hub dynamos

scruffyduncan

What are peoples experience of these? Do they give enough life to light for unlit roads? What are the diferent options?

Any help appreciated

Wappygixer

One of my mechanics uses a Shimano unit paired with a solid lights front lamp.
He swears by it over his older halogen lights.
Its used everyday and all year round and he has no problems.
Its a similar set up to what most audax riders use.

CarlosDSanchez

I use a SON dyno hub and Schmidt edelux and although it was an expensive combination I think it's the mutts nuts. No detectable drag from the hub with light on or off and the lamp gives off about as much light as a moped on dipped beam. Have had numerous work collegues comment on how bright the light is.

ride_whenever

the shimano dynamos are pretty good as well, although obviously nowhere near the SON ones.

For lights look at supernova, the e3 is INSANELY bright, as in offroad bright (900 lumens)

PeterBL

If money doesn't matter, get a SON hub and a Schmidt Edelux light. If money does matter, I'd stick with a Shimano hub and a B&M headlight. The difference isn't as big as ride_whenever suggests.

For a comparison of different hubs and lights, check these two articles. In German, yes I know, but at least the graphs, numbers and pictures give quite a good impression. In the article on the hubs, the first graph shows amount of light emitted with a Schmidt Edelux at different speeds, the second the amount of drag with lights on and the third the amount of drag with lights off.

http://www.nabendynamo.de/service/pdf/ar_11-12_2008.pdf
http://www.nabendynamo.de/service/pdf/ar_01-02_2009.pdf

You can get more info about B&M lights at their site: http://www.bumm.de/index-e.html

Prices for this equipment seem rather steep in the UK, so I'd buy from Germany (the land of dynamohubs and lightening, it seems).

Headlight: B&M IQ CYO N plus

Rearlight: B&M Toplight Flat plus

Hub: Shimano DH3N72

Of course, get the hub with the right number of holes, the right version of the IQ Cyo. This shop seems to have most of it covered.

The Mechanic

I have a Shimano DH3N80 hub paired with a B&M Lumotec IQ light. It gives me planty of light to ride in unlit lanes around aberdeen.

CarlosDSanchez

This is a good site for information, it's based in the States though so no good for buying from
Information on hubs:-
http://www.peterwhitecycles.com/schmidt.asp
http://www.peterwhitecycles.com/shimano3n70.asp

Information on lights, including beam shots:-
http://www.peterwhitecycles.com/headlights.asp

I chose the Edelux because I prefered the look over the B & M offering (think they're the same led and optics anyway) and the supernova were out of my price range (although they look fantastic, including the rear light)

The Edelux gives a really good beam for road riding, similar shape to a car a low cut off so you're not wasting light on the sky or dazzling on comming traffic and pedestrians.