Hub dynamo taillights
#2
Rod & Judy
Joined: Jun 2009
Posts: 567
Likes: 7
From: Montrose, CO
Bikes: Specialized S-works E-5, Davinci joint venture , CoMotion Pangea
Check out Peter Whites website, lots of good info: Peter White Cycles Home Page, I have an old toplight flat, I think there are newer versions that are better.
R
R
#3
Senior Member

Joined: Dec 2010
Posts: 9,685
Likes: 2,603
From: northern Deep South
Bikes: Fuji Touring, Novara Randonee
I've got a couple of different B&M models which have worked great ever since I put them on.
Make sure you solder the tabs on and use the smallest diameter shrink-wrap you can find so the little plastic clip can hold the wires onto the light. If you try the electrical tape route, the clip won't fit, and you might find the connector vibrates off.
Make sure you solder the tabs on and use the smallest diameter shrink-wrap you can find so the little plastic clip can hold the wires onto the light. If you try the electrical tape route, the clip won't fit, and you might find the connector vibrates off.
#4
Senior Member

Joined: Jul 2008
Posts: 6,431
Likes: 44
From: Minneapolis, MN
In my experience as a driver (and a biker), the Busch and Muller Toplight Line Plus is the best dynamo tail light:
Busch and Muller Toplight LIne Plus
For some reason they don't make any dynamo tail lights that flash (well the reason is that they don't allow flashing lights in the countries dynamo lights are primarily made for). Obviously any tail light is better than none, but the Toplight Plus is the only one that as a driver I feel comes close to standing out and identifying a bike as a bike compared to the flashing versions.
Busch and Muller Toplight LIne Plus
For some reason they don't make any dynamo tail lights that flash (well the reason is that they don't allow flashing lights in the countries dynamo lights are primarily made for). Obviously any tail light is better than none, but the Toplight Plus is the only one that as a driver I feel comes close to standing out and identifying a bike as a bike compared to the flashing versions.
#5
aka Tom Reingold




Joined: Jan 2009
Posts: 44,172
Likes: 6,404
From: New York, NY, and High Falls, NY, USA
Bikes: 1962 Rudge Sports, 1971 Raleigh Super Course, 1971 Raleigh Pro Track, 1974 Raleigh International, 1975 Viscount Fixie, 1982 McLean, 1996 Lemond (Ti), 2002 Burley Zydeco tandem
I have one of the old B&M Toplight tail lights, and I like it. I haven't been rear-ended yet, so I don't have any proof that it does a bad job. 
I typically run a battery-powered flashing tail light at the same time. On short rides when I'm feeling lazy, I might not carry it. I usually hang it from my tool bag which hangs from my saddle. Here is a picture of my bike with its B&M tail light and my toolbag, tail light setup.

I typically run a battery-powered flashing tail light at the same time. On short rides when I'm feeling lazy, I might not carry it. I usually hang it from my tool bag which hangs from my saddle. Here is a picture of my bike with its B&M tail light and my toolbag, tail light setup.
__________________
Tom Reingold, tom@noglider.com
New York City and High Falls, NY
Blogs: The Experienced Cyclist; noglider's ride blog
“When man invented the bicycle he reached the peak of his attainments.” — Elizabeth West, US author
Please email me rather than PM'ing me. Thanks.
Tom Reingold, tom@noglider.com
New York City and High Falls, NY
Blogs: The Experienced Cyclist; noglider's ride blog
“When man invented the bicycle he reached the peak of his attainments.” — Elizabeth West, US author
Please email me rather than PM'ing me. Thanks.
#6
Thread Starter
Senior Member
Joined: Feb 2007
Posts: 4,398
Likes: 6
From: Seville, Spain
Bikes: Brompton M6R, mountain bikes, Circe Omnis+ tandem
I have one of the old B&M Toplight tail lights, and I like it. I haven't been rear-ended yet, so I don't have any proof that it does a bad job. 
I typically run a battery-powered flashing tail light at the same time. On short rides when I'm feeling lazy, I might not carry it. I usually hang it from my tool bag which hangs from my saddle. Here is a picture of my bike with its B&M tail light and my toolbag, tail light setup.


I typically run a battery-powered flashing tail light at the same time. On short rides when I'm feeling lazy, I might not carry it. I usually hang it from my tool bag which hangs from my saddle. Here is a picture of my bike with its B&M tail light and my toolbag, tail light setup.

