# Got a Varia (yeah), But Now Saddle Bag Doesn’t Fit **URL:** \ **Category:** Equipment\ **Created:** [April 30, 2021, 1:55am UTC](https://www.trainerroad.com/forum/t/got-a-varia-yeah-but-now-saddle-bag-doesn-t-fit/58025 "2021-04-30T01:55:31Z")\ **Posts on this page:** 20\ **Page:** 1
**Author:** ![rkoswald](https://sea2.discourse-cdn.com/trainerroad/forum/user_avatar/www.trainerroad.com/rkoswald/32/28273_2.png) [@rkoswald](https://www.trainerroad.com/forum/u/rkoswald)\ **Post date:** [April 30, 2021, 1:55am UTC](https://www.trainerroad.com/forum/t/got-a-varia-yeah-but-now-saddle-bag-doesn-t-fit/58025/1 "2021-04-30T01:55:31Z")
I got a Varia radar tail light for added safety but now my Giant saddle bag doesn’t fit. It turns the radar on/off. I also think I should raise the radar higher on the seat post to ensure it clears the rear tire. So, how / where do you carry spare tubes, CO2, tire levers, etc? I really don’t want to fill my jersey pockets with them so I’m looking for an on-bike solution. Thanks! ![image](https://global.discourse-cdn.com/trainerroad/original/3X/7/c/7c50547a23b34a00fbbc89d6e84b909ac68f4fff.jpeg) ---
**Author:** ![Cleanneon98](https://sea2.discourse-cdn.com/trainerroad/forum/user_avatar/www.trainerroad.com/cleanneon98/32/80252_2.png) [@Cleanneon98](https://www.trainerroad.com/forum/u/Cleanneon98)\ **Post date:** [April 30, 2021, 2:00am UTC](https://www.trainerroad.com/forum/t/got-a-varia-yeah-but-now-saddle-bag-doesn-t-fit/58025/2 "2021-04-30T02:00:27Z")
I do pocket stuff. A tube, co2, and inflator are small enough where I can still stick a clif bar in the same pocket even with my tightest jersey. Maybe a smaller bag, or just carry less, or find smaller kit. I carry the Continental Race Light tube as a spare because it’s thinner than your standard issue LBS tube and folds up to literally HALF the size of your typical off the shelf one ---
**Author:** ![brenth](https://sea2.discourse-cdn.com/trainerroad/forum/user_avatar/www.trainerroad.com/brenth/32/12893_2.png) [@brenth](https://www.trainerroad.com/forum/u/brenth)\ **Post date:** [April 30, 2021, 2:10am UTC](https://www.trainerroad.com/forum/t/got-a-varia-yeah-but-now-saddle-bag-doesn-t-fit/58025/3 "2021-04-30T02:10:12Z")
You can put a bag on your top tube. ---
**Author:** ![Gnome](https://sea2.discourse-cdn.com/trainerroad/forum/user_avatar/www.trainerroad.com/gnome/32/139448_2.png) [@Gnome](https://www.trainerroad.com/forum/u/Gnome)\ **Post date:** [April 30, 2021, 2:12am UTC](https://www.trainerroad.com/forum/t/got-a-varia-yeah-but-now-saddle-bag-doesn-t-fit/58025/4 "2021-04-30T02:12:42Z")
> [@rkoswald](#): > > but now my Giant saddle bag doesn’t fit _Well get a less giant bag_ -Ill see myself out 🙂 ---
**Author:** ![RobC](https://sea2.discourse-cdn.com/trainerroad/forum/user_avatar/www.trainerroad.com/robc/32/61745_2.png) [@RobC](https://www.trainerroad.com/forum/u/RobC)\ **Post date:** [April 30, 2021, 2:13am UTC](https://www.trainerroad.com/forum/t/got-a-varia-yeah-but-now-saddle-bag-doesn-t-fit/58025/5 "2021-04-30T02:13:07Z")
These responses are why I frequent the forum. Lol. ---
