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Are Dynamo Hubs Worth It?
Am I a luddite for still using paper maps? :eek:
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Originally Posted by imi
(Post 16386378)
Am I a luddite for still using paper maps? :eek:
Common Sense is so rare these days it's been reclassified as a super power. Marc |
Originally Posted by dwmckee
(Post 16380731)
I started using this last month - A new rim dynamo and so far I have been pretty happy with it. You can completely disengage it when not riding and eliminate all drag. Only 50 - 60 grams too and fairly quiet. It is smaller than a film canister and made by Velogical-Engineering in Germany.
http://files.webbuilder.hosteurope.d...v2_srgb_lr.jpg One facetious question; Why would I want to eliminate drag when I am not riding? Marc |
I'd think it would be better in a few circumstances: Using tyres without a dyno strip, using tyres that is not designed for one, and less noise than a tyre driven one.
With that said, I am personally more likely to try out a rim driven dynamo than a hub dynamo, simply because I can disengage it and it will fit any of my bikes, regardless of wheel size. |
Originally Posted by SmallFront
(Post 16386446)
try out a rim driven dynamo than a hub dynamo, simply because I can disengage it and it will fit any of my bikes, regardless of wheel size.
Marc |
Originally Posted by irwin7638
(Post 16386474)
Although I haven't had any problems with tires when using a tire driven dyno, these are the two best reasons I have for choosing a tire driven over a hub dyno. The Velogical rim dyno is priced at $200 while a BM tire driven is only $55. Is it 4 times better?
Marc |
Originally Posted by imi
(Post 16386378)
Am I a luddite for still using paper maps? :eek:
*** Tire driven generators, I have one on my errand bike. It is great for the 1.5 mile ride home from the grocery store. But I would never consider using one to recharge my electronics. |
Originally Posted by Zedmor
(Post 16380963)
There's a good option of charger from burner like this http://www.biolitestove.com/campstov...view/features/ ...
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BTW - There are hurricanes and blizzards and tornados and ice storms and other stuff. My suggestion - and far from a unique one - is to be able to take care of yourself at home for the better part of a week. (Some of my cycletouring gear does double duty as home emergency equipment.) As a part of this, I already have in my emergency preparedness kit a little, inexpensive AA to USB gizmo to recharge my cell phone. I suppose I could just take this along on a tour.
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The only thing that really ticks me off about lighting my bike lights with a dyno hub is that I waited so many years to start doing it. I love the system so much! I now have three dynamo powered bikes. The reliability, durability, and worry-free service they provide is indispensible. Expensive yes, but once you buy it, you will have no regret. Weight is a small penalty, but I can assure you that drag is not. I can feel the vibration but not the drag, and I've tried to pay close attention.
Consider all the toxic waste you're avoiding. All batteries, especially rechargeable ones, are toxic waste, once you're done with them. I don't think there's anything toxic in a generator, and they last longer than batteries. I haven't used one of the new USB dynamo charging systems. I hesitate to do so, because I hope the prices come down in two or three years. Those who have them are very happy with them. Probably the smartest one is the expensive B&M headlight with the built in USB charging port. In the meantime, I expect to do mostly commuting and little to no touring. If I were touring, I'd buy it now. |
Originally Posted by Nickfrogger
(Post 16377939)
I'm putting together a touring build for my first long tour (~2000mi). It will be primarily "stealth camping" and I'm concerned about plug availability for charging for my phone and gps. On the other hand, getting a USB charging system with a Shimano dynohub looks like it'll be $200-$300, which is more than a month's rent for me. Anyone have advice in regards to whether or not a dynamo hub would be a worthwhile investment? Sorry if this has been covered already; I didn't have much luck searching the forums.
Thanks in advance, ~Nick Buying stuff with features is not an investment, it's an expense. Wrt to touring a good front wheel is all that matters. If you have extra $ why not add weight and complexity but if cost is an issue a charger and spare battery pack would be cheaper. |
Originally Posted by noglider
(Post 16386758)
Consider all the toxic waste you're avoiding. |
Originally Posted by LeeG
(Post 16388052)
Being able to get on the bike and ride safely home without worrying about charged battery packs is great.
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Originally Posted by Walter S
(Post 16383968)
I carry only electronics. Not sure what you mean by "need more" and "that stuff". I don't think I run much risk of getting lost. I carry an iPhone and then have an iPad also that I can use if the iPhone dies, gets dropped in a lake, etc.
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Originally Posted by Walter S
(Post 16381499)
Don't forget the environmental impact of coming up with the electricity to charge the batteries. For most people that will be coal burning power plants. For me and my dyno hub it is the renewable bio-energy generated by digesting my vegetarian diet. Less negative impact on the environment.
