This adapter enables you to attach a Garmin Varia radar to the rear of nearly any seat bag (or saddle).
The Garmin Varia has proven to be a very popular product, but it is designed to only be attached to a bicycle seatpost. Consequently one cannot attach a wedge or seat bags as it will block the radar. Most conventional tail lights can be attached to the seat stays, but no such adapter is provided with the Varia...so this product is our solution to the problem.
- Attaches to any bag that has a slot for a blinkie light. The slot, usually made of webbing, must be at least an inch wide (25mm).
- The angle of the Varia can be adjusted so it stays level, pointing back toward
- The adapter is composed of two components:
- Jaws: sewn between nylon webbing are two small pieces of aircraft aluminum (6061T6), which serve to clamp down onto your bag
- Bracket: this component (based on the GoPro swivel), which has an adjustable angle ¼-turn female receiver, clamps onto the above jaws. - The “saddle” bracket can be used by itself on most, but not all saddles (not on leather Brooks, Selle-Antomica or Rivet), in lieu of attaching it to your bag. Scroll down the bottom of this page for more info on saddle rails.
- Also provided is a piece of OmniTape which is a Velcro-type strap that can be used to stabilize the bottom of the adapter (if needed, optional)
- The male tabs or mount on the RTL315 and RTL515 are the same and match earlier Varia models (as well as all Garmin computers), however, with the introduction of the RTC715 they totally redesigned it with a beefier ¼-turn mount. We currently don’t have in stock adapters for the 715 but are considering bringing them in. The problem is that we have not found any Chinese or local suppliers making adapters, only some companies in the UK doing limited run 3D printing. If you have a 715 then you might consider getting our complete adapter along with this product from the 3D Design Centre in the UK.
Design Note
Our original prototypes used a Velcro-type attachment, but we found that the Varia, in its cantilevered position, bounced or wobbled around too much, so we settled on a design that clamps onto the bag, providing a much more stable attachment.
There are several 3D printed models that will attach to the straps of a bike bag BUT the problem is that the back surface of most of our bags are tilted, so they will not work. They may work on a run-of-the-mill wedge bag, assuming the back panel is dead vertical.
Specifications
Weight (complete bag adapter for 315 or 515): 67 g (2.4 oz.)
Weight (saddle bracket only): 48 g (1.7 oz.)
Weight (complete bag adapter for RTC715): TBA
The sewn part is designed and made in USA, whereas the bracket is imported from China.
