dynamo connectors in relation to fork

[Sweep]

This may be totally irrelevant but thought I'd ask before more fettling.

The conectors on my shimano dynamo hub clearly need to face upwards so that I can connect the cabling to the ewerk.

In line with the fork I assume for neatness.

Do folks put them in front of the fork or behind?

Any dis/advantages of each?

(I suppose I'm thinking about snagging of the cable risk or rain etc getting at the connectors)

Or does it not matter one little bit?

[Brucey]

in front of the fork is probably best; here it is usually most accessible, and should the plug come (or be left) out and go into the spokes, it won't so easily get dragged round and jam against the fork leg.

Cheers

[PH]

My dynamo hubs (SON, SP and Shimano) all have the connection facing backwards and slightly down. I don't know that it matters at all, it's just a convenient place to get a grip to attach and remove. It might also be the cleanest position, away from some of the spray, though I've not heard of anyone having an issue with this.
EDIT - Brucy's point isn't something I've ever considered. When possible the first point of attachment for the wire is the mudguard stay. I might have a play later but I don't think there's enough for a detached connector to get caught anywhere.

[andrew_s]

I have mine pointing upwards, on the grounds that the connectors will pull off more easily if I fail to unplug them.
I'd usually fit the connectors forwards of up, for finger space, and rotate the wheel back before tightening the skewer.

[Sweep]

I have mine pointing upwards, on the grounds that the connectors will pull off more easily if I fail to unplug them.
I'd usually fit the connectors forwards of up, for finger space, and rotate the wheel back before tightening the skewer.

Thanks folks. Placed in front.
May do fine tuning for ease of attaching/removing connector.
Must say am rather impressed by the shimano connector - looks to me superior to the hallowed german thing's twin clips.

[Vantage]

I've had my connector in every which way including loose. No problems to date.

[Brucey]

In front you can see the thing so you are less likely to drop the wheel out without unplugging it (or plugging it back in when replacing the wheel). A further aid to this is having the QR lever for the hub on the RHS of the hub, so you are more likely to actually look at it when you are removing the wheel, and are reminded that this hub is 'different'.

The shimano plug is a pretty good design with which I have only two quibbles

1) you can't always stuff the wires through the holes in the plug easily the first time (moulding flash?)
2) should the plug need to come apart to remake the connections, it is a very fiddly job to do, in the roadside/dark. It would be better if the plug halves came apart without having to use tools.

In the event of the plug connections needing to be remade by the roadside, it is probably easiest to bare the wire ends and just try and trap them beneath the plug as it is fitted.

FWIW a little Vaseline, silicone grease or waxoyl will help deter corrosion in the wires.

cheers

[Jdsk]

In front you can see the thing so you are less likely to drop the wheel out without unplugging it (or plugging it back in when replacing the wheel).

That's why mine are all in front.

Jonathan

PS: They also all have several spare coils around the lower fork blade so that it's always there if it's needed.

[Sweep]

Thanks for the vaseline reminder brucey - i knew I'd forgotten something.

[backnotes]

I wonder if in 30 years people will look back on dynamo connectors something like this https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Lo5Csopw0MU

I can't work out if this https://nabendynamo.de/en/products/sl/ is a brilliant idea or something that will not survive first contact with real weather. Has anyone seen / tried these?

With my all metal forks, it could be a good way to get some extra resistance training, or to make the forks glow red hot on long descents

[Sweep]

PS: They also all have several spare coils around the lower fork blade so that it's always there if it's needed.

I think that's good practice anyway isn't it - to allow a bit of controlled slack in case the cable should get pulled in any way?

[Woodtourer]

Brucey,
Your idea of a bit of vaseline is great. But I save it for my butt!!,

[Brucey]

...Your idea of a bit of vaseline is great. But I save it for my butt!!,

I am immediately concerned about how much you might need for this other purpose.....

cheer

[PH]

looks to me superior to the hallowed german thing's twin clips.

This is an option with some of the current lights, it's the best of the bunch - Unless you want to shorten it.

[Sweep]

looks to me superior to the hallowed german thing's twin clips.

This is an option with some of the current lights, it's the best of the bunch - Unless you want to shorten it.
image.jpg

is that a shimano clip module on the end/about to go on the end?