Schmidt Son 20 Disc?

[Pivvay]

I think someone here is running one of these. Which light system again?

They're not cheap but I feel bad about throwing away so many batteries. If I'm reading right I could get something that also powered my GPS via a USB port in addition to the the lights? I might be able to do a race with a lot fewer batteries saving money and helping the environment a bit more than tossing those sweet Energizer Lithiums in the trash.

The extra weight of the hub is approximate to 8 AA Lithiums from what I can tell.

[sherpaxc]

Chris,
  I'm glad you brought this up.  It kills me reading about how many batteries racers go through.  I know it pretty much has to be done but it still makes me cringe.  That's a lot of waste.  I don't have anything else to add, that's just something that has always been on my mind.

[Pivvay]

Yea I agree, it's always been a tough issue for me. I've used rechargeables when I could, especially in training but in races I'm tossing a lot of AA Lithiums and the lights are the biggest culprit. The GPS goes 40+ hours with Lithiums but if I could get some powering via USB it could go much longer, maybe a whole race. Plus maybe then I could run the rechargeable AA's instead of the Lithiums.

I'm sure I'll carry a spare set of AA's and AAA's no matter what but if I could go from using tons of batteries in a race to only a few, that would be a worthwhile thing I think. Especially at a competitive weight and illumination level.

Also on something like the GDR the hub might really be the way to fly. It would be cheaper, more light and less hassle (assuming they work great which is sounds like the newest ones do).

The Shimano hub is also a good option I think. It's a lot cheaper and bearings are user maintainable.

[bmike-vt]

I ran a SON disc on my rando rig for a long time. I have the non-disc version now... I think I have the SON 28. Running an Edelux (for road) for rando / brevets, etc. Bomber system. Had 1 issue with the original disc hub and it was taken care of under warranty (when I was offered to swap the core or get a new hub, I chose the new hub as I don't run discs on my LD road machine)

There are new options for charging batteries / lights / GPS / iPhones coming online.
You can charge AA batteries with the 'ride and charge':
http://www.peterwhitecycles.com/b&m.asp#ridecharge

You can also get 'The Plug':
http://www.tout-terrain.de/2/products/components/the-plug/h-bar.html?start=2

Or the eWerk:
http://bumm.de/index-e.html?docu/361e.htm

And other options out there - some homebrew.


I'm planning on a new wheel with disc SON for my TD attempt (a few years out...)
Check out the Supernova E3 triple with symmetrical beam for MTB:
http://www.peterwhitecycles.com/supernova.asp


More information on the SON:
http://www.peterwhitecycles.com/schmidt.asp

[Pivvay]

What does the Supernova triple actually do under 8mph? Does it switch to 1 LED or dim them all? Any idea what kind of lumens we're talking about at 4-5mph?

[bmike-vt]

What does the Supernova triple actually do under 8mph? Does it switch to 1 LED or dim them all? Any idea what kind of lumens we're talking about at 4-5mph?

Not sure... I think it goes to 1 LED.
I know my Edelux will come on at walking pace - 2-3mph. It flickers, but is usable.

For single track you'll still want to have a headlight for peaking around corners...
When I would hit a wall on brevets in the middle of the night with my old E6 halogens I'd have to flick on the headlamp...

[Pivvay]

I'll still have an EOS II on my head to read the map/GPS screen etc so I'm not too worried but if the light was annoying at slower speed but rideable singletrack I don't think I'd be happy. The EOS lasts a long time if you're not riding with it on high. When actually walking, just a little light is enough.

[bmike-vt]

Pretty sure phil_rad on the forums is using the triple. Might want to check in with him. Also - email or call Peter at the website I posted. Really helpful with these kinds of questions.

[phil_rad]

What does the Supernova triple actually do under 8mph? Does it switch to 1 LED or dim them all? Any idea what kind of lumens we're talking about at 4-5mph?

I have an E-3 tripple matted to a shimano dyno hub, mostly i've just ridden it on bike paths. My last night ride I rode some tight single track, I had to go real slow around the corners, no problem, the light has enough power when you go under 5 mph. I'm not sure about the lumens but it still out shines my pietzl tika xp by alot! I'm sold on it, it wasn't cheap, even though I picked it up at a discount. I think its well worth it considering you don't need to worry about batteries. :-)

Phil

[Pivvay]

Is it down on 1 LED at extended slow riding? You're powering it with the Shimano hub so I still wonder if the 20 isn't as good at low speeds.

What if you ride slowly at 4-5 mph for a while, is the light the same or does it have a "boost" for short slow corners.

[phil_rad]

Chris,
It does go down to one led when slower than 5-4 mph, but it's still bright enough IMO. The light does not have a boost, you'd have to speed up for that.

[Pivvay]

Thanks for answering all the questions. Does the light flicker at slow speeds or does it just drop and become constant?

[bmike-vt]

here's a video i found... hard to understand lighting on internet video...

http://video.aol.co.uk/video-detail/nightride-supernova-e3-triple-and-ccr/1418229741

[phil_rad]

Thanks for answering all the questions. Does the light flicker at slow speeds or does it just drop and become constant?

Glad I can answer some questions for you. It flickers a little bit, hardly noticeable. At around 6 mph it goes down to one led and then stays constant.

[Slowerthensnot]

http://lightonlights.com/dynolight/

found this bumming around online....

[howrad]

Mine's only an E3 single, but at 4-5mph the flicker is low/not noticeable (with Shimano DH-3D72).  I want to try the Light-On, but I wish it had a fork-crown mount.

[Majcolo]

Chris, thought this would interest you:

http://www.peterwhitecycles.com/ewerk.asp