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Originally Posted by LeeG
(Post 16388052)
Being able to get on the bike and ride safely home without worrying about charged battery packs is great.
It wouldn't be financial or environmental or ....it is convenience... |
Am I a luddite for still using paper maps? |
Originally Posted by RWBlue01
(Post 16390407)
If you are going to argue that, we should probably calculate the greater environmental impact of manufacturing the D-hub.
Edit: Greater you say, but not if you use the hub a number of times. The more you use the hub, the better it compares environment-wise to using batteries. |
Originally Posted by MassiveD
(Post 16389322)
One needs a map and compass, sextant, etc...
Originally Posted by MassiveD
(Post 16389322)
...for the most part anyone I see with electronics is buried in them. Because of that, I think the electronics are here for a while, until they implant them and they run off body heat, or something. I think the person who looks at the map in camp in the morning and realizes it is another whole day on 132 is less likely to spend a whole day looking at lines on a map, than the person with a tom tom, who is probably watching the screen, checking mileages, etas, time made good, compass direction, etc...
I have no issue with your use of paper maps. And I'm open to hearing why I need them. But you only state that the need is real. I don't accept that at face value. |
Are the charging requirements for an iphone 5 the same as a 4? Would a SON 28 charge an iphone5?
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the hub is only part of the deal .. it is an alternator . The USB standard is DC.
so you need to convert the power AC to DC, and then regulate the output so going fast down hills doesnt over power . I dont own a cell phone so IDK anything about the Apple empire. RTFM! |
Originally Posted by Walter S
(Post 16391073)
Reality is sometimes complicated. Ignoring the impact of generating power doesn't make the impact any less real.
Edit: Greater you say, but not if you use the hub a number of times. The more you use the hub, the better it compares environment-wise to using batteries. It all depends on where the energy is coming from to power the light. Is it coal, gas, nuclear, solar, wind, hydro....? Stationary bike at home? We could also consider where the food is coming from. Is is grown in your own garden? Was it truck in? Did it sit in a refrigerator/freezer? Did someone use chemicals to kill the bug? What about fertilizers? All natural or natural gas, sulfur, coal... ? Lets just say that the overall environmental impact is not as clear as some would like us to believe. |
Originally Posted by LuckySailor
(Post 16391293)
Are the charging requirements for an iphone 5 the same as a 4? Would a SON 28 charge an iphone5?
https://discussions.apple.com/docs/DOC-3511 |
Originally Posted by RWBlue01
(Post 16391463)
The environmental impact of manufacturing doesn't change with use, but the overall environmental impact may...I don't know. It depends.
It all depends on where the energy is coming from to power the light. Is it coal, gas, nuclear, solar, wind, hydro....? Stationary bike at home? We could also consider where the food is coming from. Is is grown in your own garden? Was it truck in? Did it sit in a refrigerator/freezer? Did someone use chemicals to kill the bug? What about fertilizers? All natural or natural gas, sulfur, coal... ? Lets just say that the overall environmental impact is not as clear as some would like us to believe. I'm not sure when the impact of the hub becomes less than that of the batteries. But I do think that with some repeated use, that does happen. |
Originally Posted by Nickfrogger
(Post 16382860)
Hey folks, thanks for all the insight! I should mention a few things: First of all, as Rowan mentions, I like the idea of having a back up; not just for losing lights, but this will be a solo ride so losing navigation or the ability to call people could be kinda antagonizing. Second, I do commute year-round and this bike would probably see a good deal of commuting time after the ride. My phone is an old flip phone (doesn't even have texting), so I do want the GPS for navigation. Lastly, I do like the idea of running lights during the day if it's rainy or dark.
On the other hand, the phone could easily be charged up at stops; the battery lasts a while and I don't plan on using it much. I certainly could get by with maps as well but would like to use the GPS. Time is also not an issue on this ride (I'm taking the semester off to save up & ride it, so I want it to last a while!), so realistically a rechargeable pack would work. I guess I just need to decide what the value for commuting, using the GPS and having a constant power source plays into the price of the hub. I'm buying a new bike for the ride, so I realized that if my LBS will credit and swap components on the bike the hub price is really reasonable. I'll have to talk to them about that... You folks who have had luck charging GPS/gadgets with your hubs, what kind of hub did you choose? Do the SONs really put out a noticeably higher power? Anyone know where to find an estimated current and voltage output for the different hubs on 700c wheels at a given speed? Right now if I go the generator route I have my eye on the Shimano DH-3N72. Any critiques of that choice? You've given me lots to think about, thanks so much for the input! ~Nick more important make sure your tail light and headlight are located so that they are protected in the event of a crash or regular man handling like being picked up and tossed in a truck. |
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