Bicycle Powered USB Charger

Product Description

Don't let your long rides leave your device drained, power it up while you pedal! This BikeCharge Dynamo uses your own leg power to recharge its weatherproof internal battery, charging your smartphone, GPS, camera, or more while you ride. Its integrated front and rear lights offer added safety while you pedal, and its virtually drag-free styling means it won't slow you down.
SPECIFICATIONS:
- USB 2.0 Port, 1000 mAh Battery & F/R LEDs lights.
- Integrated 1w 80 LUX white LED light & 2 rear S/B Red LEDs with adjustable angles & modes.
- Reaches full charge in 2.5 hrs pedaling at just 12 mph.
- Quiet and virtually drag-free.
- Less than 500 grams installed.
- Easily disengaged when use is not desired.
- IPX4 Weatherproof

FAQs
Q: WILL IT FIT MY BIKE?
A: The Dynamo fits 95% bikes manufactured worldwide. It requires only an 8 mm clearance between the fork and the spoke, and hub shaft diameter of less than 10 mm, typical for most bikes. Feel free to contact us for installation help using the Amazon contact system.
Should it not fit, you're welcome to return in for 90 days from the date of purchase. Simply return with the original packaging and all components to receive a full refund.
Q: IS MY PHONE SUPPORTED?
A: The Dynamo is not device or operating system specific. The Dynamo is compatible with both iOS and Android smartphones, and charges GPS devices, cameras, tablets, batteries & more.
Q: CAN IT FIT MY FRONT WHEEL OR ONLY THE REAR WHEEL?
A: BikeCharge can be installed to both front and rear wheel.
Q: RECOMMENED TYPE OF BIKE?
A: Our customers use Dynamo with all kinds of bicycles, including foldable bikes. The style and wheel size is not critical.
Q: WILL HIGH SPEEDS HARM IT?
A: The Dynamo is voltage-protected to max. speed of 45 km/hr using a 26" wheel.

Features

• Bike-mountable generator uses rider’s pedal power to charge almost any device.
• Requires easy DIY installation, fits most standard wheel hubs.
• Includes integrated USB 2.0 port, 1000 mAh Battery, and F/R LED lights with 3 lighting modes.
• Quiet and virtually drag-free, compatible with any type of USB-chargeable device.
• Scroll down to Description to see fitting requirements and FAQs.

Top Reviews

Bad product
by Glen Brown (1 out of 5 stars)
August 25, 2015

Bike2 Power was an excellent seller to deal with trying to resolve problems with this product with the manufacture. This Product either did not work at all or cause so much noise at higher riding speeds that it's just not worth it. It was replaced multiple times. Get a Dyno Hub.
↭ 🍁 ↭
Three Stars
by Meshal Dashti (5 out of 5 stars)
May 21, 2016

Amazing
↭ 🍁 ↭
Works as advertised. A little loud between 13 and ...
by Jason Dirnbauer (3 out of 5 stars)
August 9, 2015

Works as advertised. A little loud between 13 and 17. The display on the handlebar mount could be btighter. Customer service didnt return my call.
↭ 🍁 ↭
Cannot recommend..
by Aleksi Hakala (2 out of 5 stars)
September 1, 2015

Makes loud ratlling noise when riding 16-22km/h..... no answer from customer service. Cannot recommend...
↭ 🍁 ↭
It was worth the effort
by Eli (5 out of 5 stars)
February 7, 2015

Received this unit as a holiday gift and finally found the time to install it and try it out. I tested its functions over a 4- and 7-hours rides. Here is my feedback.

The installation for this product is a little "tinkery", but it is definitely at DIY level. My challenge was that I could not locate some vital instructions in the user manual. Also, some directions were given in the way I could not fully understand. I would have figured it out eventually, but the good folks at Bike2Power, the seller, contacted the person who gave me this gift and provided the missing installation data. Apparently, it is the manufacturer's issue, and the manual will be updated shortly.

The installation itself was manageable, and took around 20 minutes. My greatest challenge was selecting the correct flange size. The "flange" is the part that goes over your hub and underneath your fork. One of the "flanges" comes pre-installed to the unit. The other 2 sizes are provided as a "flange kit". The difference between them is their depth. When I first installed the Dynamo, it seems too firmly pressed against the spokes, and when I began riding with it, the dynamo began rotating with the wheel instead of staying put. I took the dynamo off and replaced the flange with the deeper one. It solved the problem right away. As I mentioned, I tested riding with it for 4 hours and 7 hours so far, without any issues.

