How notchy is norma...
 

How notchy is normal ... Dynamo hub content

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Hi Folks,

A while back I picked up a new Shimano ur705 3d dynamo hub laced into a DT rim to try and make runs to the shops easier for the darker evenings ( just as it's getting lighter ... doh! )

Off of the bike the hub feels incredibly notchy - akin to bearings the shape of a 50p piece.

I appreciate that there will be some resistance but this is my first dynamo hub and I have no baseline for notchiness.

All help and feedback much appreciated 🙂 


 
Posted : 17/03/2026 4:13 pm
 Olly
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Very. i think that sounds normal.

My OH has one on her tourer, and it clicks around between the magnet steps. 

Put it in and give it a spin, should be fine. If you turn the light while you spin the wheel, you can see how the wheel slows down quicker.


 
Posted : 17/03/2026 4:16 pm
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I've ony got experience of a Son hub, but I have no noticeable drag when I spin the front wheel. There must be some, but not noticeable.


 
Posted : 17/03/2026 4:20 pm
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Sounds normal to me.  I had an Exposure Revo and it was like that.  Once your moving it's barely noticeable, but in hand - you really do feel it.  


 
Posted : 17/03/2026 5:09 pm
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It's normal, first time I took my son front wheel off I thought it was in dire need of a service but a quick spin and it felt absolutely fine and still is years later 


 
Posted : 17/03/2026 5:24 pm
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I have had 2 Shimano and 2SP hub dynamos they both feel notchy in your hand you don't notice when you are riding.


 
Posted : 17/03/2026 5:25 pm
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Absolutely normal.


 
Posted : 17/03/2026 5:32 pm
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Nothing to worry about! 


 
Posted : 17/03/2026 6:22 pm
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+1 for the above. My girlfriend's town/trekking bike had a very notchy wheel. I even checked with the bike shop about it to ask them to fix it and they said it was meant to be like that. The wheel got nicked, and so we got a replacement, which was also notchy. Both have worked fine and no obvious drag when you ride it. 


 
Posted : 17/03/2026 7:54 pm
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Thanks all, much appreciated 🙂 


 
Posted : 18/03/2026 4:15 pm
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I’ve got shimano and SP dynamo hubs, both are “notchy” it’s just the magnets moving past the coils inside, perfectly normal. 


 
Posted : 19/03/2026 11:08 pm
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It feel notchy but remember the hard bit to start it tunring is counteracted by the acceleration on the other side of the "notch".


 
Posted : 20/03/2026 11:48 am