#7
Full Member
Joined: Jan 2010
Posts: 290
Likes: 5
From: West Sussex
Bikes: Ridgeback Steel Tourer,Recumbent SWB,Steel Road,,Raleigh Twenty,Elephant Bike,Pashley Pronto TNT.
As well as the B+M lights,consider the herrmans one.Mine lives outside for the past 2 years OK.Nice bright alternative.
One of the B+m has a brakelight,if thats important
#8
Banned
Joined: Jun 2010
Posts: 43,586
Likes: 1,380
From: NW,Oregon Coast
Bikes: 8
I have 2 of these on 2 bikes Busch & Müller: TOPLIGHT Line plus
to compete with supernovas tiny Taillight SUPERNOVA Airstream Tail Light 2
Schmidt introduced this One SON Neuigkeiten
to compete with supernovas tiny Taillight SUPERNOVA Airstream Tail Light 2
Schmidt introduced this One SON Neuigkeiten
#9
I'm getting tired of batteries, so I've ordered a SON front hub.
I still need to come up with a headlight and a taillight to go with it.
For the taillight, one of the things I'm considering going with a straight inductive taillight such as the Reelight inductive lights. Perhaps one of the SL600 series lights for a mid rack mount.
They use very little power, and there may be an advantage of letting the taillight flash during the day while the headlight is off (and conserving power).
I still need to come up with a headlight and a taillight to go with it.
For the taillight, one of the things I'm considering going with a straight inductive taillight such as the Reelight inductive lights. Perhaps one of the SL600 series lights for a mid rack mount.
They use very little power, and there may be an advantage of letting the taillight flash during the day while the headlight is off (and conserving power).
#10
Senior Member
Joined: Feb 2014
Posts: 5,331
Likes: 12
From: Kent Wa.
Bikes: 2005 Gazelle Golfo, 1935 Raleigh Sport, 1970 Robin Hood sport, 1974 Schwinn Continental, 1984 Ross MTB/porteur, 2013 Flying Piegon path racer, 2014 Gazelle Toer Populair T8
Here's a large selection at great prices.
Bicycle Lights
Bicycle Lights
#12
Randomhead
Joined: Aug 2008
Posts: 25,930
Likes: 4,825
From: Happy Valley, Pennsylvania
I have a toplight line plus -- it's still sitting in my light drawer waiting for an application. My commuter has a dToplight plus, and that is a very bright light, so I'm curious to see how much brighter the toplight is.
#13
aka Tom Reingold




Joined: Jan 2009
Posts: 44,172
Likes: 6,404
From: New York, NY, and High Falls, NY, USA
Bikes: 1962 Rudge Sports, 1971 Raleigh Super Course, 1971 Raleigh Pro Track, 1974 Raleigh International, 1975 Viscount Fixie, 1982 McLean, 1996 Lemond (Ti), 2002 Burley Zydeco tandem
Here's a large selection at great prices.
Bicycle Lights
Bicycle Lights
I've bought lights from xxcycle.com in France. Prices and selection are good, shipping takes a long time. It took a lot of research to choose my headlights.
Don't skimp when choosing a headlight!
__________________
Tom Reingold, tom@noglider.com
New York City and High Falls, NY
Blogs: The Experienced Cyclist; noglider's ride blog
“When man invented the bicycle he reached the peak of his attainments.” — Elizabeth West, US author
Please email me rather than PM'ing me. Thanks.
Tom Reingold, tom@noglider.com
New York City and High Falls, NY
Blogs: The Experienced Cyclist; noglider's ride blog
“When man invented the bicycle he reached the peak of his attainments.” — Elizabeth West, US author
Please email me rather than PM'ing me. Thanks.
#14
aka Tom Reingold




Joined: Jan 2009
Posts: 44,172
Likes: 6,404
From: New York, NY, and High Falls, NY, USA
Bikes: 1962 Rudge Sports, 1971 Raleigh Super Course, 1971 Raleigh Pro Track, 1974 Raleigh International, 1975 Viscount Fixie, 1982 McLean, 1996 Lemond (Ti), 2002 Burley Zydeco tandem
Smart move. I regret all the years I spent before using a dynamo hub. I love it so much that I usually choose my dynamo-equipped bike because it's so trouble free. Also, the lights are bolted on, and I leave them on when I lock the bike.
__________________
Tom Reingold, tom@noglider.com
New York City and High Falls, NY
Blogs: The Experienced Cyclist; noglider's ride blog
“When man invented the bicycle he reached the peak of his attainments.” — Elizabeth West, US author
Please email me rather than PM'ing me. Thanks.
Tom Reingold, tom@noglider.com
New York City and High Falls, NY
Blogs: The Experienced Cyclist; noglider's ride blog
“When man invented the bicycle he reached the peak of his attainments.” — Elizabeth West, US author
Please email me rather than PM'ing me. Thanks.
#15
Banned
Joined: Jun 2010
Posts: 43,586
Likes: 1,380
From: NW,Oregon Coast
Bikes: 8
Power to light red LEDs seems to not draw a lot of power, so batteries last quite a while..
though My B&M toplight LineTech, wired rack mounted taillight is nicely bright and its capacitor stand light keeps it on for plenty of time at stop lights..
Busch & Müller Rear Light Toplight View uses 2 line tech lens lines , so may be even Brighter.
Pictured here: https://www.peterwhitecycles.com/tail...sp#rackmounted
though My B&M toplight LineTech, wired rack mounted taillight is nicely bright and its capacitor stand light keeps it on for plenty of time at stop lights..
Busch & Müller Rear Light Toplight View uses 2 line tech lens lines , so may be even Brighter.
Pictured here: https://www.peterwhitecycles.com/tail...sp#rackmounted
Last edited by fietsbob; 02-26-15 at 01:23 PM.
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