Introduction: GoPro Camera Bicycle Under-seat Mount

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About: Architect

Homemade under the seat mount for GoPro camera in order to take videos of the riders behind you.

This took me about 15 minutes and was free with things I had laying around the garage.

This was very fast and easy.

I think this works better than a seatpost mount because you can locate the camera farther back and reduce the capture of your legs or butt in the shots.

Step 1: Materials and Tools

Materials:
  • I used two 4" x 4"  1/2" thick Corian solid surfacing samples which I got free from work. I also made an earlier version out of wood, but opted fro the solid surfacing material so I wouldn't have to worry about the wood cracking when the mount was tightened to the seat rails. A strong, tight-grained wood would work well.
  • 1/4 -20 short bolt for securing tripod mount to seat mount
  • 1/4" clamping bolt with washer, lock washer and wing nut
  • GoPro tripod mount (see my other GoPro Instructables, I use this mount for a lot of things) OR a GoPro flat sticky mount
  • (If I was to make another out of wood, I would use a piece of 3/4" wide x 1/8" aluminum top and bottom to spread out the load of the clamping bolt so as not to squeeze the wood too much and crack it.)

Tools
  • Drill press with 1/4" bit
  • Round file(s)
  • Band saw, scroll saw or jig saw.

Step 2: Seat Rail Slots

Measure the diameter of the seat rails and the spacing between the rails. Mine measured 1/4" diameter with a spacing of approx. 1 5/8", which I assume is industry standard, but check anyway.

If using 1/2" solid surfacing, tightly clamp the two pieces together and drill two (1/4") holes into the joint between the two sheets at the appropriate spacing. I didn't pay particular attention to the plumbness of the Corian stock against the drill bit so my holes were deeper in one sheet than the other.

If using wood, utilize a piece of stock about 1" - 1 1/4" thick and drill the holes in the center of the 1" thickness. Then saw the thickness in half, down the center of the holes.

Trim down the sheet material as shown in the picture. The smaller piece must fit on top of the seat rails. In my case, my seat sits back and allows for a decent amount of exposed rail to the back. The larger piece sits underneath the rails with a tongue that projects backwards for the camera mount.

Test fit pieces on the rails and use a round file to adjust as necessary.

Step 3: Drill for Clamp and Mount Bolts

Align the top and bottom pieces and drill another 1/4" hole through both pieces. This is for the 1/4" clamp bolt.

Drill a 1/4" hole in the tongue for the 1/4"-20 tripod mount bolt.


Step 4: You Are Done

Mount the GoPro tripod mount (shown) to the tongue using a short 1/4"-20 screw or bolt. If the screw/bolt is too long, use some washers. Screw it on tightly.
OR
Mount the flat sticky mount to the underside of the rear tongue.

Use a 1/4" bolt with washer, lock washer and wing nut to clamp the mount to the seat rails.

Here are two videos I shot using this mount.
I am very pleased with the results. Rode over some rough terrain without a problem.

http://youtu.be/auUZH1r9Eqw

http://youtu.be/QzCDseKaCHo

Step 5: Updated With Slight Modifications

I made a few adjustments for a mount for a friend.
He did not have as such exposed seat rail length as I did, so I made the following modifications:
  • Reduced the width of the top piece to 3/4" due to the smaller length of seat rail available to clamp onto.
  • Added 1/8" x 3/4" wide aluminum flat stock on top of top piece to distribute load and prevent Corian from cracking. Filed the drill hole to a square shape to accommodate the use of a carriage bolt for the clamp bolt
  • Used double-sided tape to secure flat stock to top piece. Let some of the tape overlap the drilled hole to help hold clamp bolt when not secured.
Also, I tried a piece of Avonite instead of Corian.
This particular Avonite selection had a course granular composition which made it look like quartz. This product did not seem to machine as well, for this particular application. I would stick with solid surfacing products that have a much finer grain.
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