Hey guys,

I was wondering what you'd consider the best bang-for-the-buck hub dynamo. I ride a recumbent and the front wheel is 20".

I'm looking to set up a "be seen" as opposed to "see" light system. I commute daily and in the mornings I leave before dawn. There's enough light for me to see where I'm going but with a black bike on pavement I want some lights to draw attention.

Right now I have 2 blinkies on the back (generic knock-offs Portland Designs Radbot 1000's) and a 12V 20W halogen light on the front (MR-14's like you might use in house spot lighting but running off a LiPo). I know I can't get that much power out of a dynamo hub but a few bright focused LED's I think might draw more attention than that single bulb...

Thanks,

Philip

when i leave the house it is still dark, but as i near the office the sun is usually just about there. i have noticed in the past few weeks, with oncoming riders, those with blinking front light rather than the continuous light seemed to catch my eye a lot quicker. maybe just as the ambient light starts to change, the solid-on front light seems to just blend in with constant reflection objects as the bits of sunlight start to pop in.
anyways, often as i pass them, i notice that they also are not like super high price units, but some of the PB Blazes. seems to work, i noticed them.

You might look at dahon's hub dynamo at low price priority,
and Schmidt 20 as a long term investment..

so there is the length of service life thing too ..
I own 2 Schmidt 28 types.

Somewhere I saw a tech manual for a shimano freehub with a dynamo in it.
I deal for tadpole trikes , but also good on recumbents as the rear wheel
If that works better..

Check out Reelights. They mount to the axle and are powered by a magnet attached to your spokes (like a larger version of the one you'd use with a computer). Only downside is that the lights are lower than is ideal for a be seen light (especially on 20" wheels), but I do know someone who's modified them to power a normally positioned light.

I've noticed this as well, including when driving in the city and having bikes come up behind me. I need to figure out which light they're using...

I use a shimano hub dynamo (disc brake) with a B&M cyo 60 lux front light with a B&M rear light. Works very well for me, however it is more of a "see" light, rather than a "be seen" light. I have a smart polaris 5 light and a fenix l2d torch as well. Rear I have a dinotte 140R.

I nominate the Supernova E3 Triple. With about 800 lumens (peak) in a symmetrical beam pattern, it should do pretty good. As long as you're moving, anyway... I have an E3 single, and the standlight is very dim, not a comfort when trying to show up in heavy city traffic while waiting to make a left turn.

Take a look at the new Reelight SL500 lights. Clever Cycles in Portland seems to be the first USA source for them. They have wiring between the generator part and light part allowing remote light location, allowing higher light positioning.

https://clevercycles.com/products/co...ator-lighting/

The Reelights look very interesting, thanks!

philip

Have heard mixed reviews about the reelights. Have a good read around before buying.

I have the Cyo R front light (40 lux, but more light to sides and front) with the B&M rear light.

I haven't tested it from all angles, but from ahead and behind my bike is quite visible (from watching a friend ride the bike and from the reactions of drivers). I haven't seen how it looks from the side as I'm crossing an intersection though.

Went for a ride tonight and had two sets of bystanders at bus stops say: "wow check that out" and "wait I thought that was a motorbike"... It was a well lit road where I wouldn't need lights to see, not even most cracks in the road and it's a full moon... But again that's in the forward direction. I don't know how much light you get at 90%.

But to be fair bright lights are extremely rare here. Though they are slightly less rare than they used to be...

Yes, I noticed that last week as I started looking into them, but thanks for the heads-up.

I'm looking forward to the daylight savings time jump next month; then I can commute an hour earlier with less traffic and the same ambient lighting

philip

Which light (model number) is the B&M rear light? Thanks.

It's the Toplight Line Plus. It's made to attach to a mount on the the rear rack. My rack didn't have that mount so I drilled two holes and screwed in two L-shaped brackets.

I've got two pair of them (Side note: I got one at a swap meet for $20, and the other was on a bike I got used. I probably wouldn't pay full price for them, because it's like $60 or so and for that price I'll get some "see!" lights anyways.)

They're pretty nice. Definitely "be seen" rather than "see" lights, but not too bad. Easy to install, but low to the ground (unless you get this new model, that I don't have.)

I had one light stop working. I emailed them, and they send me a replacement with no fuss whatsoever. Didn't even want the old light.