SON 28 | DT Swiss R460 - Front Wheel - Hub Dynamo - 28" | Clincher - QR

Hub dynamos have become so widespread that their advantages over other types of power generation on bikes no longer need to be explained. Even road bike and mountain bike riders are increasingly opting for these lighting systems—which are becoming lighter and brighter—and setting aside battery-powered lights, which require a lot of maintenance and are environmentally unfriendly. But a low-quality hub dynamo serves no purpose: it adds extra weight and draws power even when the bike is at a standstill. And if it breaks, repairs can be costly. That’s why the higher the demands placed on the material due to wear and tear, the higher the quality must be!

The Hub Dynamo: SON 28

The SON 28 is a hub dynamo universally approved for all wheel sizes from 16" to 29". It reaches its rated output on a 28" wheel at approximately 16 km/h. This makes it ideal when extra light is needed during slow rides or when other devices need to be powered or their rechargeable batteries charged. The new SON 28 features optimized flange and bearing clearances in the standard version (non-disc). Disc versions are available with 6-bolt and Centerlock brake rotor mounts. Compared to the SON 28 Classic (model years 2000 to 2011), idle losses have been reduced by approximately 15% and the weight has been lowered to 440 g.

The Rim: DT Swiss R460

The all-rounder among road bike rims: lightweight, wide, and offering excellent value for the price. The R 460 works perfectly with wide tires, and its reliability ensures many unforgettable road biking experiences. Furthermore, the R 460 is tubeless ready.

Sleeved

In this process, a molded part (sleeve) is pressed evenly into both ends of the rim profile. The sleeve joint is the best alternative to SBWT®-welded rims.

DT Swiss Wear Control

Markings indicate the rim’s wear level and are EN-compliant.

Tubeless-compatible

Rims can be converted for tubeless use with a tubeless kit. Maximum recommended system weight: 110 kg. Weight: 450 g

Spoke nipples: Sapim Race / Polyax

The Sapim Race is a lightweight and sturdy butted spoke designed for a wide range of applications. Butted spokes from Sapim offer two key advantages: they are lighter yet more durable. A special cold-forging process preserves the material’s linear molecular structure and increases the strength of the thinner middle section by at least 48%. The Sapim Race has a diameter of 2 mm at each end and 1.8 mm in the middle section. Brass nipples are very robust and offer high stability. Standard brass nipples are universally compatible. Spoke thread Ø 2.0 mm. Nickel-plated, square type, suitable for both machine-based and manual wheel building. Weight per 12 mm nipple: 0.97 g.

Wheels with SON hub dynamos

All front wheels are laced by hand and carefully tensioned and trued. This, combined with high spoke tension, guarantees the wheel’s high stability and durability. For 26- and 28-inch wheels, SON always uses Sapim Race stainless steel spokes with brass nipples. The spokes, which are thinner in the middle, are more elastic, so the load is distributed across more adjacent spokes than with spokes that are smooth throughout. The spokes are triple-crossed, and the wheels are pressed down several times during tensioning.

The hub flange is shaped so that the spoke bend fits perfectly against it, thereby avoiding unnecessary additional stress. This eliminates the need to tap the spoke heads into place or to insert brass washers. As a general rule, the heavier the rim, the more resilient the wheel. A sturdy rim, high-quality spokes tensioned evenly and firmly, and an experienced hand during assembly are what determine a wheel’s high load-bearing capacity—not necessarily a high number of spokes.