Reviews

Lezyne Macro Drive 600XL

Most affordable light in Lezyne Performance range puts out maximum 600 lumens

California-based Lezyne started making LED bike lights in 2011, and their latest range, from which we’ve plucked the Macro Drive 600XL, has expanded to 21 lamps across four collections.

What makes them stand out is Micki Kozuschek’s brand strive to build premium quality accessories which meet the same high standards you’d expect from all high-end bike components.

Just because it is a light (or a pump, cage or multi-tool) you are buying, doesn’t mean the same quality you’d demand from your wheels, bars and stem has been compromised.

Lezyne develop their own lenses and also chuck a host of innovative tech into their products. So that’s the background, what about their lights? More lumens and longer battery life is the promise for 2016, with nine brand new lights in the range including this Lezyne Macro Drive XL.

If it’s sensible night riding on unlit roads, or a powerful but compact and affordable light for commuting you are after, you won’t go far wrong with the Macro Drive XL.

The four collections cover Performance, Sport, Hybrid and Rear and the Macro Drive XL is the most affordable light in the four-strong Lezyne Performance range, which also boasts the 900-lumen Power Drive XL, 1,200-lumen Super Drive XXL and the 1,500-lumen Deca Drive XXL.

If it’s sensible night riding on unlit roads, or a powerful but compact and affordable light for commuting you are after though, you won’t go far wrong with the Macro Drive XL.

Riders familiar with Lezyne’s range will recognise the names, but the lamps themselves have been completely re-thought for 2016, with a new body shape also incorporated alongside the more powerful output.

On that topic, the casing is crafted from a compact, durable and heat-dissipating machined aluminium body. The in-house crafted lens is Enhanced MOR (Maximal Optical Reflection) – a one-piece optic which, Lezyne say, produces a wider, smoother and brighter beam – with built-in side visibility.

The Macro Drive XL tips the scales at just 142g, plus a little bit extra when you account for the silicone strap mount.

Price: £59.99
Website: Lezyne
UK distributor: Upgrade Bikes

There are seven modes in all on the light, up to the maximum 600-lumen Overdrive – which boasts a burn time of one hour and fifty minutes. Next down is the 400-lumen Blast, which runs for a claimed three hours and then the 250-lumen Enduro (four-and-a-quarter hours).

Economy, Flash and Pulse all put out 150 lumens, operating as per their names, and the final option is Femto, which will send out 15 lumens for up to 63 hours if you so desired, and modes can be toggled between via a simple-to-use button on top, as you’d expect.

Mode Memory function means the light will pick up where you left off when you turn it back on, while an Optional Overdrive Race Mode has also been built in to toggle between Overdrive and Economy modes only.

The advanced lithium-ion battery is rechargeable via a high-speed two-Amp USB (with compatible wall charger) and has a claimed recharging time of six hours (1A) or four hours (2A). Available in black or polished aluminium, it’s yours for a great value-for-money £59.99.