Hi Folks,

I'm sure this gets asked and answered on a regular basis, but rather than searching multiple threads for my exact question nuances I'll be lazy and just ask it:

I'm getting an older (1992ish) Koga Miyatta touring bike that has a generator mount on the BB shell. The only thing I know about generators are the old sturmey archer dynohubs and the schwinn rim generators that were essentially extra brakes. What kind of generator would mount on a bike with a BB shell mount? What does it contact to generate power? Are these like the terrible old systems that I remember which were heavy and interfered with wheels too much? Are there other generator systems that are a ton better than what I remember? I've used knogg LED lights with my road bikes and been fairly happy with them...should I skip the generator entirely and go with battery power?

A Sanyo bottom bracket dynamo! Which has largely been supplanted by hub dynamos such as the SON and the Shimano 3nXX series. With the advent of powerful white LEDs dynamo lighting has become a force to be reckoned with. If it were my bike I'd forget about the Sanyo bracket and get a Shimano 3n80 dynohub with a Lumotec IQ Fly N-Plus W/Standlight headlight.

Yep, Sanyo bb generator. It starts slipping when the road is wet.

I have a Union brand BB generator (made in Germany) that would work as well. It has a metal drum that mounts under the chainstays and contacts the rear wheel. I haven't used it so I don't know the exact details but it looks pretty nicely made. I don't really need it so PM me if you're interested in it.

Battery LED lights are great these days if you don't mind re-charging the batteries as needed.

Conversely, LED's have made dynamo lights dramatically brighter - enough to ride comfortably at regular higher speeds with just the dynamo light, whereas older dynamo lights were pretty craptastic.

https://www.peterwhitecycles.com/headlights.asp