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Looking for a budget-priced dynamo hub wheel.

I recently discovered the convenience of dynamo hubs. Now I am looking to equip a second bike with a dynamo hub wheel. Since this bike won't be used as frequently, I am looking for a budget option. Any thoughts on a LBS that has some affordable dynamo hubs wheels in stock? Prefer local, but will consider online recommendations as well.
Thanks.

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Permalink Reply by Skip Montanaro 0mi on September 11, 2013 at 5:57pm

Yeah, I can't imagine it will be as low resistance as a dynamo hub.  When I get it I will put it through its paces and report back here (and likely a couple other places).

Edit: I just sent them a note and linked to this thread. If they reply with any information, I'll let you know.

Permalink Reply by Tricolor on September 12, 2013 at 12:26pm

Looks cool and runs from an existing dynamo, but it doesn't have the integrated (detachable) battery of the Atom.  I suppose you could have it output to a storage battery and connect the battery to your device, though.  Interesting mounting location, too.  Imagine an integrated cylindrical battery that would live in the steerer tube.

Permalink Reply by Duppie on September 12, 2013 at 1:02pm

I find the specs of the Atom underwhelming: 1300 mAh battery? In 2013? My phone has a 2000 mAh battery and that is just average for new phones these days. I couldn't fully charge my phone with it.

Also, I need to charge the battery first, then plug it into my phone? The Plug, and other devices like it, can charge your device (or battery) continuously. As long a you keep moving of course.

The one attractive part of the Atom is the price, especially if you don't have a dynamohub yet.

I am interested to hear some real-life reviews once it is available.

If I'd be looking for an on-bike charger, I'd be looking at the B&M Luxos U. $235 gives you arguably the best dynamo light currently on the market and a USB outlet on your handlebar.



Tricolor said:

Looks cool and runs from an existing dynamo, but it doesn't have the integrated (detachable) battery of the Atom.  I suppose you could have it output to a storage battery and connect the battery to your device, though.  Interesting mounting location, too.  Imagine an integrated cylindrical battery that would live in the steerer tube.

Permalink Reply by Far'arned Retrogrumpalunkus #63 on September 12, 2013 at 1:50pm

The Sanyo hub is the cheapest/best option if you plan on running the hub power all the time (to charge a phone) but the Shimano has less drag when "off" than the Sanyo does.  When "on" they are pretty much the same drag.   The higher-priced units give less drag when not in use but because of the nature of a permanent-magnet generator there will always be some exttra drag whether a load is hooked up  to the dyno-hub or not. 

Peter White has a lot of good info on Dyno Hubs. 

I pretty much run with my SRAM iLite hub charging my phone battery when it is light out or running the light when it is dark.  When it dies I will be replacing it with the cheaper Sanyo H27 from Peter White.  Because of the way dynohubs are built it is really hard to service/replace the bearings so if you ride in harsh conditions (even with so-called "sealed" bearings) they will not last forever.  I look at these modern dynohubs as disposable and since Peter White sells the Sanyo for $47 it's not a big bother to me to lace a new one up when it fails every few years. 

As for charging your phone or other USB devices I use the Bike2Power dyno USB charger/adapter.  So far I'm on my second one of those but the original was replaced under warranty.   It doesn't produce enough power to charge my Nexus 4 Android phone properly but I have a little battery-pack adapter that I use as a "buffer" and I can ride for days with the phone on and running the Endomondo app with the screen on.  On my old Motorola droid the Bike2Power charger would keep it charged all the time.  Perhaps the Nexus 4 is just picky with the quality of the power.  

Another option, although pretty pricey at $234 + wiring accessories, is the Luxos U LED headlight with built-in USB charger from Peter White.   It's a lot of money but it includes one of the best LED lights on the market right now for bicycles with a USB charging accessory slot and a built-in cache battery buffer.  

Permalink Reply by Duppie on September 12, 2013 at 2:17pm

Yeah, I pretty much had decided on a Sanyo for this budget wheel. I leave the light on all the time anyhow, so drag is not a big issue. Any other option adds at least $50 bucks.

Your comment about maintenance is interesting. You cannot overhaul a Sanyo or Shimano dynamohub yourself?

James BlackHeron said:

The Sanyo hub is the cheapest/best option if you plan on running the hub power all the time (to charge a phone) but the Shimano has less drag when "off" than the Sanyo does.  When "on" they are pretty much the same drag.   The higher-priced units give less drag when not in use but because of the nature of a permanent-magnet generator there will always be some exttra drag whether a load is hooked up  to the dyno-hub or not. 

Peter White has a lot of good info on Dyno Hubs. 

I pretty much run with my SRAM iLite hub charging my phone battery when it is light out or running the light when it is dark.  When it dies I will be replacing it with the cheaper Sanyo H27 from Peter White.  Because of the way dynohubs are built it is really hard to service/replace the bearings so if you ride in harsh conditions (even with so-called "sealed" bearings) they will not last forever.  I look at these modern dynohubs as disposable and since Peter White sells the Sanyo for $47 it's not a big bother to me to lace a new one up when it fails every few years. 

As for charging your phone or other USB devices I use the Bike2Power dyno USB charger/adapter.  So far I'm on my second one of those but the original was replaced under warranty.   It doesn't produce enough power to charge my Nexus 4 Android phone properly but I have a little battery-pack adapter that I use as a "buffer" and I can ride for days with the phone on and running the Endomondo app with the screen on.  On my old Motorola droid the Bike2Power charger would keep it charged all the time.  Perhaps the Nexus 4 is just picky with the quality of the power.  

