Liv Pique Advanced 29 0 2024: The latest cross-country bike for women on test
Jan Timmermann
· 11.03.2024
Liv has specialised in specific bikes for women. The Liv Pique Advanced 29 is a brand new version of the cross-country and marathon racing machine, which the manufacturer wants to offer female racers the perfect sports equipment. Numerous changes to the carbon frame and a new chassis design promise unprecedented confidence in a wide variety of riding situations.
Fancy a few figures? By using a lighter carbon material, Liv claims to have saved up to 297 grams on the new Pique frame. At the same time, the layout of the carbon tubes has been adapted to achieve six per cent more torsional rigidity and ten per cent more stiffness in the drivetrain. The BIKE test shows whether these full-bodied promises materialise in the laboratory and in practice.
Liv Pique 2024: Without Maestro rear triangle, with new geometry
For many years, Liv was known for its specially developed and well-functioning Maestro rear suspension system. In favour of more efficiency and less weight, the new race fully for women does away with this proven technology. Although the swingarm and shock position are still reminiscent of the familiar design, the XC bike has said goodbye to a bearing point and now flexes in the carbon material of the frame. FlexPoint Pro Suspension Technology, as Liv calls it. The new, patented single-pivot system provides 115 millimetres of suspension travel on the Pique Advanced 29 and aims to be both more efficient and traction-enhancing than its predecessor. This is already familiar from the parent company Giant, which uses the same technology for its Anthem race bike.
To bring the front of the Liv Pique Advanced into the new cross-country age, Liv has increased the fork travel to 120 millimetres and flattened the head angle. A steeper seat angle should provide the optimum pedalling position on steep climbs. While an extended reach promises a smoother ride in technically demanding situations, short chainstays should ensure agile manoeuvrability of the women's MTB.
All in all, the new Liv Pique 29 race bike for women has undergone updates that can currently be seen almost everywhere in cross-country sport. The latest generation of lightweight fullys no longer needs to fear challenging trail descents and should also be able to keep up in the sprint for victory. How the new Pique performs in the XC World Cup this year can be seen from the two team riders Jenn Jackson and Linda Indergand.
To emphasise the versatility of the new Pique Advanced platform, Liv has given the carbon frame a mounting point under the top tube that can also accommodate a second water bottle. However, the XS frame size has to do without this feature. The chainstays and down tube are now better protected by new protectors in all sizes. A chain guide developed in co-operation between Giant and MRP is designed to prevent the drivetrain from dropping even in heated racing situations.
3 models & prices from 5199 euros
Liv chooses a very individual model and pricing policy depending on the country. Only three equipment variants will be available in Germany. The entry-level model is the Liv Pique Advanced 29 2 for 5199 euros with Shimano SLX drivetrain, Performance shock plus Performance Elite suspension fork from Fox and an aluminium wheelset from Giant.
The Advanced 29 1 model for € 7999 features Performance Elite suspension elements from Fox throughout, a Sram X0 Eagle AXS Transmission drivetrain and Giant XCR carbon wheels. The Liv Pique Advanced 29 0 we tested for € 12,999 with a Sram XX SL Eagle AXS Transmission groupset, Fox Factory suspension and Zipp carbon wheels takes the proverbial cake.
Tested: How the new Liv Pique Advanced 29 0 rides
We have already had the opportunity to test the top model Liv Pique Advanced 29 0 in the lab and in practice. For the crisp price of 12,999 euros, the spearhead of XC fullys for women is not stingy with luxurious equipment diamonds. Gold-coloured Fox Factory suspension elements are paired with an exclusive Sram XX SL AXS Transmission groupset with power meter. Is that the best you can do? Oh yes it is! The elegant Zipp 1Zero HiTop SW wheelset alone costs 2200 euros, has no hollow chamber and weighs just 1325 grams. TyreWiz air pressure sensors record the tyre pressure wirelessly and in real time. Why Liv combines the high-end Shimano XTR brake system with brake discs from the cheap range is a mystery to us, however.
The riding position on the new Liv Pique is instantly appealing. Racers can take a seat on the elegant bike in a sporty, modern but not too extreme position. Liv leaves a lot of the steerer tube as standard and specifies a rather high front end. Away from the racetrack, this gives the rider a pleasantly balanced riding position. The fact that her centre of gravity is not too far forward provides sufficient comfort for long tours. However, when chasing seconds, the cockpit should definitely be lowered in favour of the pressure on the front wheel. Despite the hefty price tag, Liv has decided not to fit a carbon head unit and instead uses a conventional aluminium stem and carbon handlebars of its own design.
I had almost forgotten that you can also have fun riding uphill. The 10.5-kilo Liv Pique Advanced 29 0 really makes you want to push up climbs at high speed again. - Gitta Beimfohr, BIKE editor
Liv Pique 2024: Top on tour with weaknesses in detail
When open, the rear of the new Liv Pique race bike is remarkably lively. When pedalling, the rear shock nods constantly. This is remedied by the switchable platform, which is an absolute must in the search for maximum efficiency and in sprint situations. It's good that the lockout can be engaged from the handlebars. For a bike of the 2024 model generation, the cockpit of the Liv Pique Advanced 29 0 is surprisingly cluttered despite the wireless controls.
In addition to the brake lines and the cable for the dropper post, the two cables for the lockout also run through the field of vision. Five long cables come together at the pique. In addition, a screw adjuster for the tension is installed on all three cables. The associated remotes are quite bulky. Unfortunately, the levers also get in each other's way ergonomically. None of this really fits in with the character of an elite race bike. We would have liked a little more minimalism here.
