Bought Shimano Nexus 3W 6V wheel, wanted to install today but it feels stiff. Very hard to spin, feels like bearing to tight. If you hold left side axle and spin you can see vibration on right side where connector for wire is. Unscrewed left side, to adjust bearings, but it was still the same. Should i try adjust bearings on right side or it's faulty. My friends Shimano Nexus 6V-1.5W spins freely.
by Dziambis
3 Comments
Nexus dynamo wheels always have more drag than regular ones, as they have a generator inside. I’ve had similar 3W 6V and that is the normal drag from what I can tell from the video. You won’t notice it as much when it’s secured in place and don’t power any lamp.
I don’t believe your friend has a 3W 1.5V, never seen a Nexus dynamo hub with 2A current output. He must have a small low-power generator, not a full lighting dynamo which naturally gonna have less drag.
Either way he has a different model which is probably built differently and with less cogging torque (magnetic “stepping” feeling).
*More electrical power output = more mechanical resistance (drag)*
The drag shown in this video is not related to the generation of power. I have a lot of experience with these hubs and they should not run as bad as yours. The only thing I can think of is that the hub is tightened too much (not adjusted right) but as you already tried this, I think it’s faulty.
Question is., what are you comparing the stiffness to?
Does it feel like there is more dragged compared to other Nexus generator hubs, if is this a one-off observation?
Wait til you stretch a light and turn is on… then you’ll feel “real” drag.
Then again, the full body weight of the rider in motion is inconsequential to the reliability and power output.