Best dyno hub

[Iainj837]

I'm looking into putting a dyno hub for both lights and USB to charge phone on my tourer
Any recommendations

 

[Ajax Bay]

Copied from yacf (an esteemed and knowledgeable contributor, posting two days ago) (I am pondering the same issue):

"IMO there are four main strands of options for hub dynamos - and it may change the balance if you build your own wheels.

"Cheap Shimano (£20-£40 hub only, best bought from Germany, cheap wheels available) - excellent for utility bikes.

"Expensive shimano (£50-£80, best bought from Germany, sometimes remarkably good wheel prices from the likes of Rose) - difficult to see past these if you're on a budget. Very reliable, some user serviceability, almost as good as SON in every respect except snob value, and a third of the price.

"SON - £150-£250. Think Rolls Royce. Highly efficient, 50,000km bearing warranty, beautifully engineered ... Must go back to Germany for servicing, most people find them ultra reliable though there are a couple of opposing experiences on the forum.

"SP - £60-£100. Depending on model, low weight, high efficiency, clutched mechanism to minimise drag but introduce complexity (only one model has this though). Most users seem very happy but there are a fair number of stories of early bearing failure - and bearing replacement involves unlacing the wheel and sending the hub off to Taiwan. 2 year warranty.

"As a snob on a budget, I have gone for s/h SON hubs, acquired as built wheels for a bit over £100, and for previous generation higher-end Shimano, bought NOS for £20 and then built myself. I've also got an SP SV-9, again s/h, but although it's tiny and jewel-like I've not used it yet."

Also see Reply #7 in this yacf thread

 

[Yellow Saddle]

You have to temper your expectations first. You won't be able to charge your phone and use the light at the same time. Given that the problem can be overcome by riding in daytime, you still won't charge your phone as you ride. Most smart phones require a high, and steady input in order to maintain the charge mode. Cycling doesn't provide this. You will most likely have to charge an energy bank and charge your phone from that. Also, the dynamo's output is 6V AC. You will need a gadget to covert that to 5V DC. These exist, but are relatively expensive.
Also, no matter how fancy the dynamo, if the output is X watt, it is X watt. You wont' find any with higher output than the others.

 

[winjim]

...the problem can be overcome by riding in daytime...

Can we please just put this quote on all the "which lights?" threads?

 

[Heltor Chasca]

I've been very happy with my Shimano XT hub. I use a set of B&M lights with the USB attachment. When I'm touring I also take a solar panel which I bungee to my rear rack (same size) In the summer the system keeps my GPS, iPhone and mini iPad full.

Edit: Silver or black if you are inclined to colour coordinate.

 

[Yellow Saddle]

I'd go for a Son dynohub. More expensive that a Shimano but with German reliability built in.



You're wrong. You can use your lights and charge your phone at the same time. You just need something like an e-Werk with a cache battery or the USB-Werk, neither of which will break the bank. I did it on my French trip a couple of months ago.

Well, charging a cache bank and then the phone is not the same as charging the phone directly. I explained it. I also explained that you need a USB plug gadget, the specific brand is irrelevant.

You'll have to explain how German reliability is superior to Japanese reliability and how it is built in, in this case.

 

[Yellow Saddle]

I've been very happy with my Shimano XT hub. I use a set of B&M lights with the USB attachment. When I'm touring I also rske a solar panel which I bungee to my rear rack (same size) In the summer the system keeps my GPS, iPhone and mini iPad full.

Edit: Silver or black if you are inclined to colour coordinate.

I concur with your views on the quality of the Shimano product. As a bonus, it is super easy to service the bearings. I have them on two of my bikes and I've built wheels with Son dynamos for my rich friends. We all use the same SuperNova lights and Plug (the USB thingy) and I don't see a difference in the light between the two brands. Admittedly the Son looks pretty good, but I managed to fit two wheels with Shimano hubs for less than the price of one Son.

 

[steveindenmark]

Can we please just put this quote on all the "which lights?" threads?

I doubt if I would have found it if it was in there as I don't want it for my lights but for my Garmin and phone. Its a general cycling discussion and is in the right place IMO.

 

[dim]

I spent a very long time researching dynamo hubs/lights for my Surly Long Haul Trucker ....

this is what I eventually decided on:

Son 28 Dynamo Hub (polished)
Lumitec IQ-X Black front light
Toplight Line Brake Plus rear light
E-Werk plus cache battery and adaptor cable

 

[Yellow Saddle]

I doubt if I would have found it if it was in there as I don't want it for my lights but for my Garmin and phone. Its a general cycling discussion and is in the right place IMO.

Whoooosh!

 

[Yellow Saddle]

I spent a very long time researching dynamo hubs/lights for my Surly Long Haul Trucker ....

this is what I eventually decided on:

Son 28 Dynamo Hub (polished)
Lumitec IQ-X Black front light
Toplight Line Brake Plus rear light
E-Werk plus cache battery and adaptor cable

What did your research tell you?

 

[dim]

What did your research tell you?

it told me that it's always best to ask questions from people who actually own and use the setup than from those who just read adverts from the people who market the products. It also 'told' me that sometimes it's wise to save a bit longer and spend a bit more money and get the best

 

[Yellow Saddle]

it told me that it's always best to ask questions from people who actually own and use the setup than from those who just read adverts from the people who market the products. It also 'told' me that sometimes it's wise to save a bit longer and spend a bit more money and get the best

Yes but, be specific. What about the Son is better than other dynamos? What exactly did you learn? Up to now you've only hinted that you've learnt something.

 

[dim]

Yes but, be specific. What about the Son is better than other dynamos? What exactly did you learn? Up to now you've only hinted that you've learnt something.

I'm too tired to argue tonight .... but before deciding, use google and join and search forums where members cycle long distance and use dynamo setups (such as the USA and UK audax forums ....

I suppose that any setup/combo will do, but I believe that sometimes it's best to spend a little more and get the best

 

[Ajax Bay]

You might find this is also a useful article: "Charging GPSes and phones on long rides"