You didn't start the fire.

... though we didn't light it but we're tryin' to fight it...

You didn't start the fire, it was always burning since the world's been turning.

The best dynamo ever made still works after years and years...the sun.

Each to his own, I have no problem splashing out $200+ for a dynamo setup per bike. The pros of dynamo lighting says I don't mind paying $150 more over a battery light to have a dynamo setup. As I've said, cost isn't an issue to me. If one can afford $4000 bikes, one can afford $200+ for a dynamo setup, if one chooses not to, that's a valid choice too. I couldn't care about convincing you to switching dynamo lights, it's just internet, not going to argue personally about that.

I seriously doubt anyone would outfit 7 bikes with dynamos! If one did, why not just swap the dynamo hub wheel between bikes thus you only need to buy one wheel with the dynamo, then buy several mounting brackets to fit the light so you can transfer the light from bike to bike. I mean really, who would spend all that money when it could be done for far less...I'm sure some people have more money than they could ever spend here so what else do they have to spend it on?

Swapping dynamos and lights between bikes defeat the purpose of using dynamo lighting. If you're doing that, you might as well buy a battery light and be done with it. I have 7 bikes, 4 of them are outfitted with dynamo systems, they're different, there's a road bike, touring bike, touring bike with disc, and a folding bike.

$200 isn't that much money per bike.

I've been using a BM Dymotec 6 sidewall dyno for years and am really happy with it. I use it with a Spanniga headlight and a BM Toplight line Brake Plus and have all of $120 in the system. What is really nice, is the convenience of switching it from one bike to another on a seasonal basis despite different sized wheels. Look through Peter White's site, there are better headlights that are compatible and fall in your budget.

Marc

There is also this odd ball lighting system that doesn't use battery but instead a set of magnets and a small dynamo that is not a hub or sidewall style thus no friction whatsoever; see: https://www.reelight.com/ The only problem with this light is that I haven't found any beam comparisons so a person can get some sort of clue as to how bright it is.

Marc, I'm glad you mention how much you like your sidewall generator. It's good to know.

Long ago, I had a French dynamo system. Does anyone remember the big French name that (I believe) is now gone? Anyway, it worked flawlessly. I now have an old German-made sidewall system on my Raleigh Twenty. I haven't ridden it enough to report on it, but after sitting in a garage for 20 years unused, it spun up and provided current, so that's a good start.

Another point about sidewall dynamos: they weigh less than the marginal weight the dynamo portion of dynamo hubs, and they offer no drag when not engaged. Those are pluses (as well as the lower cost). The minus, of course, is that when engaged, they introduce more drag than a dyno-hub does. At least I believe this to be the case.

Tom,

They may or may not produce more drag. The BM Dyno has a tension control which allows you to literally dial in the amount of tension to provide constant contact. When using the stock plastic roller on the Dyno, I hardly notice it's on, the wire brush roller (for winter and wet conditions) does seem to produce more drag, but that is barely noticeable. To your other points, you are dead on. They are lighter, cheaper and more versatile than the dynohubs. A lot of plusses.

Marc

Soubitez, I believe. My first generator was a Soubitez, and it was great. I'd be using it still, except that bicycle was stolen. It had a metal wheel that didn't wear out (nor did it seem to wear out the sidewall). But the Dymotec is better, even though it's plastic.

Yes, Soubitez! Thank you. It's a little upsetting that I can't remember everything any more. Well, they say that as we get older, the memory is the second thing to go.

I did a three-month tour with that setup, and I was using tubular tires. If you set up the roller right, it won't chew up the tire.

I seriously doubt anyone would outfit 7 bikes with saddles! If one did, why not just swap the saddle between the bikes thus you only need to buy one saddle, then buy several seatposts to fit the saddle so you can transfer the saddle from bike to bike.

Aside from that, who NEEDS to ride seven bikes at night? For that matter, who NEEDS seven bikes? Wants them, maybe. It's a choice. It's a choice to natter with lights, batteries, and chargers, vs. rig multiple bikes for night riding. I have separate saddles, and seat bags, and pumps, on each bike I ride -- my choice. Oh, and dynamos and lights on the bikes I commute with.

Why'd you decide on one of the Gemini Duo clones rather than a Solarstorm X2? (I'm trying to decide myself between the two.)

I just had a better feeling about the Gemeni clone over the SX2 after reading both threads on mtbr, there wasn't anything specific that pushed me towards it. It still hasn't arrived, so I don't know if I made a good decision yet.

Cool, thanks man.