front lights on Dublin City Bikes

HappyHouseWife

hi, not sure if anyone has the answer to this one, the front lights on the free bikes are extremely bright and visible ven during the day so I'd like to get my hands on some for my own bikes. Does anybody know where I could buy these lights or even if they're available. Also, does anybody know what voltage they are.
Thanks for any help

Al Wright

Those lights are driven by a built in hub dynamo. The dynamos are usually 6V, 3W, the front headlight 2.4W and rear lamp 0.5W
You could also use them with a 'bottle' or sidewall dynamo, a cheaper option. I haven't seen any for sale in Dublin this last few years, battery powered LED lights are more popular. (dynamos are usually available in countries where fitted lighting on bicycles is a legal requirement).
A good quality relatively efficient and economically priced sidewall dynamo is the AXA HR. AXA/Basta also do a range of LED lights, with and without standlights(keep illuminated for a while when stopped)
To go up the range, Busch & Mueller are regarded as the top but with quality and prices to match.
Typical prices; AXA dynamo ca. Euro 16, headlight with standlight ca Euro 22, rear light ca E 15.0. Add to that the cost of postage (from abroad) and fitting.

Battery powered, high intensity headlight with flash / steady options can cost from say euro 25.+

tomasrojo

HappyHouseWife wrote: »

the front lights on the free bikes are extremely bright and visible ven during the day

Yes, they really make those bikes stand out, even, as you say, during the day. Best conspicuity aid I've seen, I think.

jaqian

They're quite expensive...
http://www.bikeradar.com/gear/category/components/hubs/product/review-schmidt-hub-dynamo-system-28258/

carthoris

jaqian wrote: »

They're quite expensive...

They don't need to be expensive, a basic hub is available for 26 Euro:
http://www.roseversand.com/article/shimano-hub-dynamo-dh-3n30/

In a pre-built wheel they can be had for 125 Euro:
http://www.roseversand.com/article/shimano-alfine-atb-front-wheel-with-hub-dynamo-28700-c-wh-501-v-3d/

The light itself can had for 33 euro or so (again for a basic version):
http://www.roseversand.com/products/bike-parts/lighting/dynamo-lamps/