GoPros are the best action cameras for mountain biking because they feature incredible video quality and image stabilization. However, picking the best GoPro for mountain biking is tricky since there are over 20 GoPro camera models.
Hi, it’s exciting to meet you! My name is Larry, and I’m an avid action sports videographer who’s been riding mountain bikes for over five years. Throughout my mountain biking adventures, I’ve tested each GoPro model on my rides.
In today’s in-depth guide, I’ll share the top 5 GoPros you should consider for mountain biking. I’ll also answer a few related questions and discuss what camera features make the best GoPro for mountain biking.
Keep reading to learn more!
Contents
Key Takeaways
- Video quality and electronic image stabilization are two of the most important factors when choosing the best GoPro for mountain biking.
- I highly recommend using a helmet or chest mount for your GoPro while mountain biking since they offer clear first-person points of view.
- If you only mountain bike once or twice a year, investing in a GoPro camera might not be worth it.
- The GoPro HERO10 Black is the best overall camera for mountain biking.
- The GoPro HERO7 Black is the best budget-friendly GoPro camera.
Which GoPro is best for mountain biking?
The GoPro HERO10 Black is the best GoPro for mountain biking. This camera features built-in mounting fingers so you can attach any mount without needing an additional housing case. Furthermore, the HERO10 Black has the best video quality, photo quality, and image stabilization out of every GoPro camera.
Which GoPro is best for cycling?
The best GoPro for cycling is the GoPro HERO10 Black because it features 5.3K video resolution, a 23MP camera sensor, and HyperSmooth 4.0 electronic image stabilization. This is the best action camera on the market for cycling.
Is the GoPro MAX good for mountain biking?
The GoPro MAX is an excellent choice for mountain biking because it offers 360-degree videos. Therefore, you can create incredibly unique and captivating mountain biking videos with the GoPro MAX. It’s also waterproof, so you can safely bring it into the rain or snow.
How to mount a GoPro for mountain biking?
My favorite place to mount your GoPro while mountain biking is on your helmet. This provides an excellent first-person point of view, allowing you to create exciting and immersive GoPro videos. However, you can also mount your GoPro on your chest or bike if you don’t want to wear a helmet mount while mountain biking.
Where do I put my GoPro on my bike?
You can mount your GoPro to your handlebars, seat post, or other tubed bike parts. However, my favorite bike mounting position is on the handlebars because it captures everything in front of you. Therefore, handlebar mounts are the best if you want to record the best footage possible of your terrain trail and conditions.
What Makes the Best GoPro for Mountain Biking
The best GoPro for mountain biking is the action camera that enables even more memorable and exciting rides. However, each mountain biker has different needs in terms of recording qualities and budget.
Therefore, I compiled a list of the most important factors to look for in your new GoPro camera. This way, you can pick the best GoPro for your specific situation.
Let’s take a closer look at each of these core factors:
- Video Quality: Since you want to record your mountain biking adventures, you need a GoPro camera that offers impressive video quality. Some mountain bikers may prefer lower-quality footage at 1080p, while others may want crystal-clear 4K or 5K video footage. Therefore, choose the GoPro camera with sufficient recording capabilities.
- Picture Quality: GoPros are dual-purpose cameras that also offer great photo quality. For this reason, you may want a GoPro with a larger camera sensor to take higher-quality images. The GoPro HERO10 Black offers the best camera sensor at 23MP.
- Weight: You also need to think about the weight of your GoPro. This is because you may want to mount the GoPro to your helmet or body. If this is the case, you should consider lighter GoPro options.
- Electronic Image Stabilization (EIS): HyperSmooth is the built-in electronic image stabilization technology inside newer GoPro cameras. This technology automatically stabilizes shaky GoPro footage, providing excellent videos for rough mountain biking roads. In addition, newer GoPros feature more advanced EIS technology.
Top 5 Best GoPro for Mountain Biking
Now, it’s time to jump into my comprehensive list of recommendations. I’ve tested over 20 different GoPro cameras while mountain biking on various terrains and only listed the best of the best.
So if you’re in the market for a new GoPro camera, you should only consider these five options. This is because these GoPro cameras feature better video quality, battery life, and image stabilization compared to older GoPro cameras.
Here we go!
