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How to Hook a Camera to a Bike

How to Hook a Camera to a Bike
Taking pictures from your bicycle while trying to keep the camera steady is an exercise fraught with peril. Holding the camera itself is difficult, and while wrap tripods like the Gorillapod work somewhat well, they can still rotate on the bars if not wrapped tightly. Cameras and camcorders have a standard mount screw, so building your own permanent camera mount on the handlebars is fairly simple.

Instructions

Difficulty: Moderately Easy

Creating the Mount

Things You’ll Need:
  • Reflector mount and rubber shims
  • Thread bolt, 2 inches long, 1/4-inch by 20-thread
  • 2 wingnuts, 1/4-inch (or 1 wingnut and 1 standard nut)
  • 2 rubber washers, 1/4-inch
Step 1
Remove the screw from the reflector mount and place the rubber shim inside it, then screw the reflector mount with the rubber shim around the spot on your handlebars where you want the mount to go.
Step 2
Thread the 1/4-inch by 20-thread bolt through the second hole on the reflector mount, with the threads facing up.
Step 3
Place the rubber washer over the bolt so that it rests flush against the reflector mount.
Step 4
Screw one of the wingnuts down onto the bolt, with the wings facing down, until the bolt is tightly secured. You can also use the standard bolt for this part; if using a standard bolt, use a metal washer over the rubber washer before securing the bolt in place.
Step 5
Thread the second wingnut with the wings pointing down again onto the bolt until it rests just above the first wingnut. Place the second rubber washer onto the bolt so that it rests on the second wingnut.
Step 6
Thread your camera or camcorder onto the thread bolt and take pictures.

Tips & Warnings

 
You can also use the mount from a standard bicycle headlight in place of the reflector mount.

Resources

Article Written By Candace Horgan

Candace Horgan has worked as a freelance journalist for more than 12 years. Her work has appeared in various print and online publications, including the "Denver Post" and "Mix." Horgan holds a Bachelor of Arts in English and history.

Write for Trails.com

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