For the functionality, the Dynamo has several modes, that are again not very well explained in the manual. First, the lights. There are front and rear LEDs that I was able to set to flashing mode, and then to a steady mode. Apparently, there are lo-beam and hi-beam options for steady. Lo-beam was too low for my preference, so I set it to hi-beam. There are two ways to control the lights. One is by the button right on the Dynamo. The other, and my preferred method, is from the remote button set to your handlebar. It is tiny and takes very little space. The attachment is secure. The button also flashes in the dark. The lights are controlled by pushing the button in succession. There is absolutely no information in the manual that I could find what each color means for the button, but the folks at Bike2Power solved that mystery as well.

However, I was not going to use this unit for its lights functionality. I already have a pretty good lighting set up on my bike. The reason it caught my eye initially is the ability to charge my phone and GPS unit as I ride, plus recharge my camera and lights. It succeeds at both. First, it has an USB port which plugs into the unit, and can be used to charge any USB devices using the same charging cable that your device came with. It worked with my iPhone cable, and other USB cables as well. The instructions state that the built-in battery should be fully charged or lights turned off in order to charge other devices. I would highly recommend following these suggestions. Apparently, the product circuitry is designed as "intelligent" circuitry that will route all available power to the lights for safety. So if you turn the lights off, or ride for a couple hours to fully charge the internal battery storage, it will help you charge your devices in a more efficient way.

Once thing I noticed, and that's in no way unique to this Dynamo, is when your speed alternates, you make get "error" charging messages to your iPhone. I have learned that this is typical for the most dynamos because their power supply to your device fluctuates with your speed. iPhones and some other devices are more sensitive to this kind of uneven current, and will produce error message. They will keep charging though, and if your speed is more or less steady, you should not see any errors. Just know it's normal if you do, it will not harm your device. Also, when the Dynamo's internal battery is fully charged, I did not experience these messages.

Overall, the Dynamo was worth the effort. It is a rather unique device on the market. It provides a reliable power source on the road without having to retrofit your bike like I would have to do for a hub dynamo. It is relatively easily installed, and very easily removed. Also, the resistance is maybe 1 miles per hour, not much more than that, and the weight is not that bad, about 3/4 of a pound. It can be easily disengaged as well without you uninstalling the dynamo that removes the resistance. In weight and resistance, it is comparable to the hub dynamos. I also like that it can be attached to both the front and rear wheels. That was a major plus compare to other power options. Additionally, it will not damage your tire as many other more basic devices would.

Overall, I found it a well-engineered, solidly constructed, and functional device. I would definitely recommend it for extended rides, especially if you use power-hungry apps on your mobile phone. That's what I mainly use it for. Also, it's a great and very reliable source of power for bike lights, and for emergency recharging. As long as you ride you will have the charging power. I would also say that this is the most advanced device on the market which is reasonably priced, and which does not require such degree of commitment as the hub dynamo.
↭ 🍁 ↭
It Really Works
by DrGeorge10 (4 out of 5 stars)
July 25, 2015

First, full discloser, I was sent one of these units at no charge to use and review by the distributor. I have used it for several long distance rides including one across a state over multiple days. The charger does do what it is supposed to do, provide a backup charge for a portable technology device such as a cell phone. The unit does take about 1.5 hours of riding to get to a full charge, then it can be used while riding, an really does keep the phone charged to 100%. Assembly is easy and takes only a few minutes, though attaching the wiring can take a little more time, and requires additional zip ties to fix the wires since they cannot be otherwise shortened. But, that is done only one time. There are several light functions for the front and rear lights that have then flashing or steady. The unit did not have an impact on steering.

Here are the pros and cons:

Pros -

It does charge a phone and keeps it charged as advertised.

Cons -

It does put a drag on pedaling the bicycle. This probably does not matter for riders who are really in top shape, on level roads for the rest of us, or even short grades since it is only the effort of about 1-2 mph. But when on long climbs and on steep hills I really wished I did not have that extra drag, especially after three or four hours of pedaling. It would be a great modification if there was a way to turn the charging function off and on remotely instead of having to turn the engagement tab around with the wheel stopped.

There is a button to remotely turn the lights on and off, but the attachment system depends upon the use of o-rings that I have had to replace with each ride because the button assembly cuts through the neoprene. I finally resorted to fixing several small zip-ties to hold the button in place.

When riding on bumpy roads, the unit tended to slip down until the light is pointing toward the ground. Maybe if I was not concerned about over-tensioning and stretching the skewer. This may not happen if the wheels are held on by lug nuts on a traditional axle.

The first unit I was sent had a bad bearing that resulted in a terrible vibration at about 12-14 mph, the exact range for minimum charging to take place.

Overall, this is solid unit that works well. For someone who does daily commuting or goes on long distance rides, and does not mind the extra weight and drag, this something I would recommend.
↭ 🍁 ↭
Is this sleeping lamp? I already ride several hours ...
by Jinhyuk B. (1 out of 5 stars)
February 3, 2015

Is this sleeping lamp?

I already ride several hours at least 20km/h.

