Electronics, Lighting, & Gadgets - Wanted: The lowest cost dynohub w/LED set-up.

As my commute is getting ready to increase in time and mileage, I'll be considering a dyno light set-up. I'll still get the C8 and R5 that were recommended to me, as I may be on the road for far more considerable time in the dark, it sure would be nice not to have to swap batteries out.

I'm either going to be on a well marked, divided 4 lane or a narrow 2 lane one.

My current bike has 26" wheels running 1.5" slicks, it that makes any difference.

I personally like the SRAM i-Light dyno hub. They can be had for 60-70 and come with sealed bearings and almost the same efficiency as the SON. As far as lights go the Lumotec IQ series is relatively inexpensive at around 100 give or take with decent output. Or build your own.

It is nice to just flip the switch and not have to worry about batteries.

Look at Sanyo hubs too. I think they are a little less than that, I think about $50. I have a Lumotec IQ Fly IQ (LED light) headlight and a Topline IQ (also LED) tail light, both with the standlight feature. I paied about $130 for both lights. The headlight was a little under $90.

Not bad, but I failed to mention that I don't have the equipment or knowledge to build my own wheel :o. I should have termed it "dyno wheel" instead. But I'll ask a couple of the shops in town how much it would be to build one using the hub, though.:thumb:

Have you looked at the peterwhitecycles.com website? Here's a link to their page (http://www.peterwhitecycles.com/schmidt-ordering.asp) where you can buy wheels built from SON dynamo hubs. If you contact them they may build a wheel for you with a different dyno hub.

Velo-Orange is selling a dyno hub for $35 ... that has to be the lowest price ever.

Here's THE LINK (http://store.velo-orange.com/index.php/accessories/lighting/dynamo/novatech-dynamo-hub.html).

Well if you can't build your wheel you'll have to find one already built, have one built or learn to build it.

just a quick ebay search popped this one up
http://cgi.ebay.com/ws/eBayISAPI.dll?ViewItem&item=110466485273#vi-content

Its states 26" but you will have to get with the seller on exact size.

Niagara Cycle lists both 26" and 700C complete dynamo wheels for under $71 + shipping. Still a bargain even if you have to pay an LBS to true and properly tension on receiving them. This is a price decrease as last I checked these were about $80. Below is Niagara's Amazon listings for both wheels.

http://www.amazon.com/s/qid=1291401885/ref=sr_nr_seeall_1?ie=UTF8&keywords=redline%20dynamo%20wheels&rh=i%3Aaps%2Ck%3Aredline%20dynamo%20wheels%2Ci%3Asporting

Niagara Cycle lists both 26" and 700C complete dynamo wheels for under $71 + shipping. Still a bargain even if you have to pay an LBS to true and properly tension on receiving them. This is a price decrease as last I checked these were about $80. Below is Niagara's Amazon listings for both wheels.

http://www.amazon.com/s/qid=1291401885/ref=sr_nr_seeall_1?ie=UTF8&keywords=redline%20dynamo%20wheels&rh=i%3Aaps%2Ck%3Aredline%20dynamo%20wheels%2Ci%3Asporting

those have the far inferior 30 series shimano hubs. Okay for a city bike, but if you're riding long distances, get better. No one in the US seems to sell pre-made wheels with better shimano hubs, but they exist.

Also check Harris Cyclery and Longleaf Bicycles.

Also check Harris Cyclery and Longleaf Bicycles.

I think that I actually bookmarked Longleaf after following a link from another thread. IIRC, he had some (Sanyo?) that he claimed were decent, though not on the same level as the Shimano and SON. Now I just got to figure out which browser I was using at the time...

those have the far inferior 30 series shimano hubs. Okay for a city bike, but if you're riding long distances, get better. No one in the US seems to sell pre-made wheels with better shimano hubs, but they exist.

What's your definition of long distances? I won't be riding more than 30 miles tops in either direction.

I think that I actually bookmarked Longleaf after following a link from another thread. IIRC, he had some (Sanyo?) that he claimed were decent, though not on the same level as the Shimano and SON. Now I just got to figure out which browser I was using at the time...

Longleaf has Sanyo hubs for around 40 bucks. Velo-Orange has a Novatech on sale for $35. The Sanyo appears to be a little bit nicer, and Longleaf can build you a wheel for a reasonable cost.

I recommend ebay deutschland, search for nabendynamo, Shimano dynamos for the cheap.

Look at Sanyo hubs too. I think they are a little less than that, I think about $50. I have a Lumotec IQ Fly IQ (LED light) headlight and a Topline IQ (also LED) tail light, both with the standlight feature. I paied about $130 for both lights. The headlight was a little under $90.

How bright is that topline tail light? I just got one and I am a little curious... I have seen the older version with one led in action, and it was a nice bright, but very focused point of light-- I am hoping that the topline has a little more pizazz.

those have the far inferior 30 series shimano hubs. Okay for a city bike, but if you're riding long distances, get better. No one in the US seems to sell pre-made wheels with better shimano hubs, but they exist.

Can you explain the inferiority of the 30-series?

Can you explain the inferiority of the 30-series?

Higher drag, with or without a load attached.