Filming from bicycle

[Paul K Maguire]

I'd like to build a rig to attach to the back of my bicycle rack in order to record while riding with the Scarlet W facing behind me. Someone suggested buying a basket and cutting out an area for the lens to see through and then wrapping it up to protect the camera in case of an accident. The only basket I saw at REI didn't appear to have an easy way to create a rig, at least not in my view. Has someone attempted this sort of rig? Is there a market for such a thing? Any help would be appreciated. Thanks!

 

[Giles Harvey]

Vibration will kill the shot unless mounted with some kind of stability.

 

[Josh Rainey]

Bestboy Adam on youtube has a good video about using the Tilta hydra arm, which I took the bait on. Maybe overkill for what you're wanting though.

I've been testing different modifications to the vibration isolator and am currently mixing metal spring and rubber honeycomb material in combination.

Here's what I got on a random test ride. Operated from the handlebars, so with remote op it's obviously going to be more precise.

 

[Paul K Maguire]

That's definitely overkill for me because I'm just like a kid with a fancy camera who wants something to attach a rig almost like a pannier bag. People wouldn't even know I'm recording. I don't want big rigs or anything but of course I want to get a clean stable shot. Yeah, my whole operation, if you will, is more guerrilla style, not on scale - I'm just shooting for myself.

 

[Tom Hanmer]

Had to do this for a project years ago. Very low tech solution as no gimbals available back then. Ended up making a turntable attached to the pannier rack controlled by a belt connected to a handle at the front of the bike. Monitored through small hd monitor mounted on the handlebars. The bike had suspension and the camera was placed on top of a cine saddle on top of the turntable. Seemed to take out most of the micro vibration. Found that it really needed a fast sensor on the camera to avoid jello effect. Was able to pan as other bikes went past. The results were pretty good.

 

[Josh Rainey]

Yeah, I think to go simple, then:
Bike suspension
Bigger tires with low psi
Cable based vibration isolation (kessler killshock or some cheap version)
Bike rack, can be seat post mounted for a full suspension bike

Then some basic head to point the camera where you want. If you're on smooth surfaces it might be fine. Also if you want kinetic and fast feeling, then you've got that too.