Bicycling with your Leica -- can it withstand a bumpy ride?

[Delcredere]

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I was about to ask the same. Well, I am in the far back of our yard, drying some laundry and appreciating nature's chaos.. (Great wireless here).

 

To answer the OP's question, I use one of these now. The lower part goes toward the seat. It is good for several reasons. With a layer of bubble pack on the bottom, the Leica (M9 or M4) is isolated from shock transmitted through the frame. Leicas do well when isolated from knocks or hard vibration and the pack clips right off the Bontourager mount so that it is not left on the bike and a concealed shoulder strap is available. Under the bottom of the pack are two sturdy velcro straps to secure it further to the mount to discourage thieves from unclipping it . I don't use them. The very top section opens to reveal a rain cover that can be pulled out to surround the pack. I've not found it necessary because the pack is waterproof enough, even around the zippers, but it is good to have.

 

I used to carry a camera strapped across my chest, but as the OP mentioned a crash can destroy the camera and break a rib or two - which is what happened to me with the M9. (A plug for Leica NJ which restored it in record time to better than new.)

 

As an aside, we do have one road from hell, and big, fat tires are the only solution. I use this old monster in some cases, but I no longer like standing on the pedals to get going.

 

Best of luck!

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Cool bike!

[albireo_double]

When riding, I usually put my Leica in a Hadley Digital bag (Here) that fits nicely in the Ortlieb Front Roller pannier, hanging off the rear rack. There's normally also some spare clothing (wind jacket and/or thin fleece) at the bottom of the pannier, providing extra shock absorption.

[harvey999999]

If you can afford a Leica M camera, buy a car.

[Fgcm]

I travel a lot, by plane, bus, train. I simply put my camera in a Billingham bag.

When climbing or skiing, I put it into the rucksack.

 

In my experience dating back to M6, than M8, M9 and M240, Leica cameras are bombproof.

I use my camera as it is intended to be: a tool.

Tools fall on the floor, get wet in the rain, freeze at -25 C on the alps and boil walking in the desert at 45 C, vibrate on the floor of a 30 years old bus in Tunisia.

 

I never had a problem.

 

Leica cameras are made as they should be: very very very well.

 

Franco

[pico]

I use my camera as it is intended to be: a tool.

 

 

Franco

 

 

As on old Harley rider I can tell you that a Leica is a lousy hammer.

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[Fgcm]

As on old Harley rider I can tell you that a Leica is a lousy hammer.

.

 

[2wk]

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I bike all the time with my Leica across my chest / back. If I go over a big bump or curb I usually hold the camera with my hand. If I had it stowed away in a bag I would miss many "drive by" shots. No problems with the M6, or MM. I do feel safest with the XV though!