Road bike lights: 2 high-end and 4 budget lights put to the test

We tested the following products:

Affordable cordless spotlights:

• Cateye GVolt 100
• Lezyne Super StVZO 600+
• Sigma Aura 100
• Trelock LS 760 IGo Vision

High-end spotlights:

• Lupine SL Mini Max AF
• Supernova Lights M99 DY Pro

Test overview of the lights

The script for the showdown between the two new top-of-the-range headlights from Lupine and Supernova promises plenty of excitement. The two German manufacturers, based in Gundelfingen near Freiburg and Neumarkt in the Upper Palatinate respectively, have each invested a good two years in development – from the initial sketch to the finished production headlamp – and both contenders boast impressive performance: The headlamp from the Upper Palatinate aims to be the most compact rechargeable headlamp on the market in terms of light output. The Gundelfingen-based firm counters this by presenting the first dynamo-powered headlamp with a high beam. Both headlamps feature state-of-the-art LED technology; the main difference lies in their power supply.

Stored or freshly produced?

Which is better? The flexible but finite power of a battery, or the ‘bio-power source’ of the dynamo, whose light flows as long as your legs keep turning? Generations of cyclists have been asking themselves this question, and the answer is no easier today than it was years ago, because both power sources have their pros and cons. The battery is compact and can be used flexibly across several bikes in your own fleet. Its disadvantage: no power source lasts forever, and the more intense its output – that is, the more power the headlamp demands of it – the sooner it runs out and leaves you in the dark.

The battery’s weakness is the dynamo’s strength. It delivers a constant supply of electricity as long as the front wheel is turning, and it operates reliably thanks to its sealed design. Is it a disadvantage that a dynamo wheel weighs more and requires more effort to fit? Ready-made wheels with tried-and-tested dynamos, such as those from Shimano, cost from 150 euros in specialist online shops – just a few euros more than a battery upgrade from Lupine.

The argument that the brightest headlights can only be powered by high-capacity batteries, because dynamos do not produce enough watts, is countered by advances in control electronics and the falling power requirements of modern LEDs. Supernova promises that almost any standard dynamo with a six-volt output and a power rating of three watts is sufficient as a power source for the new dynamo headlamp, including the high beam. Dynamos that are too weak are listed on the website.

Two years and 100,000 euros

What both candidates have in common is the significant amount of design time and money invested in each. David Gedanitz, Head of Marketing and Sales Manager at Supernova, does not wish to disclose how many euros were spent on design and tooling for the M99 DY Pro. He emphasises, however, that a large team took around two years from the initial sketch to the finished, packaged production headlamp. Dr Wolf-Dieter Koch, Managing Director at Lupine, reports a similar investment of time and manpower and quotes a specific figure: the tools for the SL MiniMax AF cost 100,000 euros.

Even tech enthusiasts cannot tell at first glance that high-end headlamps, such as the two test models from Lupine and Supernova, involve such a great deal of effort. This is partly because the control software – although one of the most complex and labour-intensive components of the product – operates behind the scenes. It requires considerable effort to regulate light management and current flow with precision. And before the headlamps are permitted to be used on public roads, they require official certification from the relevant authority, in this case the Federal Motor Transport Authority (KBA) in Flensburg; only this body issues the model-specific K-type-approval number and thus approval in accordance with the Road Traffic Licensing Regulations (StVZO).

What is evident, however, is the impeccable build quality of both spotlights, which also offer a tactile experience. Both feature a black anodised housing made from milled, high-strength aluminium. This looks elegant whilst also providing effective cooling, which consequently works better than in budget headlights with plastic housings. The individual facets in the reflectors are fascinating. The Lupine has 59 of them, arranged across two stage-like levels, separated for dipped and main beam. On the Supernova, the reflector resembles a miniature version of an amphitheatre’s tiered seating with 99 small boxes, the 99 facets of which are reflected in the model name.

It’s all down to the road

Having found a test route in Munich’s Perlacher Forst with little traffic and sufficient darkness, the two contenders were finally able to go head-to-head. We also had four other, more affordable headlights in our test kit, which are designed more for occasional night-time riding and cost little more than 100 euros. We had already included the three models – the GVolt 100 from Cateye, the Aura 100 from Sigma and the LS 760 I-GO Vision from Trelock – in our last test of lighting sets in TOUR October 2022 In this test, Lezyne’s latest road headlamp, the Super StVZO 600+, proved its worth for the first time, outshining all the other contenders in the burn time category by a clear margin.

