Last Updated on 20 September 2023 by Cycloscope
A thorough comparison of the best dynamo hubs for bikepacking. Schmidt SON, Shimano, and more
Front-wheel dynamo hubs for touring and mountain bikes, disk and rim brakes
In the world of bikepacking, having a reliable dynamo hub can make a hell of a difference in your travel experience. These ingenious devices are designed to convert your pedal power into electricity, powering your lights, devices, and more.
Dynamo hubs were invented in the 30s and I had the pleasure to use one of the very first models during my 2 years bicycle tour through Asia, since then, I’ve always been a great fan of dynamo hubs for bikepacking and cycle touring, I also have one on my city commuter (I love not having to always remember to charge my lights).
Dynamo hubs are definitely one of the best ways to keep your stuff charged while cycling, and in this comprehensive guide, we’ll dive deep into the world of bicycle dynamo hubs, comparing the best options available, including the renowned Schmidt dynamo hub, SON, and the Shimano dynamo hubs.
Whether embarking on a bike touring adventure or tackling rugged mountain bike trails in the quiet of the evening, a front-wheel dynamo hub can provide a consistent power source, eliminating the need for batteries, power banks, and external chargers.
Bicycle dynamo hubs are a cyclist’s dream come true, especially when it comes to bikepacking and long-distance touring. They ensure that your lights remain on during those dark, remote trails and that your GPS navigator and other cycling gadgets stay charged. No more worrying about running out of battery power in the middle of nowhere!
Our guide will showcase the best dynamo hubs available on the market, considering factors such as efficiency, durability, reduced drag, and ease of installation. Discover which dynamo hub is best for your daily commutes, bikepacking adventures, night rides, and touring endeavors.
By the end of this article, you’ll have all the information you need to make an informed decision about the best dynamo hub for your bikepacking escapades.
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How we compile our gear guides: during the almost 10 years of cycloscope.net our team personally tested dozens of similar pieces of gear. For what we can't test personally, we involve other people in the cycling community to give their feedback and opinion about gear they have used. Our decade-long experience in bicycle touring enables us to find the key cons and pros of every product we mention.
Top 6 Dynamo Hubs for Cycling in a Nutshell
- Shimano UR700 – Most Powerful Dynamo Hub
- Schmidt SON28 – Most Reliable Dynamo Hub for Bikepacking
- Shutter Precision PL-8X – Best Dynamo Hub for Ultralight Bikepacking
- Kasai Dynacoil 6-bolt Disc – Best Low-cost Dynamo Hub
- Sturmey-Archer Dynamo 3.0 – Best Value for Money Dynamo Hub
- KT Dynamo Hub – Best Dynamo Hub for Multiple Bikes
6 Best Dynamo Hubs for Cycling
1. Shimano Metrea/Nexus UR700 Dynamo Hub (3W)
Shimano makes some of the most popular and widely available dynamo hubs on the market, offering exceptional quality and reliability backed by a well-known brand. For the price, the UR700 is one of the most cost-effective options available, with certain variations weighing as little as 477g.
Independent tests have found the UR700 to be one of the most powerful dynamo hubs available, providing approximately 5.5 watts of peak output to a USB charger when cycling at only 25 kph. This makes it an excellent choice for cycle tourists, who typically travel between 15-25kph. It’s available in several different versions to fit various Shimano disc brake setups, including Alfine, Deore-XT, Nexus and Metrea.
Other Shimano Dynamo Hubs:
Quick Release
- Deore LX T670 non-disc – 32, 36h
- Deore LX T675 disc – 32, 36h
- Deore LX 3N72 non-disc – 32, 36h
- Deore LX 3D72 disc – 32, 36h
- Deore XT T8000 disc – 32, 36h
- UR700 disc – 32, 36h
Thru Axle – Disc
2. Schmidt SON28 Disc Hub Dynamo 28H/32H (3W)
German manufacturer Schmidt’s SON28 range is generally considered the industry standard for high-quality, efficient dynamo hubs. With a 5-year guarantee on its SKF-sealed bearings and claims of up to 50,000 kilometers between services, the SON28 is the obvious choice for serious, long-distance bikepackers and cycle tourists.
Independent testing has also found Schmidt SON hubs to have the lowest resistance when disconnected and the lowest overall drag with a device connected. However, on average, Schmidt SON products cost more than similar Shimano or Shutter Precision dynamo hubs.
