If you’re serious about night riding—whether on tarmac, gravel, or mixed terrain—you know that your bike light isn’t just an accessory. It’s your lifeline. Visibility, safety, beam quality, and reliability all hinge on one small piece of gear. Enter the Lupine SL Grano, a compact yet powerful all-in-one headlight that’s turning heads (and lighting up roads) in 2025.
Priced at $250, it’s undeniably a premium product—but as we’ll explore, it might just be the last bike light you ever buy. In this in-depth, hands-on review, we break down everything: from its 900-lumen output and STVZO-inspired optics to its replaceable battery, GoPro-compatible mount, and surprisingly complex—but powerful—user interface.
Let’s dive in.
Why Lupine? A Brand Built for Longevity
Before we get into the SL Grano itself, it’s worth understanding Lupine’s philosophy. Founded in Germany, Lupine has long been synonymous with high-performance, serviceable lighting—originally for flashlights and mountain biking. Unlike many brands that treat bike lights as disposable tech, Lupine designs for decades of use.
Their lights feature:
- Full aluminum housings
- Automotive-grade LEDs
- Replaceable batteries
- Repairable components
In a world of glued-together, non-serviceable lights, Lupine stands out like a Swiss watch in a sea of plastic toys.
The SL Grano (pronounced “grah-no”) is their answer to road and gravel cyclists who want that same durability—but in a sleek, compact, drop-bar-friendly package.
First Impressions: Premium Unboxing, Minimalist Design
Out of the box, the SL Grano feels substantial yet refined. The packaging is minimalist—just a clean outline of the light with “SL Grano” printed subtly. Inside, you get:
- The SL Grano headlight (171g)
- USB-C charging cable
- Allen key and extra bolt for mounting
- Quick-start guide (thick, multilingual, color-coded)
- A thank-you note and a Lupine sticker
No fluff. No wasted plastic. Just what you need.
The body is fully anodized aluminum—not just for looks, but for heat dissipation and durability. Even the GoPro-style mount is machined from metal, not plastic. This isn’t just marketing; it’s engineering you can feel.
Dimensions: 85 x 46 x 53 mm (3.3 x 1.8 x 2.1 in)—remarkably compact for a 900-lumen light.
Key Features That Set the SL Grano Apart
✅ 1. Replaceable Battery – A Rare Gem in 2025
Most bike lights die when their internal battery degrades (usually after 2–3 years). Not the SL Grano.
It uses a user-replaceable LiPo battery that costs just $36–$42. Simply remove two torque screws, lift the cover, swap the pack, and you’re back in business. No shipping, no waiting, no e-waste.
This single feature makes the SL Grano a long-term investment, not a consumable.
💡 Fun fact: Lupine has been selling replacement batteries for lights over 10 years old. That’s brand trust.
✅ 2. 900 Lumens with Automotive-Grade Optics
Powered by an Osram Oslon Compact PL LED (yes, the same family used in car headlights), the SL Grano delivers 900 lumens or 130 lux at 10 meters—more than enough for high-speed road or gravel riding.
But raw output isn’t the story. It’s the beam shape that wows.
Thanks to Lupine’s biconical lens design, you get:
- A sharp horizontal cutoff (no glare for oncoming traffic)
- A wide trapezoidal beam that floods the road ahead
- Zero wasted light pointing at trees or the sky
This is STVZO-inspired optics—even if your version isn’t officially certified (more on that below).
✅ 3. Smart Auto-Sensing with Day/Night Modes
The SL Grano includes an ambient light sensor on the side. When enabled (default), it automatically switches between day and night modes after ~16 seconds of darkness or light exposure.
- Day mode: Optimized for visibility (includes flash patterns)
- Night mode: Focused on illumination (steady beams, no flash)
You can even adjust the switching speed (fast or slow) via hidden configuration settings.
✅ 4. All-Metal GoPro Mount – Perfect for Clean Setups
Designed to be under-mounted beneath your GPS/computer, the integrated GoPro mount lets you tuck the light neatly out of sight while keeping the beam perfectly aimed.
The angled rear design prevents handlebar interference, and the forward-positioned mount gives extra tilt range. It’s a small detail, but it makes installation effortless.
