[8doubles]

I still maintain that the only way to bake a lighter loaf, is to bake it outside the breadmaker. Elementary school physics, something to do with weight and volume ratios, called density!

More to do with a good rise from the yeast methinks. 
You are not baking in a sealed container , if it wants to rise it can fill the machine if you use too much mix .

[otis pony]

My last machine gave up and a friend managed to get me one free from free-cycle!  Like many others that have posted I only use mine for dough.  My children like the very large pizzas we make by taking the dough out of the pan, rolling it (tossing it about!), spreading with ketchup/puree, pesto and cheese.  Cheap, very cheerful and with the addition of wholemeal flour to the mix, good for them too!   

[boosmummy]

i do two cups white flour to 1 1/3 wholemeal and i always use honey not sugar, i find that honey makes it a bit lighter xx

[madcat]

More to do with a good rise from the yeast methinks. 
You are not baking in a sealed container , if it wants to rise it can fill the machine if you use too much mix .

You aren't kidding!!  And the quantity of sugar!  One of my early banana bread experiments got away from me (there is a lot of sugar in a ripe banana!  :blink:) and it rose and rose and filled the lid and down the outside of the pan and ...    :blink:   Took a lot of living down did that loaf ....  made nice breakfast toast with the excess cut away (birds loved that!) and I now have the recipe down pat.

Seriously DD, I agree you can get a better crust and a light bread in the oven, but it takes elapsed time I don't have.  Bread machines are great for the time poor with taste buds - or gluten intolerance    (top tip!).  When I am retired and have more time..  .. I will do more interesting things in that line.  I also want to learn how to make pastry that isn't closely related to hardboard..