Other Schmidt SON28 Hubs:
Quick Release
- SON28 non-disc – 32, 36h
- SON28 disc – 28, 32, 36h
- SON28 Tandem – 40, 48h
- SON28 disc 135 – 32h
- SON28 disc 135 VR – 32h
Thru Axle – Disc
- SON28 12mm – 28, 32, 36h
- SON28 15mm – 28, 32, 36h
- SON28 15mm Boost 110 – 32, 36h
- SON28 15mm 150 – 32h
3. Shutter Precision PL-8X (3W)
Shutter Precision has some of the lightest dynamo hubs available at prices that are relatively cheap compared to Schmidt SON. The PL-8X is one of their best dynamo hubs, weighing an ultralight 410 grams and with claims of up to 78% efficiency at 9.3mph. It comes in a 32H version that is Centerlock Disc Brake compatible.
However, independent testing has found the efficiency and power output of Shutter Precision dynamo hubs tend to be lower on average than both Schmidt SON and Shimano. One notable advantage of Shutter Precision is that it offers a wide range of variations with unique specs often not found on other brands, i.e. lower spoke count variations for road cyclists.
Other Shutter Precision Hubs:
Quick Release
- PV-8 non-disc – 20, 24, 28, 32, 36h
- PD-8 disc – 20, 24, 28, 32, 36h:
Thru Axle – Disc
4. Kasai Dynacoil 6-bolt Disc Brake Hub (3W)
One notable benefit of the Kasai Dynacoil is that, unlike most other dynamo hubs, it’s field serviceable. This is a significant advantage for international cycle tourists who may not be able to see a mechanic for days or weeks at a time, definitely one of the candidates for the best dynamo hub for bikepacking award.
The Dynacoil 6-bolt disc brake hub claims to achieve 72% efficiency at only 10mph – another key point for cycle tourists who travel at lower speeds than average. Dynacoil comes in several variations, able to fit 32h and 36h wheels with disc brakes, non-disc and thru-axle options available.
Other Kasai Hub Variations:
Quick Release
- Dynacoil FS non-disc – 32h, 36h
- Dynacoil FS disc – 32h, 36h
Thru Axle – Disc
- Dynacoil FS 15mm Center Lock – 32h, 36h
- Dynacoil FS 15mm 6-Bolt – 32h, 36h
5. Sturmey-Archer Dynamo 3.0 Drum Front Hub (3W)
Sturmey-Archer is an established and long-running bicycle brand that makes an affordable 36h dynamo hub that is strong and reliable. The classic design uses an A356 aluminum hub shell with a 9mm solid nutted axle and comes in two versions for a 70mm or 90mm drum brake.
It’s a little heavier than more modern hubs but has consistently garnered good reviews over the past few decades for its sturdy design and adequate power output. If you don’t need a lot of power and just want a simple, durable dynamo at an unbeatably low price, this is the one for you.
6. KT Dynamo Hubs (3W)
KT brings a unique offering to the world of dynamo hubs with their interchangeable end caps for QR, 12mm, or 15mm axles. While this likely wouldn’t be of much use to bikepackers or tourers, it makes it easier to use the same dynamo on multiple bikes if desired.
KT hubs come in at a very competitive price point compared to their more expensive counterparts but don’t quite match the high efficiency and power output of Schmidt and Shimano. However, if you just need a reliable hub that runs your lights and provides some charge to your phone, KT hubs are a great choice.
Other KT Dynamo Hubs:
Quick Release
- PV-8 non-disc – 20, 24, 28, 32, 36h
- PD-8 disc – 20, 24, 28, 32, 36h
Thru Axle – Disc
- PD-8X-M 12mm – 32, 36h
- PD-8X 15mm – 32, 36h
- PD-8X-110 15mm – 32, 36h
- PD-8X-150 15mm – 32, 36h
What to look for in a dynamo hub
Power Specification
There’s no point buying a dynamo hub that isn’t powerful enough to support your devices. Nowadays, almost all dynamo hubs come in the most powerful 3W version but there are also 1.5-watts and 2.4-watts variations available.
Spoke Count
When adding a hub to your bike, you’ll need to re-weave your wheel spokes, so make sure it comes with the correct spoke count. The majority of hubs support 32 or 36 spokes (32h or 36h) but variations are available for lightweight 24h or 28h road bike wheels.
Connectors
The connector is where you’ll attach your charging cable to the dynamo. Typically it involves two metal connectors, live and neutral, similar to a normal wall socket. The two most common types of connectors are Shimano and Schmidt SON, both of which are compatible with the vast majority of devices.
However, it’s always best to check that your devices are compatible with your chosen hub connector.
Axle Sizes
When buying a dynamo hub, make sure it fits your axle size. The common 9mm quick-release (QR) remains the most common type of hub axle size but more and more variations are coming out to meet the demand for fat bikes and thru-axle MTBs.
Other common axle variants include:
- Quick Release 9mm – 100mm
- Thru Axle Road 12mm – 100mm
- Thru Axle MTB 15mm – 100mm
- Thru Axle MTB Boost 15mm – 110mm
- Fat Bike Quick Release – 135mm
- Fat Bike Thru-Axle 15mm – 150mm
