Lezyne Super Drive XL – Review

So last night I eventually managed to try out my new Lezyne Super Drive XL bike light. Having had this light for the best part of two weeks now and through one thing or another being unable to try it out on the roads, I was eager and determined that last night would be the night.

I already own and use the Lupine Tesla 5 light as my main handlebar mounted light but wanted an additional wireless light that would mount onto my helmet to allow additional visibility. The Lezyne Super Drive XL light fitted the bill. I opted for the “LOADED” pack which includes the helmet mount and additional battery which comes in at an additional £15, but considering the helmet mount alone retails for £16, you are effectively getting the spare battery for nothing.

The Super Drive XL comes in the choice of black or silver colour options, I opted for the black as it went with my black, red and white Giro Savant helmet, oh and my 2010 Cube Agree GTC Pro is white, black and red! Well it’s all got to match doesn’t it????

So what do you actually get in the box I hear you ask……. oh you didn’t ask……. doesn’t matter I’m telling you anyway!

So for £114.99 of your well earned cash, or wherever you get your cash from (I’m not here to judge you), you get:

1. Light Unit (obviously)
2. Handlebar mount
3. Helmet mount
4. USB Charging cable
5. Spare battery in water tight cylinder
6. Instruction Manual
7. Plastic box with foam insert to store everything in

I fitted the helmet mount which literally took 20 seconds, it simply attaches around the helmet vents by a velcro strap which to be fair works very well. As for the bracket itself, it’s a solid construction which I felt confident clicking my light into and not worrying that it’ll snap while riding unlike some brackets I’ve used and that have broken on me in the past. The light clicks tightly and securely into the bracket which is on a rotating ball head allowing you to angle the light however you please.

My first impression when I placed my helmet complete with light onto my head was that it was heavy! My helmet is fairly light and my head is full of air so that could be the reason why it felt heavy! To be fair after only a couple of minutes riding I found that I no longer noticed the additional weight on my head.

So what about the power output? Well the Lezyne Super XL light boasts 4 power settings:

1. Enduro (Medium): 350 lumens 2.5 hours burn time
2. Blast (High): 500 lumens 1.5 hours burn time
3. Economy (Low): 175 lumens 5 hours burn time
4. Flash: 350 lumens 5 hours burn time

As I set off into the night I opted for the flash mode to start with as my usual wed night ride usual take around 2 hours, with the first couple of miles on the main roads. Paired with my Tesla 5 on my handlebars and the Lezyne Super Drive on my helmet there was no way I wouldn’t be seen! As we left the lit main roads and headed off into the back roads I switched to “Blast” mode and was blown away by the power of the light. Bearing in mind I still had my 700 lumen Lupine Tesla 5 switched on and my mate had 2 lights on, I could still clearly see the beam from my Lezyne. What I loved about the power of Lezyne and the fact that it was mounted on my helmet was the flexibility of where I could shine the light, all I had to do was look in the direction I wanted to see and hey presto the road was lit afore me!

24.5 miles later I returned home thoroughly impressed with my new light. My wife who was in the kitchen knew I was on my way home before she saw me as she saw the beam from my Lezyne bounce of the block of flats opposite! I really feel that this light is value for money and felt confident that if my main light (Lupine Tesla 5) failed on me when I was out that I could use the Lezyne Super Drive on it’s own to provide adequate light to guide me home, even in the darkest of roads, especially with the spare battery, which is just slightly bigger than the size of a AA battery, tucked away in my pocket.

Once I arrived home I found the light useful for allowing me to see clearly when removing my other light, pump and gps computer from the bike in the dark and for ease of putting the bike back into the shed. Only thing is I need to remember to duck when entering the shed with the light still attached to my helmet! As I was packing my kit and away and putting the bike back into the shed I once more became aware of the additional weight of the light on my head, not something that was noticeable when I was on the move.

Stuart
IT Manager