Carrying camera gear into the woods on a mountain bike....

[rambler]

I just happened to see this photo of the "Low Rider" from Digital Juice:
The LowRider :: Digital Juice

 

[Ginu]

That's a lot of gear to carry on a mountain bike so I have to ask how rough is the terrain? Does it have a lot of huge descents or is it mainly cross country with some dh twist to it?

I am always on one of my bikes since we got tons of mountains with some of the best trails on the west coast, however I've never carried that much gear around.

My suggestion would be to stick the heavy stuff in panniers (batteries, flashes, flash triggers and padded very well) and the main camera D700 with the 80-200 lens and D80 with a lens in a main backpack and you should be golden; a little on the top heavy but I think it should do.
The rest of the lens should fit in the the pannier also and make sure they are padded very well.

Typically when I bail, I end up jumping off the bike so main gear would be safer on my back then on the bike.

 

[Destin]

That's a lot of gear to carry on a mountain bike so I have to ask how rough is the terrain? Does it have a lot of huge descents or is it mainly cross country with some dh twist to it?

I am always on one of my bikes since we got tons of mountains with some of the best trails on the west coast, however I've never carried that much gear around.

My suggestion would be to stick the heavy stuff in panniers (batteries, flashes, flash triggers and padded very well) and the main camera D700 with the 80-200 lens and D80 with a lens in a main backpack and you should be golden; a little on the top heavy but I think it should do.
The rest of the lens should fit in the the pannier also and make sure they are padded very well.

Typically when I bail, I end up jumping off the bike so main gear would be safer on my back then on the bike.

It is mostly cross country, but were talking east coast trails with enough roots and rock gardens to rattle your teeth loose. But I don't even plan on riding the rough sections with my gear... normally I'd bomb through the rock gardens, but I won't dare try with that much gear on my back. Keep in mind, I'm not going out to ride for fun when I have that much gear. I'm going out to take photos, and I'm just using the bike as transportation. Ugh. I'm gonna miss racing this year, but thats what happens when you sell your race bike to finance camera gear lol.

I generally jump off of the bike when I crash too, but I usually end up tucking and rolling so my back/side takes the impact instead of my face and limbs. which means anything in my backpack is taking a hit.

 

[Ginu]

^^

Honestly for cross country you need to take just two camera's, 2 lens (80-200 and the 17-50) and don't think more than 3 flashes is required. Cross country races tend to be quite open so the light will be somewhat in your favor.

Also not sure what bike you use, but I think using a full suspension bike with the ability to lock the front and the back would be quite beneficial with heavy gear. It wont be as responsive as a hardtail, but will be easier on you. Also if you got clip in pedals, take em off and stick some regular ones on.

You can borrow one of my cross country bikes if you need, I got a 2009 Devinci SL3 and a 2009 Norco Fluid One

 

[Destin]

^^

Honestly for cross country you need to take just two camera's, 2 lens (80-200 and the 17-50) and don't think more than 3 flashes is required. Cross country races tend to be quite open so the light will be somewhat in your favor.

Also not sure what bike you use, but I think using a full suspension bike with the ability to lock the front and the back would be quite beneficial with heavy gear. It wont be as responsive as a hardtail, but will be easier on you. Also if you got clip in pedals, take em off and stick some regular ones on.

You can borrow one of my cross country bikes if you need, I got a 2009 Devinci SL3 and a 2009 Norco Fluid One

Haha nice. I've never been big on norco or devinci lol. But your from Canada, so it doesn't surprise me that you ride those brands :lmao:

My last two race bikes were a Moots Smoothie Al, and Salsa Dos Niner. I miss the Salsa . Right now I've just got an Eastern DJ bike, and a Cannondale Bad Boy Commuter Bike set up as an MTB. Not the ideal setup, but it will work for getting out there to take photos. Good to know I'm not the only cyclist on here

 

[Ginu]

Mountain biking and photography.... whats better?

Gotta try some of those Canadian bikes... Devinci SL3 (29lb) and Fluid One(26.8lb). I also ride a Rocky Mountain Switch for free ride.
Not long ago I had the chance to try a Pivot Mach 5 and I have to say its an amazing cross country machine, so responsive its pretty sick.

 

[Destin]

Mountain biking and photography.... whats better?

Gotta try some of those Canadian bikes... Devinci SL3 (29lb) and Fluid One(26.8lb). I also ride a Rocky Mountain Switch for free ride.
Not long ago I had the chance to try a Pivot Mach 5 and I have to say its an amazing cross country machine, so responsive its pretty sick.

Nice man! I've hear alot of great things about pivot's bikes! I'm pretty hooked on 29ers now though, I think my next bike is going to be a Niner Jet 9. My cousin just built one to 25 pounds:

We definitely have the best 2 hobbies out there. Unfortunately they are also both really expensive lol