Portable power

[ajrmd2002]

Having power for phone/GPS has always been on my packing list. I've got a Goal Zero solar panel, and that helps, but on my last ride I was thinking about how to use the motion of the bike to recharge things. I found this on Kick Starter and I'm going to give it a try. Won't be out until Nov 2013. http://sivacycle.com/
    It's a divice that is connected to the rear tire and generates power to a battery or directly to a USB device.

[AlasdairMc]

Does this do anything that a dynamo hub doesn't?

[ajrmd2002]

I don't really know, but the dynamo hubs I've seen, though they look impressively engineered, were several hundred dollars, and you have to lace it up with the rest of the wheel. What this seems to provide and an inexpensive (relatively at $95), easy to install, and remove, option.

[AlasdairMc]

Fair point. I'd personally go with a dynamo hub for bikepacking though as tyre based solutions would be affected by mud whereas it isn't a problem when your generator is inside the hub.

[Dr Galactus]

Depends how robust it is really, would be nice to have a power solution for lefty users though.

[bikeny]

Interesting idea. Big plus is it can be switched between bikes easily. BUT, it does not look to be compatible with disc brakes. That would pretty much be a deal breaker for bikepacking. Maybe it can be adapted to the right side of a front wheel?

[AZTtripper]

Just looking at the video the thing doesn't look that tough. Looks more like they are going for the hipster market then the backcountry crowd.

I got in on a Kickstarter for an El Cap climbing video it's over 6 months late. Just got an email today that they will start shipping soon. I like the idea just don't expect a quick outcome.

As for this idea. Maybe if they can get started they'll be able to come out with an off road version. Right front so as to be disc friendly and a little bit beefier.

[adelorenzo]

These have been around for a while and might be an idea. Bonus is that it charges on the bike and if it's a windy day you can charge while in camp. Never used one myself.

http://hymini.com/

[hikernks]

After reading the specs on this thing, I think you'd be hard-pressed to justify it for bikepacking, especially multi-day trips.  According to the website it produces "5V @ up to 500mA".  The standard iPhone charger is 5V @ 1A.  Basically that means that at maximum output, it will take twice as long to charge your phone as plugging it in.  That's not bad necessarily, but the key phrase is "up to." For bikepacking, especially if you're climbing, I would cut that estimate by at LEAST half.  The other variables not mentioned are how much drag it creates.  My guess is probably at least a noticable amount.  The battery it comes with is a 1300mAh battery, smaller than an iPhone.  Basically what you are buying is an external USB battery with a bike powered charger that takes ~7hours to charge at maximum speed, and again, for bikepacking, probably at least double that time.

That's the secret behind most of these so-called "chargers."  The "charger" is just a gimmick to add on to the battery and increase the price.  If you actually use these/do the math, most of these chargers will take forever to charge up the battery part. IE - If the battery part of the charger is completely drained, it would take many hours or even days for the charger to completely recharge the battery.  This goes for solar chargers, the stove chargers, kinetic energy chargers, etc.  There's a reason the dyno hubs are so expensive - they actually work.  

For a phone, your best bet is just an external battery that can be recharged with a wall or USB charger, or a AA to USB charger.  For a GPS, I get around 30 hours of use out of Energizer Lithiums and 24 hours out of regular AAs.  I think bringing an extra set or two would work better.

The only time this MIGHT be beneficial would be on 2-week+ totally unsupported trips, but it sure doesn't look near reliable enough for that.  If you're doing that, however, you'll definitely want a dyno-hub.  Also, it would be good for hipsters who want to be "green" when they charge their phones.

[isignay]

Fair point. I'd personally go with a dynamo hub for bikepacking though as tyre based solutions would be affected by mud whereas it isn't a problem when your generator is inside the hub.

What's the durability on the dynamo hubs like offroad?  Easy to maintain?

[Damnitman]

I've got years on both of my SON hubs...riding conditions from -40f to 80+f, dust, mud, rain, freezing rain, snow, too cold to snow, etc...they lived outside for quite a while as well...not a single hiccup, 'cept the polished one needs to be polished and waxed.  A no-brainer...just do it.

[TristanGertsch]

Having power for phone/GPS has always been on my packing list. I've got a Goal Zero solar panels, and that helps, but on my last ride I was thinking about how to use the motion of the bike to recharge things. I found this on Kick Starter and I'm going to give it a try. Won't be out until Nov 2013. http://sivacycle.com/
    It's a divice that is connected to the rear tire and generates power to a battery or directly to a USB device.

Looks nice to me.. Seems very effective and I would love to have similar charging device..

[Couloirman]

I've got years on both of my SON hubs...riding conditions from -40f to 80+f, dust, mud, rain, freezing rain, snow, too cold to snow, etc...they lived outside for quite a while as well...not a single hiccup, 'cept the polished one needs to be polished and waxed.  A no-brainer...just do it.

Have you done a lot of mountain biking singletrack with it? I know they do well no matter the weather, and on dirt road tour divide type terrain, but I am debating lacing one up to a new wheel for the CTR/AZTR and am wondering how well it will handle all the vibrations and constant jarring