Understanding the Modes: Simpler Than It Looks (Once You Know)
Yes, the interface is notoriously complex—a common critique of Lupine lights. But here’s the good news: you don’t need to master it all.
Default Use (Recommended for Most Riders):
- Double-tap to turn on (remembers last mode)
- Hold to turn off → shows battery level
- Auto-sensor handles day/night switching
That’s it. 90% of riders will never touch the advanced settings.
Advanced Configuration (For Tinkerers):
Hold the power button for 6 seconds to enter config mode. Then, the number of flashes = setting:
- 1 flash: Toggle Eco Mode
- 2: Disable/enable light sensor
- 3: Adjust auto-switch speed
- 4: Change side LED brightness
- 5: Switch from double-tap to single-tap power
- 8: Factory reset
There are 9 total output modes:
- 3 Flash Modes: Standard, Night Flash (low-high pulse), Day Flash (irregular pattern)
- 4 Steady Modes: Eco, Low, Medium, High (900 lumens)
- 2 Auto Modes: Day/Night (sensor-controlled)
📌 Pro Tip: Keep the quick-start guide handy for the first week. After that, muscle memory takes over.
Beam Performance: Real-World Testing
We tested the SL Grano on:
- Urban roads (with streetlights)
- Unlit country lanes
- Gravel trails at night
Results:
- High (900 lm): Excellent for fast, dark riding. Illuminates two full lanes ahead. Runtime: ~2.5 hours.
- Medium: Ideal for mixed lighting. Balanced brightness and battery life (~5 hours).
- Low: Best for city riding or as a backup. Still usable, but not for high-speed trails.
- Day Flash: Highly visible in daylight—great for commuting.
- Night Flash: Surprisingly effective on quiet roads; extends runtime significantly.
The beam cutoff is razor-sharp—no scattered glare. Oncoming cars never flashed us, a testament to the optical precision.
Compared to competitors like Magicshine Evo 1700 or Trek Ion Pro RT, the SL Grano’s beam is cleaner, more focused, and artifact-free.
Also Read: Garmin Edge 850 Review
How It Stacks Up Against Competitors
Verdict: The SL Grano costs more upfront—but saves money long-term thanks to its serviceability. It’s the Rolls-Royce of bike lights: over-engineered, built to last, and uncompromising on quality.
Pros & Cons Summary
✅ Pros
- Replaceable battery = decades of use
- 900 lumens with automotive-grade beam control
- Compact, all-metal design with integrated GoPro mount
- Auto day/night switching with smart sensor
- Fully serviceable—Lupine sells every spare part
- No glare, wide road coverage, perfect for road/gravel
❌ Cons
- $250 price tag is steep for casual riders
- User interface is complex (steep learning curve)
- No official runtime data for flash modes
- Not STVZO-certified in U.S. version (flash modes disabled in EU-certified models)
Who Is This Light For?
The SL Grano isn’t for everyone—but it’s perfect for:
- Gravel adventurers riding remote routes at night
- Road cyclists who demand reliability and clean aesthetics
- Minimalists who hate external battery packs
- Eco-conscious riders tired of throwing away dead lights
- Tech enthusiasts who appreciate serviceable design
If you ride 500+ miles a year in low-light conditions, this light pays for itself in longevity alone.
Final Verdict: 9.4/10 – A Future-Proof Investment
The Lupine SL Grano isn’t just a bike light—it’s a statement. In an era of planned obsolescence, it dares to be repairable, upgradable, and enduring.
Yes, it’s expensive. But consider this:
- A $100 light lasts 2 years → $50/year
- The SL Grano lasts 10+ years → $25/year (plus $40 battery every 3–4 years)
Suddenly, it’s not just reasonable—it’s smart.
With its crisp beam, metal build, and replaceable core, the SL Grano earns our highest recommendation for serious cyclists in 2025.
🚴♂️ Bottom Line: If you want a headlight that grows old with you—not in a landfill—this is it.
Ready to upgrade?
👉 Check current pricing on Lupine’s official site or authorized dealers like REI, Competitive Cyclist, or The Pro’s Closet.
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