greatwhite Posted February 2, 2017 Posted February 2, 2017 Hi All, I'm looking at building up a new set of road wheels for training and was looking at the option of a Dynamo hub for the front wheel, for those early morning training sessions, so that having to remember to charge the battery for the light becomes a thing of the past. Has anyone done something similar? If so what are your thoughts and experience in this regard? Did a anyone consider it and dismiss it - if so, why?
V12man Posted February 3, 2017 Posted February 3, 2017 The sherriff built a good one up for himself just before the Munga - Anton @summit cycles in midrand - he did a lot of homework first. My brother in law ran one for the freedom challenge and he was pretty please with it - no ide a what it is though.
greatwhite Posted February 3, 2017 Author Posted February 3, 2017 The sherriff built a good one up for himself just before the Munga - Anton @summit cycles in midrand - he did a lot of homework first. My brother in law ran one for the freedom challenge and he was pretty please with it - no ide a what it is though.When you say built a good one, do you mean he build the hub himself or he built a good hub into a wheel? Maybe you could ask your brother in law to post his experience here?
Raf Posted February 3, 2017 Posted February 3, 2017 Mike Woolnough used a dynamo hub in the 2016 Munga. I had a brief chat to him about & it seems it was a pretty efficient power source I recall seeing Silverback having a Hybrid / Commuter bike some time back, Stark http://thehandlebar.co.za/silverback-starke-also-enjoys-charging-your-phone-or-ipod-while-it-shines-its-dynamo-on-you-awesome/ Click on the link... the USB port is pretty convenient
V12man Posted February 3, 2017 Posted February 3, 2017 When you say built a good one, do you mean he build the hub himself or he built a good hub into a wheel? Maybe you could ask your brother in law to post his experience here?He built a good hub into a good rim with good spokes.... he knows no other way.... edit - my BIL on the hub.... can't see that happening ever... doesn't even download his garmin...
BaGearA Posted February 3, 2017 Posted February 3, 2017 I understand many people used them in the munga to keep their lights on
David Marshall Posted February 3, 2017 Posted February 3, 2017 I built a Shimano hub into a wheel for a tourer. The light was pretty nifty because it had three LEDs, one of which remained on when you stopped . It also had a USB port so you could charge your cellphone. Not sure what it cost but I'm sure it wasn't cheap!
Shebeen Posted February 3, 2017 Posted February 3, 2017 My brother in law ran one for the freedom challenge and he was pretty please with it - no ide a what it is though.mine too...he loves it!
greatwhite Posted February 3, 2017 Author Posted February 3, 2017 I built a Shimano hub into a wheel for a tourer. The light was pretty nifty because it had three LEDs, one of which remained on when you stopped . It also had a USB port so you could charge your cellphone. Not sure what it cost but I'm sure it wasn't cheap!The Germans are IMO unquestionably the most jacked up when it comes to Dynamos and Lights that run off them. They have a number of product on the market which have USB ports. That was part of my plan as well was to use USB charger. The (supposedly) best hubs are the SON (German) hub, but they are hugely expensive. There is also the SP-Dynamo units which are also supposedly quite good but still steep on price. The only gripe I have with either of those over the obvious high price is that you have to strip the wheel to service them (incl a bearing change, as I understand it). The unit I am inclined to use is the cheaper Shimano DH-3N80 - which has the same bearing/cup and seal grade as the Dura Ace/XTR hubs. The Shimano has the advantage tha you can strip the hub without stripping the wheel.
greatwhite Posted February 3, 2017 Author Posted February 3, 2017 just use one of these: If they didn't munch your tyres and had similar efficiency to the hub units I might consider it. As a kid, I remember those things being much more prevelent
dirtypot Posted February 3, 2017 Posted February 3, 2017 I've built up a wheel with a dynamo hub - it was an SP hub. The hub powered a battery pack and the battery then powered the lights / chargers. This way it made no difference how fast you cycled, the light would be consistent (like any other bike light). It also allows charging of phone / gps / light / camera during the day while you're just riding along. You can also turn it off, then there's zero resistance. Helpful if you're going up a very long hill or into a stiff headwind. Not the cheapest thing in the world to setup, but really helpful if you're planning on long trips away from power sources.
GaryvdM Posted February 3, 2017 Posted February 3, 2017 Some info here:http://ridefar.info/bike/components/wheels/http://ridefar.info/bike/components/lights/ Some things to consider: that info is intended for ultra distance riding. 1. I'm not sure that the cost of a new wheel is warranted for morning training rides.2. Going directly from dynamo to light without a battery works well on open roads when you are not stopping. However for city riding where you are stopping often, you need a battery to keep the light on when you stopped.Suggestion: have the chargers where you leave your bike. That way, it's easy to plug the lights in to charge when you get home.
Eddie Stafford Posted February 3, 2017 Posted February 3, 2017 I have a dynamo hub and used it in the Race to Rhodes and the Desert Dash last year and will also use it for the upcoming Race to Cradock in March. I am not an expert and some of the Freedom Challenge and Munga guys can probably offer more information. There are a number of dynamo hubs available and the three more popular ones are the SON28, the Shutter Precision and the Supernova Invinity S. The SON28 is the more expensive one, but comes with a 5 year guarantee. As far as I know the Supernova hub is made by Shutter Precision just with a different brand. I have the SP 8X (http://www.sp-dynamo.com/8Xseriesdynamo%20hub.html) as it can take a 15mm axle. I ordered it directly from them and the cost with shipping was USD215. The weight of the hub is 420 grams. I had a wheel build with an American Classic 101 rim and so far had no problems. The only draw back of the SP hub is that one must send it back to the factory (Taiwan) if you need to replace the bearings. I have not checked, but maybe there is someone in SA that can replace the bearings if you need to. Unlike batteries, dynamo hubs emit AC current and you need specific lights to work with a dynamo hub. The lights are also expensive and the popular ones are Supernova E2 and E3, Exposure Revo and the Busch and Muller IQ-X. I have the B&M IQ-X (About Euro 75), it is cheaper than the other two brands and brighter that the Supernovas. I have not compared it to the Exposure. If you want to charge your GPS or cell phone with the hub you will also need a AC to DC convertor. B & M makes two, the E-Werk and the USB-Werk. There is also the Sinewave which is made in the US. As far as I know Mike Woolnough uses the E-Werk and I ordered one today from Bike Discount (Euro 75). The lights work at full brightness from about 15km/h and upwards and decreases in strength the slower you go. Most of them have a capacitor, so it stays on for a little while when you stop, but it is not very bright. If you do a race where you will walk or maintain a slow speed then you will also need an extra battery powered light.
BuffsVintageBikes Posted February 3, 2017 Posted February 3, 2017 Any idea where to source these Hubs? I'm probably going to be needing one for my attempt at the Munga. Ignore ^^^ see above post
Grogs Posted February 3, 2017 Posted February 3, 2017 https://www.bike24.com/1.php?content=8;product=24358;menu=1000,2,98;mid%5B931%5D=1;pgc%5B6616%5D%5B6619%5D=1;orderby=3
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