Liv Vall-E+ 0 Pro - technical data
- Wheel size: 27.5"+
- Price: 3499 Euro
- Drive: Giant SyncDrive Pro (Yamaha)
- Max. Torque: 80 Nm (5 riding modes), 250 watts
- Battery: Lithium-ion, 500 Wh
- Gearing: 1x11 Shimano SLX/XT
- Display: Giant Ride Control EVO with slide mode
- Frame size / material: XS/S/M/L / aluminium
- Suspension fork: Rock Shox Revelation 120 mm
- Telescopic seatpost: Giant Contact Switch Trail
- Brake / disc size: Shimano BR-MT500 / 200/180 mm
- Wheels: Giant eXX 2 tubeless, 35 mm, aluminium e-bike optimised
- Tyres: Maxxis Forekaster Exo 27.5 x 2.6 tubeless tyres
- Handlebar width: 750 mm
- Steering angle: 68 degrees
- Chainstays: 475 mm
- Reach: 390 mm
- Stack: 635 mm
Other models: Liv Vall-E+ 1 Pro (3099 euros), Liv Vall-E+ 2 (2599 euros), Liv Vall-E+ 3 (2199 euros)
According to Liv, the Vall E+ (pronounced: "Valley", because you can easily pedal up the mountain from the valley floor thanks to the e-drive) has a geometry optimised for women, the SyncDrive motor is supposed to enable a particularly natural pedalling feel - and: the Vall E+ is a hardtail. Nevertheless Liv The bike was not tested on simple forest motorways, but invited me to test ride it in the trail mecca of Val Venosta/Vinschgau. For me, it was the first ever tour on an e-MTB.
Special women's geometry
Whether women need a special bike geometry or not - at 1.70 metres tall, I sit very comfortably and centrally on the size M test bike. With a reach of 390 millimetres, perhaps even a tad too upright. However, the pleasantly wide handlebars (750 mm) compensate for this somewhat. I switch on the motor with my left hand and can select the support level of the Syncdrive (5 levels from Eco to Power). With my right hand, I shift through the 11 gears of the Shimano XT as usual and the display in the centre shows me the speed, support level, kilometres and battery consumption as a percentage. And yes, the bike is heavy. "Around 20 kilos," says Product Manager Ludi Scholz, making a rocking motion with the flat of her hand. They have not yet weighed the bike exactly. But weight doesn't play a role with E-MTBs anyway, as the saying goes. In any case, I realise that when I'm still standing on the bike, it's easier to hold the 20 kilos when I've lowered the seat post. That way I don't have to keep the bike tilted sideways. As soon as the Yamaha motor is switched on, the bike immediately wants to get going. Even the lightest pressure on the pedal causes the gearbox to rumble. It feels as if the chain on a normal MTB has not yet been properly shifted to the other chainring. But as soon as you start cranking, the motor purrs away without jerking or delay.
Natural pedalling feel
Out of six different motor manufacturers, Liv has decided to work with Yamaha. Together they developed the SyncDrive motor, which is particularly light, can be integrated into the frame to save space and responds smoothly. In fact, gear and mode changes feel quite harmonious on tour - despite my initially wild upshifting and downshifting. However, it soon becomes clear that the middle "Active" mode is the best for the steep Vinschgau Valley ramps. It supports my own pedalling power with 250 percent, which means I'm 2.5 times faster than usual. In this setting, the battery should easily and comfortably last for 1000 metres in altitude. But our test ride only takes us about 400 metres up the Sonnenberg to the Annaberger Böden. I can afford to switch to the higher Sport mode from time to time. With 300 per cent support, I not only reach my destination in no time at all, but the cooling breeze is also stronger - which is very, very pleasant in the shade at a sweltering 35 degrees.
The Liv Vall E+ in trail use
So much for the relaxed riding experience on the gravel road. But we're in the Vinschgau Valley and it's famous for its trails. I already know the descent from the Annerberger Böden. The path runs down the mountain flanks as a dust-dry track. Every now and then a few rocks rumble under the tyres - no problem with a Fully. But with a hardtail almost twice as heavy? At least the 2.6 inch wide Maxxis tyres grip the dust quite well and soften the blows from below a little. Even in the treacherous sand pits that have collected in the bends, the bike stays firmly on course thanks to its weight. Only the scree and rocky sections raise the pulse rate. Whilst the suspension fork still gently rolls over the roughest of them, the rear wheel lags behind somewhat uncontrollably. Finding and holding a clean line is the order of the day. A delicate riding technique, which unfortunately is quickly forgotten with the forgiving suspension travel of a full-suspension bike. And this is exactly what works so well with the Vall E+: It manoeuvres manoeuvrably and playfully through the rocky course and can also be steered through tight bends. The steering angle of 68 degrees and the 475 mm chainstays make it possible. At the end of the day, as expected, it's not the legs that burn. It's the forearms. Despite a 200 mm disc at the front and a 180 mm disc at the rear, the weight of the bike pushes noticeably and also really heats up the Shimano brakes.
And the uphill flow?
So that's what I was most looking forward to - the much-cited uphill flow. On the gravel ramps we had climbed so far, the uphill rush was naturally limited. But on the second day of our test ride, the "Holy Hansen" trail was on the agenda. Famous for its downhill fun, it is not rideable uphill on a normal bike. But we're now travelling with the E-MTB. And before everyone howls in anger: We had Matze Gruber, the trail builder, with us as our guide. He made sure in advance that we didn't run into oncoming traffic for this one test ride. The ride starts on rough scree. To prevent the rear wheel from losing traction, you stay in the saddle with as much weight as possible - and absorb the impacts from below unfiltered. If the gradient gets steeper, you also have to bend your elbows downwards and crouch far over the handlebars to prevent the front wheel from rising. Crank as smoothly and evenly as possible. If roots or steps appear: keep cranking! If you stop briefly, for example to avoid touching the pedals, you will come to an abrupt halt. Because if you don't crank, you won't be supported by the sensitive motor. The 20-kilo bike then drops its anchor in the middle of a steep climb. It's just as well that the bike also has a push mode... But after the rough start, the first berms of the Holy Hansen start to swing up. The manoeuvrable Vall E+ flies through the freshly shaped rollercoaster course. Not a stone or root rattles, the bike pulls towards the sky and nestles elegantly into the curve combinations. That must be it, the uphill flow!
Test summary of the Liv Vall-E+
The Liv Vall E+ is a lively, manoeuvrable touring bike with a harmoniously tuned and directly responsive drive. If you are mainly travelling on gravel roads and flow trails, you will love the lightness and ease of use of this e-MTB. For tougher off-road use, however, you will want a fully. Or you can learn a proper riding technique again.
Gitta Beimfohr
Editor
