Rear radar - any good?

[Ajax Bay]

your final suspicion: that cyclists are using rear radars to "go faster than they can handle" is just unfounded rubbish and generated by an odd imagination.

An unclouded assessment

Interestingly many years ago I heard similar arguments put forward in relation to cyclists who wear a helmet. 🤔

Just putting the quote you are referencing up there, because the mods have software that detects the word 'h****t' and banishes threads to the outer darkness (which is Advocacy (or something: I rarely go there)).

 

[classic33]

An unclouded assessment

Just putting the quote you are referencing up there, because the mods have software that detects the word 'h****t' and banishes threads to the outer darkness (which is Advocacy (or something: I rarely go there)).

I would say that he'd used the example of something, that some make you feel safer, makes you act in a manner you wouldn't if it you didn't use it.

Similar arguments being put forward over the years for seatbelt use in cars, and the introduction of airbags and increased crumple/impact areas/zones in cars protecting the passengers.

 

[november4]

Not read the whole thread. I don't use a bike computer, just have free app on phone , 'ride with gps', and I use the garmin radar light - proves its worth on country lanes to see cars coming up behind, rely on it really with wind noise, on single track roads stay in road center until car coming either direction. Its especially handy when riding with company, can cycle along side.
I tend to listen to podcasts on bone conductive headphones when cycling to pass the time, and to also be able to hear surroundings, so the radar is used all the time

 

[Happy_Days]

The new Lezyne radar system looks interesting, as it can work standalone—a bike computer is optional.

 

[ktmbiker58]

I use Garmin Varia radar rear light and it's like having a rear view mirror that you don't need to avert your gaze to use - if that makes sense!

It is supplied with a standalone head unit for those without a Garmin cycling computer that works very well, I can see how many vehicles are approaching, their relative distance and closing speed, if something is coming in hot and fast I move right into the gutter to be safe even if they haven't seen me.

For turning right I always look rather than rely on the radar but at least it tells me when not to move over.

 

[Mike_P]

The Varia works with Wahoo's as well and maybe others
The one downside, on the Elemnt Bolt 1at least, is that the warning for a rear approaching vehicle is the same as missing a turning if using it to direct you.

 

[ebikeerwidnes]

I just have a cheap "bar end" mirror - works well

but i would like a radar thingy
but not at those prices - I would end up with the bits and bobs on the bike being worth more then the ebike if I started looking at gadgets!!

 

[PaulSB]

To me these radar devices are a real game changer in cycling safety. To be fully aware of what's behind without the need to look or hear is a true benefit.

It is though only a warning and no substitute for a shoulder check under any circumstances.

 

[Alex321]

They are great fun. Riding up behind riders using these illegal varying-flash lights and making their bikes beep repeatedly is a game that never gets dull! 😈

Except for cases like recumbent riders who can't find a way to see behind them, I think they're not worth it. If you're going too fast to look back safely, you're probably going faster than is safe. Things that encourage/enable that aren't good.

Complete tosh.

It isn't about "going too fast to look back safely", it is about getting some advance warning in situations where you wouldn't normally be looking behind you at all.

Yoyu should never rely on the radar when you need to move across potential traffic (e.g. when turning right), you should always look as well.

And for those saying they can hear a car coming up behind them, that is only true when on a quiet country road with no major trunk road within a few hundred yards.

 

[Mike_P]

Where a radar will not show a vehicle behind is when it has dropped to your speed. Made that mistake of not looking back thinking it was clear behind and getting a horn blast.
They are also useful approaching a narrowing in the road so you can time your arrival there after the rear approaching car has passed.
Very useful on a busy A road where I have to turn rught as you know when its pointless to look back.

 

[ebikeerwidnes]

Where a radar will not show a vehicle behind is when it has dropped to your speed. Made that mistake of not looking back thinking it was clear behind and getting a horn blast.
They are also useful approaching a narrowing in the road so you can time your arrival there after the rear approaching car has passed.
Very useful on a busy A road where I have to turn rught as you know when its pointless to look back.

How much does a decent radar cost compared to a rear camera and a screen on the bars??
and the camera can include a recording!

 

[Alex321]

How much does a decent radar cost compared to a rear camera and a screen on the bars??
and the camera can include a recording!

A rear camera with an external screen that can be mounted on the bars will be a fair bit more expensive than something like the Varia. The screens alone come in at over £100 for the "cheap" ones. Unless you get a camera with bluetooth capability and use your phone as the screen.

Still goimg to be more expensive though if it is a decent camera.

 

[Mike_P]

Had to replace my Varia earlier this year.
If you get one get it a lanyard (look on eBay) so if detaches from the mount at least its still attached to the bike. The lost one had become a bit of a pain losing its charge quickly so its lost was not as painful as it might otherwise have been. A penny under £130 from Sigma post free.

 

[mjr]

Complete tosh.

No, it really is great fun riding up behind and making the radar beep!

It isn't about "going too fast to look back safely", it is about getting some advance warning in situations where you wouldn't normally be looking behind you at all.

If I wouldn't normally be looking behind, I don't need to know what's there and it's not worth getting more gadgetry just to add unnecessary information.

Yoyu should never rely on the radar when you need to move across potential traffic (e.g. when turning right), you should always look as well.

Shouldn't rely and should look, but it seems like users do rely and don't look as well.

And for those saying they can hear a car coming up behind them, that is only true when on a quiet country road with no major trunk road within a few hundred yards.

Complete tosh. When did you last have a proper hearing test? Do you ride with headphones in/on, or with straps in front of your ears? If you can't hear a 2000 kilo brute's tyre noise and tell the difference between it on your road and on a major trunk hundreds of yards away (and if in doubt, you could always look), then I think something's up.

 

[mjr]

[...] if something is coming in hot and fast I move right into the gutter to be safe even if they haven't seen me.

Errr, riding in the gutter is not safe.