I agree. I dismissed the idea of radar for years, but eventually capitulated; now I wouldn't be without it. It's a bit annoying that the light turns itself off randomly and I get regular radar disconnection errors, mind (Varia RTL515 with an Edge 830)
It’s super handy- and I do like it. Definitely make you feel more comfortable. I never got any disconnect issues and the light didn’t turn itself off. Pretty happy with its performance so far
@@thewattlifethe Garmin has a peloton mode. I had a car driver pull up beside me and wound his window down. I was expecting some form of abuse but instead he said he wanted to comment on my light! He said it was ‘stupendously’ good. I didn’t realise it at the time but the Garmin increases the flash intensity on detection as the vehicle approaches.
When I first watched this video I was interested in your review of the rear light. I’ve often thought the benefits of the radar on a quiet non-urban road would be very beneficial. But based in west London and having been a commuter into central London… the radar would be useless… pinging all the time. I also ride with Cycliq lights, for the camera, so didn’t want the second unit. So some years ago, I tried, with some disdain, a bar end mirror, simply out of curiosity …. And accidentally found one of my best cycling purchases in the 40 years I’ve been buying kit. I don’t realise how much I check-in with it, until I’m on a bike without it. The awareness it provides is invaluable. Especially on the road bike, as the rear can be checked in the tuck when position and the noise of wind cuts off much of your rear awareness. So, I thought I’d pass the knowledge on as I’m sure you’d also find it a non-intrusive, road bike necessity very quickly. I didn’t want a ‘mirror’ on my road bike. Who does! But the mirror I’m recommending is small and unobtrusive. Perfect for the princess road bike image with this years socks! It’s not the cheapest, but it’s quality with a good convex mirror. In comparison to look-a-likey cheap versions I’ve tried… those are money wasted. This is the only one worth using, as it actually does what it’s supposed to. I think you’d like it. Imagine jumping in the car and driving without the rear view mirrors, after being used to them. It’s that noticeable. I write just now as I must be on a email list for the mirror company as they’ve sent me an email which reminded me of your video … the mirror is called Corky by The Beam. I enjoy your videos, just thought I’d bring this simple, enabler, to your attention. Cheers!
I always use my garmin radar - they really are excellent. It doesn't replace the need to double check / look over my shoulder, however it does pick up cars way before I'd be able to hear them, indicates if they are really motoring along at speed compared to me etc. Allows me to cycle more in the middle of the road when there is nothing behind me and provide ample time for me to move across as traffic approaches.. gives me the choice to listen to music without fear of not knowing if a vehicle is coming up behind me as I can still hear the audible beep off my 840.. plus having a light on regardless of conditions is always good
AGREE with all of this- especially sitting a little wider on the road when solo and feeling comfortable. You know you’ll have a good heads up when you can move 1-2 feet back over.
@@olih27 Well it was a quite bad weather with crazy winds and I would not have hear the truck coming from behind, I was riding on a twisty road with no yellow line and normally cars coming from behind will slow down if they cant pass safely, well on this day there was a truck coming from the front and at that moment my radar beeped i saw the "dot' moving at me at a speed and it definitely wasn't going to slow down to wait for the truck coming from the front to pass before passing me in a safe manner... so when i saw that I immediately stopped peddling and went of the road at just the right time as the truck passed me missing me by a few millimeters... Now I cycle with a X4 camera so everything is documented as well. All this said, 99% of all this cars in my area do care about cyclist and aren't reckless, but rather safe then sorry.
Meeting up with a Good Group, and as you’re Riding to your meet up, then seeing a lot of other Groups going the other way… For sure a nice day 👍🚴♀️🚴♂️🚴♀️🚴♂️
Love the new video drop. But can I say one thing , the music constantly in the back ground is a bit loud or too much bass . I keep thinking you have a boy racer behind you about to overtake with the tunes thumping . Not a big deal but when wearing headphones 🎧 it’s very noticeable and distracting . But loving the regular vids , keep them coming . 👍🏻
I agree they are super useful but they shouldnt replace good road awareness and shoulder checks regularly when needed. If its perfect bright weather i often dont take it. Personal choice but i see your point
I get you're making content and all that, but if you were vlogging on a group ride I was on, riding one handed, I'd either tell you to put it away or I'd leave the group. If something happened in front of you, you're a liability as you can't react as quickly as if you weren't filming. Just my 2p.
Always happy for your 2p but you might notice that there’s no content from when we’re at high speed. And a lot of the content where I’m talking to the camera I’m off the wheel in front. I cycle first, content second. ✌🏻✌🏻
“Like my Johnson…”
YESSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSS
@@Stuey001 Top Gun
Great video, I am still half way through my editing 🤣
Nice to see you out on this spicy ride! And my vote is for tubes of course!
You might be quicker on the bike but I’m quicker on Prem Pro 😝
@@thewattlife the magic helmet helped me out 😅
i cycle on country roads and find it extremely difficult to ride without my varia since getting one.
Do you have the audio warnings on?
I find it very useful but dont take it out every single ride
@@thewattlife audio warnings are always on, i turn off the flashing light when doing sportives/group rides as you did in the video
I agree. I dismissed the idea of radar for years, but eventually capitulated; now I wouldn't be without it. It's a bit annoying that the light turns itself off randomly and I get regular radar disconnection errors, mind (Varia RTL515 with an Edge 830)
It’s super handy- and I do like it. Definitely make you feel more comfortable.
