How to Attach a Garmin Varia (or any Garmin Mount) to a Saddlebag
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- Опубликовано: 1 июл 2024
- In this video I demonstrate how to attach a Garmin mount to the back of my saddlebag, which in turn allows me to attach my Garmin Varia RTL515 radar rear light to the back of my bike.
This methodology should work for any mount system that uses a rubber band.
My video review of the Garmin Varia radar system is here (spoiler alert: I love it): • Why I Won't Ride Witho...
PRODUCTS MENTIONED IN THIS VIDEO
🐐Garmin mount: amzn.to/3Rcobwr
🦙 Garmin Varia RTL 515: amzn.to/3cUkHJf (Amazon US) ¦ amzn.to/3cdfGwm (Amazon UK)
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Here is a link to the mount on Amazon: amzn.to/3Rcobwr (Amazon US) ¦ amzn.to/3ErWt79 (Amazon UK)
THANK YOU!
I could not figure out how to attach it to my bag with the flap under my seat. I used 😂zip ties and now I can cut them off and do it this way. Genius!!!!!!
I've been wanting to attach my Varia to exactly that flap for quite some time and had a lot of ideas. This never occurred to me. Thank you. True genius lies in the simplest of things.
It takes a smart person to pull the curtain back on something both obvious and simple. Well done
So so helpful. I spent ages looking for all these specialised mounts and this is perfect. Cheers
Great idea! I've been searching for a good saddlebag mount and I apparently had all I needed the whole time. Thanks!
I can't believe I was looking at all manor of 3D printed solutions when this was so much more obvious! Thanks for this, I can now attach the Varia to my larger Audax bag
Just got a varia and this video solved a major problem for me - thanks:)
I've just bought Varia and had consoled myself to losing my Topeak aero wedge until.....voila....thank you so much. So many reviews on the Varia just say it's not possible and yet you have proved them all wrong. Many thanks for taking the trouble to share and you have a new subscriber as a result!
Thank you! ❤ I had been using a tool bottle and therefore losing a water bottle/mount - then dying of dehydration on hot days! Now I can run 2 bottles again 😊
Wow , I am so pleased I found your video . It’s been bugging how I could get both on my saddle post without the bag knocking the light off . Thanks for sharing the tip 👍
Thank you....seems so simple,ut I stared at my bag and never made the leap of faith
So very helpful! Thank you! I was feeling like I had to choose between safety and food for tomorrow’s century ride, and now I can have both! I was planning to use lots of zip ties but this is brilliantly simplistic! And my existing saddle bag has the flap 🎉
Great tip for my incoming Varia 315 !
Brilliantly simple. Many thanks
Awesome! So obvious and simple once shown! Thank you!
Same bag, same age, same way I attached mine. Nice video.
Thank you! So simple and beautiful, nothing 3d printed required whatsoever.
You're welcome!
This is exactly what I have been looking for.
Thanks for helping me solve my Varia radar mount problem.
Ingenious! 👍😁
Simply Amazing idea!! thank you so much!!
Great! Buying a saddle bag and had not figured this out.
Thanks!! I was looking at way to over engineered solutions this works perfect!
Thank you! Great solution!!!
This video was very helpful!
Thanks that is exactly what I was looking for
So simple and a great price ;) Thanks so much!
Great tip! Exactly what I needed.
superb, thank you. I'd cable tied the Varia mount to mine but this is far better.
You are genius! Thanks.
Bloody hell! Well done, mate! 😱💥
Very helpful, thanks :)
You are GREATE I felt little bit sad when I found that no space for my saddle bag. Your video is very useful
Super helpful!
Thank you so much! I wish I had seen your video earlier. I bought a 3D printer part for £15 in order to mount this...
Brilliant bodge!
Thanks! This is very useful. I missed the obvious. Have this attachment from my Garmin gps. Don't have to look for one.
Normal bike lights will take a hike at the first bump.
Have lost 2 that way already.
I had a similar issue with the Garmin Radar on a different saddle bag, I've used some "VELCRO Brand Sticky Back" and a good old tie wrap and it has been working well for the past few years
Just did as you showed 👍👍
Brilliant Thank you 👍
Thanks…I have that saddle bag 😊
Thank you! You saved me from struggling with this! I had an extra mount from my Garmin Explorer and it worked perfectly! I don’t know why the Garmin Varia, does not include this mount.
