Originally Posted by
LuckySailor
I have for the last 4 years a Schmidt Dynamo Hub, from Peter White actually. And a Toplink Brake pro plus. You won't feel any drag. Do they keep electrical items charged easily-depends on where you're cycling: prairies or mountains. In the mountains forgetaboutit. On the prairies, no problem.
IMO, a solar charger is a no go. Auxiliary Battery power is so easy to come by and charges items several times before they themselves need to be recharged. A dynamo needs to be constantly going at 12-14 mph. That is why it is not good at charging in the mountains. You'll charge going downhill, maybe but there is a lag before charging actually starts. Great for powering lights, maybe not the best choice for charging electronics.
That's an important point - going up takes, say, 3-4 times as long (maybe more), so over the course of a hilly day you only get 25% of the ride to charge.
Practically speaking though, I've done some really hilly tours and my setup kept my phone at least topped off on the hilly days, that is with the phone in airplane mode, no music. On flat to moderate terrain I could rock out with music and still get a charge.