In this article, we use so-called affiliate links. With every purchase through these links, we receive a commission from the merchant. All relevant referral links are marked with . Learn more.
As soon as it gets dark, Germany's cycle paths are filled with joy: Modern LED headlights on bikes offer brightness, illumination and operational safety like never before. Hardly any biker remembers the gloomy times of barely ten years ago: Halogen bulbs were considered to be the maximum for bicycle lights, scrawny, single-pole bulbs with a few copper strands transported a meagre six volts of voltage from slipping side-runner dynamos along the frame to the front and rear lights. The negative pole was connected to the frame - a miracle if the bicycle lights worked at all.
Large differences in performance and quality in bicycle lighting
Technical progress in bicycle technology has rarely been as conspicuous as in lighting technology: Today, smooth-running hub dynamos reliably supply their power via dipole cables, usually protected in the frame and fork, to the front and rear lights, which use LED technology and electronic stabilisation to bring maximum luminosity to the road.
However, even though no bicycle lighting today can do without LED lights, there are sometimes major differences in the performance and quality of the various lights. We therefore ordered the top lights from six lighting manufacturers and subjected them to an intensive laboratory and practical test. At the Supernova specialists in Gundelfingen, we were able to measure the actual light output and brightness distribution of the headlights under laboratory conditions and compare them directly.
You can download the complete comparison test of hub dynamo headlights as a PDF below the article. The test costs 1.99 euros.
Why not free of charge? Because quality journalism has a price. In return, we guarantee independence and objectivity. This applies in particular to the tests in MYBIKE. We don't pay for them, but the opposite is the case: we charge for them, thousands of euros every year.
The six headlights in the test
- AXA Blueline 50-T Steady Auto
- Busch + Müller IQ-X
- Herrmans H-Black Pro
- SON Edelux II
- Supernova E3 Pro 2
- Trelock LS 785 Airflow 70
How MYBIKE tests bike lights
An integrating sphere accommodates the test spotlight. A calibrated sensor measures the luminous flux visible to the human eye. This corresponds to the total output, i.e. the cubic capacity of a light. Specified in lumens (lm).
The goniofotometer analyses the brightness of a bicycle light parallel to the plane from a distance of ten metres. A sensor scans the light field for brightness (in lux) in whole (outer area) and half angle degree steps (centre). The evaluation graphic therefore distorts the image in comparison to the real visual appearance.
Only the mobile "dynamo machine" provides a realistic operating voltage for hub dynamo headlights. As hub dynamos also deliver more power at higher speeds, we measured all headlights uniformly on a Son-28 dynamo rotating at 30 km/h. An adjustable power supply unit feeds the electric motor, which turns the hub dynamo via a toothed belt. A bicycle speedometer measures the riding speed. The night-time photos and all laboratory measurements refer to this set-up. All laboratory measurements were carried out at Supernova Design in Gundelfingen.
Interview: Marcus Wallmeyer, owner of Supernova Designs
What makes the dynamo headlamp so complex?
Dynamo headlights have to work at all speeds on a wide variety of dynamos - this is much more demanding than with battery operation. The voltage can be between 4 V and over 60 V, and the alternating current frequency is constantly changing. The realisation of a good parking light with long-lasting storage technology is also complex.
'What distinguishes good headlights from bad ones?
A long service life and robustness are important here. You have to be able to rely on them, whether travelling to work or around the world. Good cooling is important to prevent premature ageing of the LEDs. The ideal light pattern varies according to requirements, but homogeneous light distribution is essential.
Where are there still clear areas for improvement?
There is still a lot of potential in dynamo light. With sophisticated technology, you can get more power from a hub dynamo, for example for high beam! We will be presenting a world first at Eurobike. It's high time we put cyclists on an equal footing with e-bikers when it comes to lighting technology.