The Liv Pique Advanced 29 0 rolls excellently on flat terrain. This is mainly due to the low wheel weight. The fast Maxxis Aspen tyres, whose mini knobs generate hardly any rolling resistance despite their decent 2.4 inch width, are also designed for high-speed riding. Just like its Taiwanese parent company Giant, Liv delivers its bikes with a tubeless set-up. All these factors lead to a good wheel acceleration value and with the suspension elements locked out, the 10.5-kilo Pique shoots forwards as if stung by the proverbial tarantula.
The Race-Fully is also extremely skilful in technical uphill sections thanks to its comfortable riding position and good suspension. Traction is good in dry weather. In muddy conditions, however, the tame rear tyre tends to slip. Unlike many other top race bikes, Liv's women's experts rely on a smaller chainring with 32 teeth. Thanks to the 520 per cent gear range and the electric drivetrain, the Pique takes the fear out of steep climbs, even under load.
Benevolent downhill rider: How the new Liv Racebike performs downhill
Even when the trail starts to descend, the Liv Pique Advanced 29 0 impresses with its pleasant handling. The bike has a good length without being bulky and guides its rider safely through rough trail sections. We already knew this behaviour from other Taiwanese bikes: Even in extreme situations, the Pique is easy to control without getting nervous. On steep descents, the 67.2 degree head angle and the not too low front end help with control. At 760 millimetres, the wide handlebars create additional confidence.
The 100 millimetre adjustment range of the dropper post should be larger for women with slightly longer legs in order to create additional room to move over the bike. Another detail on the seat clamp raises questions: it works with two bolts, which distributes the clamping forces better, but doesn't exactly contribute to a discreet look on a race bike.
Liv and Giant have been known for many years for well-functioning rear suspension systems. The new Pique is no exception and gets a lot out of its 115 millimetres of travel. The 120 millimetres of travel of the impeccable Fox 34 fork are very welcome when riding fast over rough trails. The suspension responds very well, offers sufficient reserves and sits firmly on the trail in every downhill situation. The shock releases its travel willingly and skilfully smoothes out root carpets and rock gardens. Together with the uncomplicated handling, this creates enough confidence to tackle challenging trails with the XC-Fully.
Overall, the rear suspension function is more comfortable than progressive, which suits the all-round and touring character of the Pique. However, ambitious racers will have to make regular use of the platform lever on the handlebars for more support. Strange, actually, that Liv doesn't, as before, relies on an electronic live valve system from Fox on its top model.
Among the positive features of the Liv Pique Advanced 0 2024 are the powerful and ergonomic Shimano XTR brakes. Even with the cheaper brake discs, which are slightly heavier and have poorer heat management, the powerful stoppers ensure a high level of safety on tricky descents. The slippery Maxxis Aspen tyres are completely different. These have an extremely narrow limit range and break out even when riding straight ahead in slightly damp conditions and during sharp braking manoeuvres. More grippy tyres would significantly extend the Pique's inherently wide range of use beyond dry XC trails.
The fact that cable management is not one of the strengths of the new women's MTB is also evident on the chainstay: the brake cable runs outside the frame and is held in place with a flimsy cable tie. The massive chain guide from MRP also looks out of place on the Race Fully. Our test rider couldn't cope with the uncomfortable Fizik saddle.
Details of the Liv Pique Advanced 29 0
- Front suspension travel: 120 mm
- Rear suspension travel: 115 mm
- Frame material: Carbon
- Wheel size: 29 inch
- Price: 12,999 euros
- Available from: Specialist retailers
Let's be honest, women: Does the purple-pink paint job with glitter flakes and golden details meet your taste? All in all, the finish looks pretty "girly" - actually atypical for Liv! I could imagine that adult female racers would want a little more seriousness from a piece of sports equipment costing just under 13,000 euros. Visual preferences are known to be very individual, but the unicorn paint job on a women's MTB is at least questionable from a marketing point of view. - Jan Timmermann, BIKE test editor
Equipment
- Fork: Fox Float 34 Factory SC
- Shock: Fox Float SL Factory
- Gear system: Sram XX SL Eagle Transmission, 1 x 12
- Gear ratio / bandwidth: 32; 10-52 / 520%
- Brakes: Shimano XTR, 180 / 160 mm
- dropper post / stroke: Fox Transfer Factory / 100 mm
- Wheels: Zipp 1Zero HiTop SW
- Tyres: Maxxis Aspen Exo TR, 29 x 2.4"
Measured values
- Total weight: 10.5 kg (without pedals)
- Weight of wheels: 3733 g
- Impeller inertia: 2916 kg x cm²
Conclusion from BIKE editor Gitta Beimfohr
The new Liv Pique 2024 is a formidable, women's-specific bike for extended tours with a high proportion of trail riding. The geometry and suspension offer a good level of reserves for long distances. The range of use is wide. However, the lightweight Liv is more of a good-natured marathon bike than a cross-country weapon trimmed for efficiency. The painfully expensive Advanced 0 equipment leaves almost nothing to be desired. Unfortunately, some details don't quite fit into the picture.
Pro
- Comfortable riding position top for marathon and tour
- Balanced geometry both uphill and downhill
- Sensitive chassis
- Noble equipment
Contra
- Rear suspension tends to bob without lockout
- Hardly any tyre grip in the wet
- Smaller details could be improved on the expensive bike
Jan Timmermann
Editor
