A minimalist all-road road bike for women: The Liv BeLiv AR aims to make getting started easier

Liv, the women’s brand of the Taiwanese cycle manufacturer Giant, is expanding its road bike range for the 2027 model year with the BeLiv AR. The new all-road road bike features an aluminium frame and is positioned at a relatively affordable price point. It is specifically aimed at female cyclists looking for a comfortable road bike for tarmac, rough roads and light gravel sections. With an aluminium frame, 32-millimetre tyres and geometry designed for long distances, the BeLiv AR positions itself as a classic endurance road bike and a more affordable alternative to the Avail carbon range. The target audience explicitly includes women new to the sport; one spec variant with a 1x11-speed drivetrain even forgoes a wide gear range in favour of simple shifting logic.

By women, for women

​Traditionally, the Liv models – designed specifically for women – differ in a number of details from the corresponding models in the parent brand, Giant. The equivalent model to the BeLiv would be the Giant Contend AR. Liv bikes always feature their own distinctive frames, and the riding position is usually a little more comfortable. The range of sizes has also been adjusted; the BeLiv AR is not available in sizes larger than L, but is available in XXS. In addition, there are saddles adapted to the female anatomy, shorter cranks and narrower handlebars: on the BeLiv, the width at the brake levers ranges from 35 (XXS) to 39 centimetres (L).

AluxX-SL frame with all-road orientation

At the heart of the BeLiv AR is a frame made from Giant’s AluxX-SL aluminium. Experience has shown that this alloy produces relatively light yet sturdy frames. A carbon fork complements the aluminium frame and is designed to dampen vibrations more effectively than a construction made entirely from aluminium. Comfort in the saddle is ensured by the tried-and-tested, flexible D-Fuse seatpost, which is also fitted to Giant’s more expensive Avail and Endurance models.

The BeLiv AR comes as standard with 700C tyres 32 millimetres wide. The bike is fitted with Giant Gavia Fondo 2 tyres, which are advertised as offering particularly high puncture resistance. According to the manufacturer, the frame and fork can accommodate tyres up to 43 millimetres wide, meaning it could also be used as a gravel bike on gentle terrain. However, for those who regularly ride on rough gravel tracks, technical trails or go on bikepacking tours with plenty of luggage, Liv offers a more off-road-oriented alternative in the form of the Devote. The BeLiv AR remains, first and foremost, a road bike designed for mixed terrain.

Two model variants at launch

Liv offers the BeLiv AR in two specifications. Both models feature the AluxX-SL frame, a carbon fork, hydraulic disc brakes, in-house aluminium wheels and 32-millimetre tyres. The main differences lie in the gear system and braking system:

BeLiv AR 0 with Shimano 105

The BeLiv AR 0 is fitted with a complete Shimano 105 groupset with twelve gears. The road drivetrain with a double chainring offers a wider gear range for fast sections and longer climbs. Together with the hydraulic 105 brakes, this model is ideal for female cyclists looking for a versatile training and touring bike with classic road bike gear changes.

The wheels, however, remain at a functional level. The Giant P-X2 are aluminium wheels designed more for everyday use and affordability than for minimal weight. Anyone wishing to reduce the weight later on could start by fitting a lighter set of wheels to this model.

BeLiv AR 1 with Shimano Cues

The BeLiv AR 1 features Shimano’s Cues groupset with a single chainring and eleven gears. The single-chainring setup reduces the number of components and makes it easier to use. At the same time, the gear ratios are wider than on a comparable double-chainring setup.

This model is therefore particularly suited to female cyclists who prefer straightforward gear changes and do not require particularly fine gear ratios for fast group rides. For varied terrain and long climbs, the BeLiv AR 0, with its two chainrings, offers more options. The AR 1, on the other hand, is 300 euros cheaper.