The tip of the lighting technology for cyclists

September 6, 2016

At BMW, the "M" stands for the tip of the vehicle technology. With Supernova, which have their roots in automobile design, it marks the tip of the lighting technology for cyclists - which lies with the new M99 model at eye level with the cars, or even as we learned in the practical test.

Test report bike tours magazine
Editor -in -chief Jan Gathmann

The e-bike had to be created before German cyclists got the chance to get serious light. In recent years, the new StVZO-compliant headlights have overturned with ever higher light performances. The search for the best light for cyclists in road traffic is the matter of a small manufacturer elite. Battery headlights, with which forest paths can be dived in floodlights for three hours at night, there is like sand by the sea for little money. Bicycle lights that have a clear light-dark limit and place a uniform light carpet in front of the front wheel, which is still sufficient at km / h at km / h-this can be counted on three fingers. And the clear light-dark border rightly demands StVZO so that other road users are not blinded.

The challenge of bicycle lights is to get a lot of light from a small reflector and body. A uniform defined photo, cooling - everything becomes more difficult, the smaller the housing. "This is completely impossible-in size," was the reaction of automotive engineers as Supernova boss Marcus Wallmeyer discussed the development goals for the M99 with them. After three years of development, the counter-evidence has been provided with the M99 series, as the photographs in the gallery show. The top model of the series is the tested M99 Pro for S-Pedelecs with revolutionary 1,600 lumen light flow and a unique StVZO-compliant high beam. The pure variants with 500 lumens and pure+ with 900 lumens* also offer enormous light flow values. Because everyone has ECE acceptance, they can be retrofitted without further exams on many compatible S-Pedelecs. In the case of Bosch drives from the 2nd generation and pure model, the engine control is sufficient. Owners of pedelecs up to 25 km/h have to be patient: From November 2016, the Supernova M99 Pure will also be available in a version for such pedelecs that are legally classified as bicycles.

*The updated value is now 1100 lumens

The light miracle makes a deep grip on the high-tech box possible, which is why the development was also funded by the Federal Ministry of Economic Affairs and Energy. The reflector is built from 99 individually calculated mirrors. The cooling ribs of the solid, one -piece aluminum housing are calculated in such a way that even in the stand a fireplace effect is created. You have an important task: Because you have to derive the heat energy of 9 automotive LEDs. Which in turn are involved in the headlight control and that of the S-Pedelec, among other things via a CAN bus. As a result, the light cone can be automatically adapted to the speed and lighting conditions. The daytime running lights light up in daylight-all M99 models are clearly recognizable from this. Depending on the driving condition, the M99 Pro also regulates the light output to save energy. When the bike is standing, it is great. When it goes slowly, the M99 Pro shines in economical Eco mode and more in the close range, but quickly regulates when you speed up again.

The light experience

Already aligning the M99 is easier than usual with wheel headlights. Simply set horizontally with a water scale, done. The reflector already has the right angle of inclination. In practice, this actually ensured glare -free operation. Slighting light drivers, scolding pedestrians-also passé, also because the tested Bosch holder (also a high-tech part made of composite) fixes the M99. The photo is an eye-opening experience. Even low beam is enough for the vast majority of driving situations. A wider and width are not inferior to a car headlight. You do not have to guess curves and branches, but recognize them from afar. All bumps are easy to make out directly in front of the bike. And even with street lighting, the light is a big win. Like the car.

According to Supernova, the operation of the M99 Pro in this mode pulls a maximum of 16 watts out of the battery. This is theoretically 48 Wh at 3 hours faster, i.e. a tenth of the capacity of current battery models. In practice, the value due to the intelligent control is significantly below and only leads to imperceptible graceful losses. Unique, the M99 Pro makes its switchable high beam with full fuking above the blend horizon. The remotest obstacles then appear clearly in front of the eye of the S-Pedelec driver from the night. In practice, the desire to switch on the light was actually only created on forest paths. But if so, then it made happy in terms of uniformity, width and wide desires. An additional helmet lamp, which follows the direction of view and is often used by MTB drivers, was not missing.

CONCLUSION

More light than the StVZO Supernova M99 Pro donates for S-Pedelecs, no cyclist does not need any situation. The haptics and awareness of the compressed high-tech in the shiny aluminum housing lift self-confidence in traffic to a higher level. The naturalness that drivers perceive the M99 pedelecist surprises even after a long use. That is worth the price and an effect that the cheaper pure models also achieve. Its low beam is almost at a level of cars for road traffic. In the low beam, pedestrians do not complain about glare (as with some LED headlights weaker). The obviously excellent workmanship and integrated communication technology also make the M99 Pro future -proof.

TECHNICAL SPECIFICATIONS

Supernova M99 Pro, 449.00 euros
Headlights for S-Pedelecs up to 45 km/h with StVZO approval

• Light current: up to 1,600 lumens
• Max. Brightness at 10 m away: 360 lux
• Range according to Ansi FL1: 380 m
• Weight: 244 g (including cable)
• Consumption: daytime running lights: 4 watts, low beam 8 to 16 W
• Fulfilled requirements: ECE113 C for low and high beam, ECE 87
• Special features: speed-controlled ECO mode, communication via CAN bus and other interfaces, brake signal processing from the brake lever