You should make more "esoteric" videos! It was incredibly useful, thank you. 😘
Also, I’ll be honest, dead easy to make. I’ll endeavour to achieve a balance of the esoteric and the exoteric in the future.
Right to the point! Thank you! Just sub.
PERFECT!!!!
Awesome realization, MY radar found a new HOME!
Perfect thanks
Thanks! Trick was to use the spare mount from my Edge, which is flat, instead of the mount that game with the varia which is designed for the seatpost.
I love this video! Short and to the point! If you don’t mind, one question: I have a rear bike rack bag (not saddle bag) with that same flap on the end of it. Do you think the Varia radar will function as well at that location?
Thanks!
Merci beaucoup! :)
well done
Thank you!
You're welcome!
Bup labs hand makes a mount. Greeg the owner is a craftsman cyclist. It attaches a mount to your seat rails and the extension mounts the varia past your bag. I have been using it for years . I love it solves a big problem
Oh yes, just googled Bup Labs. That's cool. Given them a look people!
Ahh! Can't believe I didn't think of this - thanks for video
I’d like to attach the Garmin to rear stay when bike packing since the rear bike packing bag constantly changes size and shape and doesn’t have a squared off rear end
Just to be safe, I have my RVR 315 tethered to my bike so if it does happen to come loose from my bag somehow it can't go far. I ride on low volume rural roads and I use my mirrors a lot. I can normally hear an approaching vehicle even if I didn't notice it in my mirrors but the RVR still alerts me to quite a few vehicles I neither hear or see. Regardless of how often I look in the mirrors, a motor vehicle approaching you at speed can come up on you very quickly.
Hi, not sure if it’s enough. The varia move with the road bumps? What about the saddle varia supports? And with a saddle bag? Looking for a more vertical saddle bag so it don’t press the varia.
I use a zip tie around the rails pulling the mount against the saddle bag. A bit of a pain to get to the saddlebag, which I hardly ever do anyway.
If the flap is smaller (mine is maybe max half in size as yours), I think that would mean a looser fit, no? because it looks like your flap covers most of the band, really all except the ends that are stretched onto the mount.
You didn't explain that you need to use the spare garmin connectors that came with the computer. There were no spares in the varia, and I had forgotten there were spares with the computer. I figured that out with a lot of searching. Also, how well does this work? when I mount mine it really flops around, so does that effect the performance of the device? Would I need to figure out how to firm it up so it doesn't flop around?
Yep it's a purpose built light mount!
Where do you get that mounting piece. Mine didn’t come with one. Directions so it for mounting RDU to handlebar stem.
This does not work with the standard connector that comes with the RT515. The connector that comes with the unit has two slots not 4 flanges. You have to purchase another connector if you want to do this (or have the spare from a Garmin computer).
The main issue with this method is that one is dependent on the strength of the "rubber band" which, despite its acclaimed ability to withstand the rigors of sun, rain and atmospheric exposure, when it eventually breaks one risks a $200 loss. Adding an adhesive based tether reduces that issue. (By the way, clean your saddle bag please.)
I've seen seat mounts with Garmin extensions that allow the Varia to mount to the seat posts with the mount projected over and past the saddle bag.
I've seen Garmin mounts screwed through small holes made into the saddle bag which has an inside-the-saddle-bag screw insert/nut or thin zip ties holding the Garmin mount tightly and securely.
I've seen this technique with the Varia turned upside down with added velcro attached to the saddle bag and the Varia for increased stability.
I've seen fire and I've seen rain but I hope to not have to deal with the Garmin/Varia radar pain...again.
a couple of small zip ties would probably work just as well if you are worried about the rubber bands.
A couple of rides ago this happened to me. I got a "radar disconnected" message, which happens, but when it hadn't reconnected I stopped and found it had dropped off. Rode back about half a mile and fortunately, it was still in the road flashing away. The band had broken.
Very helpful. Would you have a link for the Garmin mount you used. That didn't some with the Varia.
