Dynamo vs. Battery Lights: What's Best for Your Bike?

[@twowheelsbetter_yt]

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[@NoZenith]

This was excellently done and I'm subscribing for your closing statement. The type of wattage is something I had not heard mentioned yet!

[@twowheelsbetter_yt]

Thanks for watching, and much appreciated! Yeah that's kind of a weird detail, but easy to go wrong without knowing it!

[@lihtan]

The dynamo light is also really handy if you do endurance cycling or bikepacking. There are modern dynamo systems that will put a USB charger port on your stem cap, so you can charge your phone, camera or other electronics. Some people that do bikepacking also have have good luck just carrying a large enough rechargeable booster pack.

[@twowheelsbetter_yt]

Good point-those USB-equipped hubs are so cool. Would be a must-have if I ever got into touring, bikepacking, etc. Awesome tech.

[@GlennMarshallnz]

Informative video. Thanks. I was considering a new bike with dynamo (Canyon Commuter 6). But I'll go with a less expensive commuter bike probably a Trek FX3 fitted with fenders, rack and rechargeable lights. Personally I find the flashing setting stands out way more for my urban commuting in terms of motorists seeing me. Also having to have an additional rechargeable flashing light like you do defeats the purpose of a dynamo IMO. Rechargeable lights via USB connection are sill pretty convenient and effective overall.

[@twowheelsbetter_yt]

Thanks for watching! Overall I still prefer dynamo lights to _see_ but I totally agree about flashing to _be seen_. On the bright side--no pun intended--a secondary battery light that only flashes should last a very long time in that mode. (For instance, I used a $20 Blackburn Click for that purpose, and I seem to recall a couple weeks between charges.) Still, hard to argue with the value of a good USB light!

[@nigelnightmare4160]

Dynamo lighting may be more expensive initially BUT that is the ONLY expense unlike Battery/rechargeable and over time will actually cost more than the dynamo system. Re minimum speed: My cycle's dynamo lights (LED and StVZO) start illuminating at under 1mph and are bright enough to SEE with at walking speed 2-3mph.

[@HullioGQ]

I was considering hub dynamo for my ebike but I am wondering if there's an option for adding permanent lights powered with a powerbank. I don't think I'll remember to remove and recharge lights and it's just an extra burden trying to readjust the lights every time I reattach. What's a better option in this case since I don't want to mess with the ebike battery?

[@twowheelsbetter_yt]

That's a great question. Not much of an e-bike guy so I couldn't say, but I wonder if there are aftermarket wiring kits that would let you run lights from the battery in a plug-and-play fashion?

[@vladconstantinminea]

That's my plan, mount permanent dynamo style headlight and taillight but power them with a custom powerbank hidden in the steerer or seat tube.

[@ianphillips7778]

Where I live, with the exception of special or mountain bikes, all bikes, including kids bikes, have hub dynamos as standard for a normal price. In some countries this is not the case. People there tend to get battery lights that they either forget, lose, get stolen, or cycle without lights because the didn't think it would get dark or they forgot to charge them or don't want to carry lights with them everywhere on a night out. So I urge cyclists in those places to make it clear to bike shops that it's crazy they don't offer them.

[@twowheelsbetter_yt]

I hope one day they'll be that common here, too! I'm guessing you're in central or northern Europe?

[@ianphillips7778]

@@twowheelsbetter_yt yes. Germany. Everybody needs to spread the word and start a campaign of demanding the availability of better dynamos for safety reasons. Use the accident statistics. Look at the numbers riding without lights giving other cyclists a bad name before being hit by a car. Get the police involved in the campaign like they did in Ireland.

[@user-wr4ok6zx2c]

Dynamo light does not work in cold weather in winter. And a regular battery-powered flashlight works. Maybe it's just me.