Who is Liv?
Liv is the women's division of Giant Bicycles.
They exist to deliver the best bikes to female riders.
They do this by using a data drive approach.
What's the average torso length? What about leg length, arm length, shoulder width, sit bone width? This and more is what Liv's engineers take into consideration when they design bikes for women.
It's not a case of taking Giant's mens bikes, shrinking them down, adding some pink and calling it a day.
This includes designing kids bikes for 2 years olds, right through to performance bikes for professional athletes.
Every Liv bike is crafted with the intention to make the bike fit women.
Not the other way around.
What is the difference between a Giant and Liv bike?
Quick note:
The differences between Giant and Liv bikes become more pronounced at the adult stage.
So bikes like the Giant ATX and Liv Bliss are going to have important differences in sizing and ergonomics.
Whereas Giant and Liv kids bikes (anything up to a 24-inch bike) are going to have minor differences, if at all.
With that out of the way, what are the differences then?
- Liv bikes have a shorter reach.
Most female riders tend to have shorter torso and long legs. The shorter frame delivers much better back posture for women.
- Liv bikes are also taller in the front.
Again to help deliver better posture due to a shorter torso.
- Liv bikes made from carbon, use a different carbon to Giant bikes.
Women are generally lighter compared to men.
If Liv used the exact same carbon structure as Giant did, their carbon bikes would be too harsh and stiff.
That's why Liv's engineers tune and optimise the carbon for lighter riders.
- It's also the components.
Stuff like handlebar width, seat profile, crank length and suspension tune (on dual-suspension bikes) are super important to get the right ergonomics for a pain-free riding experience.
Liv girls bikes.
Liv's kids range for girls starts off at the Adore range.
The Adore toddler range comes in 2 sizes:
- Adore 12 for girls at least 2 years old.
- Adore 16 for almost 4 years old and older.
Then we move into the Tempt youth bikes:
- Tempt 20 for girls at least 6 years old.
- Tempt 24 and Tempt 24 Disc for girls almost 8 years and over.
Liv has another range of kids mountain bikes dedicated to girls. These are designed for proper mountain biking:
- STP 20
- STP 24
- Faith 24
- Faith
Both STP models are front-suspension only and the Faith's are dual-suspension bikes.
Liv mountain bikes.
Liv mountain bikes can be separated into recreational and performance.
Liv's recreational mountain bikes are designed for bike paths, rail trails and pavement. The range includes the following:
- Liv Bliss
- Liv Tempt (available in 4 different models)
Liv performance mountain bikes are designed for rugged off-road use and are built with robust parts to accommodate harsher impacts.
The performance range has these bikes in it:
- Lurra
- Embolden
- Pique
- Intrigue
- Intrigue LT
The Liv Lurra is the only front suspension bike in the list. Everything else is dual-suspension.
Note:
As you go down the list, the mountain bikes are designed for aggressive trails.
Liv hybrid bikes.
Liv's hybrid bikes can be separated into 2 categories; with or without suspension.
If you're riding on paved, light dirt or light gravel bike paths and you prefer a bike that's a bit lighter then consider these Liv hybrid bikes:
- Liv Alight
- Liv Thrive
However if you prefer to have the flexibility to ride on unpaved or rougher surfaces, or prefer a smoother ride, then it's the Liv Rove (4 models) that you should consider.
Liv road bikes.
There are also 2 types of road bikes that Liv make.
The Avail is designed for riders who prefer a relaxed riding position, stable bike handling and a smoother road feel.
And the Avail is offered in:
- An aluminium alloy frame (Avail AR)
- And a carbon frame (Avail Advanced). So anytime you see the word Advanced, it means it has a frame.
Liv also produces the Langma.
Think lightweight, responsive, fast and sharp handling.
The Langma is only available in carbon. And there's 3 levels:
- Langma Advanced
- Langma Advanced Pro
- Langma Advanced SL