Looks like a Garmin Edge Mount
www.amazon.com/Garmin-mount-quick-release-quarter/dp/B002NU6J1Y
Yes , I bought the garmin edge mount and can confirm it fits
Did you use the Harmon mount that came with the Varia? The one that came with my RVR315 came with a thick mount that is meant to go on the seat post.
If I mount that to my saddle bag, the Varia would end up sideways.
Agreed. I used the Garmin mount that comes with, say, the Edge 530. I believe you can buy them on Amazon (if you don't already have an Edge bike computer with spares).
I am needing to find a way to attach it to a waist pack as I can not have a saddle bag on the bike because I have two water bottled behind the saddle where a saddle bag would go. I need to attach it to the center bottle holder on a CamelBak waist pack.
They make a clip to attach the Varia to a belt which would be perfect, Amazon Japan sells it, but they will not ship the plastic clip to Hawaii so I am looking for another option.
What is the mount that you rubber banded to the saddle bag and ultimately “twist in” the Varia into? Does it come with the Varia?
Yes it's the standard Garmin mount that can be adapted to the seatpost rig or on the bag
I don't feel really confident to trust a flimsy looking o-ring with holding a rathre expensive radar. I'm going use your method, but will add a back up "Garmin Varia Radar RTL515 Anti-Lost Case". The case comes with a tether strap, I'm gonna add a carabiner to the strap and loop it through the flap on my pannier rack bag.
Did they change the orientation of the mount? I just got my Garmin and if I mount it as suggested, then it ends up sideways.
Answered my own question. The version of the mount you have (which must be a previous revision) is available on Amazon. It has the flanges on all four sides.
Doesn’t the varia face down to the road? If so surely it wouldn’t do it job as good as being vertical?
It's a small enough angle downwards I'm sure the difference would be negligible
My varia came with a bar shaped mount, not a flat one. Am I missing something??
This is THE way.
My Garmin Mount is not flat like yours! Why is mine different? It has 3 different curves.
This mount looks like it could also be attached just by sewing it on there?
"Just"! I suppose so, but my sewing skills are not up to it!
Anybody have the actual link to that mount. He posted every other link and not one to the mount. My varia did not come with that mount.
Where did you take the mount from?
It's one of the standard handlebar/stem mounts that comes with a Garmin Edge bike computer. I think you can buy them separately on Amazon (I think other people refer to which ones in the comments to this video).
The light being as expensive as it is, I’m anxious about the security of the proposed method.
For those who have tried the method, can you please confirm that the Mount solution has not failed you so far?
ok this is freakin awesome.
but have to ask….has anyone who’ve done this have it fall off?
Not in the 12+ months since I’ve been doing it Ben
Alas my under saddle bag would be the one that doesn't have this tab ..... .sheesh!!!
I just picked up a Varia today and unfortunately the mounting hardware appears to have changed. The thin mount shown in the video is no longer included and only a thick, seatpost moulded one is (with mouldings for 3 common seatpost types) Furthermore, the Garmin mount cannot be rotated 90 degrees so clipping the seatpost mount onto the saddle bag isn't great as the radar is then on 90 degree angle :(
In my case though, the updated mount worked just fine on my seatpost as it had plenty of clearance for the seatpost clamp.
Garmin includes extra, thin mounts with their GPSes, and I used one of those. You can also get those on eBay.
@@kurt1391 Brilliant! I have the same Topeak saddlebag and have just purchased a GPS and the Varia and this video and your reply resolve my issues completely. Thanks for sharing.
I used an extra one that came with my Garmin Edge. Perfect fit.
It seems it is pointed downward, make sure it is faced backwards for better varia performance
That’s not the mount piece that came with my Varia 😕
It’s amazing to me that after all the time the Varia has been available that the idiots at Garmin have not come out with a simple clip for saddle bag loops. I mean most rear bike light manufacturers have these, they know a majority of cyclists use saddle bags. What in the world are Garmin thinking by not releasing one? Very dumb.
I sense anger in you.
I don’t see you
If the camera focuses on your face, remove your face from the shot. Right? 🤣
MF BRILLIANT! 🫡🫡🫡