High-rise upgrade: 61,838 vertical metres / 1,652.5 km
I liked everything about the Liv right from the start. Riding behaviour, geometry and the women's-specific parts convinced me straight away. Apart from the Fox Float X shock, which started leaking oil at some point, there was little else to complain about. Until now - or more precisely: until I fitted a handlebar with a rise of 80 millimetres to my bike as a test.
BIKE editor Max Fuchs swears by the extra high front and advised me to try it out for myself. The result: I've never been so stable and secure on a bike before. The more central riding position takes the pressure off my hands and I can ride the bike much more from my legs. This makes handling easier, the bike feels more agile and can be controlled much more precisely - at least that's my experience.
I was so impressed that I ordered my own high-rise handlebars straight away. Fun fact: After the test ride with Max's handlebars, I had to temporarily mount the standard cockpit (20 mm rise) again - and downhill it felt like I had suddenly lost all my skills.
How it all began: The Liv Intrigue X in the endurance test
Light, smooth, women's specific - but is that love? Our long-term test rider Franzi has been riding the Liv Intrigue X Advanced 1 since February 2025. 150 mm travel at the front, 140 mm at the rear, paired with 29-inch wheels and a frame that doesn't just look good.
For €5,999, Liv delivers a package that doesn't just look good on paper. But how does the 14.02-kilo trail bike perform in everyday use? On tour, in everyday trail riding, between coffee stops and bike park laps? The Würzburg woman tries it out for you and reports here in the endurance test log.
The facts about the Liv Intrigue X Advanced 1
| Feature | Specification |
| In the test since: | February 2025 |
| Category: | All Mountain |
| Price: | 5,999 Euro |
| Spring travel: | 150 mm front / 140 mm rear |
| Wheel size: | 29 inch |
| Weight: | 14.02 kg |
| Frame size: | M |
| kilometres up to date: | 1653 |
| Current depth metres: | 61838 |
180 km / 4979 metres altitude: The first impression
In the past, I never had any contact with women's specific bikes. I've known that this was a mistake since I started riding the Liv. The frame feels as if it had been customised for me. The same goes for the grips. But the best thing is the saddle. It fitted me straight away, something I've never experienced with a unisex bike.
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The bike is also nice and light and, thanks to the carbon wheels, is easy to pedal uphill and manoeuvre through the terrain without excessive physical effort. And I'm a big fan of the storage compartment in the down tube. This means that on our home trails I can Hip Bag leave them at home.
There's also praise for the tyres: Tubeless ex works? Awesome! Unfortunately, I can't lower the 170 mm Vario seatpost far enough into the seat tube and always have to adjust my seat height using the remote lever.
1131 km / 43133 m altitude: The rear wheel causes trouble
I am a self-confessed fangirl of the Four-piston Shimano XT - even though I was last on Trickstuff. Nevertheless, the XT has done it to me. Full power, clear pressure point, absolutely reliable. I like it! Shortly before my last bike park ride, I checked my brake pads.
I noticed that the pistons were completely stuck on one side. So, without further ado, I pumped out the pistons several times, cleaned them, made them supple with fresh mineral oil and bled the system. Everything was like new again. And the best thing about it: after almost 45,000 metres down (!), I was even able to fit the original pads again. It's amazing how durable these things are.
Less pleasing is the matter with the shock: the Fox Float X in the Performance Elite version loses a noticeable amount of oil. At the same time, I notice a lack of counter-pressure in the rear end and I regularly have bottom-outs - despite comparatively little sag. This may be due to a defective damping unit. That would explain a lot. I'll have the shock checked in the workshop soon.
But: In my first update I was still complaining that I couldn't get the 170 mm dropper post far enough into the seat tube and had to constantly fiddle with the remote to adjust the seat height. Turns out: you can shorten the stroke in a few simple steps - and bang, now the thing fits perfectly.
Max Fuchs
Editor
