If I remember correctly, the folks at Hiawatha Cyclery who sold me a SON hub
designed for a smaller wheel (which I built up with a 700c rim) told me that
the difference was not the maximum power output but the minimum speed needed to
reach that output. It's all based on German law, which requires that your light
reach full brightness at a given speed--hubs designed for smaller wheels don't
put out less power, but they do reach full power sooner. Used on a larger
wheel, this means that you'll be going a little faster before reaching full
brightness--not a big deal for folks in the US.
I agree that the new LED lights are much more efficient and have less drag than
halogen (since they draw less power). I'll also add my kudos to the Cyo
lights. I have two bikes with the Cyo and one with an Edelux. The light
produced by the Cyos is essentially the same, although they are not nearly as
pretty.
--Eric
Sent from my iPad
On Oct 1, 2010, at 7:56 AM, PATRICK MOORE <bertin...@gmail.com> wrote:
> The Riv has a SON 20 R, which is Schmidt's lighter, lower-resistance model:
> it was originally designed for smaller wheels ("20" versus the model "28" for
> 26" and 27" wheels) that, of course, rotate faster, and thus it was designed
> to put out a given wattage at a relatively higher wheel rpm. This means (1)
> that at a given wheel rpm there is less drag than for a dynohub designed for
> a larger wheel and (2) that you have to get to a very slightly higher speed
> to reach full light power.
>
> Having said all of that, I will add that all of it makes very little
> difference in drag and the principle advantage of the "20" is that it's
> lighter and prettier. Is that worth the $100+ premium? To me, for one of my
> "pretty" bikes, yes, but practically, not a bit. Whether the SON will last
> longer ... I'll know in a decade or so.
>
> As to light output, the new LED headlights are so efficient that there is
> hardly any noticeable difference in the minimum speeds for full light power:
> perhaps 5 mph instead of 4 mph (with LEDs; halogens would cause a bigger
> difference).
>
> For value, I have chosen the newer Shimano dynohubs: I have one on my grocery
> bike and am just now having one installed on my Fargo. The grocery Motobecane
> has an IQ Fly without a switch, so it is always on -- and there is thus added
> drag; but even with the light on I notice no difference at all in riding.
>
> The SON, with the light off, revolves almost as freely as a standard hub --
> and note, this is with a very light, smaller diameter 559 wheel with a 200 g
> tire. It would revolve even longer with a larger and heavier rim and tire
> combo.
>
> As to lights: The VO Spanninga LED light is cheap at $38 and is usable, but
> not nearly as good as the Fly at about $60 (Peter Jon White), and the Edeluxe
> is even better, but at over 3X the price. I've got a Cyo for the Fargo ($100)
> that others say is as good as the E in performance if not in sturdiness and
> prettiness.
>
> On Fri, Oct 1, 2010 at 5:59 AM, Thomas Lynn Skean
> <thomaslynnsk...@comcast.net> wrote:
> Hi!
>
> I would imagine a single-speed rider might be more sensitive to this
> issue than many other folks...
>
> What kind of dynamo hub do you use? I couldn't tell in the pictures.
> And what kind would you buy today if you were looking for a new one?
>
> If "dynamo drag" is something *anyone* would "suffer" from (even/
> especially if only psychologically), I imagine it would be a rider
> whose drivetrain might otherwise be 99.99999+% efficient to begin
> with. :)
>
> I would also ask if you like your Edelux light, but I won't because
> (1) I feel better addressing only one off-topic issue without changing
> the thread's subject and (2) since I seem to see one in every photo of
> a nice-bike-with-dynamo-lighting I've seen recently, I'll instead
> assume you love it and would recommend it. :)
>
> Yours,
> Thomas Lynn Skean
>
> On Sep 29, 10:00 pm, PATRICK MOORE <bertin...@gmail.com> wrote:
> > I've finally found the ideal bar bags for my two Riv customs. See below. On
> > the blue '99 gofast, a prototype tube bag from Cambria; don't know if they
> > are carrying it. It works as a saddle bag, but swings; it's better as a bar
> > bag. Fits Lezyne minipump, two 650c tubes, various little tools and two KEO
> > cleat covers.
> >
> > For the '03 commuter, it's an old, early-days Rivendell Acme seatbag, back
> > when Riv made cheap, serviceable bags. Also meant to be a small saddle bag,
> > but works very well as a bar bag for a bike on which I ordinarily carry, in
> > addition to a tool kit like that above, night-time reflective bits, spare
> > batteries, 16 oz of keys, etc.
> >
> > http://picasaweb.google.com/BERTIN753/BIKESMISCELLANEA#
> >
> > --
> > Patrick Moore
> > Albuquerque, NM
> > For professional resumes, contact
> > Patrick Moore, ACRW at resumespecialt...@gmail.com
>
> --
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>
> --
> Patrick Moore
> Albuquerque, NM
> For professional resumes, contact
> Patrick Moore, ACRW at resumespecialt...@gmail.com
>
>
>
>
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