I would also go so far as to say it’s a performance enhancer for both training and when racing on unclosed roads.
The number of times it has alerted me to cars that my mirror wouldn’t have seen or I would not have seen without looking back is worth it on it’s own. I’ve never had a false negative and all the “False positives” I’ve had are from cops (their radar signature does something to the device) or when i’ve gone under an overpass and it thinks the cars above me are suddenly coming at me full speed.
A few weeks ago I did TT race on unclosed roads. Never once did I have to worry about where I was riding in the road or keep glancing behind me. When a car came, it beeped with plenty of warning, I moved to the right, the car passed, and I went back to riding on the smooth part of the road.
I was honestly skeptical at first, but for $150 bucks it’s a no brainer. A mirror is only $8. And you get exactly what you pay for
While we are on the topic of this dumpster fire that is Zwift, I would like to see Zwift, InsideRide, and Wahoo partner for a next-generation Wahoo CROSSWIND. The problem with Zwift is that does nothing to help riders deal with crosswinds. Set this sucker up on rollers and then randomly blast the riders with a 20 MPH crosswind while on a Zwift race. Only the strongest survive. No more of this wimpy bike handling skills problem triathlon is plagued with.
I alternate looking at the road, looking at data. Road, data, road, data.
I don’t think I’d like to be having to add in mirror checks. That’s less time my eyeballs are on the road. And what if I forget to check a mirror and miss a car zooming up behind me? Varia audio alerts work just fine. I took a tip from someone on ST and when I see a new dot, I move over and take the lane so I am more apt to be seen. Then when they get closer, I move to the right so they can safely pass.
Varia for the win. And honestly they’re not that expensive.
Well, I can’t really say that since I’ve not tried the Varia, but this Zefal Spy mirror is something I can’t live without. Excellent situational awareness, I never get surprised by any vehicle approaching from the rear.
Well, I can’t really say that since I’ve not tried the Varia, but this Zefal Spy mirror is something I can’t live without. Excellent situational awareness, I never get surprised by any vehicle approaching from the rear.
Better:
I’ve been using one of these for several years now.
It works ‘ok’, in my opinion, but despite not having used a Varia, I’d say the Varia would be likely a lot better.
The field of view in that mirror is miniscule, even close to your eye. You learn to point it in the right place pretty quickly, and it’s better than nothing, but I would absolutely wayyy prefer a Varia that warns me before I even need to bother to tilt my head to see the road.
Its too bad you are forced to only have one or the other. Wouldn’t it be cool if you could actually put both on a bike? Maybe the Varia could look behind you ALL THE TIME, and whenever it beeped you could check the mirror to see exactly what the car is doing as it gets close enough to cause harm. That would be cool…maybe, some day.
Exactly. What is wrong with being as safe as you can. Varia, mirrors, and lights. Of course there’s no guarantees, but let’s get whatever gets us some safety benefit. I always ride with Varia, mirrors (two on my Tri bike for both positions), flashing lights, and hi-viz clothing. Any of you who have had friends in bad accidents will understand the need to do whatever you can to see and be seen.
One note on Varia: it doesn’t give you much extended battery life once the head unit indicates low battery (flashing), like maybe only 10 or 15 minutes. I just make sure to charge it every week.
One note on Varia: it doesn’t give you much extended battery life once the head unit indicates low battery (flashing), like maybe only 10 or 15 minutes. I just make sure to charge it every week.
Every week? I charge after every ride, so there’s never a concern about a battery running out.
I’ve seen some mirror setups that look like a hazard if you crash. The worst offender looked like a straight metal rod, with adjustment thumb screws on it. It wouldn’t take much for it to go in to your face/eye in a crash.
You can be focusing on riding, like avoiding a pothole, and still get a beep indicating an approaching car. A mirror requires you to take your eyes off the road. Sure, the radar gives more info if you look, but man it is a game changer. Beep: look when it is safe to do so. Plus it doubles as a taillight. And flashes faster when a car approaches. That alone is huge for safety.
Just get the radar. The only time it is not useful is when there is a constant stream of cars. I avoid such roads.
Just get the radar. The only time it is not useful is when there is a constant stream of cars. I avoid such roads.
I’ll have to try it. But I just don’t quite get what it’ll do for me. I ride my line. If a car is going to run over me, it’s going to run over me.
Agreed with rocket, depends on where you ride. I typically go for rural roads with little traffic so I can just be in aero and more in the middle of the lane just hammering intervals away and when the thing beeps, I get up, hold the side and glance behind me (mirror would be a good supplement but I hate the helmet attachment and havent gotten around to figuring out a good one for the tt bike) and let them pass (or run me over, I guess…if they wish) but at the very least, I am avoiding pissing off cars by waiting until they’re close enough to hear or honk for me to move over.
Just get the radar. The only time it is not useful is when there is a constant stream of cars. I avoid such roads.
I’ll have to try it. But I just don’t quite get what it’ll do for me. I ride my line. If a car is going to run over me, it’s going to run over me.
I find the Varia absolutely invaluable on descents when I am using all of my half of the road for the racing line through corners, the wind noise means I can’t hear cars behind me, and I really DON’T want to take my eyes of the road for even a mirror check.
In rural areas, the Varia gives me confidence to ride in the lane and out of all the #$%^ on the shoulder, and move over when the Varia alerts me. It also lets me know if there is more than one vehicle approaching, which is something that sound alone (or a mirror) won’t tell you.
In urban areas, I remove it, because the constant alerts are a distraction.
You can be focusing on riding, like avoiding a pothole, and still get a beep indicating an approaching car. A mirror requires you to take your eyes off the road. Sure, the radar gives more info if you look, but man it is a game changer. Beep: look when it is safe to do so. Plus it doubles as a taillight. And flashes faster when a car approaches. That alone is huge for safety.
Just get the radar. The only time it is not useful is when there is a constant stream of cars. I avoid such roads.
I certainly am tempted, it’s not like I don’t spend that much every other week on some bike-related shopping spree anyway…
My riding is 5x per week commuting on a 25 mile round trip, mostly urban. Then the usual long spins at the weekend, usually on my own, on quieter roads. I guess I should just try it and see.
I charge after every ride, so there’s never a concern about a battery running out.
Same for me. Where I keep my bike I’ve got a small charge station for my Varia, Wahoo and front light. I’ve gotten in the habit of immediately charging them after every ride. No worries about ever dying on a ride.
My riding is 5x per week commuting on a 25 mile round trip, mostly urban. Then the usual long spins at the weekend, usually on my own, on quieter roads.If your urban roads are steady traffic, then you won’t get much benefit from radar (or anything) on those. When I am on high traffic roads, I assume I will always be passed and ride accordingly. It is the roads with moderate to occasional traffic where the Varia sings.
