Support road.cc

Like this site? Help us to make it better.

review

Lusso Pro Team Bib Shorts

7
£74.99

VERDICT:

7
10
Quality bib shorts with plenty of comfort from a well chosen chamois pad.
Weight: 
210g
Contact: 
www.lusso-clothing.co.uk

At road.cc every product is thoroughly tested for as long as it takes to get a proper insight into how well it works. Our reviewers are experienced cyclists that we trust to be objective. While we strive to ensure that opinions expressed are backed up by facts, reviews are by their nature an informed opinion, not a definitive verdict. We don't intentionally try to break anything (except locks) but we do try to look for weak points in any design. The overall score is not just an average of the other scores: it reflects both a product's function and value – with value determined by how a product compares with items of similar spec, quality, and price.

What the road.cc scores mean

Good scores are more common than bad, because fortunately good products are more common than bad.

  • Exceptional
  • Excellent
  • Very Good
  • Good
  • Quite good
  • Average
  • Not so good
  • Poor
  • Bad
  • Appalling

Lusso Pro Team bib shorts are comfortable thanks to a surprisingly good gel pad, and good value.

Lusso are a proudly British brand, unlike the many clothing companies that rely on their continental heritage. Besides the logo with union jack, the design still reminds me of higher end Castellis and Santanis. With a large silk-screen logo across both thighs and large embossed leg grippers, the inspiration is distantly 'euro'.

I'm generally a medium in most shorts. I was afraid when the medium Lussos arrived that they would be a little on the large size, as the cut appeared quite generous. Putting them on however, the fit was solid - I think the prominent white stitching binding the classic panelled design made them look a little larger than they are. The shorts are still quite long in the leg, with large elastic leg gripper (5in) and a silicone bead ensuring they still hold well. Carbon effect bib straps have plenty of give in them to suit a range of heights, while keeping the shorts snug to the lower body.

Another of my concerns when the shorts first arrived was the choice of chamois pad. From reading the site, a comfortable chamois is the founder's main reason for starting the business some 30 years ago so one would hope they got this on right. The pad is of the gel variety, quite thin and with prominent contours, which from experience of similar designs lead me to think it would not be up to much on the bike.

Thankfully this wasn't the case and I was pleasantly surprised by the amount of comfort that the pad provides. The contours allow it to move with the rider, creating a positively unnoticeable bond between the bike; fitting neatly around the groin. It manages to be lightweight whilst providing a great level of cushioning. Over a number of hours' riding, the comfort didn't subside.

In terms of durability, the shorts are well constructed and I can't see any points likely to fall apart. The only sign of wear after a couple of washes were the small Lusso logos (not the large ones on the thigh), starting to peel off. They're those heat applied labels that always start peeling so I'm not sure why they bothered, second the fact that I'd probably prefer the shorts without them, as the red clashes with the white and black theme throughout.

The Lusso Pro Gel Racing are a quality pair of bib shorts with plenty of comfort from a well chosen chamois pad. Fit is good and perhaps tailored more towards the British build than the Italian sizing of the big names, which will no doubt suit many readers. With an RRP of £75, they aren't cheap but don't break the often-broken £100 mark either - I think £75 is an honest price and presents good value for these shorts. If you're after a comfortable pair of shorts from a British brand these from Lusso would make a sound choice.

Verdict

Quality bib shorts with plenty of comfort from a well chosen chamois pad.

If you're thinking of buying this product using a cashback deal why not use the road.cc Top Cashback page and get some top cashback while helping to support your favourite independent cycling website

road.cc test report

Make and model: Lusso Pro Team Bib Shorts

Size tested: Medium

Tell us what the product is for, and who it's aimed at. What do the manufacturers say about it? How does that compare to your own feelings about it?

'High performance bib shorts' is all Lusso give away. They're not at the top end of performance but certainly do the job for £75

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

Carbon Leg Grippers

Flat Seams

Pro gel Insert - with double stitching

Carbon Mesh Back and Straps

Machine washable

Exclusive only 100 made

Red or Black Lusso Print

Rate the product for quality of construction:
 
8/10

No issues here, a classic paneled design without any inner seams to cause chaffing.

Rate the product for performance:
 
7/10

Comfortable and provided a good fit.

Rate the product for durability:
 
6/10

The heat applied brand labels have started to peel after a couple of washes.

Rate the product for comfort, if applicable:
 
7/10

A good level of padding and a lot more comfortable than I was expecting. Better than others I've tried at this price point.

Rate the product for value:
 
7/10

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

As a pair of bib shorts they were up to the task.

Tell us what you particularly liked about the product

The large elastic leg gripper holds the lower thigh well and look good at the same time.

Tell us what you particularly disliked about the product

The red and black heat applied brand labels that started peeling off anyway.

Did you enjoy using the product? Yes.

Would you consider buying the product? Probably.

Would you recommend the product to a friend? Yes.

Overall rating: 7/10

About the tester

Age: 25  Height: 184cm  Weight: 68kg

I usually ride: Giant TCR Advanced 1  My best bike is: Giant TCR Advanced 1

I've been riding for: Under 5 years  I ride: Every day  I would class myself as: Semi pro

I regularly do the following types of riding: road racing, time trialling, cyclo cross, club rides, mtb,

 

Add new comment

2 comments

Avatar
Jack Osbourne snr | 10 years ago
0 likes

Function over form?

That's one horrible looking pair of shorts, but having some Lusso kit I have found that it tends to perform much better than it looks.

Avatar
The _Kaner | 10 years ago
0 likes

Peal= Peal of a bell (ringing)
Peel= Peeling of logo....
creating an positively... = creating a positively...
 22

Latest Comments