Camera gear for cyclists

[nfunk59]

Just started cycling again and it feels gooooood! Except where do I put my camera gear and tripod. Any long term cyclist/photographers out there with advice on good gear?

I'm particularluy keen on a tripod harness type thing and a hard case to go on rear rack that will store a small Billingham or Lowepro slingshot bag.
Thansk
Geoff

[ian408]

motor or bicycle?

Ok. I know the answer. For a bike, you might consider a backpack and
strap the tripod to the exterior.

Ian

[David_S85]

I wouldn't use a rear rackpack for any decent camera gear. There isn't enough roadshock dampening. I'd suggest a backpack since your body is the best dampening device and a backpack (and you) are centrally located between the wheels. Pack light!

For the tripod, get the most compact model you can get away with. Some backpacks will let you strap the tripod to the outside. If you wear a helmet (I hope you do), be careful where the tripod sits on the backpack since it might rub up against your helmet.

[nfunk59]

I'm only using cycle for jobs where I don't need a lot of gear and I'm using a Lowepro backpack (on my back) and strapping my tripod in a soft case to the rack at the back. This is ok (but just ok).

What I'd ideally like (I think) is a hard case which would fit onto the rear rack which I could dampen to avoid roadshock, then devise some bespoke tripod holding device. Any ideas?

cheers
Geoff
PS I do use a helmet - thanks for your concern!

[truth]

As a cyclist I can only imagine wearing a back pack for short commutes. For a longer ride, say 30 minutes or more, it would drive me insane. Not only that, but it really throws your balance off by raising your center of gravity quite high on your back. There's a reason messengers use messenger bags and that's what I'd suggest. Crumpler offers a nice selection that can be combine with their photobucket bag which might be a good option. Timbuk2 also makes very nice bags which I'd imagine you could drop a photobucket in as well. A generic shoulder bag won't work for cycling becuase it will not have a secondary stabilty strap to prevent she bag from swinging around to the fron when on the bike.

I'd strap the tripod to a rear mount rack with a bungee.