Generator Hubs and Lights
If you’re tired of going through batteries, and you may even have tried a rechargeable style light system and found that the battery doesn’t hold a charge long enough, you might consider investing in a dynamo or generator hub. Many manufacturers are now offering a “dyno” hub in multiple brake options: disc brake, drum brake, and rim brake. 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 cord and a capacitor, allowing you to store a charge and keep the light on even when stopped.
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 easily wheel removal. The 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 for $160, and the basic Shimano Dynamo rim-brake only 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 to store a charge.
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, average between $240 and $375 depending on the quality of the rim, hub, spokes, and light chosen. There are always more expensive options, of course, so please call the shop for a detailed estimate of time and cost.