1. GoPro HERO10 Black (Best Overall)
- Max Video Resolution: 5.3K at 60fps
- Max Photo Resolution: 23MP (Megapixels)
- Weight: 5.6 ounces or 158 grams
- Electronic Image Stabilization (EIS): HyperSmooth 4.0
The GoPro HERO10 Black is the newest GoPro camera model and the best overall action camera for mountain biking. This camera features the latest GP2 camera processor, which provides terrific video resolution, photo quality, and top-notch camera performance.
In summary, this is the only GoPro camera that has the GP2 processor and HyperSmooth 4.0 electronic image stabilization. Due to the GP2 processor, the HERO10’s touchscreen and interface are faster and more responsive than previous models. This makes it easy to change your camera settings and play back footage.
The HERO10 Black is waterproof down to 33 feet or 10 meters. In addition, the camera is equipped with a front LCD and rear LCD touchscreen. This camera features impressive video resolutions up to 5.3K ultra HD at 60fps. You can also take advantage of this camera’s big 23MP camera sensor for detailed photographs.
Nonetheless, the best feature of this camera is the HyperSmooth 4.0. This camera produces smooth video footage even on the bumpiest and roughest mountain trails. For this reason, this is the only GoPro camera I use whenever I go mountain biking.
The only criticism I have about this camera is its price point. Since it’s the newest GoPro camera, it has a relatively higher price point than other GoPro HERO cameras. However, the price point is justified due to this camera’s upgrades and features.
My Verdict: The GoPro HERO10 Black is the hands-down winner of today’s list because it features the best camera technology and recording capabilities out of every GoPro camera model. This action camera’s GP2 processor enables buttery-smooth video quality and performance.
2. GoPro HERO9 Black (Runner Up)
- Max Video Resolution: 5K at 30fps
- Max Photo Resolution: 20MP
- Weight: 5.2 ounces or 147 grams
- Electronic Image Stabilization (EIS): HyperSmooth 3.0
The GoPro HERO9 Black is another excellent choice since it’s nearly as capable as the HERO10 Black and remarkably better than the HERO8 Black. For this reason, the HERO9 Black is the best GoPro for mountain biking if you want a top-notch action camera but don’t want to spend top-dollar for the HERO10 Black.
In contrast to the HERO10 Black, the HERO9 features the GP1 camera processor and HyperSmooth 3.0. Even though these are older versions of GP2 and HyperSmooth 4.0, they are still perfectly suitable for mountain biking. In my opinion, these older technologies are still better than most of what you’ll find in the action camera market.
Furthermore, the HERO9 Black can record 5K resolution videos at 30fps and snap 20MP photos with its camera sensor. Therefore, the HERO9 Black is a fantastic choice if you want to record ultra high-quality mountain biking footage.
Similar to the HERO10 Black, this camera is waterproof down to 33 feet or 10 meters. It also has built-in mounting fingers where you can attach GoPro mounts and adapters easily.
The only drawback in getting the HERO9 Black is that it’s not the HERO10 Black. So although you get one of the best action cameras available, it isn’t the overall best option. Nonetheless, you can’t go wrong with the HERO9 Black, and I’m sure you’ll be impressed with the mountain biking footage it provides.
My Verdict: The GoPro HERO9 Black is the second-best option because it’s the closest GoPro to the HERO10 Black in terms of video performance and camera technology. You can’t go wrong with the HERO9 Black if you want a more affordable option than the HERO10 Black.
3. GoPro HERO8 Black (Best Value)
- Max Video Resolution: 4K at 60fps
- Max Photo Resolution: 12MP
- Weight: 4.4 ounces or 126 grams
- Electronic Image Stabilization (EIS): HyperSmooth 2.0
The GoPro HERO8 Black features excellent build quality and is waterproof like the two GoPro cameras listed above. Furthermore, the HERO8 produces 4K video resolutions at 60fps. It also has a 12MP camera you can use to snap quick and detailed mountain biking photos.
This camera features the older HyperSmooth 2.0 electronic image stabilization technology. Although this EIS is two generations behind HyperSmooth 4.0, it’s still better than most image stabilizers found on action cameras from other manufacturers.
The HERO8 Black is also slightly lighter and smaller than the HERO9 and HERO10 Black. Therefore, it’s more comfortable to mount and wear on your head or chest. This camera is incredibly portable and fits inside most pockets.
In addition, the HERO8 produces clear footage with dynamic colors. Therefore, you can easily record realistic and beautiful GoPro videos to share with your family and friends. The viewers will feel like they are watching you live from your first-person point of view.