In the all-important lighting contest, however, the four budget spotlights were ultimately no match for the powerful lights from Lupine and Supernova.

The uniform and powerful beams of light that the top-of-the-range headlights cast into the darkness really do whet your appetite for night-time rides, whether on tarmac or gravel tracks. That deserves a round of applause; whilst the Supernova, powered by a dynamo, does cast a tiny bit less light onto the road, it does shine – or could shine – for an eternity.

(No) difference like night and day

Watch out, it’s a trap! When viewed in the dark, the answer to the question of which headlamp makes night-time cycling on a road bike more enjoyable and safer is clear: keen night-time cyclists shouldn’t skimp when choosing their lighting and should invest a few euros more. Especially as the difference in light output between the Lupine on full beam (bottom left) and the Cateye on its highest setting at 30 km/h is actually even more impressive in reality than it appears in the photos.

In a nutshell

Anyone who enjoys night-time cycling – not just in winter – and wants to fit a really good light to their road or gravel bike will find suitable models from manufacturers such as Lupine or Supernova. The new and compact SL MiniMax AF battery-powered headlamp and the M99 DY Pro – the first dynamo headlamp with a high beam – are top-of-the-range products for their respective purposes. For those looking to spend a bit less, the affordable models from Lezyne, Sigma and Trelock come highly recommended.

These details caught our eye

The test results: 4 affordable cordless spotlights

Cateye GVolt 100

Thanks to its swivelling reflector, the headlamp can be mounted on top of or underneath the handlebars; at full power, it heats up quickly and requires adequate cooling; the indicator on the push-button switch provides a rough indication of the battery level; long reserve

• Price: 149 euros >> Available here at a reduced price
• Weight (weighed with holder): 194 grams
• Lighting modes: 3
• Extras: Rotatable reflector; can be fitted on or under the handlebars
• Battery life, reserve: 2 hours 45 minutes, 2 hours

TOUR REVIEW:

• High-visibility profile (30 per cent): 4 out of 8 points – 3.0
• Burn time (25 per cent): 5 out of 8 marks – 2.5
• Handling (15 %): 5 out of 8 points – 2.7
• Workmanship (15%): 5 out of 8 marks – 2.5
• Halter (15 per cent): 8 out of 5 points – 2.3

TOUR RATING: 2.7

Lezyne Super StVZO 600+

Longest burn time, though with no reserve; takes more than 6 hours to charge; indicator with a very simple charge level display; the head torch gets less hot than the previous model, and its mount can be adjusted flexibly.

• Price: 110 euros >> Available here at a reduced price
• Weight (weighed with holder): 203 grams
• Lighting modes: 4
• Extras: Bracket with a wide swivel range, aluminium housing
• Battery life, reserve: 4 hours 50 minutes, 0 hours

TOUR REVIEW:

• High-visibility profile (30 per cent): 6 out of 8 marks – 2.0
• Burn time (25 %): 6 out of 8 points – 2.0
• Handling (15 %): 3 out of 8 marks – 3.3
• Workmanship (15 %): 5 out of 8 marks – 2.5
• Halter (15 per cent): 6 out of 8 points – 2.0

TOUR RATING: 2.3

Sigma Aura 100

The charge level indicator is accurate; a combined switch for the optional rear light is built in; good reserve; the rubber strap is a little short, and the headlamp cannot be swivelled; very light and good value for money.

• Price: 70 euros >> available here
• Weight (weighed with the holder): 112 grams
• Lighting modes: 4
• Extras: Combination switch for optional rear light
• Burning time, reserve: 3 hours 20 minutes, 1 hour 15 minutes

TOUR REVIEW:

• Performance profile (30 per cent): 4 out of 8 marks – 2.9
• Burn time (25 per cent): 6 out of 8 points – 2.0
• Handling (15%): 7 out of 8 points – 1.5
• Workmanship (15 per cent): 5 out of 8 marks – 2.5
• Halter (15 per cent): 5 out of 8 points – 2.7

TOUR RATING: 2.4

Trelock LS 760 IGo Vision

A superb display, combined with a simple operating concept: brightness, charge level with remaining time shown in hours and minutes, plus the time; the rather bulky mount offers only a limited range of swivel movement.

