Schmidt Dyno Hub vs Shimano Alfine, N-80 or Sachs Dyno Hubs with DIWA Lights

[Tourista829]

I am back and although there has been discussion about the above subject, I want to purchase a hub generator for my Comotion Norwester Tour. I have my reasons why I like this setup. There has been some new developments from Shimano and Sachs that are worth considering. Does anyone know or have experience with the above dyno hubs? Although, I would love to purchase a Schmidt SON 28 hub generator, I am not sure I want to spend the money. I currently have a Breezer Uptown with a Shimano N-30 Dyno hub. I am using it with a Lumotec Oval Senso Plus in front, coupled with a rear Busch Muller stand light. I like it except for two things. The grounding of the N-30 generator, if not correct, one can get a mild shocked. There is some wheel resistance, without the the light on. I am looking at the new DIWA lighting system. This system is interesting. Similiar to the the Lumotec Oval Sensor Plus, however, the rear light is supposed to get very bright, when you slow down, similiar to a brake light. Has anyone purchased this and what are your thoughts. Thanks

[RussSeaton]

I have the Shimano DH-3N71 or something like that generator hub from a few years ago.  I think they have a newer version now.  I've used it many miles.  Never noticed any extra drag.  Provides electricity to my Schmidt E6 lights.  No grounding shock or such nonsense.

http://sheldonbrown.com/harris/lighting/shimano.html

[CoveredBridgeCyclery]

I have both Shimano and SRAM dynamo hubs.  The SRAM is far superior to the Shimano, as far as drag.  It's about the same price, or a little less.

[pptouring]

We (wife and I) are getting our front wheels rebuilt with Schmidt SON28 hubs and they're supposed to be ready on Monday; however, we'll be waiting about 3 more weeks for the lights to come in from Germany. No more carrying extra lights and batteries.

[dwnptrl_777]

I've never owned the Shimano but have heard it's a good product.

I do own two SON28 setups, one for my Big Dummy and another on my Surly Long Haul Trucker. Both were built by Peter White Cycles. The Dummy's SON28 is a disc version while the SON28 wheel on my Trucker is non-disc. Both are mated with the Schmidt Edeluxe front light.

In short? Flawless so far. About 1000 miles of use on the Dummy and just a few hundred on the Trucker.

I would call Peter White and ask his opinion. Just be warned: he's not the most pleasant person you'll speak with. He can be very short/gruff. The ladies who work with him, however, are very pleasant.

If I did it all over again...I'd buy the SON28. "Buy once, cry once" has been my motto regarding tools/parts as critical as lighting, drivetrains, etc.

My LHT, with a black, non-disc SON28 and Schmidt Edeluxe light:

[pptouring]

Very nice. Thank you for the pics and advice. I spoke with Peter about 2 weeks ago and he seemed fine to me, actually he was very nice and willing to answer all my hair brained questions.

[Tourista829]

Dwnptrl_777, I assume the pictures supplied are on the Surly LHT with 26" rims? Great set up! Awesome racks! I do have two lighting questions. Do both lights stay on, when you stop? Do the lights, come on automatically, when it gets dark? In Peter Whites defense, he does experience moderate to severe back pain, I have caught him on good days and usually keep it short, on bad ones. He knows his stuff, and has very high standards. If one wants a Schmidt, all things go through him.

[pptouring]

Hey Tourista we got our wheels built up last week with the SON28 hubs (very nice hubs), but we're still waiting for the lights to come in. I'll have my Co-Motion on display again at UBC through the holidays, so if you want to check out the hub, swing by the shop.

ron

[Tourista829]

Robenne,
We are leaning towards the SON 28 hubs. Did Manny order the hubs and do the work? What lights do you have on order? Did you end up with the Schmidt EdeLux and BM Toplight? Thanks for the update, I may stop by UBC and check out your bike and your new hubs. Last time I did that I bought a Comotion. I can't believe it will be a year in January. I hope you and your wife are well and have a good holiday season. Bob & Dottye

[dwnptrl_777]

Dwnptrl_777, I assume the pictures supplied are on the Surly LHT with 26" rims? Great set up! Awesome racks! I do have two lighting questions. Do both lights stay on, when you stop? Do the lights, come on automatically, when it gets dark? In Peter Whites defense, he does experience moderate to severe back pain, I have caught him on good days and usually keep it short, on bad ones. He knows his stuff, and has very high standards. If one wants a Schmidt, all things go through him.

Sorry about the delay. I'm not getting notification on these threads for some reason, but will look into that. Anyway, per your post: Yes, my LHT is a 50cm with 26" rims, and Surly racks front/rear (for now—am considering going rackless for the TransAm...using bags from Carousel Design Works instead). Lights: Yes, they stay on for a few minutes when I stop, and come on automatically in dusk/dark. Really glad I 'pulled the trigger' on Peter White's recommendations. As you said, if you want Schmidt, he's the man.

[Tourista829]

dwnptrl_777 Thanks for the answers to my questions, awesome setup! Best to do it right the first time. 

[Replicator]

I live in western australia and the distances can be large,so I fitted my MTB with a shimano hub . It's the older type but I cannot really feel the drag . Originally with halogen lamps Union/IKU light output was acceptable abysmal when raining . Then I noticed people with battery lights and leds . Being familiar with electronics I build a super simple led light . Two resistors ,One cree MCE (4leds),two pieces of wire and the most important a lens assembly-this is critical .The cree led was wired such that it uses both halves of the AC waveform (dynamos are AC).There is some flicker as low speed (slow walking!)but the light output has to be seen to be believed .There is also significantly less drag for some reason. I know it's not as pretty as some of the ready made lights but it's much smaller(harder to steal or break!) and brighter  and no batteries!The light is usable even going slow fully loaded with panniers and going through australian gravel (hard to push through like ball bearing quicksand)The bike has had a lot of vibration from corrugation and the light hasn't missed a beat in over a year .The drag was much higher with halogen and I found that the globes would not last long with vibration and the light contacts made it intermittent .With LED the faster I go the brighter it gets -not significantly and importantly the led can take up to one amp of current(dynamo is normally 0.5 amp) so it isn't going to blow going fast (another halogen problem ) .

[Tourista829]

Replicator thank you for your info. In fact thank y'all for your help. On my Breezer, I have a Shimano Dynamo and a complete BM dyno lighting with senso. The best part is I never have to think about lighting, it is just there. I would like the Schmidt Dyno and Edulex setup, but still deciding whether to invest, between $500-600 per touring bike.