Rear Dynamo wiring pics / examples? non-fender

[brizbarn]

Can anyone share photos of clean looking rear dynamo light wiring? I currently run a front dyno and usually recharge my rear light on my sinewave cycles UBS dynamo charger when its day light out.  

I am interested in a rear dynamo light though, so that I don't have to worry about charging the light.  Usually it's not a big deal to charge it, but it would be cool to have bike powered light, front and back. I don't want to mount the light to a fender because I only run fenders for a few months out of the year.  My thought was to run it down the same line as rear derailer cable, and mount it on one of the lower rack braze-on mounts.  That might keep the wire somewhat out of view, and fairly clean looking.

I've read that mounting a rear light low is not the best idea, but I feel like the light will be seen even if its not up high (like on the seat post).  Thoughts?

[maxcr]

I don't know if this is considered clean, but it works great! I installed this SON rear light mounted in the rear rack and ran the cable with the rear brake and along the rack:

[Edward Garnica]

Very interested to see responses, the only reason I didn’t get a rear son is because I haven’t seen a lot of examples of them installed and the ones I’ve seen don’t always look great. 

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[brizbarn]

Thanks Max, great looking bike!  

One other thing, I don't usually run a rear rack, but rear rack mounted light pics definitely welcome, really any nice rear dynamo wiring pics, especially more up close. 

I agree Edward, they also seem kind of annoying to set up, but probably once it's set up, you can forget about it. 

[Mr. Ray]

You can mount a SON tail light on the seat post (post version) or behind the saddle (rack version).  Depending on your saddle clamp, you can run the wire through the clamp or drill a hole in the seatpost for an invisible install.  Finding an exit for the wire (i.e. bottom bracket guide holes etc...) will depend on your frame and BB.  The wire would then run up your down tube to the front dynamo light.  This is a random picture of a saddle instaIl.  I deleted the picture of the seatpost install with a drilled hole.  There are tail light mounting brackets (i.e. B&M) that attach to the saddle rails to make this work.     

Just a note of caution:  I installed a new SON tail light and did a hidden install.  After 6 months of use, my tail light failed so I had to send it back to Germany for warranty.  As expected, removing the light wasn't straight forward. 

[Collin A]

This and the other posting about the dynamo through the fork makes me feel much better about a recent frame purchased that had fully internal dynamo wiring.

Prior to that bike, I had the dynamo wiring go through my framebag (had a secondary rear port like one would have for a water hose) and that worked pretty well.

Currently, my Joe is serving as commuter duty and I switched out the dynamo system to a simpler one. Now I have the rear cable under a shimano Di2 tape just under the top tube in a more subtle showing. That one is for a seatpost mounted rear light, but you could easily do the same thing for a rack mounted one.

Collin in Sacto

[Brian Turner]

On my Bombora, I used this neat little bracket from Fairlight Cycles in the UK:

For the routing, I followed the disc brake routing so it looks pretty clean. The sell versions for both drive and non-drive sides.

On Nov 21, 2022, at 7:01 PM, Collin A <collinm...@gmail.com> wrote:

This and the other posting about the dynamo through the fork makes me feel much better about a recent frame purchased that had fully internal dynamo wiring.

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[Kainalu V. -Brooklyn NY]

Here’s a rear racklette I made, all of three inches of internal wiring…

https://photos.app.goo.gl/9KBpwpEUiL4XDGyVA

Fun.

-Kai

[brizbarn]

Thanks for the replies.  That Son set up looks nice Mr. Ray, gotta see if I could run a wire into my BB on my Appaloosa, then up seattube and post.  

Collin, Is that a particular type of tape you under toptube of appaloosa holding the wire?

Definitely a clean look on that Bombora, and a rad looking racklette, Kai! 

Keep em coming, if anyone has more pics! 

-Brian

[Peter White]

Here's how I did it on my old mountain bike.

https://www.peterwhitecycles.com/peter_bks.php

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Peter White

[Mackenzy Albright]

It's hard to see - but following down tube, under bottom bracket, one twist, following the chain stay then up the seat stay until the light. I used a combination of zip ties and fake sinew. I decided against fender routing. 

