When it's cold enough for leg or knee warmers you might not want to wear your sheerest lycra shorts, and the Lusso 2-Zero bibs fill a nice gap between summer shorts and winter gear. They're warm enough for the in-between days and ideal paired with some lower leg protection.

Made in the UK from Italian Roubaix lycra, the 2-Zeros have a 10-panel shaped construction with a high front and back; the lycra extends all the way up to the wide bib straps. It's a mid-weight Roubaix fabric that's warmer than standard lycra and very comfortable against the skin. Comfort is helped by the flat seams, and the wide, woven leg grippers with silicone detailing do a good job of keeping the legs (and knee warmers) in place.

I was initially worried that the high front would make nature breaks a bit problematic, but the fabric is plenty stretchy enough for it not to be an issue. I found the bibs generally a good fit, although those who are narrow of shoulder might find the bib straps a bit wide.

The four-layer pad is quite large and thick, and extends quite a long way forward. There's a section in front of where you'd normally expect the pad to finish that extends further up and is peppered with ventilation holes. It sits high enough to stop the worst of the windchill reaching your delicates, which is welcome on a frosty start. The rest of the pad is more standard and I found it comfortable for rides of all lengths, with plenty of padding where padding is needed.

The bibs are machine-washable, and after some decent use they're holding together very well. They've kept their shape and the fabric has resisted the wear and tear of riding. The triple-stitched seams inspire confidence that they'll stick around for a few autumns and springs.

They're called 2-Zero so are they good down to freezing point? Well, they're better from about 5–10 degrees but they're warm enough to go lower if you're going fast enough to keep yourself warm. They're not especially windproof and they don't make any claims to be waterproof so they're not the best foul-weather option but for bright, cold rides they're just the ticket paired with some knee or leg warmers, and once the temperature creeps up a bit you can wear them on their own too. At £70 they're a decent price too.

A word on sizing: I'm wearing a medium pair, when I'd normally expect to be a large. Try before you buy, if you can.

Verdict

Good quality Roubaix bib shorts that are comfy and warm

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road.cc test report

Make and model: Lusso 2-Zero Thermal Bib Shorts

Size tested: Medium

Tell us some more about the technical aspects of the product?

Features:

* Fabric: Italian Roubaix

* Bib Fabric: Roubaix

* Leg Grippers: 42mm SC-9 Carbon

* Seams: Flat and 3 Thread

* Design: 10 Panel Anatomic

* Antistatic & 50+ UV Ray Protection: Yes

* Machine Washable: Yes

* Made in UK: Yes

 

Pad:

* Seamless Pad

* Ideal for Racing or Training with Leg Warmers

* Usage: Mid/Long Distance

* Thickness: 13mm

* Layers: x4

* Fabric: Microfibre

* Padding: H.D. Foam

Rate the product for quality of construction:
 
8/10
Rate the product for performance:
 
8/10
Rate the product for durability:
 
8/10
Rate the product for comfort, if applicable:
 
8/10
Rate the product for value:
 
7/10

Tell us how the product performed overall when used for its designed purpose

Very well, a good cold weather option.

Tell us what you particularly liked about the product

Comfy, well-made.

Tell us what you particularly disliked about the product

nothing really. The straps are wide but it wasn't really an issue.

Did you enjoy using the product? Yes.

Would you consider buying the product? Yes.

Would you recommend the product to a friend? Yes.

Overall rating: 8/10

About the tester

Age: 42  Height: 190cm  Weight: 100kg

I usually ride: whatever I'm testing…  My best bike is: Kinesis Tripster ATR

I've been riding for: Over 20 years  I ride: Every day  I would class myself as: Experienced

I regularly do the following types of riding: road racing, commuting, club rides, sportives, general fitness riding, fixed/singlespeed, mtb, Mountain Bike Bog Snorkelling, track