u/ThaiJeenHelp

My wife got a GoPro and put it on her helmet, but she doesn't really like it there and so will switch to the handlebars. We're wondering how high it needs to go (when in wide or superview) to see clearly over a fully loaded large Borough Roll Top Bag without the bag showing up in the scene. We are probably going to have to order any mount online, and since we can't try before we buy, we're looking for some first-hand advice from people with similar set-ups. Recommendations for any specific models would be welcome too. Thanks in advance.

14.61460, 104.49337

Just wanted to share my recent experience with this for others who are in a similar situation. We bought bikes in the EU and rode them around for about two months before heading home. When researching the procedures for collecting the refund, everything we read said that the products need to be unused, and some websites even said they have to be in the original packaging. But the official EU pages about VAT refunds that I saw (e.g. https://europa.eu/youreurope/citizens/consumers/shopping/vat/index\_en.htm and https://taxation-customs.ec.europa.eu/taxation/vat/vat-directive/vat-refunds\_en) didn’t mention this. When we went to the customs office (on the Swiss-Italian border), the officer walked outside to see our bikes and could tell without a doubt that we had been riding them, but we got our document stamped in less than two minutes.

At the end, we did ask the officer about using products you’ve purchased while still in Europe, and he told us that normally you shouldn’t use them, but not because there is a specific rule about it. The reason is that customs officers need to know for certain that you are not running a scam by submitting a claim for something old. If there is any doubt about that, you will not get the stamp. So, any decision is subject to the judgement of the officials you deal with, but yes, generally speaking, you can use your new purchase before you get home.

I just got a folding bike to do touring and I will use a large Borough bag on the front, but I'm unsure what to try on the back. Most of the setups I see online use a standard seat pack, but it seems that there would be some advantages to getting a saddle bag adapter clamp and using a large top-loading saddle/handlebar bag, such as Swift Industries Zietgeist. The latter can hold a heavier max load than a seat pack and, I suspect, it should sway less. But, not seeing any makes me wonder if I'm missing some negatives. Does anyone here have experience using a top-loader? Thanks.

Edit - In case it's not clear what I'm talking about. https://youtu.be/y2Cig8q0Gac?si=91y9vji1eD5KUbkK&t=88