When it comes to night riding, a good dynamo wheel can mean freedom from constantly replacing or recharging your batteries. Older dynamo hubs typically had a lot of drag and weighed slightly less than a solid block of metal. Thanks to newer technology from companies like Biologic dynamo hubs are much lighter, and don’t act like a resistance trainer while pedaling. Slower to catch on in the US, companies like Cantitoe road are now offering high end dynamo wheels for tourers, randonneurs, commuters, or anyone else who wants light up the way with a simple, reliable power source.
Check out Cantitoe’s hand built Joule 3 dynamo wheels, next.
At the heart of the wheel is the Joule 3 dynamo hub – a lightweight generator hub from Biologic. Designed to be one of the most efficient dynamo hubs and have the least possible drag, the 416 gram hub is also claimed to be one of the lightest dynamo hubs on the market. Cantitoe uses a DT Swiss TK540 rim and DT Swiss 2.0 stainless spokes to create a hand built wheel that weighs 1200g for a 700c/29″ size.
The wheels are available in silver or black, and in 32 hole disc brake or rim brake trims. Pricing starts at $400 for a silver 700c dynamo wheel and varies according to options. Cantitoe also offers the hubs for sale if you want to build up your own wheel. Never tried before? Check out Cantitoe’s how-to video below to see how it’s done.