Commuting - Ordered a new bike light....

Got a new commuter light set for my bike. After coming within 2 feet of an F-150 this morning (despite having a solid headlight and tailight), I decided it was time to upgrade..

Light and Motion Urban 550 with the Viz 180 tailight - usb charging which would be an easy charge at work, small light and compact.. Hopefully it's super bright. My supervisor has a killer bright set from these guys that's withstood a few years of abuse and still performs perfectly.

Plan is to replace my current headlamp, and then rock two tailights.

Hope I made a good choice... Any one of you had experience with this set/company?

http://www.lightandmotion.com/bike/images/product_shots/550combo.jpg

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I won a viz 360 from them earlier in the year. It's a well made light, and it's held up well.

I am using an Urban 550 up front and have no complaints. Plenty bright for my commute at 15-17mph.

I picked up a Urban 550 about a month ago and it sports plenty of brightness in a very compact package. I think you're going to like it.

Can't speak to the quality of the light you bought. I'd suggest you consider adding a helmet mounted rechargeable headlight... You look, they see. I use (on my helmet) an old NR MiNewt X2, and it's held up for a number of very serious drops.

Many riders might find this cheating on their local bike store but... Ebay product from China ? I have an necessary amount of lights for dirt cheap!

I picked up a Urban 550 about a month ago and it sports plenty of brightness in a very compact package. I think you're going to like it.

Sweet thanks. I'm glad that you're enjoying yours.


Can't speak to the quality of the light you bought. I'd suggest you consider adding a helmet mounted rechargeable headlight... You look, they see. I use (on my helmet) an old NR MiNewt X2, and it's held up for a number of very serious drops.


Great idea.. Just don't have the funds for two lights at the moment.


Many riders might find this cheating on their local bike store but... Ebay product from China ? I have an necessary amount of lights for dirt cheap!

Considered it. But my friends knows someone who works for Light and Motion and ended up getting me a pretty good deal on this set.

After coming within 2 feet of an F-150 this morning (despite having a solid headlight and tailight)



Even with the brightest light this will still happen from time to time.

I live in Pacific Grove, and have used L&M for well over 10yrs, and never have had a single issue or complaint.

I like to also incorporate some reflective tape here and there.
i.e. edges of crank arms, so that there is movement, which also catches the eye.

Even with the brightest light this will still happen from time to time.

Same experience here and I run quite a bit of light (Dinotte 1200L+ up front and a 300R in back). What made a bigger difference (cars actually changing lanes for me) was 3M refective tape on my fenders, panniers and backpack (when I wear it).

Great idea.. Just don't have the funds for two lights at the moment.


In your OP, you stated that you would be replacing your current front light with the Urban 550, but just add the Vis 180 to what you already have. Why not put your old one on your helmet? You could also just put the Urban on the helmet and leave your old light on the bike.

nice :thumb:

I live in Pacific Grove, and have used L&M for well over 10yrs, and never have had a single issue or complaint.

I like to also incorporate some reflective tape here and there.
i.e. edges of crank arms, so that there is movement, which also catches the eye.

That's good to hear. Think they are based around Cannery Row. A lot of local people give them high marks. Where do you normally bike at? I've been taking General Jim from the Marina area to Monterey - but that's where I almost got nailed. Nice bike lane though. The bike path by the water is quickly becoming my favorite. No traffic, and it's clear from Seaside back to Marina.

Gonna get some extra reflective tape this weekend. Maybe one of those ugly triangle's for the backpack :)


In your OP, you stated that you would be replacing your current front light with the Urban 550, but just add the Vis 180 to what you already have. Why not put your old one on your helmet? You could also just put the Urban on the helmet and leave your old light on the bike.

The old headlight is actually one of the older models with a battery pack (long cable). Not really helmet friendly. But I thought about running two headlamps, and setting the new one on strobe.

That's good to hear. Think they are based around Cannery Row. A lot of local people give them high marks. Where do you normally bike at? I've been taking General Jim from the Marina area to Monterey - but that's where I almost got nailed. Nice bike lane though. The bike path by the water is quickly becoming my favorite. No traffic, and it's clear from Seaside back to Marina.

Gonna get some extra reflective tape this weekend. Maybe one of those ugly triangle's for the backpack :)



The old headlight is actually one of the older models with a battery pack (long cable). Not really helmet friendly. But I thought about running two headlamps, and setting the new one on strobe.


I haven't owned a car for over 10yrs now, so everyday, and at just about any time, I ride my bike. I work at CHOMP, my schedule is varied, I ride super early mornings, and late at night.

I was stationed on Ft. Ord 88-92. The re-use is interesting.

if it were me, and I were commuting from Marina, I'd take Beach Range Rd, where motorized vehicles are prohibited.

these days, my commute is thru Pebble Beach.

