Valoria II: Lighting and power
Me:
I’ll need a new generator hub. Is that something that Bacchetta can supply?
Zach:
Bacchetta doesn’t offer a factory generator lighting system option. But, you could get a generator hub separately and have a local wheelbuilder lace it up to the rim that comes with the bike or to a new rim.
Me:
Okay. I reckon the smart thing would be to order a SONdelux disc-style hub, and have the shop on Piedmont avenue lace it in. Can I order the hub through you, and just add it to the bill?
Zach:
Yes, the SONdelux Disc hub alone is $298 in silver or black or $312 in red. It is only available in 32-hole, which is the same drilling used on the Alex DA-16 rims that come on Bacchetta and HP Velotechnik bikes. But, as the SONdelux has a Shimano Center-Lock spline fitting rather than 6-bolt International Standard like the Tektro brake rotors that come with the Giro A20, you will either need a splined rotor, or do what HP Velotechnik does with this hub and use a splined to 6-bolt adaptor which is about $25.
Me:
Alright. I’ll take a SONdelux in silver with the splined to 6-bolt adaptor. Now, let’s talk headlights. What’s the state-of-the-art?
Zach:
The current state of the art headlight in terms of having the best beam pattern and also being the brightest is the Busch & Müller IQ-X available in silver or black for $146. At 100 lux, it is the brightest street legal in Germany headlight, close to double the brightness of the first generation Inoled you have. Also the beam pattern is better as it is wider and more even.
Me:
Looking over their catalog, I also see the Luxos U with a handlebar-mounted switch that can charge USB devices. That sounds like my kind of thing! Do you have any opinions on it?
Zach:
I’ve never used a Luxos U but have sold a couple. They have been out for several years so don’t have the latest generation beam pattern of the IQ-X but still have a nice beam pattern and are brighter than what you are using now.
Me:
I’ll take it. I’m a gadget freak.
Zach:
Alright. Note that unless you are going to remove the headlight mounting bracket from your old Giro, you will need a way of mounting the headlight to the front derailer post. The most elegant way would be this TerraCycle Multi-Purpose Accessory mount for $38, with this tab mount for European headlights for $9 mounted to it.
Me:
Speaking of rear lights, the B&M documentation says the “TopLight Line Plus” (323ALT) rear light works with the Luxos U. Looks like I can mount it to a rear rack using the Busch & Müller Single Hole Bracket. How about we go with that?
Zach:
Good choice. I use the version of the Toplight Line Plus with brake light on all of my SON hub equipped HP Velotechnik bikes and trikes.