Have you ever wondered if there was a car coming from behind and not been in a good position to look behind you safely?   Have you ever wondered how many cars are behind you or how far behind you they might be?   Have you found mirrors to be an imperfect solution to checking behind you at best?  If any of these have been thoughts you have had, the Garmin Varia cycling radar system could be just what you have been seeking.

The basics of the Garmin Varia cycling radar system is that it detects vehicles behind you starting at about 140 meters back – before you can hear most vehicles – and it displays the approaching vehicle on the side of the display screen of your Garmin Edge 1000, 520 or on the available stand-alone display head (pictured).

Some details of what the system displays is how fast the vehicle behind you may be approaching as well as how many vehicles are behind you.  In addition, the seatpost mounted Varia cycling radar system has built in lights to signal to the drivers behind you and the intensity and frequency of the lights adjusts based upon how close the vehicle is getting to you to further improve your visibility.

We just received the Varia unit, so we have yet to test it out long-term, but our initial installation and test rides made us confident that it is a helpful product that many riders would appreciate immediately.   It works as claimed, it is simple and accurate, and it directly helps lower the leading cause of cycling fatalities – getting hit from behind.

Stop in or contact us to learn more or buy a Garmin Varia Cycling Radar unit or system.

Fit Werx is an authorized dealer of Garmin computers, power meters and cycling products.  Fit Werx, voted “America’s Best Bike Shop” and named by Bicycling Magazine as a “Must Visit” bike shop, has locations outside of NYC in Ridgefield Park, NJ, in Peabody and Lexington, MA and near Burlington, VT and Stowe, VT in Waitsfield. Fit Werx is changing the way people buy bicycles through their Rider First Bike Fittings and Rider Matched approach to bike sales. Don’t gamble on your next bike or your fit! Contact us for more information.

• About the Author

About Ian

From first time riders to Olympians, Ian has helped thousands of athletes achieve their cycling and triathlon goals. Ian develops much of the Fit Werx fitting and analysis protocols and is responsible for technology training and development. He is regarded as one of the industry leaders in bicycle fitting, cycling biomechanics and bicycle geometry and design. He is dedicated to making sure the Fit Werx differences are delivered daily and provides Fit Werx with corporate direction and is responsible for uniting our staff and initiatives.

Find out more about Ian Here