German lights specialist Lupine has always pushed the most advanced tech – sometimes at the expense of reliability – but its Piko series is the trustiest in the range. The neat metal thumbwheel-tightened O-ring mount also fits most bars, including some less aggressive aero bars.
As you’d hope at this price, the 1200 lumen twin LED output gives consistently powerful coverage and excellent reach despite its tiny low-profile case. The focused beam means a very rapid drop to darkness at bottom edge though, which can be tiring on the eyes.
Seven different two-, three- or four-step programmes on the main menu, then a specialist blue LED menu including various flashing and low start modes, potentially extend the short battery life. Keep an eye on your watch though, because the coloured battery indicator built into the switch goes from worry-free full power blue straight through flashing ‘low’ warning to dead extremely fast. It's very expensive for its bottom line performance too.