However, I want to talk about some cons as well. Since this camera is smaller than the HERO9 and HERO10, it features a smaller battery with less battery life. Furthermore, this camera can only record up to 4K resolution, while other options go up to 5K or 5.3K.
My Verdict: The GoPro HERO8 Black is the best value buy because it offers impressive video resolution, image stabilization, and photo quality at a relatively affordable price point. Nonetheless, I still recommend investing a few more dollars and picking up a HERO9 or HERO10.
4. GoPro MAX (Best 360° Camera)
- Max Video Resolution: 5.6K at 30fps
- Max Photo Resolution: 16.6MP
- Weight: 5.75 ounces or 163 grams
- Electronic Image Stabilization (EIS): MAX HyperSmooth
The GoPro MAX is a unique 360-degree camera that produces innovative and distinctive mountain biking videos. This camera offers video recording capabilities up to 5.6K at 30fps, 2x slo-mo at 3K, and 1080p live streaming. It also features the GP1 camera processor and an exclusive MAX HyperSmooth electronic image stabilization technology.
You may be wondering how a 360-degree camera works. Let me explain it to you! The GoPro MAX has two 180-degree fisheye lenses that record everything around the camera. To create the 360-degree video, the GoPro MAX stitches together the two hemispherical videos.
After you finish your mountain biking recording session, you can transfer the clips to your phone with GoPro Quik. Then, you can use GoPro Quik to crop, edit, and share your mountain biking videos with friends and family. Another unique feature of this camera is its 6 built-in microphones. Therefore, you can capture some immersive road experiences while biking.
The only downside to the GoPro MAX is that it’s the most expensive option on today’s list. For this reason, you should only get this camera if you want to record 360-degree videos.
To help you understand what a 360 video looks like, check out this video from Sebastian Wiegärtner:
He records some impressive mountain biking footage with his GoPro MAX.
My Verdict: The GoPro MAX is a one-of-a-kind action camera that records 360-degree videos. If you want to record 360 videos, the GoPro MAX is the only action camera you should consider.
5. GoPro HERO7 Black (Best Budget)
- Max Video Resolution: 4K at 60fps
- Max Photo Resolution: 12MP
- Weight: 4.1 ounces 116 grams
- Electronic Image Stabilization (EIS): HyperSmooth 1.0
The GoPro HERO7 Black has all the camera features you need in a robust but affordable GoPro for mountain biking. This camera records up to 4K videos at 60fps and takes crisp pictures with a 12MP camera sensor. Therefore, it offers similar features to the HERO8 black at a cheaper price point.
This camera also features an LCD touchscreen, waterproofing capabilities, and HyperSmooth 1.0 electronic image stabilization. Although you may have seen the HERO7 White and HERO7 Silver, I only recommend the HERO7 Black out of the HERO7 line because it’s the only one with HyperSmooth, 8x slo-mo, HDR recording, live streaming capabilities, and 1080p at 240fps.
As I mentioned earlier, I don’t recommend older GoPro models for mountain biking because they are less reliable and have lower-quality camera features. For this reason, the HERO7 Black is the oldest GoPro camera I recommend. This is because it features notably better image quality and camera performance compared to older models.
So, if you are a budget-conscious mountain biker and want to save some money for additional GoPro mounts, batteries, and SD cards, you can’t go wrong with the HERO7 Black. However, it’s important to remember that other options exist in the HERO10, HERO9, and HERO8. So if you have a few extra dollars to spend, I recommend going for a newer GoPro camera.
My Verdict: The GoPro HERO7 Black is the best budget camera for mountain biking because it’s the most affordable option on today’s list. This camera is perfectly suitable for mountain bikers who don’t need top-notch recording and camera features.
Final Thoughts
I hope you enjoyed my guide on the best GoPro for mountain biking. In today’s guide, I taught you about what factors to look for in your next GoPro camera. I also explained the only five options you should consider when looking for the best GoPro for mountain biking.
GoPro cameras are excellent for mountain bikers because they record wide-angle footage and offer ultra-high-quality video footage. However, if you want the best image stabilization in the action camera market, I highly recommend the GoPro HERO10 Black.
But now I want to hear from you. Which GoPro from today’s list do you want to get? Do you have any questions about GoPros or mountain biking? How long have you been mountain biking? Let me know by dropping a quick comment down below.
