The Urban was one of our favorite lights last year as it delivered an honest 500 lumens in an incognito unit. This year, claimed output is bumped up to 550 lumens and we measured their output at 604 lumens.

The mountain biker still cannot turn the side lights off but that's not a big concern when using this as a helmet light (since it won't bother the rider). Check the photo below to see if the 'always on' side lighting will bother you in a dark trail. But it remains as one of the lightest units at 113 grams that can pack a 600 lumen punch.

Specifications:
  • Price: $160
  • Claimed Lumens: 550 Lumens
  • Measured Lumens: 604 Lumens
  • Measured MTBR Lux: 55 Lux
  • Light Head Weight: 113 grams
  • Installed Weight: 113 grams
  • Run Time: 1.5 Hours
  • Category: Flashlight/Commuter

2013 Lights from Light and Motion


Strengths:
  • Excellent light output and beam pattern
  • Good switch action and logic
  • Excellent flashlight
  • Good value at $160
  • Bar and helmet mount are included
  • Different price points are available
  • Side lights are great for commuting safety.
Weaknesses:
  • It can get hot since there's not a lot of heat sink area
  • The yellow side lights can get annoying for mountain biking applications and they can't be turned off.
  • Mount can not be taken off easily to use this as a handy flashlight
  • There's very stiff pricing competition in this category

Mounting:

Handlebar mounting is done with very slick strap that can be tightened based on the rider's preference. The same strap is used for standard and oversized handlebars. At first we found the strap too long and found the excess bothersome but we realized we can loop the strap back in the pin and tuck it neatly. It can be aimed left to right. There is an included helmet mount and it works very well. The light can be aimed up/down and left/right. The light is 110 grams so it's hardly noticeable on the helmet.

Urban line:

Urban 200 - $100 with 200 lumens of output, 2.5 hours

Urban 400 - $130 with 400 lumens of output, 1.5 hours

Urban 550 - $160 with 500 lumens of output, 1.5 hours (this is the model reviewed here)

MTBR Light Meter Measurements: Compare all lights here.

This light measured 55 Lux on our ambient light measurement facility.

Integrating Sphere Measured Lumens: Compare all lights here.

604 measured Lumens. Claimed Lumens by the manufacturer is 550 Lumens. The Lumen-hour graph below shows how the light performs over the first three minutes of its battery cycle.



Backyard Beam Pattern Photo: Compare all lights here.



We photographed the lights in the same location setting with the same camera settings. The photos were taken in the back yard that is approximately 25 yards long. These photos feature many objects and a distinct background to analyze detail and beam pattern.

Tunnel Beam Pattern Photo: Compare all lights here.



The location is useful since it has walls and a ceiling that can display a bike light beam pattern. The walls have a lot of graffiti on them and actually show detail when they are lit up by a light with a wide angle. Cones and targets are set up with the far target set up at 80 yards.


Related Links
All Mtbr Lights Shootout Articles »
2013 Bike Lights Shootout »
2013 Backyard Beam Pattern Comparisons »
2013 Tunnel Beam Pattern Comparisons »
2013 Mtbr Lux measurements »
2013 Mtbr Lumen Tests »
2012 Bike Lights Shootout »
Mtbr Lights Reviews »
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