Difference between Dynamo Hubs

[energyman]

Other than the colour (color - Dan) can any one enlighten me as to the difference between the Shimano DH-3N80 and the Shimano Deore XT DH-T780 ?
To my, non technical, mind there appears to be no difference technically.

[Danneaux]

Hi e-Man!

This may prove helpful (please excuse the long URL, I translated it to English. Shorter version here: http://tinyurl.com/oppavhm ):
https://translate.google.com/translate?sl=de&tl=en&js=y&prev=_t&hl=en&ie=UTF-8&u=https%3A%2F%2Fwww.google.com%2Furl%3Fsa%3Dt%26rct%3Dj%26q%3D%26esrc%3Ds%26source%3Dweb%26cd%3D2%26cad%3Drja%26uact%3D8%26ved%3D0CCkQFjAB%26url%3Dhttp%3A%2F%2Ffahrradbeleuchtung-info.de%2Fshimano-nabendynamos%26ei%3DLwQrVMyFF8PXygOvm4HADg%26usg%3DAFQjCNHkfn%3Fsl%3Dde%26tl%3Den%26u%3Dhttps%3A%2F%2Fwww.google.com%2Furl%3Fsa%3Dt%26rct%3Dj%26q%3D%26esrc%3Ds%26source%3Dweb%26cd%3D2%26cad%3Drja%26uact%3D8%26ved%3D0CCkQFjAB%26url%3Dhttp%253A%252F%252Ffahrradbeleuchtung-info.de%252Fshimano-nabendynamos%26ei%3DLwQrVMyFF8PXygOvm4HADg%26usg%3DAFQjCNHkfn&edit-text=&act=url

Digging carefully through multilingual specs and PDFs, it appears the XT T780 model has single-contact seals that *may* be lacking in the Ultegra-level 3N80. Both are fairly recently introduced and have aluminum axles, unlike the lower models in the lineup, which sport steel.

The T780 is available in silver or black colours ( ), depending on the market. It also has confirmed overvoltage protection, and is available in variants that can mount a disc brake.

Hope this helps.

Best,

Dan.

[Audax hopeful]

What great research Dan, and so fast too! This forum would be so much the poorer without your input!!

I can't add to that info, but I can say that I'm really pleased my DH-3N71 Shimano dynamo. It's been used in all weathers over a fair few miles and performed well. I've recently had it rebuilt into a 700c wheel for my Thorn Audax (it was used in a 26'' wheel commuter bike previously) is still A ok!!

Nich

[energyman]

Thanks for the speedy response Dan.  Good website that !

[jags]

Dan where they the links i sent you earlier.


anto.

[il padrone]

I've been using the 3N72 on my commuter. Main differences - it doesn't have the left-flange cut-outs (very minor weight penalty) and it has a steel axle rather than alu (a plus to my way of thinking; I would not trust aluminium axles).

Otherwise it is the same hub design.

[martinf]

I mainly have SON hubs, but recently fitted a DH-3N80 to my wifes's bike. Doesn't seem any different from a SON when riding, though on paper the Shimano hubs are supposed to be less efficient.

I have ridden some of the cheaper range Shimano hubs (DH-3N20, etc.) on borrowed or hire bikes, these hubs do feel relatively inefficient.

I don't worry about the DH-3N80's aluminium axle on my wife's bike - it will get gentle use and be lightly loaded.

But, like Il Padrone, I prefer steel axles for bikes that will be used hard (or abused) so have just bought a pair of DH-3N72 hubs for the visitor bikes I keep. I expect the DH-3N72s will be nearly as good as the DH-3N80, just slightly heavier.

For the same reason, I specified the Klassik version of the SON hub rather than one of the newer versions of SON when I bought my Raven Tour a couple of years ago.