**Author:** ![JulianFishtown](https://sea2.discourse-cdn.com/trainerroad/forum/user_avatar/www.trainerroad.com/julianfishtown/32/7757_2.png) [@JulianFishtown](https://www.trainerroad.com/forum/u/JulianFishtown)\ **Post date:** [April 30, 2021, 2:13am UTC](https://www.trainerroad.com/forum/t/got-a-varia-yeah-but-now-saddle-bag-doesn-t-fit/58025/6 "2021-04-30T02:13:43Z")
You can hook the holder around the frame just below the seatpost clamp. It works for me. ![20210429_221000](https://global.discourse-cdn.com/trainerroad/original/3X/4/b/4b45a7b7ee13f12b8dfca7c52293a60cc9ec6004.jpeg) ---
**Author:** ![rkoswald](https://sea2.discourse-cdn.com/trainerroad/forum/user_avatar/www.trainerroad.com/rkoswald/32/28273_2.png) [@rkoswald](https://www.trainerroad.com/forum/u/rkoswald)\ **Post date:** [April 30, 2021, 2:14am UTC](https://www.trainerroad.com/forum/t/got-a-varia-yeah-but-now-saddle-bag-doesn-t-fit/58025/7 "2021-04-30T02:14:25Z")
@JulianFishtown, I’ll give that a try! Others, please keep the ideas / suggestions coming. Thanks! ---
**Author:** ![Power13](https://sea2.discourse-cdn.com/trainerroad/forum/user_avatar/www.trainerroad.com/power13/32/92171_2.png) [@Power13](https://www.trainerroad.com/forum/u/Power13)\ **Post date:** [April 30, 2021, 2:18am UTC](https://www.trainerroad.com/forum/t/got-a-varia-yeah-but-now-saddle-bag-doesn-t-fit/58025/8 "2021-04-30T02:18:15Z")
> [@brenth](#): > > You can put a bag on your top tube. Please don’t do this on a road bike…moderately acceptable on a gravel bike for long rides only. 😜 ---
**Author:** ![a59a2e9a2645dbb](https://sea2.discourse-cdn.com/trainerroad/forum/user_avatar/www.trainerroad.com/a59a2e9a2645dbb/32/100578_2.png) [@a59a2e9a2645dbb](https://www.trainerroad.com/forum/u/a59a2e9a2645dbb)\ **Post date:** [April 30, 2021, 2:18am UTC](https://www.trainerroad.com/forum/t/got-a-varia-yeah-but-now-saddle-bag-doesn-t-fit/58025/9 "2021-04-30T02:18:50Z")
In the spirit of radical candor, that bag is a crime against humanity. Crease, crumple, cram the bare necessities into a smaller (and yes, cooler) bag or use your pockets. ---
**Author:** ![brenth](https://sea2.discourse-cdn.com/trainerroad/forum/user_avatar/www.trainerroad.com/brenth/32/12893_2.png) [@brenth](https://www.trainerroad.com/forum/u/brenth)\ **Post date:** [April 30, 2021, 2:19am UTC](https://www.trainerroad.com/forum/t/got-a-varia-yeah-but-now-saddle-bag-doesn-t-fit/58025/10 "2021-04-30T02:19:18Z")
There are no rules on what to do. You do what works for your own needs. Looks…who cares? ---
**Author:** ![JulianFishtown](https://sea2.discourse-cdn.com/trainerroad/forum/user_avatar/www.trainerroad.com/julianfishtown/32/7757_2.png) [@JulianFishtown](https://www.trainerroad.com/forum/u/JulianFishtown)\ **Post date:** [April 30, 2021, 2:26am UTC](https://www.trainerroad.com/forum/t/got-a-varia-yeah-but-now-saddle-bag-doesn-t-fit/58025/11 "2021-04-30T02:26:10Z")
If you got some high-heel cycling shoes, you could raise up your seatpost. ![cyclingshoes](https://global.discourse-cdn.com/trainerroad/original/3X/3/6/36b7b1427bc874686262e09b09c1cc24f4286e00.jpeg) ---
