New Shimano Dynamo Hub

birdy · Post by **birdy** » 9 Dec 2007, 5:15pm

Has anyone tried the new Shimano DH-3N80 hub? Curious to know how it compares to a SON.

Steve · Post by **Steve** » 9 Dec 2007, 8:51pm

I think mine is this model, aka Ultegra, although not new & 2 (or 3?) years old now. Runs well, no problems, has had light use through the winters (forgive the pun). Only one side of the bearings are serviceable, the others inaccessible. Bought it as a wheel built up at Spa Cycles. There's no switch so you need a light with one.

PW · Post by PW » 9 Dec 2007, 9:28pm

The previous issue of the mag had a lighting article, one of the PBP riders stated he used that type of generator so he could afford a Solidlights lamp which was too expensive with the Schmidt. If it'll survive that kind of treatment it's probably long enough lived to earn its keep.

birdy · Post by **birdy** » 10 Dec 2007, 1:12pm

Steve, you may have the 3N-71? This new shimano hub was released to the market last September.

I see it for sale on German ebay and with the German bike shops. My thinking is that it may not last as long as a Schmidt but when it does wear-out there will be a newer-lighter-better-cheaper version to replace it.

Wondering how the rolling resistance compares to the Schmidt?

ibrahim · Post by **ibrahim** » 10 Dec 2007, 4:20pm

I got a dh-3n80 from rose.de that I just built into a wheel.

Don't have any experience with any other dyno hub and haven't even tried it on the road yet, but as far as I can judge by turning the wheel by hand, the resistance is very low indeed.

There was a very very favourable review of it in Aktiv Radfahren, which said it was just below the SON in efficiency.

birdy · Post by **birdy** » 10 Dec 2007, 6:00pm

Thanks Ibrahim. That review also gave good marks for the seals, too.

What light are you using?

ibrahim · Post by **ibrahim** » 10 Dec 2007, 8:42pm

I've got it set up with the new B&M Lumotec IQ Fly Senso Plus.. Killer combination, methinks.. although my only experience so far has been spinning the wheel around in my dark kitchen, as well as a short ride with the light connected to an Axa HR bottle dynamo.

Hopefully I'll be able to conquer winter laziness and will try it out in anger on Saturday.