[Philip Williamson]

My only wired taillight is a B&M micro, attached to a seat binder bolt with a little tab Fitz made when he made the frame, fork, and rack.

The wire runs under the top tube, with the derailleur, dropper, and brake cables.

Picture on Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/p/ClR5BuHSP9q/?igshid=MWI4MTIyMDE=

Philip

Sonoma County, Calif

[Wyatt]

Similar to the hidden style install that Mr. Ray posted with the SON rear light, I used a Blue Lug mount, a Nitto p-clamp, and some ideas from Analog Cycles to mount a B&M Micro under my saddle. Routed the wiring down the downtube with the shifter/brake hoses and then up into the seat tube through a dropper routing style hole. Very happy with the results. Though, as Mr. Ray says, this slows down anything that would involve changing out the saddle or seat post.

Here's a couple links to the relevant hardware:

https://analogcycles.com/products/p-clamps

https://analogcycles.com/products/blue-lug-koma-under-saddle-mount

 post. 

[brizbarn]

I checked on my Appaloosa for a drain hole on under side of bottom bracket shell, it does have one that a wire could likely fit through.  So I'll probably try that set up at some point:  Wire going from front light on front rack > coiled to add flexibility from rack to downtube > run parallel to shift cable to bottom bracket > into drain hole in BB > up seat tube and seat post > out a hole in seat post > rear dynamo light mounted on Blue Lug Bracket on saddle rail (hopefully does not get hidden when saddle bag on bike) and probably use some banana plugs to make it detachable.  Maybe try going up fork drain hole too, like is being discussed in another thread.

Some good ideas here, thanks for sharing everyone.  I like that Blue Lug bracket for saddle rail mounting, but it is sold out.  Looks like Velo Lumino sells one as well, but for a lot more $. Velo Lumino also has some nice photos of wiring on their site, nothing Riv specific tho. screen shot from them:

 

[Mr. Ray]

Good post with pictures.  The Velo Lumino banana plugs are a great deal but require soldering.  For anyone who doesn't have the means to solder, Supernova sells the same which you can "cold crimp".  I'm using the Supernova plugs but they can be overkill (and long).  If you just want the flexibility to disconnect the tail light under the seat, another option is to use Schmidt 2.8mm male & female connectors.  Peter White sells these for around .30 cents a piece.  He also sells the Supernova connectors for $16.  

https://www.peterwhitecycles.com/wiringinstructions.php

If you're dead set to mount a tail light on the seatpost, you can by pass the light bracket by using the SON tail light for seat post mount version.

[J]

I've been trying to figure out a way to mount my Koma light under the saddle but drawing  blank and have been  considering reaching out to a machinist for help. But this method looks great! Although I can't figure out how it was achieved. I don't see the Blue Lug mount under there.

[J]

Whoopsie daisy, I see now. The bracket blended in so well with the seat post and saddle rails I didn't notice it. 

[Brian Barnhart]

That one is the blue lug mount. Others above were a different mount. My friend has this mount and it works great for him with a Koma light. Not sure how well it would for other lights. 

On Nov 24, 2022, at 9:38 AM, J <illum...@gmail.com> wrote:

Whoopsie daisy, I see now. The bracket blended in so well with the seat post and saddle rails I didn't notice it. 

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[rlti...@gmail.com]

I used a B&M Micro on my Hubbuhubbuh tandem. I like the light a lot. It is surprisingly bright for its size and it can mount most anywhere. I put it on the left seatstay. My wiring run needs to be improved but the light works fine.

Robert “electrically challenged” Tilley

San Diego, CA

Sent from my iPhone

On Nov 21, 2022, at 2:56 PM, brizbarn <brizba...@gmail.com> wrote:

Can anyone share photos of clean looking rear dynamo light wiring? I currently run a front dyno and usually recharge my rear light on my sinewave cycles UBS dynamo charger when its day light out.  

I am interested in a rear dynamo light though, so that I don't have to worry about charging the light.  Usually it's not a big deal to charge it, but it would be cool to have bike powered light, front and back. I don't want to mount the light to a fender because I only run fenders for a few months out of the year.  My thought was to run it down the same line as rear derailer cable, and mount it on one of the lower rack braze-on mounts.  That might keep the wire somewhat out of view, and fairly clean looking.

