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Garmin Varia RTL510 mount movement - how to stop?

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Garmin Varia RTL510 mount movement - how to stop?

Old 07-03-20, 08:48 AM
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Garmin Varia RTL510 mount movement - how to stop?

I have the Garmin Varia RTL510 mounted to the rear of my bike (BH G7) with the rubber O-ring and the round molded bit that was provided by Garmin. My problem is the rubber mount is round and the seat tube on my bike is not. Because of this, and the lack of strength in the rubber O-ring, the rubber mount moves around a lot while I ride. This has resulted in:

1. Rubbing on the my frame, which is now becoming visible
2. The light not being centred on my bike, but angled off to the side.

Has anyone come up with a better mounting solution for the Garmin Varia RTL510, for a bike frame that does not have a round seat post? Note, the V shaped mount that is included with Varia RTL510 does not work on my bike. Thank you.
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Old 07-03-20, 09:53 AM
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Originally Posted by NoWhammies
I have the Garmin Varia RTL510 mounted to the rear of my bike (BH G7) with the rubber O-ring and the round molded bit that was provided by Garmin. My problem is the rubber mount is round and the seat tube on my bike is not. Because of this, and the lack of strength in the rubber O-ring, the rubber mount moves around a lot while I ride. This has resulted in:

1. Rubbing on the my frame, which is now becoming visible
2. The light not being centred on my bike, but angled off to the side.

Has anyone come up with a better mounting solution for the Garmin Varia RTL510, for a bike frame that does not have a round seat post? Note, the V shaped mount that is included with Varia RTL510 does not work on my bike. Thank you.
Does the 515 come with three of those seat post inserts, now? Check it out and see if there's a new one that might work better for you.
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Old 07-03-20, 11:30 AM
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How are your arts and crafts skills?

Maybe take a piece of inner tube sized a little bigger than the mount piece, attach it with fast drying silicone adhesive (or silicone caulk), push it gently against the rear of the seatpost to let it shape. Once it's set, let it completely dry. Then try mounting that. If the o ring is too lose try a zip or tie or two instead in the shape of a loop, and tighten. Maybe put a short piece of inner tube around the post to avoid marring and providing something to dig into.

(Personally I'd first try a spacer between post and mount whipped up in Fusion360 and 3D printed; even PLA is probably fine for this.)
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Old 07-03-20, 11:40 AM
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Originally Posted by WhyFi
Does the 515 come with three of those seat post inserts, now? Check it out and see if there's a new one that might work better for you.
I think so. The third one being for a D shaped seat tube. At the launch, garmin sai d they were going to offer it as a spare part/mount, but I don’t think they did yet.

OP, I’d try something like sfrider’s idea and would mount the round/wedge shaped insert, put a spare tube/ziplock bag between the seat post and garmin mount and squeeze the silicon caulk in there until it completely “inflates” the flexible container to fill the void between the seat post and the mount. Once completely dry, you should be able to cut the extras and just leave the portion to fill in that gap.
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Old 07-03-20, 12:21 PM
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Put some 3M VHB between the shaped insert and the tube.
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Old 07-03-20, 12:49 PM
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Small piece of double-sided tape.
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Old 07-03-20, 01:32 PM
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There's 2 different inserts. There is also a (round) hard clamping mount that is available. If you can't get one of those to work then honestly just tape it in place until you can find something better down the road.
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Old 07-03-20, 02:05 PM
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Thanks everyone. I'll see what I can rig up to stop the movement. The 3M VHB might do the trick.
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Old 07-03-20, 04:05 PM
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The Varia™ Universal Seat-post Quarter Turn Mount PART #010-10644-12 comes with the "D" shaped shim. Unfortunately, there is no way that I know of to just order the shim, you have to buy the whole kit.



