Mount Options: Adhesive Vs Nut & Bolt?

[Phaedrus]

Hi Guys.

Most cameras and mount kits seem to come with some sort of adhesive tape/pads for fixing mounts to helmets, bodywork, etc. Are these adhesives really up to the task of ensuring your expensive camera doesn't disappear mid-ride, for a long time, in all weathers & conditions?

Where there is the option to fix mounts with nuts & bolts (using drilled holes, and obviously with 100% certainty that you want the mount to be permanent*), would any of you guys opt for that over the adhesive tape/pad options?

Should the adhesive tapes/pads be considered permanent*? Or semi-permanent*, as I imagine there are products out there that will dissolve the adhesive and allow removal? Fixing mounts with nuts & bolts should obviously be considered a fully-permanent* option, as removal would leave the drill-holes behind.


Thanks,

Mark

NOTE: When I say "permanent", I mean actually permanent, and not just strong or secure.

 

[F4celess]

The true weakness in mounts is the plastic. Properly applied glue mounts are pretty damn strong. Besides, if you worry about your camera falling off you could add a safety wire so it just hangs around if the mount fails.

As far as flat surfaces go, I'll always opt for adhesive. Drilling a hole leaves too much damage to be worth it. Otherwise I would use clamp mounts around tubular shapes like the subframe.

I'll add that drilling holes in helmets for mounts essentially breaks the helmet, as helmets are carefully designed and random holes could mess up the strength in the shape. So I'll assume you are thinking of fairings and whatnot.

 

[Phaedrus]

"I'll add that drilling holes in helmets for mounts essentially breaks the helmet, as helmets are carefully designed and random holes could mess up the strength in the shape. So I'll assume you are thinking of fairings and whatnot."

Indeed. Fairing panels, bodywork, pannier tops - that sort of thing. NOT a helmet. I didn't mean to infer, suggest or imply that drilling a helmet is something I'd either do or recommend.

Whether fixing mounts with adhesive or nuts/bolts, I'd assumed everyone always tethers their cameras as well, as a back-up? No?

 

[SighBored]

Tethering is wise to do, but if your adhesive is well applied and holding strong, you rarely need to tether.

 

[Phaedrus]

Famous last words, wha...

 

[Phaedrus]

The only two mounting locations I'm concerned about (in terms of applications I have in mind) are on top of my panniers - one at the front, one at the back.

My current panniers are BMW System cases - no flat or smooth surface. In advance of a trip currently in planning with a friend, I plan to get Touratech Zega Mundo aluminium panniers. Their surface is flatter and smoother than the BMW cases, but perhaps still not flat & smooth enough for good adhesion for a camera mount, hence the idea of nuts & bolts. The Zega pannier lids are removable (ergo replaceable), so if necessary (after drilling them), I could always just buy new lids. The Zega lids have luggage lash-loops built in - ideal for tethering cameras.

The other camera mounting points I have in mind would use clamp-type mounts (e.g. handlebars, crash-bars) rather than stick-on or bolt-on, so I've no issues regarding those.

 

[dandoolittle]

I ride on the track more than the roads. I'll easily do 150+ by using sticky mounts alone


Key is keeping things clean before sticking

 

[Arctic Pride]

Cars are even being held together with adhesives now. As mentioned its its the vibration and lack of stabilization of the arms that are the problem. You will notice professional rigs are usually setup in a triangle (tri-pod) configuration for stability and most use suction systems.

 

[Sailormoto]

SUGRU!!!!

I don't trust the adhesive since i lost my hero2 snowboarding but sugru makes me 100% more confident with it on my helmet. I doubt i could actually get it off if i tried.

 

[F4celess]

SUGRU!!!!

I don't trust the adhesive since i lost my hero2 snowboarding but sugru makes me 100% more confident with it on my helmet. I doubt i could actually get it off if i tried.

Sounds a bit like you applied the mount in the cold. Did that mistake when I tried to put a mount on my helmet in the slopes. Fell off pretty easily. The glue needs to be at room temp to actually do the binding process. Once they are stuck on there colder temps doesn't matter anymore. No amount of Sugru would counter for cold brittle plastic though.
Not to say Sugru isn't worth it though, much more flexible in mounting locations and surfaces than sticky mounts.

 

[Sportster]

Sticky does just fine for me and I like it because it is low profile and I can put 2 or 3 different mounts on a helment for different angles. without compromising safety

 

[scooterwuf]

I haven't had any problems with adhesives or suction mounts and used both on a ride from Philadelphia to Canada and back. I'd be cautions if using a sticky mount for long distances in hot weather -- high 90's or higher. Might be a good idea to use an additional teether just in case. You also may want to replace it after a few years as the glue chemistry will have broken down quite a bit.

- Wuf