Since 2007, Lezyne has been a brand name that is synonymous with bicycle pumps and tools. But for many years now, the company has been rapidly expanding into the world of electronics with digital pumps, GPS computers, and some of our favorite LED lights.
Leaning on their expertise in the LED light space, Lezyne is introducing their first radar light system, which at first look seems to be ground-breaking. Lezyne attributes this to the fact that they see themselves as an LED light manufacturer first, who is adding a radar system to their LED lights, rather than the other way around.
However you look at it, the Lezyne Radar React System marks new territory in the radar light space since it is able to provide radar alerts without the use of a smart phone app or GPS cycling computer. You can still use the Radar Drive with their Radar Ally app, or any compatible GPS computer for additional functionality, but if you’d prefer to run just the lights, you won’t have to leave the radar function at home.
Six Ways to Use the Radar React System
Expanding on that concept, there are actually six different ways to use the Radar React System (just note that a smartphone is required for the initial setup):
- Radar Drive (rear light) only: Using the Radar Drive only, the light will automatically detect oncoming traffic and trigger a flashing pattern on the light to alert vehicles to your presence.
2. Radar Drive + Radar Ally App: Using the rear Radar Drive paired with the Lezyne Radar Ally smartphone app lets you see oncoming traffic displayed on the app, and provides full functionality of the light and radar.
3. Radar Drive + GPS Bike Computer: Like the Radar Drive + App, the Radar Drive + Compatible GPS computer allows you to see oncoming traffic displayed on the GPS and to control the light via computer.
4. Radar Drive + React Drive (rear light + front light): This is the big one, using just the lights, the Radar Drive will detect oncoming traffic and display audio and visual alerts on the React Drive up front. There is even a vibrating function so you can feel the notification through your handlebars.
5. Radar React System + Radar Ally App: This is the most comprehensive version of the system use, with audio and visual alerts on both the app and the React Drive front light.
6. Radar React System + Compatible GPS Computer: This offers nearly the same functionality of the whole system + app, but uses your bike GPS computer instead. The only difference is that the app offers more/better control of the lighting features.
Got all that? No, probably not… there is a lot to unpack here. Fortunately, Lezyne put together this comprehensive walkthrough for how to setup and connect your Radar React System (there’s also a setup guide here).
Even once you’ve figured out how to pair and connect your lights, there are still a bunch of options for light settings, notifications, etc., that you’ll need to watch the video to really figure out.
Radar Drive Design
When it comes to the design of the radar Drive 300 rear light, there are obvious differences right away from the competition. Most other radar lights have large black plastic sections that seem to cover the radar sensing part of the light, combined with one or two large LED lights at the top.
Conversely, the Radar Drive is almost all LED with two strips of lighting down the red lens which makes up nearly the entire light body and offer 300 lumens. The design also provides more side visibility thanks to the wraparound design of the transparent casing.
On the side of the light, two ‘wings’ act as the anchor points for the typical Lezyne rubber mounting straps which go around the seatpost. At first glance, those wings look pretty wide, but when compared to something like the Trek Carback, the overall width is nearly identical. The back of the light features a molded rubber surface which is designed to work with round seat posts plus aero and D-shaped seat posts with the included adapters.
React Drive Design
Shaped like many of the Lezyne headlights we’ve come to love, the React Drive has a major difference – LEDs at both ends. The back of the light has a translucent white cover with red LEDs underneath, as well as a speaker to provide radar alerts. Up front, there are three bright LEDs that provide up to 1200 lumens. Frankly, it’s pretty amazing that Lezyne can now package 1200 lumens with the additional radar alert abilities into a package so small. With the exception of aggressive mountain bike riding at night, those 1200 lumens should be plenty for night riding duties, not just ‘to be seen’.
As usual, the light can be mounted to any handlebar using the flexible rubber strap, or you can remove the strap entirely and use the adapter to mount it to a GoPro-style light mount.
StVZO Version Too!
In addition to the standard version of the lights, Lezyne will also offer an StVZO version of the Radar React system for countries that require it.
Charging and Battery Run Time
Both the Radar Drive and React Drive are USB-C rechargeable, though the React Drive offers the ability to fast-charge with a more powerful charger. Both lights will flash green while charging, but the front light will flash blue when connected to a charger that allows for fast charging (I used the latest iPhone charging brick and cable).
When fully charged, the React Drive offers a runtime of up to 70 hours, while the Radar Drive offers up to 20 hours. Of course, those run times all depend on how many of the alert settings you’re using and how bright you have the lights.
Pricing, Weight & Specs
When weighed with the shorter seatpost strap, the Radar Drive light measures 114g. With the standard rubber strap, the React Drive weighs in at 158g. Note that both of these are preproduction samples (and labeled as such), so the final weight may differ slightly.
The lights will be available either as individual units ($179.99 rear/$124.99 front), or as a set at $279.99.
We just got a sample yesterday, and will update this after we’ve used it a few times.
Radar Drive
- Innovative, powerful LED rear bike light
- Advanced radar technology
- 150-meter vehicle detection
- Disruptive 300-lumen daytime flash
- Engineered lens and optics: 270° visibility
- Durable, lightweight co-molded construction
- Dual Bluetooth and ANT+ wireless system
- Multiple device connection options
- Pairs with React Drive front bike light
- Part of the first-of-its-kind Radar React System
- App-based alerts with Lezyne Radar Ally app (iOS; Android)
- Radar alerts with compatible GPS bike computers
- Seven output modes
- Automatic vehicle-detection alert flash
- Up to 20 hours of battery runtime
- Securely mounts to most seatpost shapes
- Includes D-post and aero post adapters
- IPX7 waterproof with USB-C charging port
React Drive
- Innovative LED front bike light
- Enhances safety and visibility
- Pairs to Radar Drive rear light
- Built-in visual and audio vehicle detection alerts
- Part of first-of-its-kind Radar React System
- Pairs with the Radar Ally phone app
- Machined aluminum construction
- Up to 1200 lumens
- Powerful night ride ready
- Disruptive daytime flash
- Precision-engineered lens and optics
- Infinite Light Power Pack+ compatible for extra runtime
- IPX7 waterproof design with USB-C charging port
- Up to 70 hours of runtime
- Rugged, versatile mounting strap
