Just wanted to throw my two cents in.

My Pro Tour came with internal wiring for this type of generator (very similar to the Velo Sport above) and I like unique, outdated tech (be honest, who here doesn't feel the same way about certain things, if not dynamos?) so i thought I'd give the BB generator a try. Posted in the Looking For thread and Iowegian was there to supply me with the goods (Union BB dynamo... not sure of age, but before Germany's reunification).

I love it. I'm sure that a hub dynamo is probably better, but I saved at least $80-100 doing it this way; not too shabby. So far it works when I need it to. Once or twice a major bump has knocked it out of alignment and I get the flickery light that others of talked about, but that's still better than running out of batteries on the road. If it breaks, I had planned on getting a hub dynamo to replace it, but with the $45 replacements from Peter White now.... It's a more complicated decision (thankfully not one I have to make just yet).

My only complaint is that the headlamp isn't as bright as I want it to be sometimes, but besides being a minor complaint (it's always bright enough, sometimes I just want brighter), I also feel this has to do more with using 30 year old lamp technology than 30 year old dynamo technology.

jtgotsjets;

Good points on the cost savings over a hub dynamo. IMO the hub dynamo is the way to go if you are a commuter or randonneur who does lots of night riding but is overkill for occasional night riding use.

Current LED light technology can give LOTS more light than older dynamo lights. The latest version of the Supernova E3 Pro light claims an output of 375 Lumens. Unfortunately Peter White does not expect to have them in till about November.