I stopped using saddle bags because when it rains everything in there gets soaked. I now put everything in a small Rapha waterproof pouch that I put in my pocket. I’m considering getting a top tube bag for gels and stuff. I also bought TPU tubes. That saves a lot of space as they are 1/4 the size of bytul tubes.
Clever solution. One word of caution regarding all these alternate mounting systems for the Varia radar. The unit emits radiation in order to do its job. Garmin has a warning in the instructions to not place the Varia within, I believe, 5 cm of your body (I.e. privates). I have seen many TH-cam solutions (including devices that attach to saddle bags and the rails of your seat) that put the radar unit quite close to the seat and flirt with that warning distance. I'm not here to tell you if you should pay attention to Garmin's warning or not. You do you. But I thought some would appreciate this info. BTW, I have read many complaints asking why Garmin does not make their own saddle bag mount for the Varia Radar. I suspect this is because of the legal consequences of producing a product that could put the unit too close to the rider's body.
So, I spent an inordinate time trying to figure out the seat post stuff before going out to my actual Xtracycle and realizing that erm, I can't mount it on the seat post b/c there's cargo stuff behind it. Sigh, I'm sure nobody else has a bike rack behind their seat post, either!!! Thanks for this 'caues it gives me a clue...
I found a great solution to this problem. A small company hand makes a mount that works great . It attaches to the rails of your seat and extends past the saddle bag. The owner of the company is great . I have been using the mount for a couple of years . BuP labs is the name of the company; they have mounts and extenders for any saddle. Varia is great but garmin missed with their mounts.
I just installed my BuP Varia mount yesterday. Perfect solution for those of us who are vertically challenged! Plus it is extremely sturdy. The installation was a bit tricky (needed to try different screws sizes), but once on, it is perfect. I love how it extends past the saddle bag. I was so happy I found this solution.
@@fishernutritionsystems1121 You don't need to be vertically challenged, I just think it's more visible on the bag or attached to the saddle than the seat post.
I'm late to this party and also being a bit overly cautious perhaps, but in addition to the solution shown, for added security you can get cheap tethers on EBay etc. meaning that, should the light fall off it just dangles, rather than get damaged/lost.
@@edshanahan The one I bought required that I unscrewed the tiny triangular plate you can see when you lift up the rubber charging port protector. It had a replacement triangular plate with the tether attached. Not sure if it is coincidental or causal, but after I did this I had problems with my Varia after this that led to buying a discounted, refurbished one from Garmin Cust. Serv. because they don't service them.
I'm wondering if Aquaseal is better used here than Gorilla Glue. Aquaseal is a polyurethane glue and that type of glue is recommended for use on wood, metal, ceramics, glass, most plastics, and fiberglass. The main point for me is that It dries flexible and can also be used on leather, cloth, rubber, and vinyl. Gorilla Glue doesn't seem to have the flexibility and, though this placement of glue doesn't display much need for surface flexibility there is some nonetheless.
Yes, in fact it comes with three mounts. For me though, between having a low seat and a saddlebag, there wasn’t enough space left to mount the Varia on one.
@@BrianRouse I just ordered a Garmin Varia RTL515 for $150 at REI. I am excited to start using it and having a better peace of mind/safety on my rides. I will try your DIY mount on my current saddle bag if it fits. Thank you for your help!
I'm still using it, and almost feel naked on the bike without it. I'd say it's my most important piece of tech I use on the bike. I did lose one when I got caught in a rainstorm while on a gravel trail; the heaving combination of rain and mud killed it.
@@BrianRouse I went with another o-ring looped through the saddle bag buckle (Apidura). Works great and really cleans up the looks, which is important!
Tried it, Unfortunately for me your hypothesis is incorrect. Such a shame planned to hook to up permanently to my ebike so I wouldn’t have all the time. From What I can see you can’t even change the battery? So once the battery dies the whole unit would become expensive trash
@@BrianRouse I think they do that for update purpose. Anyway got it to wok in the end by cutting o the data lines in the usb and supplying 5v directly. Happy days!
I stopped using saddle bags because when it rains everything in there gets soaked. I now put everything in a small Rapha waterproof pouch that I put in my pocket. I’m considering getting a top tube bag for gels and stuff. I also bought TPU tubes. That saves a lot of space as they are 1/4 the size of bytul tubes.
Great problem solver! I used a furniture pad with adhesive on one side along with Velcro on the opposite end to hold it in place.
Thanks for the idea! I ended up supergluing a square lego piece to get the perfect alignment (in place of the metal spacer you used).
Good idea!
Thanks, Brian! Yeah...I just bought a Varia and have been trying to figure out mounting....I am 5'4"...maybe 5'5" if I really stretch! 😉
@@bonniegable3097 I feel your pain! Thanks for watching!
Thanks for posting this! Best I have seen so far for my issue!
Great! Glad it helped.
Clever solution. One word of caution regarding all these alternate mounting systems for the Varia radar. The unit emits radiation in order to do its job. Garmin has a warning in the instructions to not place the Varia within, I believe, 5 cm of your body (I.e. privates). I have seen many TH-cam solutions (including devices that attach to saddle bags and the rails of your seat) that put the radar unit quite close to the seat and flirt with that warning distance. I'm not here to tell you if you should pay attention to Garmin's warning or not. You do you. But I thought some would appreciate this info. BTW, I have read many complaints asking why Garmin does not make their own saddle bag mount for the Varia Radar. I suspect this is because of the legal consequences of producing a product that could put the unit too close to the rider's body.
