Crumpler makes some amazing camera bags. Although I use Think Tank bags myself, my second choice would be Crumpler. For someone who wants more of a stylish camera bag that doesn’t scream PHOTOGRAPHER then check some of these out.
Crumpler 6 Million Dollar Home Photo Bag, Brown/Orange – Very stylish messenger bag and would hold more than 1 lens and a bunch of accessories. The bag retails for about $110
Crumpler The Sinking Barge is a stylish backpack that would hold A LOT of gear. Good for holding, bad for your back while riding! It retails for about $215
A backpack that may be more realistic is the Crumpler The Yee-Ross Messenger Bag. It will hold less but be more comfortable while riding. It retails for $85
So as you see there are many practical ways to transport your camera. The most important thing is making sure that you, the rider, is safe and the camera is well protected.
There are many other bicycle bags out there not designed for cameras but would be great for your accessories. Typically they are saddle style bags which would hang over the rear tire. There are also racks that would be used for strapping a tripod down. Oh so many options!
These tips have been for riding around town or on simple trails, not for heavy duty mountain biking. For the more heavy duty riders check out these bags. Clik Elite designed camera bags for the hardcore mountain bikers and hikers.
product images from optechusa.com and amazon.com
Want to see other bag ideas for your travels? Check this out.
Share your ideas on riding with a camera and maybe with gear. Be safe and enjoy!
Scott
Thanks for posting what you use as I know you ride A LOT with your gear!
of course the other option is wear your camera on your helmet! Ok, so that’s a different type of camera all together, but if you’re into your filming too, you can get some awesome shots.
Nice post Scott. My 2¢ from doing this for a few years:
Though saddle bags or handlebar bags look like a great option for bikers, there's some concern about vibration and gear banging around. Is it a real problem – I can't say, but I do feel safer carrying a DLSR & gear on my body somewhere.
I've got 2 ways I do that these days — my absolute favorite bag [this month] is the LowePro Inverse 100 AW; its a waistpack so my back stays open and cool; its got the rainfly if the weather turns; it will hold a dslr with an extra lens with room for a few extras; has straps on the bottom for a light tripod. The best part for biking is that the waist belt is solid and wide and with the straps cinched it doesn't bounce around on me. I'm sure I've put a few hundred miles on it now.
My other setup – if i've carrying more gear or more non-camera stuff – isn't really a camera bag. I have a great northface backcountry skiing/alpine bag with straps intended for skis or snowboards [think tripod], pouch for a hydration system [water], and again cinches solidly with or without a load. In the bottom of the pack I've taken the 3 section padded camera insert out of a crumpler bag [they may sell this separately] so while the backpack doesn't have padding or any stiffness I know my camera gear is safe.
The Sinking Barge [where the insert came from] is nice, but its big and stiff and doesn't compress much when not full. It also doesn't hold a tripod at all [currently]. Its nice if I need a laptop too, but that's for work & not biking.
You are dead on with the Crumpler 6 million dollar home. I have used that bag while riding multiple times — it works perfectly!
Thanks for commenting Kristopher!
I ride everywhere with my chrome niko camera bag that I bought on chromebags.com. i carry my dslr, two extra lenses, a flash and a bunch of cards, batteries and a couple of snacks with me whenever I go to shoot. it’s comfortable and made by a biking spciffic company and unless you have a tripod straped to the side (which i often do) it looks like a stylish daypack. i would at $105 it’s totally worth the price.