Definitely worth a punt

Product Overview

Overall rating:

Score 8

Lezyne Deca Drive 1500 XL

Product:

Lezyne Deca Drive 1500 XL light review

Manufacturer:

Price as reviewed:

£139.99

The Deca Drive 1500 XL is 30 per cent more expensive than the company’s Power Drive 1100 XL, but you get a third LED and a third more light output.

>>> The best mountain bike lights

It still came up well short of the claimed lumens, though, producing only 1,039, making it the least powerful of the mid-range bar lights.

Both lamp and battery are housed in an extruded and machined aluminium body and this attaches to the handlebar using an oversized rubber band. It will accommodate 35mm handlebars, but getting the belt attached to the hook is tricky.

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The micro USB charging socket is protected by a thick rubber bung but, like the 1100 XL, it’s buried deep in the back of the light, and getting the connection to engage wasn’t easy.

Like most smart lights, the Powerdrive is programmable. It has Overdrive and Economy modes but, with its low power and flashing options, the latter is really only for commuting.

In Overdrive mode, the light produces a long and thin beam. We would have preferred a bit more spread for negotiating technical trails, but at least we didn’t have to manually angle the light up on faster descents.

It’s down on power compared to the Niterider and BBB lights, but it’s pretty close to the Cateye Volt 1600 and undercuts it by £50, so is definitely worth a punt.

Details

Weight:265g
Lumens:1,500, 1,000, 600, 250
Run time:1.45, 2.10, 3.30, 9hr
Contact:upgradebikes.co.uk