Dynamo hub & light systems
If you’re tired of having to buy batteries and found that rechargeable style light systems are too weak to hold a decent charge, you might consider investing in a dynamo (generator) hub. Many manufacturers are now offering a dyno hubs specifically for the urban commuter. Shimano and SRAM both offer 6 volt, 3 watt dyno hubs that can be custom-built into any wheel of your choice, with practically any rim you want. Once you have the hub, you can pick and choose your light as well. Planet Bike makes their Blaze 1 Watt LED light with a capacitor, which keeps your light on even when you’re stopped at a long red light–offering crucial visibility to motorists. Germany’s Busch & Mueller make superb front and rear lights that can both run off a front dyno hub.
Shimano Alfine "Dyno" hub in silver
Shimano dyno hubs use a small plastic piece to attach the light cable to the hub contacts, and it can be quickly disconnected for easy wheel removal. The Shimano Alfine hub (left) comes in both silver and black, and in 32 and 36 hole drillings. It is compatible with Shimano Centerlock disc brake technology, and with the use of a small adapter can be made to work with traditional 6-bolt rotors as well. The Alfine hub has a retail of $140, the Sport Dyno $160, and the basic Shimano Dynamo rim-brake only dyno hub (DH-3D30, not shown) retails for $80.
iLight Dyno hub in silver
SRAM now also manufactures a dynamo hub called the iLight, producing 6 volts, 2.4 watts even at low speeds. They make a 6-bolt disc-compatible version as well, and they retail for $98, or $102 for the disc hub. They have been released into the market, but we haven’t been able to get our hands on one yet.
Sturmey Archer, known for its English 3-speed hubs, makes a drum-brake dyno hub for $105. For those wanting a brake more weather-resistant than rim brakes, but lacking the disc brake tabs, the drum-brake dyno offers a generator light and a non-infrastructure specific brake that works beautifully in wet and nasty weather.
Shimano makes a great light for their dyno hub, and it sells for $32. Planet Bike also makes a version of their popular Blaze1 light for a generator for $60, which includes a capacitor that keeps the light shining even when you’re stopped at a long red light.
Dyno hubs and lights are great for touring and those hard-core commuters who leave and come home in the dark most of the year. Investing in one, including the labor to build the wheel, the cost of the spokes and rim, as well as a light, averages between $240 and $375 depending on the quality of the rim, hub, spokes, and light chosen. There are always more expensive and less expensive options, of course, so please call the shop for assistance and a detailed estimate.
