What I Think of the GoPro HERO13 Black
Quick Verdict: If you want cinematic action footage without the hassle of being a videographer, the HERO13 Black is almost perfect. But skip it if you hate buying extra lenses.
What I Loved
- HyperSmooth 6.0 is a Game-Changer for Cyclists
I took this on a pothole-filled Canadian trail, and the footage looked like it was filmed on a gimbal. No more shaky downhill descents ruining your epic ride clips. - Enduro Battery Survived My 4-Hour Ride… Barely
At -5°C, it lasted 1 hour 40 mins in 5.3K/60fps. Better than older models, but pack a spare if you’re doing all-day adventures. - HB-Series Lenses Make You Look Pro (Without the Skill)
The Max Lens Mod gave me insane 155° POV shots perfect for singletrack rides. The Anamorphic Lens? Cinematic gravel grinding footage that made my Instagram DMs blow up. - Mounts Like a Champ
Tested it on my helmet, chest strap, and even a barbell during deadlifts. Zero shakes, even with 100kg lifts.
What Could Be Better
- The Price Tag Will Make You Sweat More Than Hill Repeats
At 499CAD(bodyonly),it’ssteep.AndthoseHBlenses?Another99-$199 each. Ouch. - Overheating in Direct Sun
After 30 mins of 5.3K filming in 25°C weather, it shut down. Fine for cycling clips, not for recording your entire gym session. - Mobile App Still Clunky
Auto-uploading to the cloud took forever. Felt like waiting for a Windows 98 update.
Who Should Buy This?
- Serious Cyclists who want buttery-smooth trail/road footage.
- Gym Creators filming heavy lifts (the stabilization handles weights crashing).
- Travelers needing a tough camera for kayaking, skiing, or Costa Rica rainforest hikes.
Alternatives to Consider
- DJI Osmo Action 4: Better in low light, worse stabilization.
- Insta360 Go 3: Tiny for helmet-free rides, but only 2.7K.
My Unfiltered Take
As a cyclist who hates editing, the auto highlight videos saved me hours. But the real star is the updated mounting – I strapped this to my gravel bike’s fork and got footage so smooth, my friends thought I rented a drone.
Just don’t expect “set and forget” ease. The HERO13 rewards tinkerers.
Pro Tips for Cyclists
- Use HyperSmooth + Boost for technical descents.
- Pair the Max Lens Mod with a chest mount for immersive trail POVs.
- Buy the Volta Grip if you’re filming long bikepacking trips – it doubles as a remote.
Ready to Test Your Limits?
👉 Get the GoPro HERO13 Black on Amazon
(Using this link supports my blog – thanks!)
