The seven test participants

The full comparison, including reviews of the light profile, operation, build quality and mounting, can be found in the BIKE test of battery-powered headlights for road and gravel bike aero cockpits.

• Amazon LF 36 Bicycle Light Set >> available here
• Busch + Müller Ixon Rock >> available here
• Cateye GVolt 80.1 >> available here
• Lezyne Macro 500+ Front Reverse >> available here
• Lupine SL Grano F Silver Edition >> available here
• Sigma Aura 100 >> available here
• Trelock Lighthammer 100

The quotient shows the time balance

For the analysis, the light duration is divided by the charging time. A value of 1.0 This means: The headlamp remains lit for exactly as long as it takes to fully recharge. If the ratio is higher than this, the headlamp provides more lighting time than it takes to recharge. The higher the value, the more beneficial this is for drivers who have little time to recharge between journeys.

The best result is achieved by the Busch + Müller Ixon Rock. According to 2 hours 50 minutes It lights up during the charging test 3 hours 10 minutes. This gives a quotient of 1.12. This means that, in theory, around 67 minutes of light are available for every hour spent plugged in. The Ixon Rock is the only model whose running time exceeds its charging time.

Amazon is the fastest to load

The shortest charging time in the test was achieved by the Amazon LF 36 Bicycle Light Set with 2 hours 20 minutes. Its burn time is 2 hours 24 minutes just slightly above that; the quotient is 1.03. This ratio is ideal for short, regular journeys. However, the absolute battery life remains limited at less than two and a half hours.

Compared with the Amazon light, the Ixon Rock offers significantly longer battery life and, at the same time, better overall performance. For longer training rides in the dark, this is more important than the 30-minute shorter charging time of the cheaper Amazon set.

Trelock lasts the longest

The longest recorded duration of luminescence is achieved by the Trelock Lighthammer 100 with 3 hours 35 minutes. This means it offers the greatest battery life for long evening rounds. However, it takes 4 hours 40 minutes. This is the longest loading time in the test group and brings the ratio down to 0.77.

Lezyne, Sigma, Cateye and Lupine also remain below 1.0 in the time assessment. The Lezyne Macro 500+ Front Reverse lights up 3 hours 15 minutes, but requires four hours Loading time. When Sigma Aura 100 stand 2 hours 40 minutes Lighting time 3 hours 20 minutes at the socket opposite. Cateye GVolt 80.1 and Lupine SL Grano F each achieve a quotient of 0.74.

The display and installation remain crucial

The beam-to-charge ratio complements the test, but does not replace an assessment of the light pattern. For fast journeys on dark roads, what matters is how evenly a headlamp illuminates the near field, the edge of the carriageway and the far field. Equally important are a clear battery level indicator and a mount that sits securely on the front mount and does not slip. The comprehensive comparison therefore takes into account the beam pattern, runtime, handling, build quality and mount.

When it comes to overall performance, the Busch + Müller Ixon Rock comes out on top. Amazon charges the quickest, whilst Trelock offers the longest burn time. Ultimately, however, the right light depends on how you intend to use it: a short commute, a regular evening ride, or a long training ride in the dark.