Comments for A Big Dummy Longtail

Comment on Fork, Tires, Handling, Disk Brake, Suspension by Tom

Tom — Wed, 19 May 2010 16:06:04 +0000

I use a Rockshox Tora 318 coil U-turn fork with my xtracycle set up with good results. Because of the greater wheelbase and bike weight I’ve got a stronger spring than I’d normally need. The fork is 80-130mm adjustable travel – I keep it at minumum most of the time, but have ridden off road on quite technical stuff with it fully extended and enjoyed it muchly.

I’ll be using this set up when I start a long off-road tour later this year – but with a big dummy frame to increase torsional strength.

Comment on USB Charger for Dynamo Hub by Unum sed Leonem

Unum sed Leonem — Thu, 01 Apr 2010 18:51:35 +0000

I meant “…the B&M E-Werk might work better with your Medion GPS system than the JaWeTec”.

Comment on USB Charger for Dynamo Hub by Unum sed Leonem

Unum sed Leonem — Thu, 01 Apr 2010 18:49:39 +0000

Thank you, Philipp.

The saddle certainly does look interesting. And it must be a great rarity, as I could never find (except for the link you provided and a passing reference in a German-language blog) a mention of the thing.

My understanding is that the E-Werk, provided its versatility (e.g., the adjustable wattage/amperage – that sort of thing. I’m sure you know much better than myself), might work better than the JaWeTec.

A few days ago I called SON; the very personable man I spoke to (Mr. Schmidt, I believe?) told that he was in the midst of writing an in-depth article on dynamos & chargers, and that the E-Werk was among those he’d been reviewing. The ReeCharge is, obviously, not yet available (although it had been announced to be by now), and Mr. Schmidt couldn’t discuss it.

I’d be interested to read the review (thank you, Google Translate ). For you, however, it mustn’t be a problem. You can expect it soon, I believe (although I don’t know where the article is slated for publication).

Thanks once again, Philipp.

cordially,

USL

Comment on USB Charger for Dynamo Hub by flatboarder

flatboarder — Thu, 01 Apr 2010 07:00:15 +0000

The saddle is a Sportsalute Competitione which I kind of like. As I just realized, one more company no longer existing. Their former web page appears closed. Here is a detail image: http://blubb.at/flatboarder/mtb/salute.jpg

The Zzing, E-Werk and Pedalpower items were hyperlinked in the right handed navigation bar of this blog, but there are even some more available or announced.

I can not provide any charging statistics for your mentioned devices. I can only tell: with the SON 20R at 26″ wheel, the swissbatteries powertank and a Garmin Oregon 400 I kept up continuous external power supply for a week, including several uphills.

I have not been charging mobile phones or whatever up to now apart from my big old Medion PNA, which had to be switched off every now and then to avoid emptying its internal battery. So I guess it consumed more than the bikecharger could supply, even with SON 28 at that time.

Comment on USB Charger for Dynamo Hub by Unum sed Leonem

Unum sed Leonem — Wed, 31 Mar 2010 21:52:28 +0000

Philipp, you’ve a good blog, compliments!

You probably know by now, there are, since short, a few interesting alternatives, such as the Busch&Müller E-Werk, Dahon ReeCharge (also referred to as “FreeCharger”) & the PedalPower+(a number of versions).

By the way, I would like to enquire on your Big Dummy saddle. Looks very interesting, a design symbiosis of Fi’zi:k Arione & ISM Adamo (but much more appealing than the latter).

Also, how do you like the SON 20R in a 26″ (28″) wheel? How well does the charger work in this combination? Say, to charge an iPhone 3G or a Palm Pre, how long does it generally take at, say, 20 km/h average?

Thanks in advance, Philipp.

Comment on Climbing the Hirschbichl by Alistair Gunn

Alistair Gunn — Sat, 02 Jan 2010 16:08:42 +0000

Well done getting up there on a BD! Though I’m speaking as someone who’s not yet cycled down to Weißbach from St Martin and had a go at that road!

Comment on About this blog by Fin Gypsy

Fin Gypsy — Sat, 28 Nov 2009 18:54:54 +0000

Hi! Nice to see another Big Dummy in Europe. Cool site with some interesting info. If you want to check out a Big Dummy and a dog on a 17,000km tour of Europe visit http://cyclinggypsies.wordpress.com
Any more trips planned soon? We are in Berlin at the moment.

Comment on Testing the Mobile Power Plant by Ray

Ray — Sun, 30 Aug 2009 11:55:34 +0000

There is a company in Australia called Pedal Power Plus that makes a cable similar to JaWeTec to convert the dynamo hub’s AC to DC to charge any portable USB device. There is also a battery pack similar to the PowerTank M that can store the dynamo hubs energy so it can be used to re-charge a portable device at a later time. Did you consider this option?

http://www.pedalpower.com.au/index_files/Page780.htm

Comment on Bikecharger, Powertank M, Oregon by flatboarder

flatboarder — Tue, 04 Aug 2009 12:18:13 +0000

I guess you need to stick to the DC input methods specified by the Powertank, e.g. USB in, 12V vehicle power supply or generic 110V/240V power supply with included transformation adapter. USB-in seems to be perfectly appropriate with dynohub (by use of bikecharger, Stollberg charger or Zzing charger or whatever). 12V may be appropriate with some solar systems and for cars. I do not believe the Powertank would take any sort of AC supply as like direct connection to dynohub.
Good luck!

Comment on Bikecharger, Powertank M, Oregon by Peter

Peter — Mon, 03 Aug 2009 08:28:49 +0000

You were right to be sceptical – I tried it as they suggested and managed to damage the PowerTank. It was promptly replaced by SwissBatteries, but I’m still trying to find out how I can connect it and make it work. I hope to sort this out in the next couple of weeks