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NAHBS 2014: Harvey Cycle Works’ Awesome Connector-Less Gravel Grinder Dyanamo Light Rig

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Harvey Cycle works connector less dynamo gravel lights bike (7)

In addition to the beautiful gravel bike the lights were hung from, Harvey Cycle Works also makes some trick components like this impressive dynamo set up. While a dynamo set up might not sound like the most exciting thing at first, once you see the genius at work behind the connector-less design, it’s hard not to appreciate.

The beauty of a dynamo hub and light is that there is always power – power that you create. However, dynamos mean somehow transmitting that power from the generator hub to the light itself. This usually means wires, and at least one connector. Kevin Harvey not only figured out how to hide the wires, but also how to allow for installation and removal of the lights, completely trouble free.

Plug in after the break.

Harvey Cycle works connector less dynamo gravel lights bike (5) Harvey Cycle works connector less dynamo gravel lights bike (8)

Kevin’s connector-less system starts off with dropouts for the Schmidt dynamo hub that he makes himself. The dropouts have a contact plate for the hub and an isolator that sits between the contact and the fork dropout. This allows for removal and installation of the wheel without having to plug in the hub. This combination of contacts and isolators repeats through the fork and is what results in a connector-less system.

Harvey Cycle works connector less dynamo gravel lights bike (4)

Harvey Cycle works connector less dynamo gravel lights bike (3)

After the wire that attaches to the dropout tucks into the fork blade, it works its way up to the fork crown where it meets the mounting holes for the light bracket. Using a series of contact washers and isolator rings, Kevin has created a mounting system that transfers power from the mounting hole to the light bracket without making its way into the fork. That means all you have to do to install the lights is bolt them to the fork crown, once they are installed the contact plates touch, providing power. Removal is just as easy, simply unscrew the lights and you’re left with a clean fork without exposed wires which should mean a more durable system as well.

Harvey Cycle works connector less dynamo gravel lights bike (6)

The Schmidt EDelux lights have their own custom mounts that allow for precise positioning. Kevin said he likes to position one so it lights just in front of the tire, with the other focused down the road. Kevin also gave them a special gravel grinder touch with functional wire mesh grilles. With the lights fairly low on the fork, it is possible for gravel to be kicked up from the tires of the bikes ahead which could damage your lights. We’re not sure what the likelihood of this actually happening is, but they look pretty trick. The grilles are stamped from a sheet of mesh and then attached to a collar that locks onto the light’s bezel.

Harvey Cycle works connector less dynamo gravel lights bike (2)

Harvey Cycle works connector less dynamo gravel lights bike (11) Harvey Cycle works connector less dynamo gravel lights bike (10)

Harvey Cycle works connector less dynamo gravel lights bike (9)

The bike itself was a beautiful 650b steel gravel blaster with an integrated seat mast and tire clearance for meaty tires. We dig the bar ends.

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oldmanridley
oldmanridley
10 years ago

Pop the cork on the drops for that extra kick at the sprint finish!

Mike
Mike
10 years ago

The bar ends dig you, well, into your hands anyway. The bike is perfect except for those.

An integrated seat mast on a steel frame? This guy had a BTI catalog and a mission. I love it.

pmurf
pmurf
10 years ago

@ridley haha! Harvey should do a polished SS version with Dom Perignon caps. Drinks aside, awesome lighting setup. There’s no limit to what custom builders come up with.

Chader
Chader
10 years ago

“We dig the bar ends.”

Correction… the bar ends (wires) dig into you.

Cut concept, but seems like a bad idea for something you would actually ride.

Derek
Derek
10 years ago

I doubt anyone is sprinting all out for the finish line on this bike anyway. It doesn’t look like the “bar ends” go forward enough to be a bother.

uglyyeti
uglyyeti
10 years ago

There’s a story behind those Duvel bar-ends. I chatted with Kevin at length at the show – great guy and the lighting system was really well thought out – true brilliance at work. Just wish we had some gravel to grind around Charlotte.

Chase
Chase
10 years ago

That dynamo light setup is amazing! I love the creativity.

King County
King County
10 years ago

Clever dynamo set-up, and sharp looking! This is one of the more interesting posts from NAHBS. The rest of the bike looks sharp, too.

Chris
Chris
10 years ago

The connector less system is something Schmidt has offered for a while. Any custom builder can order the drop outs. The light mount on the other hand is pretty fantastic.

Jon
Jon
10 years ago

He made his own drop outs.

Demetri
10 years ago

So how much light (Lux or Lumens) do they produce?

FastWayne
FastWayne
9 years ago

What a beauty, very creative touches. I would love to have those bar ends, I probably would be very careful on riding with those; )

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