Workshop: You've planned a quick after-work ride, but it's already dark? Nothing special in the cold and dark season. Nevertheless, active bikers and e-bikers should not have to do without regular rides. The lighting market is in very good shape and the selection is huge. Since many e-bikes already have a light control, it is only logical not to use an additional battery when retrofitting, but to use the integrated battery. With the M99 Mini Pro, Supernova offers a StVZo-approved headlight that we have retrofitted to two bikes.
Supernova M99 Mini Pro: Choosing the right accessories
When choosing the right accessories, it is important to choose the connection set for your e-bike and how you want to mount the light. You can find an overview of the components at www.supernova-lights.com, because there are not only many different connection cables, but also the type of attachment can vary.
Available connection cables: Bosch, Brose, fazua, yamaha, TQ (Yamaha)
Available Light Fixtures: Bosch display, Yamaha displays, handlebar holder, Universal, Spacer
Stems for mounting lights: 90 mm, 60 mm
Fastening the high beam button: handlebar below, handlebar direct, Magura clamp, Ergon handles
Since we wanted to equip two bikes with the Supernova M99 Mini Pro, we chose the universal attachment for the handlebars and a Bosch connection adapter for the Cube Stereo Hybrid. For the M1 Sporttechnik Spitzing a 60mm long Promax stem with a Yamaha connection adapter. According to M1, this fits the built-in TQ engine.
For the TQ engine it is also important to get the manufacturer's wiring diagram, because the connections on the Yamaha adapter do not fit. So you have to orientate yourself on the color coding and bring a little bit of sensitivity to electronics.
What is practical about the M1, however, is that the supply line for the lamp is already routed through the down tube and the necessary connections are located at the top directly inside the frame. These are also very easy to access.
Supernova M99 Mini Pro: installation and connection
Both wheels have specific advantages and disadvantages when installing them. With the Bosch motor of the Cube e-bike, all plugs fit directly into the motor, but the cable must first be routed through the down tube. With the M1 Sporttechnik, the installation work is already done, so you have to find your way around the color coding and connect the lamp using cable clamps.
Cube Stereo Hybrid:
To prepare, you can take out the battery, unscrew the motor protection and expose the connections. Once you've done that, it's pretty quick and easy. The Supernova cable with the open strands is routed through the frame bushing at the top of the down tube and laid down inside the frame. It gets a bit tricky if you want to get into the “engine compartment” with the cable. Once that's done, the wires can be connected to the Bosch-specific adapter, plugged in and you're done.
The individual steps summarized:
- Remove battery, essential for safety reasons
- Remove engine cover
- Mount universal bracket and light
- Lay the cable through the down tube
- Connect adapter to cable
- Connect to the Bosch motor
- Install engine cover
- Install battery
- Install high beam button
- If necessary, have the lamp connection activated by a specialist dealer
To mount it on the handlebars, we attach the universal bracket and screw the M99 Mini Pro there. Last but not least, we move the high beam button on the handlebars in the direction of the grips and mount it there. After everything is connected and the motor cover and battery are installed again, it may well be that the lamp is not yet working.
With some Bosch motors, the lamp connection must first be activated by your trusted bicycle dealer. To do this, the e-bike is connected to the diagnostic tool and the function is activated.
M1 sports technique Spitzing:
As already mentioned, the color coding of the M1 Spitzing is necessary in order to connect the lamp correctly. The necessary Yamaha adapter cables (at least the plug) do not fit the TQ motor, so you have to work with the supplied cable clamps. However, this is extremely easy, since the M1 already carries out complex wiring through the down tube and past the battery at the factory.
The individual steps summarized:
- Remove battery, essential for safety reasons
- Remove the cover above the engine
- Replace stem
- Mount lamp
- Remove the cable bushing on the down tube
- Expose the supply line
- Decipher color coding and trace line up
- Connect lamp according to color coding
- Install cable bushing
- Mount the cover above the motor
- Install high beam button
Thanks to the matching stem, the lamp is clean and also installed very close to the handlebars. From our point of view, this is a very elegant solution. Once the lamp is installed, the cable lengths should be checked first. To do this, simply turn the handlebars fully in both directions. Now remember the required length, you now install the remaining cable in the existing spiral band up to the top tube.
Once through the cable bushing and now shorten the cable after about 15cm. After the cable has been stripped, you can use the cable clamps to clamp the lamp to the cable that has already been laid. Here it is important to follow the colors clearly from the "engine room".
After everything is screwed and installed again, you're done. The function is usually already activated on the TQ motor and the light works without any problems.
Overall, the installation with all the preparation and follow-up did not even take a whole hour and is also relatively easy to implement. Only some Bosch motors require a visit to a specialist dealer for final activation.
The lamp will soon be tested extensively on the Cube Stereo Hybrid.
All information about the lamp and the necessary accessories can be found on the Supernova website!