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Old 07-03-20, 08:22 PM
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I want to see more of that bike.
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Old 07-04-20, 09:52 AM
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Old 07-05-20, 05:21 PM
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OP, if you use a saddle bag with a taillight loop, there's a wonderful 3D-printed Varia mount available from these folks: https://www.shapeways.com/product/ZJ...472&li=ostatus
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Old 07-05-20, 10:02 PM
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This is a good option for round seat posts.
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Old 07-05-20, 10:19 PM
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Yeah August West I might have to bite the bullet and buy the whole kit. Shame, as I only need the one piece. Unless of course I'm able to McGuvyer some kind of solution.
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Old 07-06-20, 11:38 AM
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This is another option. I have it and it works very well.

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Old 07-07-20, 07:24 AM
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I have the Shapeways 3D printed mount that was mentioned in an earlier post. It is a perfect and simple solution if you have a saddlebag with a taillight loop. A but pricey for a piece of plastic but the mount it is perfect for me.
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Old 07-07-20, 09:55 AM
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Originally Posted by oldwinger14
I have the Shapeways 3D printed mount that was mentioned in an earlier post. It is a perfect and simple solution if you have a saddlebag with a taillight loop. A but pricey for a piece of plastic but the mount it is perfect for me.
One piece of advice on the printed mount that you need to be aware is; depending on your saddle bag, it’s almost a permanent solution, i.e., if you thought you can move it between saddle bags, though luck. It is permanently stuck on my medium topeak wedge and I don’t believe I can take it off without breaking, so it was a money not well spent occasion for me.
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Old 07-07-20, 10:40 AM
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Originally Posted by Bob Ross
OP, if you use a saddle bag with a taillight loop, there's a wonderful 3D-printed Varia mount available from these folks: https://www.shapeways.com/product/ZJ...472&li=ostatus
Wouldn't that only support the original Varia without the taillight and not the RTL510 the OP is using?
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Old 07-07-20, 10:56 AM
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Originally Posted by Tycho Brahe
Wouldn't that only support the original Varia without the taillight and not the RTL510 the OP is using?
it’s not 1/4 turn mount, but 1/8 turn mount, so can be used with both
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Old 07-07-20, 11:28 AM
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Originally Posted by kissTheApex
One piece of advice on the printed mount that you need to be aware is; depending on your saddle bag, it’s almost a permanent solution, i.e., if you thought you can move it between saddle bags, though luck. It is permanently stuck on my medium topeak wedge and I don’t believe I can take it off without breaking, so it was a money not well spent occasion for me.
I routinely remove the clip with my RTL 515 still attached to it, especially if I am transporting my bike on my carrier to/from rides. I have had no problems whatsoever. My bike is currently in the shop, but here are some photos of the clip and my RTL 515 attached to my saddlebag.

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Old 07-07-20, 11:46 AM
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Originally Posted by oldwinger14
I routinely remove the clip with my RTL 515 still attached to it, especially if I am transporting my bike on my carrier to/from rides. I have had no problems whatsoever. My bike is currently in the shop, but here are some photos of the clip and my RTL 515 attached to my saddlebag.
Like I said, “depending on your saddle bag”. In my case “topeak medium wedge” it is a total virtual paper weight.

but we’re derailing the OP’s post. Let’s not continue, if you wish to discuss further let’s take it to PMs.
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Old 07-07-20, 09:39 PM
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Originally Posted by Tycho Brahe
Wouldn't that only support the original Varia without the taillight and not the RTL510 the OP is using?
No, I bought a couple of those mounts specifically to use with an RTL510. They work great.
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Old 07-07-20, 09:44 PM
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Originally Posted by kissTheApex
One piece of advice on the printed mount that you need to be aware is; depending on your saddle bag, it’s almost a permanent solution,
That was actually the selling point for me: Get to keep the mount permanently attached to the saddlebag, and only have to remove the light/radar unit for recharging. I can't tell you how many other taillights and/or saddlebag light loops I've destroyed just from having to constantly remove & reinstall them.

I bought a pair of the Shapeways mounts and affixed one each to Ms. Thing's two saddlebags. They'd damn well better be permanent!
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Old 08-22-20, 10:50 PM
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So just to bring the thread full circle. I found a solution to my problem. An obvious solution and one I don't know why I didn't think of in the first place. I just doubled up on the elastic bands that Garmin provided. The second band snugged up the Varia mount. Problem solved! No more movement. Cheers.
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