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Considering A Dynohub Front Wheel


Razors Edge

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I'm considering a dynohub front wheel for my commuter/all-rounder. I would likely only use it during the dark evening rides of Nov-Mar, since it would be great never to have to charge my darn light's battery. 

Anyway, it got me thinking about having two different wheel hubs and the disc brakes relative to the centerline.  My question would be 1) how different is the disc brake location (assuming same rotor on both) and 2) how much of a PITA (or not) is it to adjust the brake for each swap between different wheels?  I also figure this would be an issue for where a cyclist uses a narrower tire on a wheel for one set of riding, but then has a second set of rims with fatter/different treads tires ready to be swapped on if there is a change to ride conditions (or, in a pit where a spare wheelset may be there if needed).

So, for the folks like @dennis, @ChrisL, @Dirtyhip, or even the wise @donkpow, how much of a PITA is it to swap between disk brake wheels?

 

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I have never flip flopped between wheel sets but I have changes disc wheels on two bikes.  The first one required no caliper adjustment at all but swapped from one center lock set up to another using the same rotor

On the crosser I went from 6 bolt to center lock with an adapter.  The front wheel spun perfectly with no rub. The rear rubbed a bit so I loosened the caliper, squeezed the brake shut, tightened the caliper, released the brake & viola.  Took maybe 3 minutes.

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47 minutes ago, donkpow said:

I wouldn't have any idea. It looks to me like you are asking if you swap hubs, do you have to adjust the caliper position?

My feeling is that unless both wheels are identical, then the hubs will be different widths which would then put the disc rotor closer or father from the center of the wheel/hub.  So, when you grab wheel number 2 and fit it on the bike in place of wheel #1, the rotor will now likely rub against the caliper rather than sit nicely between the pads.

So, it is pretty much " The rear rubbed a bit so I loosened the caliper, squeezed the brake shut, tightened the caliper, released the brake & viola.  Took maybe 3 minutes. " situation like Chris wrote, where you swap them, but the "fix" or adjustment is pretty quick and easy????

I think, for me, the dyno wheel will come on the bike in Nov and come off in March, so it really will just be a swap I make a couple times a year, but it did get me wondering about if I had even another set of wheels for random conditions where it would be more likely I am swapping wheels more frequently.

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3 hours ago, Razors Edge said:

but the "fix" or adjustment is pretty quick and easy????

The SRAM BB7 calipers I have are adjusted as easily as described. Technically, you move the pads into adjustment position, position the caliper, then adjust the pads' location. You could do it like Chis says, though. 

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44 minutes ago, donkpow said:

The SRAM BB7 calipers I have are adjusted as easily as described. Technically, you move the pads into adjustment position, position the caliper, then adjust the pads' location. You could do it like Chis says, though. 

BB7s certainly are easy to adjust, but I have never understood why one side and be adjusted by hand and the other side needs the star tool. Any idea?

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10 hours ago, dennis said:

BB7s certainly are easy to adjust, but I have never understood why one side and be adjusted by hand and the other side needs the star tool. Any idea?

I don't know. I do know that it is easier to reach through the spokes to set the inside pad position with a tool even though the thing is like a knob and can be adjusted without a tool. I'd rather both could be adjusted by a tool.

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...I commuted in the dark for many years back in ancient times.  I have experimented with available light systems, including the generator hubs of that era. Unless they've somehow overcome the basic problem of the dynohub only putting out power when you are moving, you're  better off with some of the best in rechargeable battery headlights and a simple rear flasher that runs off double A batteries.  Having your lights go dark every time you come to a stop does not make you feel seen and acknowledged by the surrounding traffic.

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On 11/28/2019 at 12:22 PM, Page Turner said:

 

...I commuted in the dark for many years back in ancient times.  I have experimented with available light systems, including the generator hubs of that era. Unless they've somehow overcome the basic problem of the dynohub only putting out power when you are moving, you're  better off with some of the best in rechargeable battery headlights and a simple rear flasher that runs off double A batteries.  Having your lights go dark every time you come to a stop does not make you feel seen and acknowledged by the surrounding traffic.

Modern tech is NUTSO:

" That true ultimate feature is the standlight! By having a small lithium polymer battery contained within, it will sustain full 90 lux output almost indefinitely while riding even at very low speeds, and for 15 minutes while stopped before beginning to diminish. I have ridden across town at night with my hub unplugged and not noticed. "

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3 hours ago, donkpow said:

The dyno thing is a good idea. Makes me wonder about the downside. Right up front I'm seeing a cost to benefit ratio problem when compared to battery operated lights.

Yep.  That's the challenge with most cycling (or general) parts.  The incremental improvement of something over a similar item is usually a significant increase in cost.  So, a good set of lights might cost a couple hundred, but the wheel/hub/light would be closer to $600+.  Sure, it replaces a wheel and a light, so if you don't already have a front wheel, then the difference isn't so bad, but if you do have a good functioning wheel already, then it is a pricey addition.

For me, I would see using it with my "commuter" set-up, so it would generally have an all-around tire, and then I would have a second wheelset  with the more "adventure" oriented tires set-up, so I could transform readily from commuter to explorer mode by swapping out the wheels. 

But this is still all just pie-in-the-sky right now :D

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  • 2 weeks later...
On 12/12/2019 at 10:26 PM, Longjohn said:

I wanted to add a Dino hub to my bike to not only use for night riding but also keep my phone charged. The total cost kept going up as I figured in the hub, spokes, lacing the wheel, and new lights and an adapter for charging devices. 

Yep - the cost for the upgrade is probably worth it considering the convenience and not related to the "sum of its parts" sort of thing.  Never having to worry about charging lights, always have a light available, and, if you get the auxiliary port, a back-up charger make it quite a nice upgrade.

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The sad thing was I added a charger that ran off the spokes on the back wheel. In spite ok reading some bad reviews on the product. It worked fine for several weeks of riding at home, the second day on the trail it crapped out. It couldn’t handle the dust and grime from the unpaved trail. I should have saved my money and just bought a larger power bank.

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