**Author:** ![DaveWh](https://sea2.discourse-cdn.com/trainerroad/forum/user_avatar/www.trainerroad.com/davewh/32/13120_2.png) [@DaveWh](https://www.trainerroad.com/forum/u/DaveWh)\ **Post date:** [April 30, 2021, 2:43am UTC](https://www.trainerroad.com/forum/t/got-a-varia-yeah-but-now-saddle-bag-doesn-t-fit/58025/13 "2021-04-30T02:43:03Z")
I used this on my gravel bike and MTB - until I got bikes with in-frame storage. > **[Jerrycan® - Cockpit | Revelate Designs LLC](https://www.revelatedesigns.com/index.cfm/store.catalog/cockpit/Jerrycan)** > > COCKPIT | Jerrycan®: Rear mount top tube bag. ---
**Author:** ![Power13](https://sea2.discourse-cdn.com/trainerroad/forum/user_avatar/www.trainerroad.com/power13/32/92171_2.png) [@Power13](https://www.trainerroad.com/forum/u/Power13)\ **Post date:** [April 30, 2021, 2:45am UTC](https://www.trainerroad.com/forum/t/got-a-varia-yeah-but-now-saddle-bag-doesn-t-fit/58025/14 "2021-04-30T02:45:51Z")
![image](https://global.discourse-cdn.com/trainerroad/original/3X/7/0/70b22aaa31a08537a11b6294b047d1c187cb5915.jpeg) Can you loop something through that strap on the back of the back (with the Giant log).? If so, just affix a 1/4 turn mount to that. Would actually be a better position for a light anyway. ---
**Author:** ![RonG](https://sea2.discourse-cdn.com/trainerroad/forum/user_avatar/www.trainerroad.com/rong/32/7725_2.png) [@RonG](https://www.trainerroad.com/forum/u/RonG)\ **Post date:** [April 30, 2021, 2:50am UTC](https://www.trainerroad.com/forum/t/got-a-varia-yeah-but-now-saddle-bag-doesn-t-fit/58025/16 "2021-04-30T02:50:59Z")
Maybe you can clip your Varia directly to your saddlebag? Googling around, it looks like there a variety of ways to do this, ranging from bodge all the way through to 3d printed solutions via Shapeways. Just a thought. ---
**Author:** ![Buckethead](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/b/8e7dd6/32.png) [@Buckethead](https://www.trainerroad.com/forum/u/Buckethead)\ **Post date:** [April 30, 2021, 3:00am UTC](https://www.trainerroad.com/forum/t/got-a-varia-yeah-but-now-saddle-bag-doesn-t-fit/58025/17 "2021-04-30T03:00:53Z")
I had the same problem so I switched to a much smaller saddle bag that does not need to wrap around seatpost. [LEZYNE Micro Caddy Bicycle Saddle Bag](https://www.amazon.com/dp/B001TINEJG/ref=cm_sw_r_cp_api_glt_fabc_9M91AJ06QNF50Q3FB8RW?tag=trainerroad-20) ---
**Author:** ![jazir1979](https://sea2.discourse-cdn.com/trainerroad/forum/user_avatar/www.trainerroad.com/jazir1979/32/13033_2.png) [@jazir1979](https://www.trainerroad.com/forum/u/jazir1979)\ **Post date:** [April 30, 2021, 3:11am UTC](https://www.trainerroad.com/forum/t/got-a-varia-yeah-but-now-saddle-bag-doesn-t-fit/58025/18 "2021-04-30T03:11:57Z")
[Lezyne Road Caddy](https://www.amazon.com/LEZYNE-Road-Caddy-Bicycle-Black/dp/B00NAR0U4Q/ref=sr_1_1_sspa?tag=trainerroad-20) is another good (smaller) option. ---
