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Developed since 2013 Liv Aero road bikes designed specifically for women. Marianne Vos rode the first Envie to victory at the 2013 World Championships and at La Course and the Women’s Tour. The strategy of Giant, the world’s largest bicycle manufacturer, to establish its own sports brand specifically for women appears to be paying off: with the EnviLiv, the race model is now in its fourth generation, running alongside the Giant Propel.
Liv EnviLiv Gen. 4: Key facts
Manufacturer’s specifications
- Weight of complete bike: from 6.4 kilograms
- Frame/fork weight: from 800/355 grams
- Stack/Reach/STR: 548/383 millimetres/1.43 (size M)
- Max. tyre clearance: 32 millimetres
- Frame sizes: XXS, XS, S, M, L
- Prices (complete bike): 2,999 to 11,999 euros >> available here
- Price (frame set): 2,699 to 3,899 euros
Shorter and smaller
The main differences compared with the Giant models are primarily geometric in nature: the Liv bikes are slightly shorter, and you sit in a slightly more upright position on them. The range of sizes covers more smaller sizes and fewer larger ones, as women are statistically shorter than men. They also feature narrower handlebars and shorter cranks.
You can find out more about Liv bikes here:
Otherwise, the specifications and product range are largely comparable. The new Advanced SL frame, which is used on the top-of-the-range models, weighs 805 grams in size M, whilst the fork weighs 355 grams. The complete frameset weighs in at 1,443 grams – a good 120 grams less than the previous generation. According to the manufacturer, the complete system saves more than 400 grams when all components are included.
The integrated seatpost, which Propel has been using for some time, replaces the conventional design with a separate seatpost on the EnviLiv for the first time. This feature alone saves 64 grams on the frame set, according to calculations. This design is reserved for the Advanced SL; the more affordable versions use a classic, adjustable seatpost.
The slightly more affordable Advanced Pro and Advanced frames are said to weigh 885 grams. The Advanced Pro fork is made from Advanced SL Carbon and weighs 355 grams, whilst the Advanced fork, made from Advanced Carbon, weighs 413 grams.
With a female dummy in the wind tunnel
The EnviLiv was also developed separately in the wind tunnel. To this end, Liv developed the Georgia test dummy based on Georgia Baker’s body measurements. The 3D-printed dummy replicates female anatomy, including a realistic upper body shape. The leg geometry corresponds to natural proportions, whilst the foot shape replicates the shoe-foot interface.
In the wind tunnel at 40 km/h, the new EnviLiv Advanced SL 0 is said to save just under nine watts overall compared with its predecessor. However, Liv tested the new bike with different components that affect aerodynamics: with the Liv Contact SLR 0 handlebar-stem combo in 400/370 mm (instead of 400/400 mm), Cadex Aero tyres in 28c (instead of 25c) and Cadex Max 50 wheelsets (instead of Cadex Ultra 50).
Dimensions and trim levels
The EnviLiv is available in five sizes, from XXS to L. The Advanced Pro and Advanced models have the same geometry as the Advanced SL.
A total of six spec variants are planned for the German-speaking market. A frame set for self-assembly is not officially included, although it is listed as the top-of-the-range Advanced SL variant for the international market.
The EnviLiv Advanced SL 0 is fitted with Cadex Max 50 wheels; the 50 mm-deep carbon rims weigh a total of 1,250 grams. Cadex Aero tyres in 28c with a 64-groove tread pattern on the shoulder reduce aerodynamic drag and rolling resistance.
The Advanced Pro 0 also uses Cadex Aero tyres, whilst the Advanced Pro 1 uses Giant Gavia Course tyres with RR-S compound. The Giant wheelsets, with a 50 mm rim height, weigh 1,380 grams on the Advanced Pro and 1,690 grams on the Advanced. All frames offer tyre clearance of up to 32 mm.
Enviliv Advanced SL 0
- Drive/Gearbox: SRAM Red AXS E1 (2x12; 48/35, 10–36 t)
- Brakes: SRAM Red eTap AXS HRD (160/140 mm)
- Tyres: CADEX Aero (28 mm)
- Wheels: CADEX Max 50 (carbon)
- Price: 11,999 euros >> available here
Enviliv Advanced Pro 0
- Drive/Gearbox: SRAM Force AXS E1 (2x12; 48/35, 10–36 t)
- Brakes: SRAM Force eTap AXS HRD (160/140 mm)
- Tyres: CADEX Aero (28 mm)
- Wheels: Giant SLR 0 50 (carbon)
- Price: 6,499 euros >> available here
Enviliv Advanced Pro 1
- Drive/Gearbox: SRAM Rival AXS E1 (2x12; 48/35, 10–36 t)
- Brakes: SRAM Rival eTap AXS HRD (160/140 mm)
- Tyres: Giant Gavia Course 0 (28 mm)
- Wheels: Giant SLR 1 50 (carbon)
- Price: 4,999 euros >> available here
Enviliv Advanced 0
- Drive/Gearbox: Shimano Ultegra Di2 (2x12; 52/36, 11–34 teeth)
- Brakes: Shimano Ultegra BR-R8170 (160/140 mm)
- Tyres: Giant Gavia Course 0 (28 mm)
- Wheels: Giant SLR 2 (carbon)
- Price: 4,799 euros >> available here
Enviliv Advanced 1
- Drive/Gearbox: Shimano 105 Di2 (2x12; 52/36, 11–36 t)
- Brakes: Shimano 105 BR-R7170 (160/140 mm)
- Tyres: Giant Gavia Course 0 (28 mm)
- Wheels: Giant SLR 2 (carbon)
- Price: 4,399 euros >> available here
Enviliv Advanced 2
- Drive/Gearbox: Shimano 105 (2x12; 52/36, 11–30 t)
- Brakes: Shimano 105 BR-R7070 (160/140 mm)
- Tyres: Giant Gavia Course 0 (28 mm)
- Wheels: Giant P-A1 (aluminium)
- Price: 2,999 euros >> available here
EnviLiv Advanced SL Frame Set
Jens Klötzer
Editor