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I've got a new gravel/cx frame and I'm wondering whether to transfer my old dynamo lights. I'd need a 12mm dynamo hub. From what I've read there have been a few problems with the bearings on the SP-PD8x, is that still the case? They actually seem to do a 12mm one now "PD8x-M", anyone have experience of that??
My wife has the 12mm version, I've the 15mm one. Only just fitted them, well I have, just put the tyre on the wheel this evening. We are doing The French Divide next month so will let you know the longevity or otherwise after that.
I think the problems were with an early batch of the dynamos, some people had no problems, others failed within a couple of hundred Km. I hope they are sorted now.
I have had 2 SP-PD8 dynamos which I had fitted to my commuter bike. The bearings in the first one failed after about a year. The replacement did not last that long so I cut my losses and bought a Shimano dynamo. My commute is about 12-13 miles a day, five days a week. The dynamos were never submerged and cleaned carefully to avoid getting water in the bearings. I had the quick release disk version.
Lots of people have had good life out of these but mine were disappointing. I would make sure you keep proof of purchase if you buy one.
Qr disc version here that failed early. I wouldn't have another
I have a 15mm/QR version and it's been faultless. As Bob says, they either seemed to fail early or go on for ever.
I've got the Exposure rebranded version with 12mm on my commuter and it's been fine for at least a couple of winters (perhaps 3000 miles).
I've had a 9mm qr version on my adventure racing bike for nearly 5 years and its been faultless, including surviving many river crossings, the occasional dip in the sea, a complete lack of mechanical sympathy and the occasional jetwash. So impressed that I built up a 15mm hub for my commuter bike last year that has also been flawless to date.
3.5 years and 18000km into my Exposure one - it's fine.
Also looking for a 12mm dynamo, has anyone seen complete wheels at a reasonable price or successfully used a 15mm and a sleeve?
I've had dynamo wheels built by Spa cycles in Harrogate - by the time you've bought the hub, rim and spokes you are looking at £200+ even with the cheaper SP dynamo. They are keenly priced on dynamos as they mainly deal with bike tourers who tend to use them a lot.
Had my older 15mm version for a few years, no issues on the road and a bit of off road. I think they revised the design on the newer ones to improve the bearings.
ah thanks for the info. Sounds like they're pretty reliable now... just need to work out if i really need the dynamo or not (new baby since I bought the dynamo stuff, not so much riding anymore lol)
subduedsupernova - you could always lace up a wheel yourself, then get a bike shop to do the final tensioning and truing. All you'd need is a spoke key.
Also looking for a 12mm dynamo, has anyone seen complete wheels at a reasonable price or successfully used a 15mm and a sleeve?
Be careful if you are trying to use a sleeve that the indent on your fork will take the 15mm axle end. It's not always just about the axle diameter.
20,000km on my qr one on my commuter
Under 1000km on my 15mm one before it stopped working and got all rattly. He replacement has done 1500km. I haven't used it much since then so chances are it has seized up from lack of use.