**Author:** ![tim\_nh](https://sea2.discourse-cdn.com/trainerroad/forum/user_avatar/www.trainerroad.com/tim_nh/32/85102_2.png) [@tim\_nh](https://www.trainerroad.com/forum/u/tim_nh)\ **Post date:** [April 30, 2021, 3:23am UTC](https://www.trainerroad.com/forum/t/got-a-varia-yeah-but-now-saddle-bag-doesn-t-fit/58025/19 "2021-04-30T03:23:35Z")
This isn’t a dis on your style for the large bag - ride what you want. How much do you need to carry on your usual rides? Unless you’re doing unsupported centuries, I don’t see how you could need that large a bag. My saddle bag is about half that size. I can stuff in 2 tubes, 2 CO2 + inflator head, multitool, patch kit, levers & tire boot. If I’m being particularly cautious, I’ll throw my minipump in a jersey pocket. I’ll ride solo with this for anything up to about 75 miles, more if in a group or if there’s bike shops close to my route. I’ve been running a varia since the first one came out and will never go back. I’ll wear a giant pink fuzzy backpack before I give up the varia. Having that, plus a small mirror on my left bar end, has literally kept me from getting squished at least once (a last moment hop off the road as clueless pickup passed), and likely other times where I was able to take more subtle actions. -Tim ---
**Author:** ![jamiek](https://sea2.discourse-cdn.com/trainerroad/forum/user_avatar/www.trainerroad.com/jamiek/32/36105_2.png) [@jamiek](https://www.trainerroad.com/forum/u/jamiek)\ **Post date:** [April 30, 2021, 3:23am UTC](https://www.trainerroad.com/forum/t/got-a-varia-yeah-but-now-saddle-bag-doesn-t-fit/58025/20 "2021-04-30T03:23:41Z")
This is what I did. With A standard 1/4 turn mount I was able to loop the supplied rubber band/o-ring around the strap on the bag and the tines on the mount. It flops a bit but I have not noticed it affecting the reliability of the varia. ![image](https://global.discourse-cdn.com/trainerroad/original/3X/8/a/8a3642ec6b923599b355d3e08744f69659706f05.jpeg) ---
**Author:** ![Matthew\_Rossing](https://sea2.discourse-cdn.com/trainerroad/forum/user_avatar/www.trainerroad.com/matthew_rossing/32/68718_2.png) [@Matthew\_Rossing](https://www.trainerroad.com/forum/u/Matthew_Rossing)\ **Post date:** [April 30, 2021, 3:57am UTC](https://www.trainerroad.com/forum/t/got-a-varia-yeah-but-now-saddle-bag-doesn-t-fit/58025/21 "2021-04-30T03:57:10Z")
Attach the garmin mount to your saddle bag looks like the best suggestion, although the upside down mounting is a clever, out-of-the-box idea. I’ve also seen this posted elsewhere: LICHIFIT Bicycle Saddle Support Seat-Post Mount Tail Light Holder for Garmin Varia Rearview Radar / RTL510 [https://smile.amazon.com/dp/B0832D9DMW/ref=cm\_sw\_r\_cp\_api\_glt\_fabc\_4KGRX6AJV7811XYZ7D2K?\_encoding=UTF8&psc=1](https://smile.amazon.com/dp/B0832D9DMW/ref=cm_sw_r_cp_api_glt_fabc_4KGRX6AJV7811XYZ7D2K?tag=trainerroad-20) Not sure it will work with that saddle bag though. ---
**Author:** ![ericallenboyd](https://sea2.discourse-cdn.com/trainerroad/forum/user_avatar/www.trainerroad.com/ericallenboyd/32/37233_2.png) [@ericallenboyd](https://www.trainerroad.com/forum/u/ericallenboyd)\ **Post date:** [April 30, 2021, 4:15am UTC](https://www.trainerroad.com/forum/t/got-a-varia-yeah-but-now-saddle-bag-doesn-t-fit/58025/22 "2021-04-30T04:15:01Z")
Whatever you do I always zip tie the varia mount on top of the band. Just piece of mind. Edit: I recently downsized my bag to a speedsleeve ranger and it is awesome. Fits way more than expected and is rather small. [Next page](https://www.trainerroad.com/forum/t/got-a-varia-yeah-but-now-saddle-bag-doesn-t-fit/58025.md?page=2)