New SON 28 dynohub

[Pierre]

So, I was finally converging on reasonable specs for my new winter
front wheel. Then 'das neu SON 28' happened. Back to square one:
SONdelux or SON28neu. AHH will have to wait a little longer for its
new wheel swap.

Dynohub fans, a new version of the all time favorite SON28 was
released. Smaller, lighter, less drag and yet what seems to be same
power output distribution. Still rather pricey though.

Some information on Schmidt's web site (see [1] among others, and for
reference on the SONdelux [2]), Peter White's (see [3]) and Longleaf
bicycles (see [4]). If you can, get yourself a copy of the last BQ for
some interesting insights on this new version.

Now for the question. I live in the mountains so I am always concerned
about proper lighting at relatively low speeds (say 10-15 kph), yet
was still leaning towards the SONdelux based on some reasons that
logic can't explain. I owned the "klassik" so far (on another bike).

Does anybody have first-hand experience on a SONdelux (with front and
taillight, LEDs) setup, at relatively low speeds? You certainly need
less light output, but does it seem enough to you? How's your
taillight?

Regards,

Pierre

[1] http://www.nabendynamo.de/produkte/pdf/Prospekt_SON_28_Firma_2012.pdf
(German)
[2] http://www.nabendynamo.de/produkte/pdf/english/SONdelux_Edelux_e.pdf
[3] http://www.peterwhitecycles.com/schmidt.asp
[4] http://www.longleafbicycles.com/

[EricP]

Pierre,

With the "old" SON28, I can climb at between 10 and 12kph and still
have steady light beams on my bike. Both front and rear. The
headlight is a B&M Cyo with B&M tail light. With a Supernova light
front and rear (like on my Sam Hillborne) the light does flicker a bit
below 12kph.

Again, it's not an issue with the B&M light. And I actually prefer
the light pattern over the Supernova.

Hope this helps somewhat.

Eric Platt
St. Paul, MN

[Minh]

Can anyone highlight what the big difference is between SON28 old and
new? I'm thinking about a second dyno wheel and can't see the
advantage of the newer versions.

[William]

There's also the new Supernova that has that turnable offable magnet feature.

 

http://www.bikeradar.com/road/news/article/supernova-infinity-dynamo-hubs-first-look-31130

 

 

[Benedikt]

The new SON 28 has slightly less drag (can you believe it?!) and is a
little lighter. However you can't get it in 40 or 48 hole drillings.
It looks like they will stop making old version in 32 and 36 hole
drillings; they will only make them for the 40, 48. This is because
the flange diameter is smaller and so there is not enough room for all
those holes.

[Steve Palincsar]

On Sat, 2011-10-15 at 08:04 -0700, Jan Heine wrote:
> With modern LED lights, the SON28 really makes sense only if you need
> to charge GPS/cell phones while going slowly, or if you need a truly
> bombproof wheel. Otherwise, you should get the Delux (formerly SON 20
> R).
>

Would you recommend the Delux for a bike you intend to ride on gravel
roads? (I do not mean single track or fire roads, or former logging
roads in an area that has been closed since a volcanic eruption over 30
years ago, but rather currently maintained, active, gravel roads.)

[Philip Williamson]

How are maintained gravel roads different from fire/logging roads? In
my experience, the only difference is that gravel roads have deeper
gravel and more traffic. Steepness and washboardery are a wash.
I grew up on fire roads and paved roads, and now live in an area of
gravel roads and logging roads (Oregonians don't even know the term
"fire road"). I'm not an extreme rider - I ride my Quickbeam on the
same exact trails I ride my mountain bike on. I have a SON28 on the
QB, and will purchase a Shimano Alfine dynohub pretty soon for my
Gravel Roadster.

Philip

Philip Williamson
www.biketinker.com

[Steve Palincsar]

On Sat, 2011-10-15 at 21:09 -0700, Philip Williamson wrote:
> How are maintained gravel roads different from fire/logging roads? In
> my experience, the only difference is that gravel roads have deeper
> gravel and more traffic.

Where I live there are no "fire roads" or "logging roads," but looking
at pictures I get the impression that they are closer to what I know as
"Jeep tracks" than roads. It seems to me four wheel drive vehicles are
absolutely required, not only for traction but for their high ground
clearance. You can drive an ordinary car on the gravel roads I'm
talking about.

[Philip Williamson]

>You can drive an ordinary car on the gravel roads I'm
> talking about.

