Strong dynamo hub wheel.

[Trikeyohreilly]

I'm looking for a well built dynamo hub wheel.

Research suggests that SON, Shimano and SP all offer good quality hubs (positive experience of the first two), great. But what rim and who to build it?

I always have gone Spa cycles and Sputnik 36h but they don't have any.

It will be on the front of a Surly Big Dummy. Despite my base weight gear being very low in weight and the front being lightly loaded, the rear will be carrying 20kg in water alone at times plus food for a week. Off road in terms of fire track and bridle path though not fast and all at once.

I'm looking for a reliable build and rim. Any suggestions gratefully received.

Surly went for Alex rims DH19 36h which will still be bringing up the rear. Spa do have Exal DC19 36h, as good? In some searches Alex and Exal seem to be the same company...

Thanks, Ed

[Brucey]

I'd probably buy a shimano hub because I feel confident that I can set it up so that it will run well and last a very long time. Exal DC19 ought to be strong enough but if you are set on sputniks why not ask Spa when they are expecting more stock? SJS are also out right now but their website says they are expecting more stock in about a week.

cheers

[Tiberius]

Spa Cycles built me a pair of wheels last year...the front being SON/Sputnik/36H. They have had some serious 'hammer' They are all good and I would definitely buy them again.

How long until Spa have Sputniks in ??.....

[Heltor Chasca]

I've got an Alex 'Adventurer' 36h (or something like that) with a Shimano hub on my Surly DT as Brucey mentioned. 3 years and going strong. Same wheels on my Dummy but no dyno hub.

Personally I would like the same wheels, front and back, but I'm OCD like that. I also prefer the Shimano plug/connector which is a usefully sized 'box' that clips to the hub. The Son has two small shovel connectors which are harder to fit/remove each time you take the front wheel off. Of the two connectors, the Shimano can be fixed in the field without tools just at the point where it is most likely to break. The Son requires a bit more jiggery pokery.

Tired mind, fingers and hands in the dark and wet don't do fiddly.

[Trikeyohreilly]

Thanks.

I was leaning towards Shimano due to cost and positive experience. Though I'm less confident of ensuring it is set up right and not a 1/4 turn out which I'm not even sure if understand. I am able to service standard hubs so should be able to care for one.

Agreed re easy shimano wire connecting, though I have taken to carrying a spare "box" in case of loss.

I've not contacted Spa about stock of Sputnik as I would be happy with another rim with confirmation it's as strong. They are only offering one Shimano hub at present and it's not disc compatible.

SJSC are only selling SON.

So still not sure where to turn for a disc compatible, shimano, quality hand built dynamo hub wheel. Ed

[Trikeyohreilly]

Just spoke to Spa and they are ordering in me an Alfine disc hub. Recommended the Exal ML21 as a rim which looks super sturdy. Both in 36 hole and made by them it should be a good wheel. The adapter between centerlock and six bolt was only £5 too. Thanks for the advice.

[PhilD28]

The ML21 is a nice tough rim and a bit lighter than a Sputnik. However, I've had some problems with a couple of ML21's that I've built coming up a bit large and as a consequence giving problems correctly seating tyres. The last couple I built had a significantly larger ERD than listed, requiring longer spokes than they should have needed. I went back to Sputniks.

The moral of this tale check the rim size is within acceptable tolerance. If the rim builds into a larger wheel than it should be you will be stuck with tyre installation problems forever, no fun dealing with punctures on tour in this situation.

The Exal LX 17 is normally strong enough for the front of a loaded touring bike when built with 36 spokes. I tend to build with a Sputnik rear and the LX 17 front and never had a problem with wheel failures in any conditions.

[meic]

In some searches Alex and Exal seem to be the same company...

Exal rose from the ashes of Alesa rims, which is near enough a name to Alex to bring about some confusion. That said Exal and Alex are such similar names that you would half expect a connection.

This (not particularly authoritative) source doesnt connect them.
http://dcrwheels.co.uk/custom-wheelsets/manufacturers/

[Elizabethsdad]

Practical Cycles specialise in cargo bikes and offer a wheel building service, as cargo bikes need strong and durable wheels theirs should meet your requirements. www.practicalcycles.co.uk

[zenitb]

(late post ..but hey!!) I got my 26" ML21 rim from Spa and have built a REAR wheel for my tandem with it. No tyre compatibility issues with mine though since I can hand fit my Schwalbe Land Cruiser and Marathon Extreme tyres to it without using tyre levers. Build issues include me not noticing the spoke holes are alternately offset (had to relace) and the fact I hadn't realised its only drilled for Presta. Not sure about max spoke tension so compromised at 1100N max (36 spokes/plain&DB). Wheel built up very easily though with no "blip" around the rim join. Only one loaded tandem ride so far so early days..will report back on any issues.

[AndyA]

For a strong wheel I'd avoid SP - the hub flanges are closer together than others. This means the wheel is more likely to fold under side loads as there is less triangulation to the spokes. It's possible to fold a Mavic Open Pro hitting a pothole squint

[iandriver]

It's been a couple of years, so things might have changed, but I went for the N72 hub over the N80 as the 72 still had a steel axle, the 80 was aluminium.