Adventure Cycling Association Forum

Bicycle Travel => Gear Talk => Topic started by: driftlessregion on January 01, 2020, 05:06:07 pm

 

Title: SON Delux generator hubs
Post by: driftlessregion on January 01, 2020, 05:06:07 pm

I'm interested  in your experience with SON Delux generator hubs. Specifically, do  you notice any drag and reliability. I'm not interested in other brand of generator hubs.

Title: Re: SON Delux generator hubs
Post by: John Nettles on January 01, 2020, 05:09:36 pm

I have had one for a several years.  I personally do not notice any drag but of course there is some otherwise it wouldn't produce energy.  For me the trade off is I would have to carry a 15 pack of batteries at times as I do remote touring (no outlet for days).  For me, the battery weight is more that whatever little drag I get.  Tailwinds, John

Title: Re: SON Delux generator hubs
Post by: Pat Lamb on January 02, 2020, 10:07:20 am

I've had the previous incarnation (just the plain SON, it looks more like the tandem hub that's still available) on my rainy day bike since 2012 with no reliability issues. 

I can't imagine noticing 6W maximum drag when touring; the hub drag will be swamped between the extra weight and wind resistance of anything more than a small seat bag.  I don't notice any drag on mine, although for a while when it was new I noticed some pulsing at around 17 mph.  Either I've slowed down or the pulsing has gone away in the last few years (and my average commute time hasn't changed appreciably!).

Title: Re: SON Delux generator hubs
Post by: Old Guy New Hobby on January 02, 2020, 10:47:40 am

I used a SON hub for a few years. Never had a problem. The cost of building a wheel was a bit if a surprise. (I just didn't think about it.)