I would choose the lightweight one for the gravel roads you describe.
They sound like the farm roads around here, which shouldn't over-
stress a hub like that, especially with fattish tires.

Philip

Philip Williamson
www.biketinker.com

[René Sterental]

I'm a bit confused... Is there any specific reason to choose the older
version over the newer one for a Dyad 36 wheel for the Hunqapillar for
all of its intended riding purposes?

René

Sent from my iPhone 4

On Oct 16, 2011, at 11:26 AM, Jan Heine <hei...@earthlink.net> wrote:

> On Oct 15, 5:10 pm, Steve Palincsar <palin...@his.com> wrote:

>> Would you recommend the Delux for a bike you intend to ride on gravel
>> roads? (I do not mean single track or fire roads, or former logging
>> roads in an area that has been closed since a volcanic eruption over 30
>> years ago, but rather currently maintained, active, gravel roads.)
>

> Yes, no problem. We all have the "Delux" on our 650B bikes, and we
> explore some pretty rough terrain. See the photo <a href="http://
> janheine.wordpress.com/2011/05/16/how-durable-are-grand-bois-
> tires/">in this blog post</a>...
>
> Jan Heine
> Editor
> Bicycle Quarterly
> http://www.bikequarterly.com
>
> Follow our blog at http://janheine.wordpress.com/
>
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>

[René Sterental]

Thank you. That clarifies the choices.

René

Sent from my iPhone 4

On Oct 18, 2011, at 8:02 AM, Jan Heine <hei...@earthlink.net> wrote:

> On Oct 17, 7:12 am, René Sterental <orthie...@gmail.com> wrote:
>> I'm a bit confused... Is there any specific reason to choose the older
>> version over the newer one for a Dyad 36 wheel for the Hunqapillar for
>> all of its intended riding purposes?
>

> There are four versions that you still may find in the trade:
>
> SON 28 old (classic): No reason to use this one over the others.
> SON 28 new: Good choice if you 1) need a bomb-proof wheel or 2) need
> to charge a lot of devices at low speed.
> SON 20 old: Good choice is you 1) want a bomb-proof wheel or 2) really
> hate vibrations when the light is on.
> SON delux (formerly 20R): Good choice in all other cases. Lightweight,
> plenty strong for most uses, plenty of light with modern LED lights.

[Pierre]

René, my (limited) understanding is that you would choose SON28
"old" (a.k.a. "classic") over SON28 "new" only for high(er) spoke
count (40 and 48). The new version will be produced only in 32/36h and
the older model continued only in 40/48h (see [1] - German, p.3.).

So for your Dyad 36h, I do not see any reason to go *specifically* for
the older-but-still-pretty-good model unless (i) you are time-
constrained (ii) you are getting a good deal on the remaining SON28
"classic" 36h (according to [1] the list price is 40 euros cheaper,
that is for Europe of course).

Pierre

PS: To all, thank you for the feedback. SONdelux it will be.

[1] http://www.nabendynamo.de/produkte/pdf/Lieferprogramm_Preise_2012.pdf

On Oct 17, 4:12 pm, René Sterental <orthie...@gmail.com> wrote:
> I'm a bit confused... Is there any specific reason to choose the older
> version over the newer one for a Dyad 36 wheel for the Hunqapillar for
> all of its intended riding purposes?
>
> René
>
> Sent from my iPhone 4
>

> On Oct 16, 2011, at 11:26 AM, Jan Heine <hein...@earthlink.net> wrote:
>
>
>
>
>
>
>
> > On Oct 15, 5:10 pm, Steve Palincsar <palin...@his.com> wrote:
> >> Would you recommend the Delux for a bike you intend to ride on gravel
> >> roads?  (I do not mean single track or fire roads, or former logging
> >> roads in an area that has been closed since a volcanic eruption over 30
> >> years ago, but rather currently maintained, active, gravel roads.)
>
> > Yes, no problem. We all have the "Delux" on our 650B bikes, and we
> > explore some pretty rough terrain. See the photo <a href="http://
> > janheine.wordpress.com/2011/05/16/how-durable-are-grand-bois-
> > tires/">in this blog post</a>...
>
> > Jan Heine
> > Editor
> > Bicycle Quarterly
> >http://www.bikequarterly.com
>

> > Follow our blog athttp://janheine.wordpress.com/

[René Sterental]

Thanks Pierre!