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Permanently installed lighting on the e-bike
Powerful, mostly road-legal and always on board. Fixed lighting is the ideal solution for many e-MTBs. After all, high beam at the touch of a button and the large battery enable the balancing act of StVZO approval and high luminosity. With a maximum output of around 20 watts from the headlight, the range of the bike hardly suffers under the light. Nevertheless, only a few manufacturers fit a light ex works. The argument: It is difficult to predict whether the customer wants no lighting at all, a simple, inexpensive light for the way home or an expensive floodlight. This is why fixed lighting often has to be retrofitted at great expense.
In the best-case scenario, you only need to connect the light to the existing infrastructure on the e-bike; in the worst-case scenario, the motor needs to be removed to enable the ports and the cables need to be laid in the frame. Important: The voltage of the light must match the light ports of the e-MTB. Usually 6 or 12 volts. There is also the cost of the headlight itself: Cheaper lamps are available from around 100 euros. Really good models, which also illuminate bends and dark country lanes with a sophisticated light pattern and high beam, cost around 300 euros. Most headlights for e-bikes carry the German test mark - the K number. Nevertheless, pay attention to this when buying, otherwise the approval will probably be missing
>> A Comparative test of six e-bike headlights with StVZO approval you can find here. <<
The Lupine SL X Alongside the Supernova M99 Mini Pro, was one of the favourites from the last EMTB lamp test . With powerful high beam and excellent cornering illumination, this is a spotlight that leaves nothing to be desired. Cost point: 350 euros. Pro: Always with you; road-legal; high performance; good illumination; especially with high beam Contra: expensive to retrofit; less flexible; risk of damage in the field.
The high beam has already found its way from the car to the bike, and now Busch + Müller's Leval adds the cornering light. The bracket swivels and tilts the headlight according to the steering direction and cornering position of the bike. It thus always ensures a vertical light level and improved illumination of bends. The bracket costs 99.90 euros.
Lighting to attach to the e-bike
The quick installation and low costs also speak in favour of classic clip-on lights for E-MTBs. They are inexpensive and can be fitted in no time at all if required. There are now many good models with road approval starting at around 50 euros. The biggest disadvantage of handlebar lights is that the cheaper candidates in particular barely illuminate bends or dark sections. Although there are also StVZO models that come close to the performance of permanently installed headlights, they cost 200 euros and more and are dependent on a separate battery. This makes little sense on an E-MTB. Lights without a licence (K number) may offer maximum luminosity for the money, but they dazzle oncoming traffic. Hands off!
The Sigma light set with the Aura 80 and the Blaze rear light are available for as little as 80 euros. We have already tested a few: Comparison of 5 inexpensive StVZO light sets. The illumination is very good for a small rechargeable lamp with a K number, and the light duration and battery indicator are even better. Pro: Affordable; many models with road approval; quick installation Contra: Easily forgotten; illumination with inexpensive models; powerful models expensive and with additional battery.
With 100 lux, the Sigma Aura 100 is the big brother of the popular Aura 80 rechargeable light and the most powerful StVZO light in Sigma's portfolio. Smart is the automatic mode that adjusts the brightness of the light to the ambient light. The Aura 100 communicates automatically with the Blaze-Link rear light, which even recognises braking via an acceleration sensor and then switches on the brake light. This was promptly honoured with a Eurobike award. Cost of the set: 99.95 euros.
With the Supernova M99 Mini ProB54 The well-known M99 Mini Pro e-bike light is now also available as a rechargeable battery version. In terms of performance, the light should even outshine the 1200 lumens of the e-bike version with up to 1600 lumens in high beam mode. The clear disadvantage is the external battery with 54 Wh (300 grams), which must also be attached to the bike. However, the light can also be used with a motorless bike. Unfortunately, at 579 euros, it is very expensive, even if the street price is somewhat lower.
The Litemove AE 130 is probably one of the most compact e-bike headlights on the market and still comes with a decent high beam that can be switched on at the touch of a button, just like the competition. Unlike the top headlights, such as those from Lupine or Supernova, the Litemove also works perfectly with the weaker 6-volt connections. The price is 179.95 euros, but the headlight is often available at a much lower price.
