[Closed] Are Shimano XT Dynamo Hubs any good?

either go XT or go SON it seems the SP/exposure are hit and miss with not user servicable (which is a sod as i have two SP and 2 shimano) the shimano are user serviable and so long as you keep on top are grand just like all shimano hubs really.

I have a shimano alfine hub, had it for years. Its been faultless. Would buy another shimano hub in a second.

I have an XT disc brake hub and an LX rim brake hub, reckon they're the same inside. Both have been utterly reliable over a few years now. Wouldn't hesitate to have another if either of them ever fail.

My alfine disc is superb, got it as a freebie when I was in the trade and it has done perfect service in spite of the lack regard it's been shown...been on a bike left out in the rain for a year, fitted and run backwards for a year... Oops! We used to sell lots of Son too but they always used to be a lot more expensive although there were few warranty issue relative to the number sold.

fitted and run backwards for a year... Oops!

I was under the impression that they more or less caught fire if run backwards- there was no harm to it?

I have one on my croix de fer and it's been faultless, I use busch and muller lights, can't remember the models but the front comes with a remote button and USB cable to charge your phone or GPS.

I was under the impression that they more or less caught fire if run backwards- there was no harm to it?

I believe there's a risk some internal bits might unscrew themselves if run backwards, but electrically there's no problem.

I have an XT, LX, a cheapo Shimano (DH-3D32) and an SP and they've all been perfect for thousands of miles. There's not much price difference between the XT and the SP now; the new XT I think is a bit lighter so I'd go for that one if buying again.

I've been using an XT dynamo five days a week for more than a year in London weather and it's been faultless. Would recommend it!

I'm not normally a fan of shimano cup and cone hubs. Anyone know if the exposure/SP hubs run on cartridge bearings?

The Exposure hubs do run on cartridge bearings, but as far as i am aware they are a bugger to change.

Of all the dynamo hubs, SON, seems to be the best of them and the one that always get recommended.

Alpkit are going dynamo/ complete wheels with SP dynamo as part of their "Love Mud" components range

Not sure, but it doesn't really matter as the SP hubs aren't user-serviceable even if they are cartridges.

SON hubs are nice, sure, but at nearly 10x the price of a basic Shimano one, are they really worth it? Suppose it depends on what bike it's going on to.

I've used a cheap Shimano 30 series hub dynamo for 8 years almost daily commuting. Mrs T on a more expensive DH-3N80. Both have been faultless.

Off road I've used Alfine in 9mm qr no problems. XT T780 had bearing failure after a year and 1500km, warranty replaced. I then used a SP in 9mm QR variety for 2 years and 3000km fairly tough off road without issue, only retiring it as I moved to 15mm. The SP 15mm keep failing, bearings and generating ability. I'm on my third under warranty. Will probably try SON 15mm next if it goes again.

Not sure if any of the above forms a pattern. You don't say what your intended use is. I guess on road the Shimano is well suited. Try Rose Bikes for best prices and prebuilt wheels. On road I've only found the SP 9mm QR reliable for any length of time.

Had two XTs, plenty of miles, faultless. Probably the best value for money dynohub.

I had a SON that got water in it on a Hebridean cycle tour. I was wildcamping in dunes etc so the bike was spending time lying on its side in the rain. I reckon water was running down the skewer and in the breather.

Fair play SON fixed it FOC but I replaced it with a Shimano dynohub which has been flawless.

I use the hub for keeping my electronics topped up so I can visit campsites less often.

scud - Member
The Exposure hubs do run on cartridge bearings, but as far as i am aware they are a bugger to change.

More than a bugger - Hub a Shutter Precision (SP) so needs to be derimmed and returned as bearings are inside the hub so not user servicable . But anecdotes on longevity are inconsistent (4,000 miles on mine).

Of all the dynamo hubs, SON, seems to be the best of them and the one that always get recommended.

Alpkit are going dynamo/ complete wheels with SP dynamo as part of their "Love Mud" components range

My next hub dynamo will be a Shimano XT.

Not sure, but it doesn't really matter as the SP hubs aren't user-serviceable even if they are cartridges.

From what I was told (by someone selling me something) the SPs are theoretically user serviceable but the tolerance's on getting it right are so tight that it's really not worth anyone outside of the factory bothering to try.

My next hub dynamo will be a Shimano XT.

I went with SP for my first hub which is too new for commenting on reliability. I'd wager my next hub will be XT, I only really went with SP as there wasn't really all that much difference on the prices I was looking at, and everything was in stock for SP with the retailer I was talking too.

What's the warranty like on the XTs, iirc it's 2 years with SP although they'd need to be returned to the factory which is a chore.

Shame the Shimano ones are not available in through axle or fatbike versions 🙁

I have an XT dynamo hub and yes it is excellent 🙂

Thanks for all the info folks. Definitely the XT or SON route, then. Its a touring build, so I am taken by the looks of the SON, but repulsed by its price.

For touring I suspect the XT will do just fine. Of note, the new T785 in centrelock version has shaved about 50g off the older T780 centrelock., bringing it to within about an ounce of SP's hubs weight. SP do centrelock but have never been available in the UK when I've tried. Shimano only do centrelock (D suffix) or nothing (N suffix), whereas SP are 6 bolt in the UK. Unless anyone knows different?

Shimano warranty is indeed 2 years. Furthermore, their cup/cones ARE serviceable at home (unofficially), but you need to be careful and not ham-fisted or you'll snap the wire. Thread here (some older links broken) https://yacf.co.uk/forum/index.php?topic=7768.0
And useful re-assembly video here (in German, but you'll get the jist)

I don't suppose anyone has built a t785 hun up and knows the flange diameters and spacing? Last time I looked I couldn't find it although I may just have been incompetent with the tech docs.

6 bolt Shimano hubs exist.

Doubt the flange diameter changes much among Shimano hubs.

Phil. That's plain wrong.

Just this evening I built a 6 bolt shimano dyno hub for my own bike.

So either I'm making that up or 6 bolts exist.

I also have a nexus non disk dynamo hub .

6 bolt Shimano hubs exist.

i take it back you are right .

Mines was sold as XT/Ultegra equivalent (ie the hardened cones and bearing races) but as you say heavier than current XT.

Shame cause centrelock is pish (have had several centrelocks over the years and have my reasons to hate)