The Malaysian Foldie issue 04 December 2013 | Page 32

Gajits & Geezmos

All the gear that matters

GREEN POWER

The award-winning Biologic Joule 3 dynamo hub is a worth while investment if you are in search of ways to save up on batteries to power-up your lights

Green energy

I received a package from Taiwan in July.

It contained a rim complete with spokes and a beta-version of the new Biologic Joule III dynamo hub.

A similar rig was sent to Chicago in the US for testing.

I've had some experience with the Joule II hub and we've cycled it through 3,000km with the Dahon Speed TR.

Testing

The first thing I did, was to retrofit my Dahon Speed P8 with the Joule III.

This looked nothing like its predecessor and is kinda similar looking if you compare it with Schmidt's SON (Schmidt Original Nabendynamo) dynamo.

From what I was told, the SON has a 50,000km lifespan without servicing. And this is a preferred tool for lighting (6V headlamps) and charging for small devices for long distance cyclists such as touring riders (reference made from Peter White Cycles).

The 20" rim which I received from Joshua Hon of Mobility Holdings (Biologic and Tern Bicycles) came in black and was a perfect match for my 2009 Speed P8.

It didn't require much knowledge for assembly, but the Joule III came without a dynamo kit and a light.

Josh had quickly followed-up by sending a dynamo LED headlamp and a Biologic dynamo kit.

When I fitted the Joule III, the wiring was split to power up the headlamp which worked very well and the dynamo kit (with power spike protection).

The only problem I had was attaching the coupler to the dynamo.

I found out that the screws on my fender were too long and was getting in the way.

This was solved by loosening the nut which allows the coupling to fit snugly on the dynamo's power connector.