Lupine SL Grano F Silver Edition review: High beam for fast night-time cycling

Front-mount solution for modern cockpits

Modern road bikes are increasingly fitted with integrated aero cockpits. It is difficult to find space on these for retrofitted battery-powered headlamps with standard mounts. A suitable mounting solution is therefore crucial for a battery-powered headlight: the light must be securely fixed or should not restrict the space for your hands on the top of the handlebars.

The Lupine SL Grano F Silver Edition handles this task particularly well. Its GoPro mount for attachment to an extension arm is integrated directly into the aluminium housing. This allows the headlight to be positioned on a compatible extension arm without the need for additional clamps or a separate adapter on the handlebars. In our test, the mount scored a perfect 1.0. It holds the 170-gram light securely and feels very stable, even on rough roads.

Uniform illumination with a long range

The light distribution profile is the key aspect of the headlamp test. Here, the SL Grano F achieves a sub-score of 1.5. The light pattern is evenly distributed from the near field right out to the far distance. There are no dark patches or harsh transitions.

For fast training rides in the dark, its high beam sets it apart from the competition. It is the only headlamp in the test to offer the Lupine SL Grano F this function. It can be conveniently operated whilst driving using the remote control supplied. The full-beam headlight noticeably increases the range and illuminates the road far enough ahead, even at high speeds. This gives the headlight a functional advantage over traditional dipped-beam models.

Five modes and an eco function

The built-in battery has a capacity of 2300 mAh. Lupine specifies five lighting modes. The measured runtime is 2 hours 35 minutes, and the charging time is 3 hours 30 minutes. With a sub-score of 3.0, the runtime is not among the best in the test field. However, the Eco function extends the range of use: by foregoing maximum brightness and high beam, you can achieve significantly longer runtimes.

Two green and red battery indicators show the charge level. In everyday use, this makes it easier to judge whether the remaining charge will be enough for the journey home or whether the bike should be charged before the next ride.

Workmanship of a very high standard

The aluminium housing is precision-engineered and provides effective protection for the internal components. Its build quality was awarded the top mark of 1.0 in the test. The Lupine also impresses in terms of ease of use, scoring 1.4: operation, the remote control and the automatic switch between daytime and night-time lighting all work very well.

The high price of 269 euros makes the SL Grano F Silver Edition the most expensive light in this comparison. However, for road cyclists who regularly train after dark, use an aero cockpit with a front mount and do not want to compromise on lighting performance, the additional cost is technically justifiable.