I can rarely find brightness on the road.

I mean that I can hardly know that light turn on.

I will not say about how bright it is, but I want to say that what is this? Is this sleeping lamp?

I reattatch another bike light.

I did not want very bright light, but this is too weak to say bike light.

Even candle is more bright than this.
↭ 🍁 ↭
Works well with disc brakes too
by Jerry Sweet (4 out of 5 stars)
August 19, 2015

Installation was too easy. I installed it on my front wheel which has disc brakes. I mounted it on the opposite side of the disc brakes. It took me about 15 minutes but should have taken me less. I was expecting it to be more complicated.

Seems to be well built. I am pretty much a road cyclist so I rarely do off road. I wouldn't use it off road.

It mounts and comes off quickly. I do a lot of travelling and rent bikes at my destination. I would comfortably take this with me on my next cycling tour.
↭ 🍁 ↭
The good news is that you don't need a bell or ...
by M. Freese (1 out of 5 stars)
August 26, 2015

The good news is that you don't need a bell or horn with this thing installed, as it intermittently produces such an incredible racket that folks will definitely hear you coming. The bad news is that it worked for a few weeks then abruptly stopped. The internal charge would quickly run down after the ride was over and the USB output stopped producing any charge whatsoever. Unfortunately, I did not discover this until my phone died in the middle of a ride. Maybe I just received a defective one but, of course, now the return window has expired. Total waste of money.
↭ 🍁 ↭
USB Charging Solution - For Your Bike
by Matt Morgan (5 out of 5 stars)
May 17, 2015

It's easy to find a USB charger for the car. There are literally dozens of them available and they vary in feature set and in price. What do you do when you go biking for a day or are taking a long-distance trip on a bicycle and you need to charge your phone or your battery-powered reflectors? Until I saw this nifty device I never even thought about that possibility as I couldn't imagine this kind of thing even existed. Sure enough it does, and it is an ingenious device that works rather well. It does take some work to get it installed, though, and it is a little on the pricey side, but it's worth the time and money if you spend a lot of time on your bicycle.

In the box is everything you need to get this thing installed and running, including the allen wrenches and zip ties required. I went through the packing list in the box and everything was accounted for and present. There was only one deviation from the packing slip and that was the presence of an extra cable clip which is certainly not unwelcome.

Be ready to work a bit when you decide to install this device. The instructions are nice and clear and they're super easy to follow. That said, there are a lot of steps and these steps are not simple "screw A into B" steps like when you assemble furniture. Decisions have to be made, even in the beginning, based on the size of the bike on which you are installing and if you want it mounted on the front wheel or the rear. I would recommend the front. Installation was not especially quick for me, taking over an hour, but others might be able to breeze through the installation much faster.

When completely assembled and installed, the dynamo charges as the wheel turns which turns the flange in relation to the gear box, generating electricity. This is similar in concept to braking in hybrid cars, where the energy produced as the wheels turn recharge the batteries. The documentation and packaging say there is almost zero resistance and that is true - "almost" being the important word there. There is a very slight resistance but unless you are really into performance tuning like racing cycles it is minimal and should not be a factor.

The unit has front and rear safety lights that can be used with the touch of the remote that is mounted on the handlebar (assuming you followed the directions). The forward light is white and it does illuminate the road to a point but I would not rely on this as a primary light source. Like many LED lights it diffuses quickly over distance so it is not going to be a great light source for seeing ahead of you. However, it is plenty bright enough to make you visible to others coming the other way and that is the intended purpose of this light. The rear-facing light is bright red and is perfect for making you visible to those approaching you from behind.

The USB charging port works as one would expect and you can charge your phone as you ride. I would recommend having your phone in a handlebar-mounted case/harness to hold the phone in place and to keep pulling on the cabling to a minimum. On a longer ride you can get a decent charge on the phone (or whatever other USB device you're charging), and if you are riding a long distance (for example, a friend of mine in high school rode from Seattle to Salt Lake City on his bike though this was years ago) you can keep your device well-charged for the journey.

The one catch - this is not an inexpensive device. That said, it is a solid device that delivers what it promises. For a quality charger that works as well as it does, the current price as I write this is not an unreasonable asking price.

If you are a bicycle enthusiast or use a bicycle for your main mode of transportation, or perhaps you just enjoy longer rides, this dynamo is a good device for keeping your USB-based electronic devices (and most specifically your mobile phone) charged up. It works well and it seems to be very well made.

Disclaimer: I was provided a sample of this product in exchange for a fair, honest and thorough review. Even though I received this product at no cost I have rated and reviewed this product without bias, based solely on my experience with it.

*If this is not the "Bicycle Powered USB Charger" product you were looking for, you can check the other results by clicking this link.  Details were last updated on May 5, 2024 21:43 +08.