I have used a Varia for more than a year now and find it to be invaluable. For me, it is really "awareness' that it provides. It took me a while to realise it warns about cars etc. overtaking me ie going faster than me, not just cars behind me doing the same speed as me. I wouldn't be without it now when out and about on my bike. Cheers
Opinions on Garmin Varia
- Thread starter Juliansou
- Start date
Page may contain affiliate links. Please see terms for details.
I have used a Varia for more than a year now and find it to be invaluable. For me, it is really "awareness' that it provides. It took me a while to realise it warns about cars etc. overtaking me ie going faster than me, not just cars behind me doing the same speed as me. I wouldn't be without it now when out and about on my bike. Cheers
The embarrassing thing is when the faster moving vehicle transpires to be another cyclist.
Indeed!
Happens a lot, not bothered. I was bothered last night however when it was someone on a leccy scooter, so got my foot down a bit.
Alex321
Guru
- Location
- South Wales
Why would that be embarrassing?
Most of us aren't racing cyclists, and even if we may be faster than the average, there are still plenty of faster riders out there.
Sea of vapours
Guru
- Location
- Clapham, Yorkshire Dales
Mine's been triggered at least once by runners on gradients in the 10-15% range ...
ColinJ
Puzzle game procrastinator!
- Location
- Todmorden - Yorks/Lancs border
I had a runner overtake me today when I was grunting up a short 10-12% ramp in my 'singlespeed'** 42/15 gear.
** I have added 2 lower gears to the bike to give me the option of tackling much harder routes, but I stick to the 42/15 gear on any route that I used to manage when the bike was a true singlespeed.
More in the expectation of something on 4 wheels going pass.
I picked my varia light up tonight .It haven't tried it out properly but I did test outside the house with on coming cars.It worked really well considering I was just messing around with it.. I've fixed mine to the seat post but I'm not convinced or confident the rubber band that holds the mount is secure enough.The thought of a rubber band is the only thing that holds a £130 item to your bike is a little daunting.Tomorrow I'm going to get some black cable ties to thread through the mount for some extra security..The light itself is quite small but it certainly packs a fair old punch.I thought my trusty Moon Nebula light was good, but this light outshines it by a long way.
I like the way the light switches on when i power up my cycle computer and visa versa.
One thing I have noticed is when you power off the head unit the light goes off but the blue indicator flashes every few seconds.
Can I leave it in this state without it running down the battery or is best to completely power down the light by holding the button down for a few seconds.
Looking forward to trying it out properly this weekend
I like the way the light switches on when i power up my cycle computer and visa versa.
One thing I have noticed is when you power off the head unit the light goes off but the blue indicator flashes every few seconds.
Can I leave it in this state without it running down the battery or is best to completely power down the light by holding the button down for a few seconds.
Looking forward to trying it out properly this weekend
Last edited:
Completely power down otherwise it will probably have a flat battery next time you want to use it.
Slick
Guru
I bought this after a recommendation from @Sea of vapours on this thread.
Works a treat.
Amazon product ASIN B0832LRC69View: https://www.amazon.co.uk/LICHIFIT-Bicycle-Support-Seat-post-Rearview/dp/B0832LRC69
Slick
Guru
Also, switch it on and stand back from it and then walk towards it.
You will see how it reacts to your approach, its pretty cool.
Sea of vapours
Guru
- Location
- Clapham, Yorkshire Dales
As @Mike_P says, it's not fully off in that state and it definitely does lose charge faster in that partially off state. You can put it into that state by not holding the power button long enough too, so just make sure the Bluetooth flashing indicator has gone off.
As to mounts, the one @Slick has for the saddle rails is a solid option, but if you do want a seatpost one then the separately available Garmin clamp-on bracket is good (my partner has one and it's very secure on the seatpost). https://www.garmin.com/en-GB/p/521461 Personally, I think they should supply those with the unit as they are considerably safer than the rubber band ones. It's not that the band might break so much as that it's not difficult to fail to engage said band on the little hooks fully.
Good luck with the Varia. I'm sure you won't regret buying it :-)