Interesting…I did not know that. Luckily in my case I’m outside that 5cm distance…but it’s good to know! 👍🏻
On the other hand, they say it's good to have it high up, so you want it high but not too high
So, I spent an inordinate time trying to figure out the seat post stuff before going out to my actual Xtracycle and realizing that erm, I can't mount it on the seat post b/c there's cargo stuff behind it. Sigh, I'm sure nobody else has a bike rack behind their seat post, either!!! Thanks for this 'caues it gives me a clue...
I deal with that very issue here:
Four Useful Items for an E-Bike...Or Any Bike
th-cam.com/video/ixGGQqjoHCw/w-d-xo.html
I found a great solution to this problem. A small company hand makes a mount that works great . It attaches to the rails of your seat and extends past the saddle bag. The owner of the company is great . I have been using the mount for a couple of years . BuP labs is the name of the company; they have mounts and extenders for any saddle. Varia is great but garmin missed with their mounts.
Holy crap...that is exactly what I needed a year ago! Thanks for the tip!
I just installed my BuP Varia mount yesterday. Perfect solution for those of us who are vertically challenged! Plus it is extremely sturdy. The installation was a bit tricky (needed to try different screws sizes), but once on, it is perfect. I love how it extends past the saddle bag. I was so happy I found this solution.
@@fishernutritionsystems1121 You don't need to be vertically challenged, I just think it's more visible on the bag or attached to the saddle than the seat post.
Interesting trick. I dont have that but i bet it improves the accuracy of the device.
Brilliant! Thanks for posting.
Great solution… thanks for posting
I'm late to this party and also being a bit overly cautious perhaps, but in addition to the solution shown, for added security you can get cheap tethers on EBay etc. meaning that, should the light fall off it just dangles, rather than get damaged/lost.
Great idea!
I have had trouble trying to figure out how to attach the tethers to the Varia. Most of the videos I have seen do not show this
@@edshanahan The one I bought required that I unscrewed the tiny triangular plate you can see when you lift up the rubber charging port protector. It had a replacement triangular plate with the tether attached. Not sure if it is coincidental or causal, but after I did this I had problems with my Varia after this that led to buying a discounted, refurbished one from Garmin Cust. Serv. because they don't service them.
I'm wondering if Aquaseal is better used here than Gorilla Glue. Aquaseal is a polyurethane glue and that type of glue is recommended for use on wood, metal, ceramics, glass, most plastics, and fiberglass. The main point for me is that It dries flexible and can also be used on leather, cloth, rubber, and vinyl. Gorilla Glue doesn't seem to have the flexibility and, though this placement of glue doesn't display much need for surface flexibility there is some nonetheless.
Fair point. I haven’t heard of Aquaseal…sounds like it’s worth a try for sure.
Nice solution. But wouldn’t it hang better if it were turned upside down? Ie. Velcro on bottom.
Perhaps...I oriented it this way because I could loop the Garmin mount around the existing buckle on the saddle bag.
Good solution. Thanks for sharing
nice solution! thanks for sharing
I added a zip tie at the 12 o’clock/6 o clock to add tension
didn't garmin mount came in the box?
Yes, in fact it comes with three mounts. For me though, between having a low seat and a saddlebag, there wasn’t enough space left to mount the Varia on one.
How do you remove the plastic part behind the varia?
Not sure I understand your question. I didn’t remove anything from the Varia itself.
I’ve had multiple rubber O rings split and brake
Thank you for the tip
i too am in the upside down club!
What size topeek bag are you using?
I want to say it was this size: amzn.to/3KV8ype
@@BrianRouse Thank you!
@@BrianRouse Do you use any case or tether for your Varia?
@@Jim-sz7qi other than the clip and the Velcro, no. It probably isn’t a bad idea to do that though!
@@BrianRouse I just ordered a Garmin Varia RTL515 for $150 at REI. I am excited to start using it and having a better peace of mind/safety on my rides. I will try your DIY mount on my current saddle bag if it fits.
Thank you for your help!
Smart idea!
Thanks!
Neat. I’m lazy and just use the seat stay.
Can I assume it does not matter whether device is upside down or not?
It does not matter if it’s upside down; it still works as expected.
I have mine mounted sideways, still works as expected.
Nice video Brian! Are you still using the Garmin Varia and how has it aged over the first year?
I'm still using it, and almost feel naked on the bike without it. I'd say it's my most important piece of tech I use on the bike. I did lose one when I got caught in a rainstorm while on a gravel trail; the heaving combination of rain and mud killed it.
great double hack!
Thanks for watching!
@@BrianRouse I went with another o-ring looped through the saddle bag buckle (Apidura). Works great and really cleans up the looks, which is important!
👏🏾👏🏾👏🏾
Does the unit work whilst being charged?
I can’t say for sure, I’ve never tried that. If I had to hypothesize, I’d say yes.
Tried it, Unfortunately for me your hypothesis is incorrect. Such a shame planned to hook to up permanently to my ebike so I wouldn’t have all the time. From What I can see you can’t even change the battery? So once the battery dies the whole unit would become expensive trash
@@kelvinks8018 Hmm…the unit charges via USB. I would’ve thought that even while attached to an external battery it would work. Sorry to hear it.
@@BrianRouse I think they do that for update purpose. Anyway got it to wok in the end by cutting o the data lines in the usb and supplying 5v directly. Happy days!
I just don’t use a saddle bag
GCN hack / bodge? HACK!
That is high praise! LOL
@@BrianRouse I was wondering if you'd get the reference haha