I've read that mounting a rear light low is not the best idea, but I feel like the light will be seen even if its not up high (like on the seat post).  Thoughts?

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[Brian Barnhart]

Haha! I like your nickname, Robert. That definitely seems like a nice little light. 

On Nov 24, 2022, at 11:14 AM, rlti...@gmail.com wrote:

I used a B&M Micro on my Hubbuhubbuh tandem. I like the light a lot. It is surprisingly bright for its size and it can mount most anywhere. I put it on the left seatstay. My wiring run needs to be improved but the light works fine.

Robert “electrically challenged” Tilley

San Diego, CA

Sent from my iPhone

On Nov 21, 2022, at 2:56 PM, brizbarn <brizba...@gmail.com> wrote:

Can anyone share photos of clean looking rear dynamo light wiring? I currently run a front dyno and usually recharge my rear light on my sinewave cycles UBS dynamo charger when its day light out.  

I am interested in a rear dynamo light though, so that I don't have to worry about charging the light.  Usually it's not a big deal to charge it, but it would be cool to have bike powered light, front and back. I don't want to mount the light to a fender because I only run fenders for a few months out of the year.  My thought was to run it down the same line as rear derailer cable, and mount it on one of the lower rack braze-on mounts.  That might keep the wire somewhat out of view, and fairly clean looking.

I've read that mounting a rear light low is not the best idea, but I feel like the light will be seen even if its not up high (like on the seat post).  Thoughts?

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[Michael Moore, Jr.]

Not "clean", but quick and going strong for over ten years. I enjoy not having to think about lights. It is on a rack though, so maybe not ideal for you anyhow.

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Michael Moore, Jr.
Humboldt County

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[Takashi]

Sorry about poor quality pics.

Similar to what Peter said, I use nylon P-clamps to run the wire inside the front fork.

Depending on where you put your taillight and where your bike has screw holes, I think you can do similar things to run taillight wires, e.g., bottle cage mounts on the downside of downtube, cable guide mount, etc.

On my bike, I just used bartape and then wrapped twine and shellac to secure the wire to the downtube.

I run the wire on right chainstay and wrapped both the stay and the wire with twine as protector.

(Hmmm, I just noticed that it's very messy, maybe it's time for new twine)

I live in Japan where vehicles are to go left side of the road, so placing taillight on the right side makes sense.

If you are planning to put your lights on the left side, you have to think of another way. Or put your taillight either on rear rack or rear fender.

Takashi

[Brian Barnhart]

Thanks for sharing! Looks good.  Now I'm thinking having the light lower down on a rack braze-on near axel will be better for me than on the seat tube. Only concern is that having it low will make it less visible.  But the light should emit upward and be visible even if it's low on the bike.

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[Pam Bikes]

 Rack mounted B&M.  Wire is under the down tube, then chainstay then along the rack w/ zipties.  It's important to make sure the light is level for maximum visibility. 

[Pam Bikes]

[Hopalong Cassidy]

Here is an Imgur album with some pictures of rear dynamo wiring on a Velo Orange Polyvalent. It runs from the headlight, along the downtube, follows the disc brake cable along the non-drive side chainstay, and wraps around the seat stay to a light mounted on a rack eyelet. At one point I wrapped the wiring around my top tube and mounted a light on the fender eyelet. 

[brizbarn]

Thanks for sharing Pam and Hopalong.  With the B&M microlight, Is there any reason you couldn't just use the included hardware (plastic band and bolt) to mount to a braze-on, like you have on the seatstay (rather than use a P clamp)?  Looks like you have the Sinewaves Beacon light up front.  How do you like it?  I currently run a front dynamo and the seperate sinewave usb charger, using some cut steerer tube to mount to side of rack.  Seems like it would great to consolidate those two.  Does anyone ever say that your Beacon light is blinding, since the lens allow light to point up as well as down, unlike most lights used for road use?