I've been using an Urban 500 for the past year and it's a great light. It's my second L&M light, the other a Stella 300, also excellent. L&M had some initial firmware problems with the Urban lights, but they handled warranty issues very generously and fixed the problems. They also gave me a free Viz 180 taillight, but I ended up selling it because I couldn't find a way to mount it on my bike. It's designed to mount on seatposts, but mine are blocked by seatbags.

I haven't owned a car for over 10yrs now, so everyday, and at just about any time, I ride my bike. I work at CHOMP, my schedule is varied, I ride super early mornings, and late at night.

I was stationed on Ft. Ord 88-92. The re-use is interesting.

if it were me, and I were commuting from Marina, I'd take Beach Range Rd, where motorized vehicles are prohibited.

these days, my commute is thru Pebble Beach.

Nice. I take it you have to bike up a pretty big "hill" getting to work, and it's pretty fast going home?

Beach Range is what I've been taking home. Not sure if you've been on General Jim lately - but they widened it with super nice bike lanes not to long ago. Problem is - is that they JUST opened up the side roads (from Seaside), so where before there were virtually no intersections - there are about 4 "new" intersections. It's nice riding through CSUMB, and the Fort Ord housing area has a nice separate bike path. Beach Range may become the permanent "go-to" route though.

Got an itch to ride the to Morro Bay. Not sure if I'd make it :)

Nice. I take it you have to bike up a pretty big "hill" getting to work, and it's pretty fast going home?

Beach Range is what I've been taking home. Not sure if you've been on General Jim lately - but they widened it with super nice bike lanes not to long ago. Problem is - is that they JUST opened up the side roads (from Seaside), so where before there were virtually no intersections - there are about 4 "new" intersections. It's nice riding through CSUMB, and the Fort Ord housing area has a nice separate bike path. Beach Range may become the permanent "go-to" route though.

Got an itch to ride the to Morro Bay. Not sure if I'd make it :)

I know Ft. Ord very well.

I've been on the bike daily for almost 20yrs now... where did the time go?
I ride about 15hrs a week, up to 300 miles per week. I've been riding like this for a long time now. getting up to work is not that big of a deal, its a small hill, but yes, I do understand what a task it may seem like. I used to think it was a big hill, until my cycling took on a larger scope.

beach range rd is pretty nice.

Urban 500 here and I can attest it is a great light. My wife uses the Stella 400 and sometimes I prefer the two lamps (can aim your light more effectively), but the Urban lights are less bulky, lighter and have USB charging which is nice.

Looks like a good light. Keep in mind, you could be running 10,000 lumens and be on fire and some drivers will still pull out on you.

Got a new commuter light set for my bike. After coming within 2 feet of an F-150 this morning (despite having a solid headlight and tailight), I decided it was time to upgrade..

Light and Motion Urban 550 with the Viz 180 tailight - usb charging which would be an easy charge at work, small light and compact.. Hopefully it's super bright. My supervisor has a killer bright set from these guys that's withstood a few years of abuse and still performs perfectly.

Plan is to replace my current headlamp, and then rock two tailights.

Hope I made a good choice... Any one of you had experience with this set/company?

http://www.lightandmotion.com/bike/images/product_shots/550combo.jpg

281486


Nice light..:thumb:..

However, I think you can get something a lot better and cheaper too. ;)

IMO again, I think these two will blow what you got out the water for 2/3rds the cost.. ;)

http://www.ebay.com/itm/3x-CREE-XM-L-T6-LED-3800Lm-Bike-Bicycle-Light-Lamp-HeadLamp-HeadLight-SET-/300674278679?pt=LH_DefaultDomain_0&hash=item4601956517

http://www.ebay.com/itm/CygoLite-Hotshot-2W-USB-Li-Ion-Tail-Light-with-USB-Cable-Only-NEW-/150927885550?pt=LH_DefaultDomain_0&hash=item232400c4ee

I run at least two forward lights. I run a L&M Stella 150 on the bar and an old BLT 10W Halogen on the helmet. I find that both lights are ok on their own but not so much in places were it is pitch dark. I discovered that rather abruptly on a dark rainy trail when I nearly ran down a hiker when I was using the BLT on its own. Good thing I was only doing about 20 km/h at the time. I also found the helmet light to be hard on my neck as I had to keep it trained at a particular place.

When combined, the amber glow of the BLT gives off plenty of ambient light and the Stella stark white precise light complements it nicely by focusing on the road. I also keep a cheap 3 LED Cat Eye on the bar as a backup. Aft, I run a Planet Bike Super Flash.

I personally just bought a Niterider Lumina 650, so far no complaints. I have been using it for about 3 weeks now of commuting here around the Seattle area. Been through some good rain and no issues. It throws out a lot of light, I usually leave it on medium if is dark, otherwise flash for the daylight.

I know it is more expensive than those chinese knock offs, but I don't think the QA is there (just an opinion, no basis)