Liv light up their 2018 MTB range
Liv launches their 2018 mountain bike line-up of trail and all-mountain bikes.
Written by Imogen Smith.
Liv, Giant Bikes’ little sister, was established as a brand in 2007 and now, ten years later, is still the only dedicated women’s cycling brand in the business. Liv’s core brand goals are to make cycling more approachable and appealing, but don’t let their lifestyle-friendly language fool you. The Liv range also includes some serious rigs designed to take as much punishment and deliver as much performance as any woman could ask for.
This year sees a move away from pure XC, with the Obsess Advanced carbon hardtail jettisoned, with no equivalent replacement. While Giant’s 2018 unisex range plugs a lot of holes with the re-introduction of the racy 29” Anthem XCO duallie, the Liv range focuses on 27.5” wheeled trail and gravity bikes, and the performance level of the market, with plenty of bikes going between AUD $3,000 and $5,000.
Take a Pique
The Pique is a great all-rounder for general trail riding with 130mm of travel up front and 120mm in the rear. It’s been a successful addition to the Liv stable, but this year is reduced from four models to three with pretty big jumps between price and spec: the alloy Pique 3 for AUD $3,299, the carbon composite Pique Advanced 2 for AUD $4,799, and the tricked-out Pique Advanced 0 for AUD $8,499.
The Pique Advanced 0 has everything a trail shredder could ask for. A RockShox Pike RCT3 Solo Air fork, RockShox Super Deluxe RCT rear shock, SRAM Eagle drivetrain, and Maxxis Forekaster tyres leave absolutely nothing to upgrade. Both the Pique Advanced 2 and 0, like their Giant Anthem Advanced and Trance cousins, come with alloy rear triangles. They also have 42mm offset forks, working with 70 degree head angles to keep the right trail number without having a wheelbase that is too long.
Want more specs? Head to the Liv website.
All Hail all-mountain riding!
The big-hitting Hail adds another model to 2017’s range of three. The Hail, with its 160mm of front and rear travel, is a bike designed for all-mountain riding, ready to tackle anything from enduro racing, bike park shuttles, or an epic adventure.
The Hail Advanced 0, at $8,799 has a few changes on its 2017 predecessor. comes with an up-specced DT Swiss EX1501 Spline One wheelset and, like the top-of-the-line Giant Reign, the Hail’s scored an added a coil-over shock for improved small bump performance, with a remote lockout and the promise of excellent climbing efficiency. Otherwise the spec is full performance, including the SRAM X01 Eagle drivetrain.
The Hail Advanced 1, with Fox 36 Float Performance Elite fork, and the new Fox Float DPX2 rear shock, a SRAM Eagle GX drivetrain, and the same frameset as the Advanced 0 for a more wallet-friendly AUD $6,299.
The Hail 1, with alloy frame, includes SRAM GX Eagle gears, RockShox Lyric and and Super Deluxe shocks for AUD $5,299. It’s joined by new addition the Hail 2, with alloy frame, RockShox Yari and Deluxe RT shocks, and Shimano SLX drivetrain for AUD $3,700.
For full geo and specs head to the Liv website.
Embrace the trail with the Liv Embolden
For recreational trail riding and for those discovering the joys of mountain biking, the Embolden 2 is a good value package, with alloy frame, 120mm front and rear Suntour suspension, Shimano Deore/Alivio 18-speed group set, dropper, and tubeless wheelset for AUD $2,199.
2018 bikes are landing now, so check the Liv website, or contact your Liv/Giant dealer to test ride or check out these latest models.
