interestedcp wrote:BrianP wrote:Reading around this site and others the SP-PD8 looks very well regarded and probably my best bet in terms of quality, performance and value. Would you experienced guys agree.
I don't agree with that. I think the main problem is that it can't serviced (like replacing it bearings), unless the entire wheel is taken apart. After the two year warranty expires, you will have to mail the hub directly to the factory in Taiwan in order to replace bearings. If you don't build your wheels yourself, this may add significant cost, since you have to pay for both taking the wheel apart and be assembled again.
Its performance is very similar to the the 3W Shimano Sport dynamo, yet it is much more expensive. It is lighter however, since it uses a aluminum axle instead of steel etc.
The bearing quality on the Shimano dynamo hubs is vastly superior in both shielding and quality to the SP hubs.BrianP wrote:Light to go with it looks like this one http://www.starbike.com/en/supernova-e3 ... oCyYnw_wcB
Which seems a very good price for such a product. Might be because light is on all the time, no switch!
Just need a USB connecting bit for this solution. Any offers?
Haven't seen the beam pattern from this Supernova light, but generally speaking, the B&M lights have superior beam patterns because they also use indirect reflectors.
The 80 lux "Lumotec IQ Cyo Premium senso plus" is likely to be a better performer at half the price.
http://www.bike-discount.de/en/buy/lumo ... /wg_id-303
The Luxos U is almost the same price, but comes with inbuilt USB charger.
http://www.bike-discount.de/en/buy/lumo ... /wg_id-303
Regarding USB chargers; the idea is seemingly so simple, but there are several factors that are worth considering: Will the setup work when it is raining? Can you both charge and have usefull light on? Battery buffers may help some devices that don't like fluctuating power, but if the load on the battery is larger than the input, it will run dry, and probably refuse to charge until they have reached a certain capacity again. Some devices may not be usable while charging, or at least require changes in the setup to do so.
Last, there is the quality of the charger: some have surprising high parasitic drag, even when off. Some don't deal very well with high speed descents, some aren't weather proof, etc.
The best charger on the market in terms of electrical measurements, is the B&M E-Werk. Some figures can be seen here (in German though): http://fahrradzukunft.de/12/steckdose-unterwegs-2/
Presumably the B&M USB-Werk is of the same quality. It is simpler and probably what most people need since most devices will be USB these days. It has an inbuilt buffer battery with all the advantages and disadvantages that brings.
Do the comments about Shimano Sports hubs having better bearings etc apply to the Alfine 3w hub which is just £50 from SJS
http://www.sjscycles.co.uk/shimano-alfi ... prod30900/
Cheapest SP-PD8 is almost double that and the point about taking the wheel apart and sending off to Taiwan is a real negative. Are any of the Shimano hubs serviceable bearing wise?
An XT version is only a little more expensive http://www.bike-discount.de/en/buy/hub- ... Ag168P8HAQ
Just to put into context, I am waiting for delivery of a 29+ Singular Rooster frameset and the rims which are velocity Dually 29 x 45mm have just arrived into the UK so need to decide on hub charger soon. This bike will be an off road tourer so will the lower speeds mean I should choose a certain dynamo which works better at these reduce speeds. Need 32hole disc for 700c/29er in black.
Brian