1989Pre

I am planning on buying my first rear-facing video camera for my bike, and am wondering if there are any that have a seat-stay mount. The ones I am seeing are either seat tube mount, seat post mount or helmet mount.

canklecat

I've seen hub level/dropout camera mounts. Mostly used with the smaller cameras like the GoPro Hero 5 or discontinued Polaroid cubes.

I'd be cautious about a clamp mount on a seat stay, especially carbon fiber. I do mount a Cygolite Hotrod on the seat stays of my carbon fiber bikes, but those are featherweight lights with rubber band mounts. Even a small camera would need a more secure mount.

1989Pre

I might be interested in a dropout mount, but one of the main things I am aiming for (hence, my desire for a seat-stay mount) is high-visibility to motorists who might have less-than-honorable intentions. I figured up higher is better. The bike I would be using this on (Technium) has steel seat stays. Yeah, I like the rubber-band mount on the Cygolites.

Daniel4

I mount my rear facing camera directly on my rear rack. It's literally in their face when any driver approaches me from behind.

It's clear view of their licence plate, even at 1080p30fps.

BobbyG

My last two action cams have had standard threaded 1/4" female receptacles. While I don't use a quick release to mount them on my helmet, there are many more mounting solutions for standard 1/4" threaded camera mounts than for any proprietary mounts.

I like the idea from Daniel4 of mounting on a rear rack (if possible).

canklecat

Yeah, I use a clip-in mounting shoe on the rear rack of my hybrid. With the Drift Ghost cameras the mounting shoes are all you need for flat surfaces (like racks) or slightly curved surfaces like helmets.

On my road bikes I use Drift's clamp-on articulating mounts, usually on the stem or handlebar, and on the seat post facing rearward.

Lower mounting is often better for recording license plates, but handlebar or seat level is good enough and offers a slightly higher vantage point which can help with perspective and recording the surroundings. Lower mounts tend to limit visibility beyond anything directly in front of or behind us.

GhenghisKahn

Years ago after purchasing a couple Go-Pro knockoffs I rigged the enclosed attachment with a seat-stay light mount, foam and some duct tape. It wasn't pretty, but it was functional. Had to mount it below my pannier and by trial and error got it dialed in. Attached it nds as that was roadside. The front was easy. Handlebar mount with foam. Both cameras were rechargeable. The images were crisp black and white. Served me well for about 5 years.

1989Pre

That's probably my only real option, using a lamp-mount, unless I can somehow reduce the diameter of the supplied clamp with some foam rubber.

mcours2006

I've been using saddle rail mounts for the past few years. It works well, but if you go this route, be sure your camera is tethered somehow. I've had a few mounts break on me, whether plastic or aluminum. The first time it was untethered and I didn't know until I got home, but thankfully I was able to backtrack and find it. I've had it break again, but the tether held on to it.

JW Fas

My rear cam is a GoPro Hero Session 4 with a saddle rail mount. I got the mount from K-Edge. It was kind of pricey, but it's been reliable. Now, it also meant I had to get rid of my saddle bag to make room, so now I use an aero top tube bag that mounts directly behind the headtube.

rodymanners

I want to purchase one but I'm not sure about it

JW Fas

What makes you unsure?

roundypndr 

My rear facing camera is mounted to the rear basket, and it really shows how close a pass some drivers make. Another plus is that my incidents with drivers, while stopped at stop signs and stop lights, greatly dropped when I installed a rear facing camera. It seems that many driver are very observant of a camera when it's being pointed at them.

Daniel4

I hope your basket is nice and firm. Too much jiggle will make a positive identification challenging in the case of an incidence.

Regardless, it appears the presence of the camera in plain sight is already a deterrence.

roundypndr 

There was some jiggle on my initial trials, but with some zip ties, and having a sturdy built basket, I usually get a good number of clear frames of viewing at 30 fps in 1080p.

JonnyHK 

I made this for someone.
https://www.shapeways.com/product/GF...40219&li=shops

Go to the Electronics, Lighting, & Gadgets forum and look at the 3d printed mounts thread.

work4bike

Just another camera option to consider

DiabloScott

I don't often use this mode, but it works fine. Contour camera with ski-pole mount on my seatstay.

CliffordK

I can't imagine drivers would be looking for cameras on a bike. And, by the time they see a camera, it would be TOO LATE.

I'm seeing a few seat rail mounts.

There seems to be almost any imaginable gopro mount, but I'm not seeing any small tube mounts.

Perhaps a bolt on rack mount?

qwaalodge

The place I can quickly spot a camera from far away is atop the helmet. I see many motorbikers and cyclists alike do it. It works.

I doubt would have noticed the camera if it was mounted on the seatstay especially as a motorist as I'd be looking at the cyclist's jersey and helmet. A camera behind a rear basket would be more noticeable but the top of the helmet is absolutely the best spot and by far.

1989Pre

Perfect.