I never got any disconnect issues and the light didn’t turn itself off.
Pretty happy with its performance so far
@@thewattlifethe Garmin has a peloton mode. I had a car driver pull up beside me and wound his window down. I was expecting some form of abuse but instead he said he wanted to comment on my light! He said it was ‘stupendously’ good. I didn’t realise it at the time but the Garmin increases the flash intensity on detection as the vehicle approaches.
When I first watched this video I was interested in your review of the rear light.
I’ve often thought the benefits of the radar on a quiet non-urban road would be very beneficial. But based in west London and having been a commuter into central London… the radar would be useless… pinging all the time.
I also ride with Cycliq lights, for the camera, so didn’t want the second unit.
So some years ago, I tried, with some disdain, a bar end mirror, simply out of curiosity …. And accidentally found one of my best cycling purchases in the 40 years I’ve been buying kit.
I don’t realise how much I check-in with it, until I’m on a bike without it. The awareness it provides is invaluable. Especially on the road bike, as the rear can be checked in the tuck when position and the noise of wind cuts off much of your rear awareness.
So, I thought I’d pass the knowledge on as I’m sure you’d also find it a non-intrusive, road bike necessity very quickly.
I didn’t want a ‘mirror’ on my road bike. Who does! But the mirror I’m recommending is small and unobtrusive. Perfect for the princess road bike image with this years socks!
It’s not the cheapest, but it’s quality with a good convex mirror. In comparison to look-a-likey cheap versions I’ve tried… those are money wasted. This is the only one worth using, as it actually does what it’s supposed to. I think you’d like it.
Imagine jumping in the car and driving without the rear view mirrors, after being used to them. It’s that noticeable.
I write just now as I must be on a email list for the mirror company as they’ve sent me an email which reminded me of your video … the mirror is called Corky by The Beam.
I enjoy your videos, just thought I’d bring this simple, enabler, to your attention. Cheers!
I always use my garmin radar - they really are excellent. It doesn't replace the need to double check / look over my shoulder, however it does pick up cars way before I'd be able to hear them, indicates if they are really motoring along at speed compared to me etc. Allows me to cycle more in the middle of the road when there is nothing behind me and provide ample time for me to move across as traffic approaches.. gives me the choice to listen to music without fear of not knowing if a vehicle is coming up behind me as I can still hear the audible beep off my 840.. plus having a light on regardless of conditions is always good
AGREE with all of this- especially sitting a little wider on the road when solo and feeling comfortable. You know you’ll have a good heads up when you can move 1-2 feet back over.
Good to see you got the memo on black jersey and white helmet 😉 Really enjoyed the video! 💪 🚲
We looked like a group of storm troopers had taken on the TdF.
Using a bar mirror makes a lot more sense for me than a radar - less to go wrong, charge up and remember! I wouldn't have a bike without one now!
In my opinion a radar is a must have, especially if you ride on roads that are busy. My radar saved my life from a crazy truck driver.
Genuine question, but how? What do you differently knowing someone is coming on you quickly? I've been tempted by one for a while
@@olih27 Well it was a quite bad weather with crazy winds and I would not have hear the truck coming from behind, I was riding on a twisty road with no yellow line and normally cars coming from behind will slow down if they cant pass safely, well on this day there was a truck coming from the front and at that moment my radar beeped i saw the "dot' moving at me at a speed and it definitely wasn't going to slow down to wait for the truck coming from the front to pass before passing me in a safe manner... so when i saw that I immediately stopped peddling and went of the road at just the right time as the truck passed me missing me by a few millimeters... Now I cycle with a X4 camera so everything is documented as well. All this said, 99% of all this cars in my area do care about cyclist and aren't reckless, but rather safe then sorry.
Meeting up with a Good Group, and as you’re Riding to your meet up, then seeing a lot of other Groups going the other way… For sure a nice day 👍🚴♀️🚴♂️🚴♀️🚴♂️
Throw in a bit of sunshine and you have a perfect day
Love the new video drop. But can I say one thing , the music constantly in the back ground is a bit loud or too much bass . I keep thinking you have a boy racer behind you about to overtake with the tunes thumping . Not a big deal but when wearing headphones 🎧 it’s very noticeable and distracting . But loving the regular vids , keep them coming . 👍🏻
Definitely very bass heavy
I have the Garmin camera radar and I cannot ride without it.
Will sort this for next time- and listen with headphones before I render it iut
Nice video. Keep them coming.
Thanks man
Great video mate! Lovely to ride together, hopefully we can do it again soon 🎉
👏👏👏
💡
4:35 the cost of coffee these days 🥵
It’s beginning to be a problem
Why would you not take it every time, you only have one life !
I agree they are super useful but they shouldnt replace good road awareness and shoulder checks regularly when needed.
If its perfect bright weather i often dont take it. Personal choice but i see your point
I get you're making content and all that, but if you were vlogging on a group ride I was on, riding one handed, I'd either tell you to put it away or I'd leave the group. If something happened in front of you, you're a liability as you can't react as quickly as if you weren't filming. Just my 2p.
Always happy for your 2p but you might notice that there’s no content from when we’re at high speed.
And a lot of the content where I’m talking to the camera I’m off the wheel in front.
I cycle first, content second. ✌🏻✌🏻
@@thewattlife Glad to know that no one has ever crashed at low speed.
lol thanks Tim