller cameras have smaller batteries, so the best step is to find a camera that tallies your cycling time length. Doing so will ensure you can effectively plan out how long the cycling will take, and thus, know how long the battery will last.
Determine Where You Want To Mount the Camera
The kind of bicycle camera you would opt for depends on its purpose and the position where you would like to mount it.
For instance, you can decide to mount the camera on your helmet if you want to record what you can see as you’re riding. However, the mounted camera adds extra weight to your head and can make your helmet uncomfortable and less stable for you. In this case, you’d want to go for a small and lightweight camera like the GoPro Hero4 Session.
If you also want to capture what’s behind you as you ride, you can opt for a rear-facing camera like the TEENTOK camera, which you can mount on the seat post or handlebars.
Either way, the goal here is to make sure that they aren’t obstructive in any way.
Above image is a KOM quick release handlebar mount. I bought the mount on Amazon and really like the quick release and that I only need one mount for both the Garmin computer and GoPro camera.
You Can Place Bicycle Cameras in Various Locations
When it comes to bicycle cameras, there are many awesome locations for placement, such as your seat, chest, rear and front handlebars, and your helmet. These can give you the best angles and guarantee that the video quality is excellent.
Place Your Bicycle Camera on Your Seat Mount
The seat post mount is considered the place of choice for many cyclists in terms of functionality and preference. Ideally, this is used for a rear-facing camera and would only work if your bicycle of use is one with flat bar handlebars. It’s important to note that this position is awesome for giving you a view of vehicles behind you without obstructing your legs.
However, this placement has a downside as the identification of drivers and license plates aren’t that great. Additionally, mounting the camera here would be particularly difficult if you have a bag running under this seat, limiting how well you can place the camera. It also makes it impossible to carry an extended battery.
Use Your Bicycle Camera on Your Chest Mount
If you’re looking for the ability to make videos while going at high speeds, the chest mount is perfect for you. This location is the preferred choice for mountain biking, and it makes it possible to have a better sense of speed. Additionally, you gain a huge advantage in the visual perspective of your arms and bike.
Despite its perks, the chest mount lacks in the visibility department. That’s because your arms will always get in the way, depending on your posture.
Install Your Bicycle Camera on the Rear Handlebar Mount
In this case, the cameras are placed at the bottom of the drops. A major advantage of this position is that it can let you know how close a car is getting to you and record your lane changes, as this gives you credible evidence if any issues come up. However, the downside is the mounted camera will vibrate a lot, especially on rough roads.
Put Your Bicycle Camera on a Helmet Mount
The helmet mount is one of the best places where your camera can be located because it’ll essentially see whatever you see, as this gives you some great perspective and view.
However, your head is bound to bob as you’re riding, so the camera isn’t so good at picking up license plates. It does make up for this by identifying any driver you pull up beside easily.
Place the Bicycle Camera on the Front Handlebar Mount
By mounting the camera on the handlebars, you can eliminate any stress you might’ve experienced by putting the camera on your head. You can place the camera above the bars or below them. It’s worth noting that using either of these methods has its unique advantages.
If you place the camera above the bars, you gain easier access to the camera buttons. If you opt for below the bars, the camera is kept out of your way and gives you more room to place other equipment on the handlebars.
Best Mounted Bicycle Cameras
To make sure your bicycle journey is a memorable one, here are some of the best-mounted bicycles you can get.
Akaso EK7000 Pro Action Camera
If yоu’re wоrking within а budget, this is a very efficient саmerа thаt yоu саn get. Some of the amazing perks of this camera include the fact that it comes with the loop record feature and allows you to flip images. Interestingly enough, it comes with a wrist remote which simplifies the operation process for the camera by letting you select which camera features to use.
Additionally, you can watch a playback instantly, which fast tracks the whole video recording process. In terms of battery life, it comes with two batteries which can last for a combined total of three hours.
GoPro HERO8 Black Bike and Helmet Camera
This model has been listed as the best bicycle camera for quality shots and footage in terms of performance. The build itself is on the small side, so there’s minimal chance of interference as you’re riding. It also makes the entire mounting process easier by attaching a harness to the handlebars, chest, or helmet.
You can maximize your ability to film your biking adventure on a bumpy road with the DJI Osmo Action Camera. If you don’t want to spend too much to get a good camera, the DJI Camera is a great choice.
This camera is packed with a lot of amazing features. It has great image stabilization such that you can still get good footage even on the bumpiest of roads. It’s a small and compact camera with two screens allowing you to compose your shots in front and behind the lens.
Osmo Action comes with a lot of mounts and accessories. It also has WiFi and Bluetooth connectivity; however, it doesn’t have GPS. Even when there’s a downpour, you don’t have to worry as Osmo Action has got you covered. It’s waterproof for depths up to 30 feet (10 meters).
Final Thoughts
Getting a mounted bicycle camera is of the absolute essence to your cycling adventure. It can help you gather useful footage to serve as proof and also to preserve memories. This piece of equipment has a lot for you to gain.
Related articles:
Buyer’s Guide to Choosing the Best Action Camera for Your Bicycling Adventures
The Bike Laws on Bike Lights: What You Need and When
