Garmin Varia usage on eBikes

[sammcneill]

Hi Team

wondering if anyone else uses a Varia radar?

Garmin Varia™ RTL510 | Bike Radar | Rearview Tail Light

The Varia™ RTL510 radar tail light for your bicycle provides visual and audible alerts to warn of vehicles approaching from behind up to 153 yards away.

buy.garmin.com

I use on my road bike and consider it essential safety equipment now.
I would like to use on my SC2 but there is not enough seat post below the thudbuster cushioning and the frame for the radar to have a clear line of sight.

(I would imagine this challenge is exacerbated by those using a dropper post)

Any of the clever posters on here come up with an alternative mounting position?

one option I’m considering is fixing a mounting bracket to one of the panniers so it can sit there with clear visibility.

any thoughts appreciated!

cheers

Sam

 

[JVBulman]

Mount it to the back of your rack?

 

[sammcneill]

Mount it to the back of your rack?

Yeah it requires a flat-ish mounting point that the rack might make difficult but worth exploring

 

[fooferdoggie]

here is what I use I clamp it directly onto the round bar.

https://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B07NTZ6HWK/ref=ppx_yo_dt_b_search_asin_title?ie=UTF8&psc=1

 

[sammcneill]

here is what I use I clamp it directly onto the round bar.

https://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B07NTZ6HWK/ref=ppx_yo_dt_b_search_asin_title?ie=UTF8&psc=1

View attachment 99983

Awesome @fooferdoggie ! What is that mounting bracket ? Custom or bought somewhere?

 

[fooferdoggie]

Awesome @fooferdoggie ! What is that mounting bracket ? Custom or bought somewhere?

I gave you the ink on amazon. it clams really well. if you have a flat on back you could drill and use that bracket to mount it too. or you can use this guy with a screw hole in the flat of the rack if it has one. one drill hole and a 8mm cap screw and and nut https://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B07DJ1C463/ref=ppx_yo_dt_b_search_asin_title?ie=UTF8&psc=1
the only I showed you can even be clamped to the side of the rack too.

 

[sammcneill]

I gave you the ink on amazon. it clams really well. if you have a flat on back you could drill and use that bracket to mount it too. or you can use this guy with a screw hole in the flat of the rack if it has one. one drill hole and a 8mm cap screw and and nut https://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B07DJ1C463/ref=ppx_yo_dt_b_search_asin_title?ie=UTF8&psc=1
the only I showed you can even be clamped to the side of the rack too.

ahh - missed that link at the top of the photo - apologies @fooferdoggie

Looks like both options are out of stock and no timeline for new ones. However, searching Amazon for Varia Mount finds a lot of options e.g.

https://www.amazon.com/LICHIFIT-Bicycle-Support-Seat-Post-Rearview/dp/B0832D9DMW/ref=sr_1_6?dchild=1&keywords=varia+mount&qid=1631666178&sr=8-6

Thanks for pointing me in the right direction!

Cheers
Sam

 

[fooferdoggie]

ahh - missed that link at the top of the photo - apologies @fooferdoggie

Looks like both options are out of stock and no timeline for new ones. However, searching Amazon for Varia Mount finds a lot of options e.g.

https://www.amazon.com/LICHIFIT-Bicycle-Support-Seat-Post-Rearview/dp/B0832D9DMW/ref=sr_1_6?dchild=1&keywords=varia+mount&qid=1631666178&sr=8-6

Thanks for pointing me in the right direction!

Cheers
Sam

I show they are in stock are you in the us?

 

[sammcneill]

I show they are in stock are you in the us?

No, New Zealand

 

[fooferdoggie]

No, New Zealand

ya that could do it. but you should be able to find another garmin mount for a steerer tube. there are a ton on amazon like this guy https://www.amazon.com/K-Edge-Gravi...ocphy=9032883&hvtargid=pla-523687810476&psc=1

 

[dmourati]

I put a Varia on my Load 75 recently.

Amazon.com : Action Rear 12.7-19.0Mm Seatstay Reflector Clamp : Bike Seat Posts And Parts : Sports & Outdoors

Amazon.com : Action Rear 12.7-19.0Mm Seatstay Reflector Clamp : Bike Seat Posts And Parts : Sports & Outdoors

www.amazon.com

https://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B00MIJQXLG/ref=ppx_yo_dt_b_search_asin_title?ie=UTF8&psc=1

 

[6zfshdb]

You could always use one of these cheap insulated cable clamps:

Sizes are available to fit almost any frame or seat tube.

https://www.amazon.com/WiMas-Stainless-Rubber-Clamps-Assortment/dp/B07RKW62YY/ref=sr_1_5_sspa?crid=3JYW1GMWUP4H4&dchild=1&keywords=insulated+cable+clamp&qid=1631707500&sr=8-5-spons&psc=1&spLa=ZW5jcnlwdGVkUXVhbGlmaWVyPUExV1c5TjdYMEFVRDBKJmVuY3J5cHRlZElkPUEwNjc0MTYyMVozNkU3WU5KQlM5SyZlbmNyeXB0ZWRBZElkPUEwNzc3ODkwNEFBVU9IV0JUNDJLJndpZGdldE5hbWU9c3BfYXRmJmFjdGlvbj1jbGlja1JlZGlyZWN0JmRvTm90TG9nQ2xpY2s9dHJ1ZQ==

BTW, will the Varia radar detect smaller approaching objects like another cyclist?
I ride mostly trails and this device would be handy for that purpose.

