Review; Shimano DH-3N80 & Schmidt Edelux

This is a short review of the front hub and light system on my commuter/tourer, a Shimano DH-3N80 dynamo hub and Schmidt Edelux light.

I got the hub around a year ago as i was sick of my battery lights dying on me mid commute in the winter. I had it built onto a Mavic touring rim with 36 DB spokes, its a pretty solid set-up and not exactly light weight.

So far ive done about 1500miles on it and im happy to report there have been no problems. Connected to the hub i have a Schmidt Edelux light which i mount on my fork crown. This combo provides a nice bright patch on the road without ever having to worry about batteries, fantastic!

The light connects to the hub by running the cable down the fork leg and terminating it with a special Shimano connector/clip, this clip is then just a push fit onto the hub to complete the setup. This clip is a really simple system which means it is very easy to remove the front wheel should you need to. The only issue i had was the Coaxial cable that is fitted to the Edelux is a bit fiddly to strip and attach to the Shimano connector, but i got it done.

Out of the box the hub feels quite rough but this is just the magnets not the bearings. When fitted to the bike the wheel spins smoothly but not quite as freely as a standard hub, with the light turned on the wheel dosnt seem to spin much at all when in the stand but you cant feel this drag at all on the road (honest!).  I should point out the hub finish is very nice and it still looks like new even after a hard winter.

In use the Edelux has an automatic setting on the switch to turn the light on when it gets dark, this is quite sensative so you find the light on a little earlier than most cars. I tend to leave the light switched on all the time anyway as it helps with being seen and if your in/out of shade and sun it helps keep you visible. I have also added a rear light to my set-up, a busch and muller 4d-lite plus, which pulls power via the Edelux headlight. Again this is a non-thought requiring item as it is switched by the Edelux, so you always know the back light is on if the front is.

In summary, a great commuting setup, cost a bit to install but worth it for the worry free use. To make it a bit cheaper you could try the model down for the hub, not sure of the name but its similar internals just a little heavier.  An alternative light would by the Cyo or Cyo R, exactly the same internals just not as fancy a case.

More pics HERE