Home > Clothing-Gear-Tools

IB14: New Bicycle Lights from Light & Motion, Fortified and Gloworm

11 Comments
Support us! Bikerumor may earn a small commission from affiliate links in this article. Learn More

2015-light-and-motion-urban-bicycle-headlight-series

Light & Motion’s Urban gets completely rebuilt from the inside out. It looks the same, but it’s all new where it counts. The original was getting about a 4% return rate, so they wanted to make something better. Now, it has an IP67 rating, which means it remains waterproof for an hour in a meter of water and passes a 1 meter drop test. It’s also thermally more efficient, so they could bump the output up to 800 lumens on the top model.

It also gets new packaging and colors, with each model getting a basic and bright color option. Choose from 350 up to 800 lumens with prices from $69.99 to $179.99.

They also updated a few other models and added options. Those, plus a look at two more brand’s latest goods, below…

2015-light-and-motion-urban-bicycle-headlight-series

The Urban keeps the side light ports to enhance others’ overall ability to see you at night.

2015-light-and-motion-aero-seatpost-taillight-mount

A new tail light mount (sold separately) will fit aero seatposts.

2015-light-and-motion-VIS360-headlamp-and-taillight

The VIS360 now comes as a running kit with a proper head strap (shown on right and below) as standard with the 120 lumen model. The helmet mount still comes included with that and the 250 lumen option, for which the headband is an added option.

2015-light-and-motion-VIS360-headlamp-and-taillight

They get about three hours run time for the combined head and tail light set.

Not shown, the Taz commuter light got a massively bright 1500 lumen upgrade this spring for $299.99. Light & Motion is a big proponent of the FL-1 testing standards and has arguably pushed its main competitors to adopt the standard, too. The result is more truth in advertised output and run times, so we all win for their efforts.

2015-fortified-secure-bicycle-lights

The original bicycle lights from Fortified offered a six-shooter style and theft proof design and quickly met their crowd funding goal. That approach worked so well, the guys there used it again to raise $200,000 for the Aviator and Afterburner lights shown here.

This pair’s design is a bit different, using a removable battery with built in USB port for quick charging. The process for opening the light’s body to get to the battery is a bit tricky, which is intentional – it’s a safety feature to prevent people from stealing the battery. Of course, it’s a custom battery just for these lights, so it won’t do a thief much good since the light itself is pretty well secured to your bike.

2015-fortified-secure-bicycle-lights

The front has two options – 150 lumens ($69) and 300 lumen boost edition ($99). The rear follows suit with 30/60 lumen options ($49/$69). Run times range from 2 hours for full power up to 10 hours on blinking mode. The battery is micro USB rechargeable and ships with a cable. Check ’em out here.

gloworm-bicycle-high-power-lights-new-helmet-mount

Gloworm Lights has a new GoPro style helmet mount, allowing you to quickly and easily snap their lights into any helmet, bar or other mount with GoPro’s fitting. It’ll also snap into a compatible base plate for standard helmet mounting, too. It’s not available yet, but we’re pretty excited about the clean integration it offers.

Subscribe
Notify of
guest

This site uses Akismet to reduce spam. Learn how your comment data is processed.

11 Comments
Oldest
Newest Most Voted
Inline Feedbacks
View all comments
Von Kruiser
Von Kruiser
9 years ago

The gloworm is a kickass system. I use a helmet mount only since it’s so bright (double). Do not need bar mount second light. Just got it so no long term use.

Henrik
Henrik
9 years ago

I’ve keen running with the new VIS360 head strap for about a month now. I was stoked to be able to use the same light setup for biking and running. I’ve been using the Black Diamond Sprinter Headlamp, but was disappointed in how quickly the elastic band wore down, and that Black Diamond didn’t offer a replacement set (the support guy told me I had to buy a whole new light). My only beef with the VIS360 is the rear light/battery when mounted on the headstrap sticks out a bit from the back of your head, and that means it can wobble a bit and sag on long downhills or trails. I think an additional strap running over the top of the head would solve the problem (the Black Diamond light has one and it really helps to support and stabilize the light).

david
9 years ago

I recently bought the Urban 800 Fast Charge from my shop as soon as it arrived on our shelf and I think it’s a fantastic light. The high output of 800 lumens lasts about an hour and a half, the 350 lumen mid output last over four hours, and the low output of 175 and pulse mode 175 will last an entire night. The variance in the times and lumens make it perfect for the DC area. Plus, the benefit of charging it to 90% in about 30 minutes seals the deal. Fifteen minutes of charging has enough juice to run almost two hours in mid output (350 lumens). Great design and never slips on the handlebar even on rough terrain.

Stamps Transou
Stamps Transou
9 years ago

Ive been an L&M believer for a couple years. Mainly mtb with a SECA/ Stella combo. Super easy to mount up and beam on the SECA is peerless.

G
G
9 years ago

Finally! An aero mount for my Vis 180… right after I sold my aero bike.

Also an L&M purist for the past 3 years. A Taz 1200 and a Stella 500 are perfect for the quick, light, and bright night ride.

Despite all of that, they honestly have some of the most questionable mounting systems.

John
John
9 years ago

I bought an Urban 800 and think it’s awesome. Really bright and lightweight. However, I wish more effort was put into the helmet mount as it feels very cheap and I have trouble adjusting it correctly.

FreddieT
FreddieT
9 years ago

Have a bunch of the L&M gear; the Urban 550, Secca 1700 and Viz 180. Such a great line of products. Such a great company. I’ve relied on their products to get me through nights safely and wouldn’t trade them for the world. I have no idea why they keep making them brighter though, I already scare the crap out of traffic in the middle of farm land as is. Any brighter and I’ll be scaring the traffic next county over.

drosser
drosser
9 years ago

I know it would increase both the complexity and the cost, but without replaceable batteries, I can’t justify spending $100+ on a nice, made in the U.S.A. light. I’ve got a set of generator lights coming from Magniclights, and I’ll probably have a generator hub on my next bike.

Steve
Steve
9 years ago

You didn’t mention the best part: the different styles of headlight are named after different beers! http://www.lightandmotion.com/choose-your-light/urban

Buyer Beware
Buyer Beware
9 years ago

I used to be a L&M believer, but I’ve given up after going through 4 vis180s over the last 6 years. I commuted about 200 miles a week year-round in Seattle. They’re really good about replacing broken ones, but it’s really become too much of a hassle to deal with. Here are the problems I’ve had:
– leg rubbed on seatpost mount and releases mount; lost unit during 4 hour ride – L&M replaced and I started taping the end of the rubber strap
– Stopped exiting “charging mode” and wouldn’t turn on after charging – L&M replaced
– Arm of unit broke going over bump while commuting – L&M sent a new arm
– Started randomly turning off when going over bumps (I think something internal was knocked loose on previous incident) – I decided to just buy a new one since I felt bad about getting so much warranty support
– New unit has stopped exiting “charging mode” and won’t turn on after charging – I give up…

Forrest
Forrest
9 years ago

L&M seems to have moved from strobe to pulse modes in the newer models. Seems like a positive change. I kinda wish I could get pulse mode on my older Urban 200 (which has been an excellent light).

Subscribe Now

Sign up to receive BikeRumor content direct to your inbox.

Subscribe Now

Sign up to receive BikeRumor content direct to your inbox.