 

[dmourati]

Yes. It detects people and other bikes.

 

[fooferdoggie]

You could always use one of these cheap insulated cable clamps:
View attachment 100018
Sizes are available to fit almost any frame or seat tube.

https://www.amazon.com/WiMas-Stainless-Rubber-Clamps-Assortment/dp/B07RKW62YY/ref=sr_1_5_sspa?crid=3JYW1GMWUP4H4&dchild=1&keywords=insulated+cable+clamp&qid=1631707500&sr=8-5-spons&psc=1&spLa=ZW5jcnlwdGVkUXVhbGlmaWVyPUExV1c5TjdYMEFVRDBKJmVuY3J5cHRlZElkPUEwNjc0MTYyMVozNkU3WU5KQlM5SyZlbmNyeXB0ZWRBZElkPUEwNzc3ODkwNEFBVU9IV0JUNDJLJndpZGdldE5hbWU9c3BfYXRmJmFjdGlvbj1jbGlja1JlZGlyZWN0JmRvTm90TG9nQ2xpY2s9dHJ1ZQ==

BTW, will the Varia radar detect smaller approaching objects like another cyclist?
I ride mostly trails and this device would be handy for that purpose.

I don't thing there are small enough clamps but you could add rubber. but he still needs a mount. only once in awhile does it detect a cyclist. most of the time not. but it may be a speed thing since we don't get passed often.

 

[Prairie Dog]

ahh - missed that link at the top of the photo - apologies @fooferdoggie

Looks like both options are out of stock and no timeline for new ones. However, searching Amazon for Varia Mount finds a lot of options e.g.

https://www.amazon.com/LICHIFIT-Bicycle-Support-Seat-Post-Rearview/dp/B0832D9DMW/ref=sr_1_6?dchild=1&keywords=varia+mount&qid=1631666178&sr=8-6

Thanks for pointing me in the right direction!

Cheers
Sam

That is the exact same brand of mount that I've been using for over a year. Works great with dropper seats too since it attaches to the rails. I added a 1" articulating extension that allows me to pull the RVR315 forward from the saddle as well as change its position.

 

[sammcneill]

Looks like the seat bar mount may be the answer here! thanks for sharing team!

The radar does detect other objects/cyclists but it needs to be moving considerably faster than you - if anything (cars included) are moving at approx the same relative speed as you it won't alert you e.g. other cyclistss in your group/peleton. IF you're stationary or very slow, other cyclists will be detected if they're closing the distance on you quickly.

 

[fooferdoggie]

Looks like the seat bar mount may be the answer here! thanks for sharing team!

The radar does detect other objects/cyclists but it needs to be moving considerably faster than you - if anything (cars included) are moving at approx the same relative speed as you it won't alert you e.g. other cyclistss in your group/peleton. IF you're stationary or very slow, other cyclists will be detected if they're closing the distance on you quickly.

ya I could use that on the tandem but I have a bag on mine. but the tandem has a suspension seat post so maybe not a good idea.

 

[peterh_nz]

With nothing on the carrier, my RTL515 works fine mounted under the thudbuster seat suspension of my SC2. Of course seat height is likely to influence the functionality.

In order to use the RTL when there is luggage on the carrier I will need to mount it next to the taillight. This appears to be easily done using a short piece of PVC pipe mounted on a spare hole on the taillight mounting plate.

I don't use the display and depend upon the audio signals from the Varia app, with the mobile in my pocket. Annoyingly, the BT connection between the device and mobile is regularly lost under some circumstances. Varia app background use is allowed and battery saving for the app is disabled.

It seems that the problem might not occur by ensuring that the Varia app is in the foreground before the screen is locked and the mobile pocketed.

A very useful device.

Cheers

Peter

 

[sammcneill]

Updating this thread - spent NZD$14.95 off Amazon AU to get a mounting bracket for my seat on my SC2:

Pleased to have this for my next longer ride on open roads.

Cheers
Sam

 

[mschwett]

I love the varia and use it for all long road rides. I mount an iPhone 12 mini to my bars for all my bike-computer / work-life “balance” needs and lately have been using the cadence app which receives rider power, cadence, speed, etc data from the bike as well as overlaying the varia information (a vertical red/green/orange stripe on the left side of the screen) and making the sounds if desired. very slick, minimal combo. this is a 3D printed mount that also has an apple airtag tucked in there - the only problem with this location on a bike without fenders is that it gets covered in mud/sand/dirt on a messy ride!