Do dynamo lighting systems for bicycles cause significant wear to the tyre sidewall?

Question

As in, will they eventually wear right through the sidewall of the tyre? If so, how long will it take?

Answer 1

Yipes! I think I've been giving you bad answers on dynamos.

I consider dynamos the items built into hubs, and the things that rub against the wheel as generators. Although they both produce current the dynamo is much more efficient.

Anyway, no, the sidewall will be fine if you use blackwall, gunwall, or whitewall tires. The problem comes up if you use skinwall.

Answer 2

I think they are illegal to use now,but no they wont

Answer 3

Not at all!  You will the tyre tread out long before you damage the sidewall!  I have used them for years.  "Good old

lucas bottle dynamo's"

Answer 4

They will eventually wear through the sidewall, but as Buck Hill says, not before you wear out the tread of the tyre.  

They're not illegal if they come fitted with a "stand light" - i.e. when you stop, the lights stay on, powered by a small battery inside the unit.  This means that you don't suddenly become invisible when you stop (which *would* be illegal).

A word of warning though - don't travel massively fast (i.e. downhill at 25+ mph) with a dynamo attached, as you can overcharge it and damage it.  Not that you can really go all that fast with the dyanamo attached...

Answer 5

I always thought they attached to the wheel spokes =S

Answer 6

As long as it is properly mounted and with out excessive pressure on the tire, no.

EDIT: Dynamo is an old generic term for either a generator or alternator. It is a generator or alternator depending on the units design. Common dynamo's can be one of three designs, hub type, tire side wall or bottom bracket type.

Answer 7

I agree with Buck Hill