[Bob Ehrenbeck]

Here's another set-up of a bike with a rear rack:

From the headlight, the wire for the rear light is run along the bottom of the down tube and secured using transparent helicopter tape. (I also started off the run by sticking it in the unused left-side down-tube housing stop, as my Clem is set-up as a 1x). Helicopter tape is also used to secure the wire along the rack strut up to the tail light. It's a pretty clean set-up, and brely noticeable until you get up close.

Bob E

Cranford New Jersey

[Hopalong Cassidy]

Brian, 

I think there's room for some clarification because I posted two identical Polyvalent's for reference, and I did not entirely expect a response. The bike pictured in the Imgur album belongs to a friend of mine, so I cannot answer all of your questions directly. 

For the B&M Micro tail light, a p-clamp and an alloy M5 spacer replaced the original plastic eyelet to prevent the more fragile plastic from breaking, likely in foresight for rougher riding. They have offered a lot of positive feedback about the Sinewave Beacon, and I have been using a Kasai Trail Beam, and I would agree that the charger is a convenient integration. Sometimes I wish I could have the fancy anodized colors of the Beacon, but I really wish I could have a toggle switch instead of the button on the Trail Beam. The Trail Beam is mounted on a rando rack, underneath a basket, and it is angled slightly downward, so it seems (and I hope) that the broad beam is projected downward and hasn't been blinding others. Of course, this limits the benefit of the broad beam, but it is the most feasible approach for my current urban use. Notice the clean rear dynamo wiring in the photo below-it's almost like it isn't there (I wish I could route the wiring so discreetly, but I am using a rechargeable light for the time being).    I think Collin's solution with wire-covering tape is a good approach that reduces the visual clutter from wrapping the dynamo wire around the frame. 

[brizbarn]

Thanks for the info.  I also like helicopter tape that Bob posted above.  Makes sense about the pclamp on the micro light, might as well make it more durable, would be nice if they just sold it with a metal clamp.  It would be cool if Blue Lug Koma lights had a dynamo version.  The toggle of the Sinewave Beacon seems awesome.  I just had a B&M Avy PLus N light fail, and I think it was due to the on/off button breaking.  That makes sense about just pointing the light down a bit, seems like that would work for city streets.  I just discovered the Kasai Trail Beam, seems like nice more affordable beacon.  I don't see any rear wiring or a rear light in the pic you posted on the bike with the green seat roll  and basket, am I missing something? 

[Mr. Ray]

If you want a professional finished look, instead of Helicopter tape, you can use these Shimano Steps cord covers.  They come in different sizes:

 

[Matthew Williams]

Hi everyone, 

I recently saw either a blog entry or a forum post with photos of someone who'd modified a seatpost brake hangar into a mount for a Blue Lug Koma taillight. 

Does anyone remember this, and know where to find it?

On Wednesday, November 30, 2022 at 2:30:53 PM UTC-8 Mr. Ray wrote:

If you want a professional finished look, instead of Helicopter tape, you can use these Shimano Steps cord covers.  They come in different sizes:

 

On Wednesday, November 30, 2022 at 4:33:32 PM UTC-5 brizbarn wrote:

Thanks for the info.  I also like helicopter tape that Bob posted above.  Makes sense about the pclamp on the micro light, might as well make it more durable, would be nice if they just sold it with a metal clamp.  It would be cool if Blue Lug Koma lights had a dynamo version.  The toggle of the Sinewave Beacon seems awesome.  I just had a B&M Avy PLus N light fail, and I think it was due to the on/off button breaking.  That makes sense about just pointing the light down a bit, seems like that would work for city streets.  I just discovered the Kasai Trail Beam, seems like nice more affordable beacon.  I don't see any rear wiring or a rear light in the pic you posted on the bike with the green seat roll  and basket, am I missing something? 

[Hopalong Cassidy]

Matthew, There is a matching picture in Will’s mid-March newsletter, which seems like a teaser for a blog about Roman’s Platypus. 

[Matthew Williams]

Yes, that’s it! Thank you!

On Mar 24, 2023, at 12:40 PM, Hopalong Cassidy wrote:

Matthew, There is a matching picture in Will’s mid-March newsletter, which seems like a teaser for a blog about Roman’s Platypus. 

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