Dynamo Lights

Something like this: https://www.sjscycles.co.uk/carriers-racks/axiom-rack-heavy-duty-bridge-mount/

with an extra bend should do the job?

Ok. Fancy silver front light, which one do I get? Do I even get a light this fancy, are they worth it? So far options I've found are

1. Supernova E3 Pro 2
   
2. Busch + Müller Lumotec IQ-X
   
3. SON Edelux II
   
   

Would ideally like a usb charging option but can't find any that offer this except the Lumotec luxos U which only comes in black and doesn't look as tarty.

Thanks

Supernova lights are a no-brainer!

Now that you can get one for under £80 this has to be true^ (why the F did I buy an edelux 2 not so long ago?!! What was I thinking?)

under £80

Link?!

http://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/SUPERNOVA-E3-PRO-2-DYNAMO-FRONT-LIGHT-39776-/161943861359?_trksid=p2385738.m2548.l4275

bargain!

@platypus it's gone now!

Yeah, if it's the kind you can wire a rear light to, the listing isn't clear so I've written them to ask. SJS list these on their website as well and there's a cheap version with no rear light cable and then the regular expensive ones.

Edit: yup, no possibility of rear light wiring through this. Could run a separate wire but idk anything about electronics so will just get a normal light.

This is the cheapest - I think.
I have one of their lower tier lights (30 lux) and that is really nice.
It looks like a dog's dinner though.

Yes. If you have money go for a Supernova.
If you dont want to put $£€ then go for something like axa blueline 50 lux?

I'm in two minds now as the iq-x is lots cheaper, gets rave reviews by Peter White et al and has a rotating mount so can be clamped upside down to a rack which is what I want to do. Or maybe mount to the mudguard in front of the rack.

Got these from my LBS for cheapz instead, a E3 with upside down mount + mudguard mounted rear. Feels​ good.

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Rad^

I've asked for help in here before but never acted on it as I was planning to get through summer before buying. But now my front wheel is kaput - 5mm side-to-side bearing play...

I have an Alfine 8-speed commuter, disc. Ideally I want to get a dynamo and rim on the front that I can later match on the rear when I ditch the heavy OEM rim there, building my existing hub gear into it.

So what's a good hub/rim combo for the front? Used for commuting but also a little bridleway abuse and the occasional bit of off-road silliness.

Want a nice bright, visible commuting light too - something that'll mount to a Specialized Pizza rack. Anywhere do these off the peg for a good price?

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Shimano dh3d80 or SP pd8 hub with whatever disc rim you fancy? @Sparky

+1 for Shimano ... managed to completely submerge my DH3N72 totally in a 'ford' last autumn. Still going strong.

There's a few Shimano ones. One is black and called Alfine, which would match nicely. That one do?

I brought this one for the gf and myself,
https://www.rosebikes.co.uk/article/shimano-hub-dynamo-deore-xt-dh-t785/aid:515917/rate:true#product_detail_info_tabs

I expect the alfine one will be fine.

And how about these lights from Rose? Seems to be a wide range of prices. What don't the cheap ones offer?

https://www.rosebikes.co.uk/article/b--m-toplight-flat-s-plus-dynamo-back-light/aid:450592

https://www.rosebikes.co.uk/article/b--m-lumotec-lyt-t-senso-plus-front-headlamp/aid:553798

Would I need to buy any cabling?

What don't the cheap ones offer?

Super duper brightness and tarty bling. But for commuting any modern front & rear light is going to be fine, like the ones you've suggested. Just make sure they have a standlight function.

Re cable, throw an extra length in when you order, in case you f*ck up and cut it too short. From personal experience ;)

So I've read a bit peterwhitecycles.com on front lights because what else can you do on a Sunday evening. Currently on the Audax machine I've got a Luxos U at the front and a Supernova E3 tail light. It's all seemingly working fine but Peter Whites specifically says to not use any Supernova tail light with the Luxos U, without giving any reason. Anybody with a similar setup? Am I gonna kill my light? (If yes well that hasn't happened yet).

In fact, the only niggle I can notice is that the cache battery seems to not charge very much when the lights are on, meaning light output drops with speed, and doesn't stay up for very long when stopped. I don't know if it would behave similarly with a B+M rear light (say a Secula) and I can live with that anyway.

Presumably because the Supernova is powered by DC and most other taillights are AC. I have occasionally wired up my dynamo (AC) straight to the E3 taillight by accident and it works, but not very well.

Ah, thanks for that information. Actually it may not be for that reason: I remember that the shop had to try to wire it both way around for the tail light to work, and that the tail output of the Luxos appears to be polarized (marked with +/-).

Coolio. Thanks. Just ordered hub and cheap front light from Rose. I'll get the wheel built and play with the front - I'll worry about the rear nearer winter. The cabling to the back of the bike puts me off right now.