Originally Posted by
Lex Fati
I agree. Dynamo lighting systems are usually overkill for day-time toys. Although, the age of electronic toys and the desire to keep goodies like smartphones and GPS units charged has increased the attractiveness of dynamo systems for some recreational riders (brevet riders and tourers come to mind).
This is true, also. But the "non-bike-nuts" who ride for utility's sake might be more willing to go the dynamo route if it didn't take such an effort. Even with a low-cost dynamo, having to pay to have a custom wheel built pretty much keeps most non-bike people from seriously considering it as an option. Just the cost of the wheel-building service and spokes can get most folks a battery light that will serve their purposes.
Touring and charging gadgets as well as powering lights is a great use case for dynamo, but still somewhat of a niche in the US bike market.
I agree on the effort part. I have become very interested in a dynamo for my new bike, but I don't really know where to start and my LBS was not very helpful on this front. Started doing a lot of research on dynamos and lights, but then I also need to know something about wheels and honestly I have only used the wheels that came with by bikes.