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Lezyne Macro Drive 800XL front light

In an all-encompassing range, the beefed up Macro Drive 800XL hits the sweetspot

California-based Lezyne revamped their LED bike lights range last year with the promise of higher outputs and more battery life – and the Macro Drive 800XL front light is the most affordable of the four lamps in the flagship Performance range.

It replaces the Macro Drive 600 XL – a 2016 RCUK 100 inductee – and, needless to say, bumps the output up to a hefty 800 lumens. Lezyne have kept the price in check, though, with only a £5 increase to £64.99 over last year’s model.

So for an extra fiver, you get the same bomb-proof aluminium casing, a low weight of 140g (plus the silicone strap mount) and an extra 200 lumens on the main beam. That puts the Macro Drive firmly in see-by territory, despite its relatively compact size, so if you need a versatile light for both commuting on urban roads and riding on unlit lanes, this is one for you.

Lezyne have become a household name when it comes to bike lights, thanks in no small part to their mantra of giving smaller components the same attention to detail as you would expect a bike brand to commit to their flagship products.

What this means is you get a light housed in a sleek, machined aluminium body, with first-class optics, side visibility, a durable but easy-to use-mount, and plenty of modes.

Those seven modes start with the 15-lumen Femto setting, which promises 63 hours burn time and a 15-lumen output, and rise all the way to the Overdrive setting – with the full 800 lumens for one hour and forty minutes. Wherever you’re riding, you’ll find a setting to help you stay seen on the road.

For most regular commutes, the Economy, Flash and Pulse modes will be more-than sufficient, with the battery life offering potentially a week’s worth of riding before you need to worry about charging. And if said commute features any dark, unlit roads you have the added back-up of an impressively bright main beam.

RCUK 100 2017 - Lezyne Macro Drive 800XL front light
RCUK 100 2017 - Lezyne Macro Drive 800XL front light

Lezyne Macro Drive 800XL

Mode memory cuts the faff of having to find your desired setting each time you power up the light, while charging comes via a USB cable – both pretty standard features for a decent bike light these days, but always welcome nonetheless.

There is something for everyone in Lezyne’s 20-strong bike light range but the Macro Drive 800 XL hits the sweet spot between price and all-round performance.

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Selected for The RCUK 100 2017

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