Liv mountain bikes expand for 2019
The line up of bikes for the 2019 range from Liv sees some great additions to expand the women's specific range.
When we visited the Liv Cycling 2018 launch in 2017, Imogen Smith took a look across the range from the only women's specific bike brand in cycling. As we saw last year, Liv have really focused their range on trail and gravity riding, pulling back from an XC focus that they had previously. With the introduction of the new Liv Intrigue E+ eMTB, it's clear that this focus on trail and gravity bikes has really reaped rewards.
Liv follow their 3F principle, focusing on the right fit for a given bike, form, and of course function.
The Liv Intrigue E+ 2 Pro eMTB
The new Liv Intrigue E+ mirrors much of the tech and design from the latest Giant Trance E+ eMTB. The 27.5" wheeled bike sports a 150mm travel fork, paired to a 140mm travel via the Maestro suspension system out back. The geometry is a modern trail geometry, with a 66.5 degree head angle and decent reach in the frame matched with short stems.
Best of all, sizing goes down to XS, so there is a good range of fits available.
The 500Wh battery powers the SyncDrive Pro motor, giving pedal assistance up to 25km/h. The new head unit is far smaller than the previous version and also gives an indication of battery level and mode that you're in via mini LEDs.
The fork is from Suntour, with 35mm legs. Suntour are appearing in more of Liv and Giant's range, and it's a good sign for the expanding range of their products. The Aion 35 has lock out and rebound, Boost spacing, and has been made for the OneDrive steerer diameter, a sign that Liv and Giant have partnered with Suntour for the future.
The 10-speed drivetrain has some eMTB specific additions like a stronger chainring, and Giant and Liv eMTBs use stronger hubs to also withstand the greater loads that eMTBs deliver. At $5999 we're stoked to see a women's specific eMTB that doesn't break the bank (in the realms of a full-suspension eMTB anyway). A pedal assist mountain bike can be a lot of bike to handle, and having a focus on the fit is even more important than say, an analogue bike.
Liv also have the Vall-E+ 1 Pro, a eMTB hardtail with a 120mm travel RockShox Recon fork and the same motor along with a 10sp group set. The trail geometry means it is still all about exploration and going further – and we think a dropper post would make a great upgrade before you roll out of your Liv dealer. It sells for $4799.
All Hail the Queen
The Liv Hail was the 160mm enduro bike that the women’s mountain bike market was craving, and for 2019 it has moved to a 170mm fork. The Hail Advanced is the full carbon model with a SRAM Eagle group set and custom-tuned DVO suspension, hitting the shop floors at $5799, a stonkingly good deal for the spec.
The Liv Hail 2 is ALUXX SL, still has a SRAM Eagle 12-speed drivetrain thanks to NX, RockShox suspension for 170mm up front and 160mm out back via the Maestro suspension system, and it comes in at $3999. This thing is ready to go for your next all-mountain holiday – and would be at home shuttling at Maydena Bike Park or out for long days around Mt Buller.
Don’t miss our look at the 2019 Giant range.
Does trail riding Pique your interest?
The Liv Pique range brings 120mm of Maestro suspension, super-low standover heights, and a $2999 entry price to women’s mountain biking. With 130mm travel forks, 69.4 degree head angles, short 430mm stays and a short 42mm fork offset – the Liv Pique offers the right mix of stability and agility for endless kilometres of singletrack.
The Pique Advanced is $5499, and the SRAM NX Eagle group sets gives you all the gears you’ll need, while Fox Performance suspension keeps your wheels tracking on the ground – or help bring you back to terra firma with comfort and style. The Giant TRX composite wheels are a nice touch to keep this bike light and nimble on the trails.
All about value with the Liv Embolden
The Liv Embolden 2 matches 120mm of suspension front and rear with 27.5″ wheels and some super trail friendly geometry.
The linkage driven single pivot suspension design keeps the costs low, so Liv can still put a dropper post, quality 2×9 group set, Maxxis 2.4″ tyres and Suntour suspension on the bike – all for $2299.
The Embolden isn’t the lightest and brightest, or biggest and burliest, but the whole package offers a lot of reliability, fun, and well thought out geometry for a great price for a full-suspension bike.
What about hardtails?
The Obsess is still long gone, but the Liv Tempt range has two ALLUX SL alloy frames with 100mm travel forks. Running 68 degree head angles, steady 440mm chainstays and an agile 42mm fork offset the Tempt range will be a great place to learn the fine art of carving singletrack.
Need to know more about the Liv 2019 range? Visit your local dealer or the Liv Australia website.
