Hi everyone!
We've developed a compact and sporty (chromoly steel) cargo bike – you can check it out at zagbikes.com or at Instagram. Our first batch (electric version only for now) is in production.
We're also working on a non-electric version that should be great for bikepacking (among other uses). That's why I'm now looking for a high-quality, efficient, and reliable dynamo hub for 15x100mm axle, and I'm currently deciding between the Shimano DH-UR708 and the SON 28 155. It will have to power Supernova Mini 2 and TL3 lights.
If you've had experience with either (or ideally both), I'd really appreciate your insights.
Thanks in advance !
by Aquila_44
10 Comments
I have on my Salsa Marrakech a Son dynamo hub, two years and half commuting, biketouring (riding on gnarly forest roads) never had a problem with the hub. My advice.. the Son hub.
This is a good read. Cycling About did article about in depth testing of dynamos.
[Dynamo Hub Power and Drag Testing: SON vs Shutter Precision vs Shimano]
(https://www.cyclingabout.com/dynamo-hub-power-drag-testing-schmidt-son-shutter-precision-shimano/)
Cool bike!
As a bike builder you have to think about my our target market. SON hubs are MUCH more expensive than shimano hubs for a marginal decrease in rolling resistance and efficiency. Marginal matters for bike packers and the like but there are so many other factors affecting a cargo bike that it probably doesn’t make sense to spec such an expensive hub unless it’s a very small overall percentage of the purchase.
For a cargo bike, Shimano. I have several 3N72 hubs on various bikes in the household. They do a fine job at <$100. I have a lovely SON wide body on my gravel bike and it is also a fine hub at over 3x the price. Can I tell the difference when switching bikes? Hard no.
The Shimano hub will be more than up to the task and save you the significant additional costs of the SON hub. I’ve had no issue powering B&M IQ-X and LUXOS lights (and a brake tec rear light) with either the older Nexus model or 3N72. I can’t say that I really notice the difference compared to the SP hub on my audax bike either.
I tried Shutter Precision and Shimano dynamos, the SP was way better and rode smoother
I first had a Shimano, but I let a bungee get wrapped up around the axle and it ripped the elec connection apart. I replaced it with the Son and notice little difference. The Son starts producing elec at 8-9 mph and I think I had to be going a little faster for the Shimano.
I’ve ridden with a SON and a PedalCell. Both were great and the SON seems pretty indestructible but honestly, powerbanks are so good these days that I wouldn’t bother with either.
Bikepacking (the way I do it at least) often involves a lot of climbing and descending, off road trails, technical riding, hikabike, and very little sustained cruising at decent speed, which isn’t great for getting the most out of any dynamo.
A 20000mah cash battery will keep me going for a good few days and if I need longer I can just bring another battery. In reality very few people go more than a few days without stopping somewhere they can plug in to the grid so a dynamo just adds weight, resistance, cost and an extra potential failure point.
For powering lights both will do the job (also the several times mentioned shutter precision).
I think what no one ever tested is how durable those are under the increased load with the cargo in front.
My wild guess: the proven ultra-distance cycling choice SON will probably last the longest also under heavy loads. However, I have seen many cargo bikes with all types of dynamo hubs – and none of them failed. I don’t think it is a very critical item.
Personally I run a cheap Nexus dynamo hub in my long John which is used to carry 50+ kg load on a regular basis. Still works…