Videoing my ride

[theWolfTamer]

I've been using the cheap spy cams for a while to record videos during my rides.  I haven't always been pleased with the locations or the mounting so I've been looking for something that was flexible and allowed me make changes on the fly without taking so much time.  Up until this week, I've been using velcro straps to stick the cams anywhere I could think of with mixed results in regards to stability.  Now I have a solution that will provide both flexibility and stability:  microphone shock mounts.

My test video:
http://www.youtube.com/v/TU0U7L7HHXo

I just need to work on aiming and post processing and I think I can be happy with that. 

But wait, there's more!  I saw a high mounted camera in a bicyclists video and wanted to copy that shot.  I used a monopod attached to my grab rails to get video once before I got the shock mounts:
http://www.metacafe.com/watch/6577986/new_angle/

When I did that, I thought there were other ways to use it. Not to mention i could get the cam farther out if I were daring enough.  So today I did a test of the high mount using the monopod:
http://www.youtube.com/embed/GNrBI80HH1E

[Mesachie]

I like the results from the pole cam, albeit slightly shakey. The perspective is cool though.
Are the microphone shock mounts expensive and easy to mount?

[AzItLies]

Having recently gotten a GoPro, and mounts on bike in front, on top of helmet... and trying many different video editing software... this *may* be helpful.

All (most anyway) of the video editing packages have "stabilization" editing settings. I've been happy with the results for my few vids so far.

This is a link to the only vid I've uploaded so far, and the best place to look to see the positive results is the double yellow center lines. In the original those lines are bouncing all over the place every time I hit a tar snake... very distracting.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=h-ilxAZjo8I

And while ideally it would be best to have the cam stable on the bike, and a good angle etc. It seems as though the best solution might just be the software, as there's not too many (any?) places that don't vibrate and have a good view?

good discussion though, would like to hear what others say too...

[TriumphTiger1050]

I like the high mount perspective..........only issue was image stabilization.  If you could greatly improve the dampening to absorb shock it would be a great view from a rider standpoint.

The other low view was much more stable of course.

Have you looked into a camera retailer for a more refined mount for image shock to be greatly reduced like Adorama or B&H Photo?

[theWolfTamer]

I like the results from the pole cam, albeit slightly shakey. The perspective is cool though.
Are the microphone shock mounts expensive and easy to mount?

I got my mounts from ebay.  The mic shock mount and mic stand clamps are about $17 each now.  I looked for a long time before I actually ordered and was able to get 2 of the shock mounts for $12 ea and 2 of the Stand clamps for $9 ea.  The monopod was a christmas gift so I'm not sure how much that cost.  They are really easy to mount because basically all you have to do is tighten screws.  The monopod takes a little more work but since I don't need to move it around, i can put it on before the ride and take it off when it's in the way.

I like the high mount perspective..........only issue was image stabilization.  If you could greatly improve the dampening to absorb shock it would be a great view from a rider standpoint.

The other low view was much more stable of course.

Have you looked into a camera retailer for a more refined mount for image shock to be greatly reduced like Adorama or B&H Photo?

I saw the same mounts I used at the camera stores for a lot more than what I got them for off of ebay.  I posted the vids without any stabilization so one could get an idea what the raw footage looks like.  I'll get to use these tomorrow on a real ride and plan to use some kind of stabilization on that video.

I'm still not sure if just strapping the monopod to the bike is the best solution for the high mount because of that wobbly thing.  I love that perspective and have noticed on the smoother roads it the video comes out a lot better (naturally).  I'll use it until I can come up with something better.  I'm open to ideas.  I've been scouring the internet for solutions but no one seems to be willing to put what they did out there.  Maybe a ram mount would be better?

I don't want to wear a backpack  to accomplish that shot but I know it can be done.  Like with the Scorpion Mount, but I don't like wearing a back pack on the bike.

I've got some moongel that I planned to use but when watching one of the videos I noticed the moon gel wouldn't stop the tip of the pole from bouncing around.

None of my cams have a traditional spot to use the monopod.  I have one case that does use have the spot for it.