Dynamo lights - Opinions / recommendations sought

[simon.r]

I have a Shimano dynamo hub which is connected to a basic front light only. I like the idea of running decent LED front and rear lights from the dynamo. Googling suggests that the only disadvantage is the very slight 'drag' of the dynamo, which isn't an issue for me.

Does anyone run a front and rear dynamo set up? Any opinions or recommendations? I need lights to be seen in an urban environment, with an occasional low speed ride on unlit roads.

 

[Mark Grant]

I have 2 Shimano hub dynamos, both with B&M front and rear lights.
Check out www.rosebikes.de for the lights at a good price.
This is one of the front lights
https://www.rosebikes.co.uk/article...emium-t--senso-plus-front-headlamp/aid:709237
You can see where you are going.

 

[DRHysted]

2 of my bikes run dyno-hubs, both have B&M front and rear lights, all supplied from http://www.rosebikes.co.uk/
They are the best light set ups I have used, with a proper beam pattern.

 

[Fab Foodie]

My Brommie and my Rourke Audax/winter bike both run B+M lights front and rear. They're fantastic, decent beam shapes and good outputs. Dragwise I don't think I can tell if they're off or on.
I have this on the Rourke: https://www.rosebikes.co.uk/article/b--m-lumotec-iq2-luxos-b-senso-plus-front-headlamp/aid:620026
@Mark Grant version is more compact and slightly brighter.
You can also get USB charging if that's important.

 

[Fab Foodie]

@simon.r
Forgot to mention, the Senso lights have a daylight 'running-lights' feature which might be useful for commuting. For slow riding on unlight road they'll be like dipped car headlights!

 

[mjr]

I'm running Axa Pico Steady on the front and Riff Steady on the rear. Both good IMO. B&M also seem good.

 

[mcshroom]

I have two bikes with shimano dynohubs. I've not put rear dynamo lights on them because I'm lazy and vain, but have the B&M battery versions on the rear rack of both bikes. On the front one has a 60 Lux B&M Cyo and another an 80 Lux Cyo Premium (can't remember exact models). The latter has a much better beam pattern and is a bit brighter.

I can't tell any drag difference between lights on and lights off either.

 

[MichaelW2]

My Shimano Dyno-disc hub powers a B&M Cyo up front. For a couple of years, that was all, but then I added a rear. I just used a cheap one by SMART, fixed to a rear rack bracket. It has a very bright LED, standlight and reflector.
Since it is powered from the front lamp power exit socket, senso is controlled by the front.

I run the cable taped along the top-tube brake outer, then over to the top of the rear mudguard, then up to the rack bracket. This keeps it out of the way of pannier hooks and bungie chords. Maybe some racks have internal cable routing. I reinforce the cable with ductape between brake cable and 'guard. Rear rack mounting is less exposed to damage than rear mudguard mounting. Those eventually take an impact and crack.

It is fit-and-forget, totally reliable, just as effective as expensive B&M.
If you run a dynamo hub, you should fit a dynamo rear lamp.

 

[mjr]

The lamps are reliable but the local rough roads have shaken the plugs off of the spade connectors occasionally. Not a serious problem or hard to fix, though.

 

[MichaelW2]

I use my bike on and off road. I've never had a problem with connectors.
Top Tip, smear your connectors with vaseline to ensure a good contact with no corrosion.

 

[mjr]

I use my bike on and off road. I've never had a problem with connectors.

Lucky you. I've also had light switches rattle on, prop stands and guards come loose, and even once a brake lever rattle adrift! So anything that can come off will and the plugs are the only bit of a dynamo light system to do it so far, in three winters so far, I think.

 

[subaqua]

I have 2 Shimano hub dynamos, both with B&M front and rear lights.
Check out www.rosebikes.de for the lights at a good price.
This is one of the front lights
https://www.rosebikes.co.uk/article...emium-t--senso-plus-front-headlamp/aid:709237
You can see where you are going.

same set up as me almost.
https://www.rosebikes.co.uk/article...remium-t-senso-plus-front-headlamp/aid:709233
I have the one with the front reflector. I leave the switch in T , it puts on the side lighting and illuminates well enough to ride Victoria park with no streetlighting. I will try and get some pics in the dark later.

https://www.rosebikes.co.uk/article/b--m-toplight-line-plus-back-light/aid:378502

absolutely brilliant , was thinking about the brake light function one but saw it as a bit gimmicky.

I run a shimano dynamo hub. i bought the new wheel from Rose Bikes with the hub in it . was about £60 and arrived in less than a week which aint bad as they build to order. ( decent rim too with reflective strip around circumference )

I could have been a weight weenie and gone for the deore Hub and saved 200g but for an extra £30 it wasn't worth it.


best bit about dynamo lighting for me is not having to remember to charge other lights , and they would do 3 commutes so needed a charger with me or one at work one in office. always get the standlight version then no arguments with plod about no lights on bike when stopped at traffic lights !

you will need to wire them properly with correct size crimps n heat shrink if you want them to work without fail every time. . I used Speaker cable from Maplin as it had a decent gauge ( CrossSectionalArea) and level of insulation ( being a sparky also helps with the skillset , but it is really easy if you take time)

 

[Fab Foodie]

best bit about dynamo lighting for me is not having to remember to charge other lights , and they would do 3 commutes so needed a charger with me or one at work one in office. always get the standlight version then no arguments with plod about no lights on bike when stopped at traffic lights !

^^^^^ THIS.

 

[SavageHoutkop]

My Brommie and my Rourke Audax/winter bike both run B+M lights front and rear.

Shimano or Son?

 

[Fab Foodie]

Shimano or Son?

Both SON.