Another option, although pretty pricey at $234 + wiring accessories, is the Luxos U LED headlight with built-in USB charger from Peter White.   It's a lot of money but it includes one of the best LED lights on the market right now for bicycles with a USB charging accessory slot and a built-in cache battery buffer.  

Permalink Reply by Far'arned Retrogrumpalunkus #63 on September 12, 2013 at 2:38pm

It can be done but there is a very great danger in breaking the wires when disassembling the unit.  The Shimano hub has cup & cone bearings I think but only the non-driveside is easily accessible once the rotor has been removed from the hub shell.  Shimano doesn't even list part numbers for the drive-side cone and doesn't consider it serviceable but I have heard it CAN be done -it is just really tricky.


Even the SON hub isn't made to be user-serviced and Peter White is the only authorized service center in the USA I think.  The tool to open the dyno up is special and not available.  you can make one yourself and I found a link to someone who did it though.  On the older model SON hub you can just unscrew the rotor from the shell but on the newer models the shell is two-pieced and seals in the middle so it needs to be unlaced just to get it apart before you even send it to Peter White to do the warranty work.  Doing this yourself voids the 5-year warranty.  I guess after that you are on your own anyhow.   

Personally, after having to de-lace the hub anyhow and relace it and paying for shipping (or a pair of the bearings if you do it yourself) you might as well just buy a $50 sanyo and toss the old one in the garbage or use it as a paperweight on your desk.  You can buy six Sanyo hubs for the price of one Schmidt SON.

Permalink Reply by Duppie on September 12, 2013 at 2:53pm

Thanks.

And welcome back.

James BlackHeron said:

It can be done but there is a very great danger in breaking the wires when disassembling the unit.  The Shimano hub has cup & cone bearings I think but only the non-driveside is easily accessible once the rotor has been removed from the hub shell.  Shimano doesn't even list part numbers for the drive-side cone and doesn't consider it serviceable but I have heard it CAN be done -it is just really tricky.


Even the SON hub isn't made to be user-serviced and Peter White is the only authorized service center in the USA I think.  The tool to open the dyno up is special and not available.  you can make one yourself and I found a link to someone who did it though.  On the older model SON hub you can just unscrew the rotor from the shell but on the newer models the shell is two-pieced and seals in the middle so it needs to be unlaced just to get it apart before you even send it to Peter White to do the warranty work.  Doing this yourself voids the 5-year warranty.  I guess after that you are on your own anyhow.   

Personally, after having to de-lace the hub anyhow and relace it and paying for shipping (or a pair of the bearings if you do it yourself) you might as well just buy a $50 sanyo and toss the old one in the garbage or use it as a paperweight on your desk.  You can buy six Sanyo hubs for the price of one Schmidt SON.

Permalink Reply by Drewbacca on September 12, 2013 at 6:12pm

any shop that carries QBP (all of them?) can order an assembled wheel from Handspun part# WE7246

Permalink Reply by Allen Wrench on September 12, 2013 at 9:48pm

There used to be $99 700c and 26" hub wheels at Clever Cycles in Portland, seems to be $133 now? Worth a call maybe. And QBP does offer pre made wheels with a hub available anywhere in Chicago.

The riding comfort difference between a cheap hub and a costly one is not huge, add $200 for a SON if you want the smoothest, but you might never notice it.

I agree with looking at Peter White's site. Many here in town can order from him, he's a wholesaler.

And don't forget that that brand new SON or Busch und Mueller lamp also works fine with an old Schwinn Approved dynamo from Working Bikes. 

Pretty much all the LED lights have got pretty good recently, check out the cheap ones first. More money seems to equal wider beam. 

Permalink Reply by Greg Valent on September 13, 2013 at 12:12pm

According to the site, Peter White is their US distributor.



John Durham said:

This is probably too expensive as well, but it is definitely one of the slicker designs I've seen for a dynamo powered charger for smartphones / GPS devices / what-have-you.  Made in Germany and I think you would have to order it from europe as they don't seem to have US based retail partners. 

http://www.en.tout-terrain.de/accessories/electric-power-supply/

Duppie 13.5185km said:

They do, thru a converter. There are various products on the market at various price points. Here is one such solution.

http://www.peterwhitecycles.com/pedalpowerplus.asp

Of course, if this is a one time event, and you don't have a dynamo hub yet, you will be better off looking into an external battery pack for your phone. That would be a much cheaper solution. I picked up a 5000mAh for $40 or thereabouts.


Tricolor said:

They don't generate a current suitable for powering phones and tablets, do they?  I've got a long trip coming up and tracking it with my phone would be fun.

Permalink Reply by Skip Montanaro 0mi on September 14, 2013 at 10:20am



Skip Montanaro 12mi said:

Edit: I just sent them a note and linked to this thread. If they reply with any information, I'll let you know.

Response from Siva :

Skip, thanks for the email and for posting on the cycling forum! Our resistance is on par (if not better) than most hub dynamos...plus we generate significantly more power. Furthermore, as you know as one of our backers, the Atom is a ready-to-go power source, where as with hub and bottle cap generators alike, you have to regulate power with external electronics.

We shall see...

Permalink Reply by Duppie on September 14, 2013 at 12:01pm

Decided to go with a Sanyo H27 laced to a Sun CR-18. Will build the wheel myself. Should be able to get all the materials for $130 or thereabouts.

Thanks for all the advice. This is what makes CL so useful to me.

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