Use helmet lights on the e-bike
Helmet lamps are not authorised in Germany and therefore have no place in road traffic. If the helmet lamp dazzles other road users, you may even be fined, even if an authorised lamp is fitted. It is therefore better to switch off on the road. The great advantage of the helmet lamp is that it follows the rider's line of vision and therefore offers the best illumination. The helmet lamp can also be used universally for other sports and works well off the road as a supplement to a small StVZO battery-powered light. Bright models are available from around 200 euros. When buying, also pay attention to the weight of the lamp: 100 grams is fine, but 150 grams or more on the helmet is uncomfortable.
With an output of almost 1600 lumens and low weight, the HPA 2000 from Cubes house brand Acid the Price-performance tip in the last helmet lamp test of our sister magazine BIKE. The price is 229.95 euros. Pro: Illuminates in the direction of vision; also suitable for other areas of use. Contra: No road licence! And it is relatively expensive.
Survey of EMTB readers*: Does the E-MTB need a light?
65 per cent of EMTB readers think that theIn future, a permanently installed light will be fitted to every E-MTB ex works. This avoids high retrofitting costs and means you will never be without lights on the way home in the evening.
35 per cent of EMTB readers consider a permanently installed light on an e-MTB to be out of place. In addition to the cost and appearance, some fear damage to the lights when riding off-road.
Survey on EMTB website. The survey is not representative.
StVZO: This applies to e-bike lighting
Not all lamps are the same: in Germany, the StVZO regulates which lamps are approved for road use. These lamps carry the approval of the Federal Motor Transport Authority, the so-called K number. The main concern here is that the lamp does not dazzle other road users. If you are caught on the road with a lamp without a K number, you will pay the same fine as someone travelling without a lamp - up to 35 euros. It becomes even more dangerous if you are involved in an accident without an (authorised) lamp. In this case, you may be held partially responsible for the accident, which can have serious consequences in the event of serious damage to property or personal injury.
For a long time now, battery-powered lights can also have StVZO approval. Problematic for sports bikes used on the road at night: In addition to a front and rear light, which must not flash, reflectors are also required at the front, rear, on the pedals and in the spokes - in this respect, only very few mountain bikes are likely to be StVZO-compliant anyway. The preconception that StVZO lamps are not suitable for riding away from street lighting is outdated. Thanks to high beam and sophisticated reflector systems in the lamp, high-quality StVZO lamps also illuminate dark sections and bends well.
Fully integrated lighting on e-bikes
True system integration is still lacking when it comes to lighting. However, rear lights integrated into the seat stays are a good start and can already be found on some manufacturers - from Bulls to Scott and Haibike. Fully integrated front lights are not yet available on E-MTBs. Haibike at least offers a specially adapted headlight for the Flyon, while Bianchi's E-Omnia and E-SUV have a daytime running light integrated into the head tube in addition to the rear light in the chainstays, although this still has to be supplemented by a classic e-bike lamp.
Monkey Link: Bracket for Bulls, Rotwild & Hercules
Although the empty Monkey Link slots are not really stylish, they are certainly very practical. This is because high-quality lamps can be fitted to the smart brackets in just a few simple steps, which are then supplied with power directly from the battery. All without the time-consuming installation of fixed lights. Another advantage: If you are worried about damaging the light in the field, you can remove it just as quickly. All in all, a very flexible system for e-bike lighting, which is used on e-MTBs from Rotwild, Bulls or Hercules, for example.
Light ex works on the E-MTB
Although e-bikes with lighting ex works cost a little more, the customer doesn't have to worry about anything else to be equipped for everyday use. Merida, Centurion and Riese & Müller have been using this strategy for some time now, installing front lights from Lezyne and Supernova that are connected directly to the battery. If the often already very decent factory headlights are not enough for you, you can easily connect another light to the existing cables and simply sell the old light on.
>> Before you decorate your E-MTB with new lighting, perhaps you would also like to give it some maintenance? In DIY e-bike maintenance: wellness programme for the E-MTB you will learn all the important steps for this.
>> The e-bike lighting is often also powered by the battery of your e-mountainbike. This makes it all the more important that the battery lasts as long as possible - both during the ride and in terms of charging cycles: 9 answers: How to extend the e-bike battery life
>> Have you discovered even more potential for optimisation when bolting or have you been annoyed by sluggish wheels for a long time? Legal e-bike tuning: How to make your e-MTB lighter
Adrian Kaether
Editor
