Do generator hub lights attach/detach easily to front racks?

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Michael Williams

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Apr 17, 2012, 11:30:50 PM4/17/12
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Hey group, I am thinking about getting a Generator hub/light combo
and was wondering if the lights typically attach and detatch from the
from rack easily. I could lock the bike up in some unfavorable
areas sometimes and would like to be able to remove the light
easily. And are some models easier than others. thanks -Mike

Toshi Takeuchi

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Apr 19, 2012, 5:01:06 PM4/19/12
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I would say not really easy to detach. All the lights I've seen have
a wire that goes all the way to the generator, so you'll have to
unplug the wire from the hub and extricate the wire to detach the
light. There may be lights out there with a plug at the light, but I
have not seen them. You could probably rig the light clamp to be quick
release if it's attached to the bars, but if you're bolting it to the
rack, then maybe you can use a wing nut that you can unscrew with your
fingers...

Toshi

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Minh

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Apr 19, 2012, 5:53:57 PM4/19/12
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Most lights have spade connectors so you cold disconnect them pretty easily and then work up a mount quick release but I'd suggest another approach, just use cheap led dyno lights. I have some that are quite bright, less then $20, and don't look sexy. It's plenty bright for city riding. Even the $40 lights aren't too sexy and if someone goes to the trouble of unbolting your light they are just as likely to take other parts too.

Joe Broach

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Apr 19, 2012, 6:12:43 PM4/19/12
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I'll add that this is a great place to use an oddball bolt/nut combo,
or even fill a bolt head with beeswax or equivalent. Between all of
that and the wires, only the most determined thief would persevere.

Best,
joe broach
portland, or

Imladris

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Apr 19, 2012, 6:19:16 PM4/19/12
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Take a look at Peter White's website for information on lights and
hubs (http://www.peterwhitecycles.com/lightingsystems.htm). You should
be able to unplug at the light without disconnecting the entire wire,
but you will need to find mounts for your lights that are quick to
release. The generator hub, however, is usually more expensive than
the lights, so make sure the wheel is well secured.

On Apr 17, 11:30 pm, Michael Williams <mkernanwilli...@gmail.com>
wrote:

Lynne Fitz

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Apr 19, 2012, 7:32:28 PM4/19/12
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In a word, no. Every light attachment seems to be a custom
installation. PITA. I am a fan of the nylon-lock nuts, which means a
potential thief would need several tools. Plus they'd need the proper
hub to make it work. They all want to be bolted on.

On Apr 17, 8:30 pm, Michael Williams <mkernanwilli...@gmail.com>
wrote:

PATRICK MOORE

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Apr 19, 2012, 8:29:29 PM4/19/12
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You could easily rig up a QR (spade connectors, say) for the wire near
the lamp and attach the lamp to the bracket with a wingnut. The hassle
would be to repeatedly have to find that elusive "just right" lamp
angle when you re-install.

Speaking of cheap ($40) 3 AAA or 4 AA led lights: these have improved
hugely since the appearance of those old Cateyes in the early '90s.
I've not used the PB Blaze 2 w, but I expect that it is as good as the
mid-'00s one-piece LED - cum- rechargeable battery unit ($130 list
circa 2005) that I also owned, given the power of the less
sophisticated 1 w models.

And compare the old Vistalites with any modern blinkie.

That said, there is much to be said for a dynamo powered light -- the
best have better beam patterns than any battery light I've used, cheap
or expensive and more power than the cheap ones.

I wonder what would happen if you attached your dynamo power and
ground wires to a cheap LED battery lamp?

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Michael Hechmer

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Apr 19, 2012, 9:12:18 PM4/19/12
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I like the Dinotte lights for commuting.  I use the dual lithiums.  They go on and off the bike very quickly and give plenty of light for riding on dark roads.  Not as convenient as a generator but they move from bike to bike, which makes them very versatile.

Michael

Bill

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Apr 19, 2012, 9:35:51 PM4/19/12
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the planet bike blaze dynamo disconnects near the light.
see here: http://ecom1.planetbike.com/3048.html

Smitty

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Apr 20, 2012, 12:39:20 AM4/20/12
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For me part of the beauty of dynamo lights is that they're part of the bike. I feel like the risk of having my lights stolen (from a dynamo set-up) is about the same as someone stealing my seat, handlebars, brakes, racks, or anything that can be un-bolted.  

Allingham II, Thomas J

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Apr 20, 2012, 10:28:28 AM4/20/12
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I often use an Exposure Diablo in a helmet mount for commuting. VERY bright, excellent beam. Very light, rechargeable, long charge life (at least 3-4 hours on highest power, up to 8 at low power, which is still quite bright).  Downside is price -- almost $200. But that's still cheaper than dynamo hub and dynamo light. 

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Dennis

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Apr 19, 2012, 6:22:39 PM4/19/12
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Hi Michael,

I have a Lumotec Lyt LED N Plus running off a Velo Orange generator
and mounted on the front of a Mark's rack. I got it from Harris
Cyclery. The wires on this light attach to the back of the light with
two spade connectors. It would be easy to disconnect the light if you
wanted to dismount it. I have the light & bracket attached to the rack
with a screw and nylon nut (??) - again it is easy to take off -
though I believe it would get old if you had to do it all the time.
Maybe some sort of pitlock device might make it more theft-proof.

Best of luck - Dennis

On Apr 17, 8:30 pm, Michael Williams <mkernanwilli...@gmail.com>
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