Schmidts nabendynamo servicing

[thornie1543]

I have a schmidts nabendynanamo k179 6v-3w on my bike that still works and is at least 10 years old(came with the bike when I bought it secondhand and hasn't been on the bike all the time) that I would like to have a service just to make the bearings run a bit smoother,do people take these apart themselves or send them away? I haven't any specialised tools for this job and as i'm only used to taking apart cup and cone hubs i'm guessing it may be a big mistake to try and blindly try to take one of these apart.Anyone in the U.k you would recommend to service these?

[Brucey]

I think SJS will send your hub back to Schmidt; the cost is not abominable, and the hub will come back upgraded and with new bearings etc. You will have to ask SJS for details of costs, shipping etc. The content of the work is well-described on the Schmidt website.

It may well be possible to DIY disassemble these hubs but it ain't easy (I think you will need special tools) and it will void your warranty if you do so.

cheers

[nosmarbaj]

I think you can send it direct to Schmidt, rather than via SJS. This may (or may not) be a little cheaper as you're cutting out the middleman. Contact them at info@nabendynamo.de. IME from some years ago, they are pretty helpful and are happy to read and respond to emails in English.

[Brucey]

This may (or may not) be a little cheaper as you're cutting out the middleman....

IIRC the last time I looked into it, I think the latter applied, because of the difference in UK vs Overseas shipping costs. But things change, so it is just as well to find out for sure like you say.

cheers

[PH]

When I contacted Schmidt earlier in the year, they directed me to SJS. A simple enquiry got me their very detailed standard response, there was a maximum cost of £60 inc postage back. That may have gone up with the change in exchange rates. I had mine back in a couple of weeks, SJS only ship on a Fri so bear this in mind if you can't be without it too long. I sent mine complete in the wheel, cost the maximum and feels like new, I know I could have bought a replacement Shimano for the same money, but I like the idea that this hub is likely to outlast me.

[thornie1543]

Thanks a lot for the information guys,i don't need this fixed asap so I have emailed SJS and i'll see how much they charge,if it is £60 then i'll go with that as I've been happy with it for years and i'm sure with a service it will have a lot more years in it.

[nosmarbaj]

Just for information, according to Schmidt's website, "SON 28 klassik (K-No. 179) and SON 20 (K-No. 165) may stay in the whole wheel for service. All other models (e.g. SON 28 new or SONdelux) have to be disassembled for repair".

So anyone wanting one of the newer models serviced (not under warranty) might save a few pounds by removing the hub from the wheel, otherwise it seems Schmidt will do it for you (and presumably rebuild the wheel afterwards - it's not very clear), and will charge for doing so.

[Halla]

Morning All.

Is it still worth sending Schmidts away for servicing?

Mine is a Son 28 Klassik K-No:179. the wheel has become very tight to turn.

Any idea when they were made from and to, I think mine was new in 2006!!

After some discussion with St. John Street Cycles, I now understand that the wheel does not have to be dismantled for servicing, thus saving some cost.

Or is it just junk if it is no longer going to be used, I am not sure if it will be cost effective to sell after the service.

Any thoughts please.

Many thanks.

Andy

[backnotes]

According to this site https://bikepacking.com/plog/inside-son-dynamo-hubs/, they've been made since 1995.

I can vouch for the refurb service - I had one that went through a long puddle that got deep enough to submerge the axle and corrode the insides. I sent just the hub off and it came back looking like new, apart from witness marks from the spokes. In the end I rebuilt with a compact more modern Schmidt generator, so I have had this in the garage for over 12 years. I probably wouldn't get back much more than the cost of the refurb if I sold it.

I think your 2006 hub will have the pressure equalisation system that helps prevent moisture ingress (but probably doesn't help so much with axle-deep puddles). Mine pre-dated this upgrade, and I don't know if they will have retro-fitted this as part of my refurb.

So, based on my experience, you may end up with something you end up keeping in your garage for 12 years because it's not really economic to sell, and none of the other 4 Schmidt hubs you have on different bikes show any signs of wearing out and needing a spare,

[mig]

is that the original skewer in there?

those hubs look 'just right' to me. there's something traditional about them

[backnotes]

Yes, that's the original Schmidt skewer. There's a hex-indented head on the end of the skewer that turns in a recess in the bit that clamps the dropout. They are very nicely made hubs. On the same shelf in the garage is a set of Schmidt S6 lights (which were switched as a pair to give a low / high beam effect) from the days before these new-fangled LEDs. They have the same kind of magnetic collars that work a reed switch that's hidden from the elements inside that you get on the Edelux. I think the S6s looked "just right" as well - a bit like the lights on a vintage car. Maybe I will have to build up a front wheel just so I can use them again with the refurbished hub!

[Brucey]

any hubs which feature the 'pastrycutter' end pieces will have an internal that unscrews (dare I say, 'just like a shimano hub'?), so the wheel can stay together for any repair, provided the hubshell itself is OK.. I think it is now standard policy to revise the breather whenever an older
SON hub is serviced. IME condensation will eventually kill any dynohub which does not have adequate breathing arrangements (which is most of them, regardless of make), even if deep water doesn't get in there first.

[mig]

well if you ever get bored with it on the shelf................