• Price: 145 euros >> available here
• Weight (weighed with holder): 175 grams
• Lighting modes: 5
• Extras: Multifunction display, power bank mode
• Battery life, reserve: 2 hours 15 minutes, 0 hours

TOUR REVIEW:

• Performance profile (30 per cent): 5 out of 8 marks – 2.6
• Burn time (25 %): 4 out of 8 points – 3.0
• Handling (15%): 8 out of 8 points – 1.0
• Workmanship (15 %): 5 out of 8 marks –2.5
• Halter (15 per cent): 5 out of 8 points – 2.3

TOUR RATING: 2.4

The test results: 2 high-end speakers

Lupine SL Mini Max AF

The most uniform light pattern, handy remote control; the burn time is relatively short when using the high beam; the optional battery, which is twice the size at 70 watt-hours, lasts twice as long but costs 190 euros; compact and superbly built.

• Price: 530 euros >> available here
• Weight (weighed with the holder): 299 grams
• Lighting modes: 2
• Extras: Bluetooth remote control
• Battery life, reserve: 1:30 h, 0:00 h

TOUR REVIEW:

• Illuminated profile (30 per cent): 8 out of 8 marks – 1.0
• Burn time (25 per cent): 3 out of 8 points – 3.5
• Handling (15%): 7 out of 8 points – 1.3
• Workmanship (15%): 8 out of 8 points – 1.0
• Halter (15 per cent): 6 out of 8 points – 2.0

TOUR RATING: 1.8

Supernova Lights M99 DY Pro

A relatively large but lightweight headlamp, superbly finished, with a very good light pattern from 20 km/h; the high beam produces an excellent light pattern. The cable for the remote control is a little short; a rear light can be connected.

• Price: 325 euros >> available here
• Weight (weighed with holder): 206 grams
• Lighting modes: 2
• Extras: Dynamo wired remote control
• Operating time, reserve: Dynamo headlamp

TOUR REVIEW:

• Illuminated profile (30 per cent): 1.4
• Operating time (25 %): 1.0
• Handling (15 %): 1.0
• Processing (15 %): 1.0
• Holder (15 per cent): 2.0

TOUR RATING: 1.3

How TOUR carries out its tests

We assessed the headlights according to five criteria, the results of which are factored into the overall mark with varying weightings. Compared with the lighting test in TOUR October 2022 We assessed the candidates in all categories more strictly, which is why the headlamps from Cateye, Sigma and Trelock – which are identical in design – received slightly lower marks.

Illuminated profile (30 per cent)

The light pattern is determined by the brightness and illumination of the test section. The headlights were aligned so that their cut-off line coincided with the top edge of the pylons 30 metres away. The assessment focuses on how uniformly the light pattern illuminates the near and far areas as well as the edge of the carriageway. For the Lupine and Supernova, we photographed and assessed the light pattern with the headlights in full-beam mode.

Burn time (25 per cent)

Before the final measurement of the runtime, all headlamp batteries were fully discharged twice. We measured the battery life at maximum output. To ensure the headlamps did not automatically reduce their output due to overheating, the measurements were carried out outdoors at a temperature of around ten degrees, with additional water cooling. The figures for burn time refer to the maximum setting; headlamps with a reserve light function were given a bonus.

Handling (15 per cent)

On rechargeable spotlights, switches should have a defined pressure point and be large enough to be operated even whilst wearing long-fingered gloves. We also assessed the visibility and accuracy of the charge level indicator.

Processing (15 per cent)

The assessment covers material quality, moulding marks, the quality of the seals and watertightness. We rate aluminium headlamp housings higher than plastic ones because of their superior heat dissipation.

Halter (15 per cent)

The assessment focuses on the mounting options and how securely the lights can be attached to the handlebars or stem. So far, only Lupine and Supernova have made practical mounts available as accessories for fitting to modern aero handlebars.