Cycling UK Forum

Carlton green wrote: ↑3 Sep 2023, 7:52pm ...
I don’t want anything complex, just a front fork dynamo mounting bracket (which appear to be unavailable in the UK but used on the continent).
...

Is it some specific type or model of bracket? Or an unusual fork diameter?

https://www.sjscycles.co.uk/dynamos/uni ... e-dynamos/

Jonathan

Jdsk wrote: ↑3 Sep 2023, 7:57pm

Carlton green wrote: ↑3 Sep 2023, 7:52pm ...
I don’t want anything complex, just a front fork dynamo mounting bracket (which appear to be unavailable in the UK but used on the continent).
...

Is it some specific type or model of bracket? Or an unusual fork diameter?

https://www.sjscycles.co.uk/dynamos/uni ... e-dynamos/

Jonathan

Thanks for the suggestion, appreciated. The description says different but to my first (visual) impression that part isn’t for (front) forks but rather it’s for mounting on seat stays. I’ve scrolled down the SJS cycles description and note their comments on front fork fitting. The max width of 20mm offered seems to be 5mm plus short of what the forks need. I might email SJS and ask for clarification and preferably a dimensioned drawing.

As before we are where we are so, setting politics and forty plus pages aside, who sells into the UK from Europe?

Carlton green wrote: ↑3 Sep 2023, 8:41pm As before we are where we are so, setting politics and forty plus pages aside, who sells into the UK from Europe?

Have you tried eBay or Amazon? For low cost items they act as the seller for the purposes of tax and import.
The only EU retailers I know of who are still routinely selling in the UK are those whose sales are high enough to warrant the administration. The chances of getting a dynamo bracket from one of them is as likely as getting it from Wiggle.

Carlton green wrote: ↑3 Sep 2023, 7:52pm
I don’t want anything complex, just a front fork dynamo mounting bracket (which appear to be unavailable in the UK but used on the continent).

If you're able to post a picture of it - I can check the shed to see if I've got something similar

PH wrote: ↑3 Sep 2023, 9:42pm

Carlton green wrote: ↑3 Sep 2023, 8:41pm As before we are where we are so, setting politics and forty plus pages aside, who sells into the UK from Europe?

Have you tried eBay or Amazon? For low cost items they act as the seller for the purposes of tax and import.
The only EU retailers I know of who are still routinely selling in the UK are those whose sales are high enough to warrant the administration. The chances of getting a dynamo bracket from one of them is as likely as getting it from Wiggle.

This. Business to business is largely functional, business to consumer via marketplace can work. Business to consumer direct for small businesses has been pretty much demolished.

Here are some German online bike retailers I know with their delivery charges (add UK customs/VAT) for smaller things, some will remove German VAT from the price you pay:

• 20 Euro https://www.bike-discount.de/de/shippingcosts

• 10 Euro https://www.bike24.de/versandkosten.html

• 10 Euro https://www.bike-components.de/de/service/versand/

• UK standard https://www.bikester.co.uk (part of Brügelmann)

So far as I can see Rose bikes delivers only to Germany, which is unusual.
Whole bikes (Sperrgut = bulky stuff) cost more in most cases.
It might take some time for British manufacturers to take advantage of this new business opportunity.

plancashire wrote: ↑4 Sep 2023, 5:23pm Here are some German online bike retailers I know with their delivery charges (add UK customs/VAT) for smaller things, some will remove German VAT from the price you pay:

• 20 Euro https://www.bike-discount.de/de/shippingcosts

• 10 Euro https://www.bike24.de/versandkosten.html

• 10 Euro https://www.bike-components.de/de/service/versand/

• UK standard https://www.bikester.co.uk (part of Brügelmann)

So far as I can see Rose bikes delivers only to Germany, which is unusual.
Whole bikes (Sperrgut = bulky stuff) cost more in most cases.
It might take some time for British manufacturers to take advantage of this new business opportunity.

Thanks, some good information there which I hope that others can add to.

cycle tramp wrote: ↑4 Sep 2023, 2:39pm

Carlton green wrote: ↑3 Sep 2023, 7:52pm
I don’t want anything complex, just a front fork dynamo mounting bracket (which appear to be unavailable in the UK but used on the continent).

If you're able to post a picture of it - I can check the shed to see if I've got something similar

That’s a kind offer, thank you.

I’ve found something on Amazon that might well do the trick. It’s a bit dearer than it should be but a fiver delivered isn’t too dreadful. It’s a while since I’ve used Amazon - I don’t like to support them - so I’ll have to see about dusting off my password, etc.
https://www.amazon.co.uk/fischer-Dynamo ... B0154YPHD6
https://fischer-bike.com/en-de/fahrradz ... namo?c=328

That Fischer clamp is the type usually used at the rear.
I'd expect a clamp for the front fork blades to be rare. Using one is fairly dodgy as the fork blades are tapered so the clamps loosen and move downwards with any movement, and the consequences of getting the dynamo in the spokes can be high.

Sorry, I've got a couple of dynamo mounts, but they bolt to a cantilever boss. I don't have the sort you are looking for. It might be worth checking out your 'recycle a bike' charity, mine have a tub of old bottle dynamos that they've taken off bikes, usually with their mounts.

However I also share Andrew_S and CJ's views about those mounts - if they do slip down the fork, there's a chance that the mount will get lose enough to swing into the front wheel.

andrew_s wrote: ↑5 Sep 2023, 11:18am That Fischer clamp is the type usually used at the rear.
I'd expect a clamp for the front fork blades to be rare. Using one is fairly dodgy as the fork blades are tapered so the clamps loosen and move downwards with any movement, and the consequences of getting the dynamo in the spokes can be high.

In the past I've always used those types of clamp on the back wheel, where the rear rack gives a little bit of protection to the bottle damage from accidental knocks.

i have used such a mount in the past to mount a bottle dynamo on a front fork (i'm posh now and have a dynamo hub). Ran it like that for a couple of years with no issues. I used a bit of old innertube underneath the clamp. Protects the frame and probably helps against slipping. I probably had to use bigger bolts than the ones supplied though due to the diameter of the fork with a wrap of innertube on it.

andrew_s wrote: ↑5 Sep 2023, 11:18am That Fischer clamp is the type usually used at the rear.
I'd expect a clamp for the front fork blades to be rare. Using one is fairly dodgy as the fork blades are tapered so the clamps loosen and move downwards with any movement, and the consequences of getting the dynamo in the spokes can be high.

If a grub screw is used (necessary for earth return) it prevents the clamp slipping, but it makes a dent, or worse, in the fork blade.

andrew_s wrote: ↑5 Sep 2023, 11:18am That Fischer clamp is the type usually used at the rear.
I'd expect a clamp for the front fork blades to be rare. Using one is fairly dodgy as the fork blades are tapered so the clamps loosen and move downwards with any movement, and the consequences of getting the dynamo in the spokes can be high.

That Fischer clamp is the usual type made of two pieces of bent metal connected by two screws. I have never understood why this crass design error persists. If you screw it on tightly the metal bends. It does not work well on sizes of tube that don't fit the bends in the plates. It is almost guaranteed to work loose as the metal bends.

A far better design is like a jubilee clip: a flexible strap with a thread cut in it and a screw that tightens the strap. I have had a couple of rear lights that fit that way. This design adapts to any size of tube and never comes loose. It is so secure you can make it out of plastics. It might be possible to use a standard jubilee clip to hold a metal L-shaped bracket against the frame or fork. It would be far more secure! I think you can buy stainless steel jubilee clips: https://www.amazon.co.uk/InduSKY-Adjust ... 9hdGY&th=1.