I would prefer to keep it: The Liv Intrigue X in the endurance test final

Light, versatile, women-specific - since February 2025, our long-term test rider Franzi has been diligently racking up the kilometres on the Liv Intrigue X Advanced 1. After a year, it's time to take stock: What holds up - and what doesn't? And does a trail bike specifically for women really have advantages?

Endurance test summary of the Liv Intrigue X Advanced 1

That's what I call carefree riding fun. For a year - from February to February - the Liv Intrigue X had to put in intensive kilometres. Care? Maintenance work? Just the bare minimum. And despite everything, after more than 2,000 kilometres and 73,441 metres of descending, the Liv is still standing there like a 1. Add to that the successful handling and the women's-specific design, and for me the bike embodies the prototype of a do-it-all bike. - Franzi Königer, BIKE long-term tester

When it became clear that I should test a women's specific bike, I honestly thought: "Do I really need this?" Not out of scepticism, but because I had never dealt with women's geometries and the like before. All the unisex bikes I've ridden so far never gave me the feeling that I was missing anything. But I was curious nonetheless, took the plunge - and so began our little love story.

The facts about the Liv Intrigue X Advanced 1

Click here for the Liv Intrigue X Advanced 1 endurance test diary!

Understatement meets elegance

The Liv Intrigue X Advanced 1 costs € 5,999 and represents the mid-range within the model family. Visually, it looks simple and elegant: black carbon panelling, gold lettering - no flashy bling, just understated style. With 150 mm travel at the front, 140 mm at the rear and 29er wheels at the front and rear, the Intrigue X is clearly recognisable as a trail bike. My personal highlight straight out of the box: the wheels with tubeless setup ex works. Without the annoying sealant mess, all I had to do was shorten the handlebars and I was ready for my first ride. It doesn't get any less complicated than that!

Saddle ergonomics? Just like in the textbook!

From my previous bikes, I'm used to changing the saddle before the first ride. As the first women's-specific complete bike, I wanted to at least give Liv's own saddle a chance. And lo and behold: surprise! The Liv Sylvia stayed on. Comfort level 100! The saddle fitted me so well that I continued to ride it, even after one of the bars bent in a fall and it was slightly askew. The Liv grips also felt as if they had been customised for me, something I have never experienced on a unisex bike. In terms of geometry, the aha effect didn't materialise. The bike fits me like a glove, but with the right frame size I've always achieved a good fit on other bikes too.

A new world in the Uphill

In terms of uphill performance, the Liv has completely overturned my previous standards. Uphill, the bike feels super light-footed and efficient - almost as if I had suddenly become a lot fitter overnight. I rode the shock open most of the time. Annoying bobbing? Not a thing! In addition to the efficient suspension, the lightweight carbon wheels in particular give the Liv its pronounced propulsion. The pleasant rolling behaviour of the Maxxis tyre combination does the rest.

Many setup options, lots of familiarisation time

Things were a bit bumpy between the two of us downhill at first. There was a lack of control over the front wheel, as if I had too little pressure on the front. Not dramatic, but I would have liked a bit more riding confidence. That's why it didn't really "click" on the first few descents.

Fortunately, the Liv has enough options to fine-tune the geometry so that I ended up in the setup sweet spot after all. Whether it's the head angle, seat angle, bottom bracket height or reach - the flip chip on the shock rocker and the offset headset allow you to fundamentally change the handling behaviour of the Intrigue X. After much experimentation, the eccentric headset shells in the +5 millimetre position had the desired effect. The slightly longer front end moves the centre of gravity further over the front wheel and the wheelbase increases slightly. Ergo: more control over the front and a tick smoother ride.

From then on, I really blossomed on the Liv, even downhill. We were able to test our limits together. Despite the "geometry update", I was still able to turn corners with ease. The playful, precise character of the Liv still dominates.

A year on the road: from Franconia to Finale Ligure

Over the course of the year, Liv got to experience a wide variety of locations: my home trails in Franconia, alpine tours in France, Austria and Italy, the enduro paradise of Finale Ligure and of course bike parks such as Klínovec or Lac Blanc.

The Intrigue X Advanced 1 particularly impressed me on our home trails: lively uphill, playful, but still safe downhill. The 150/140 mm of travel swallowed roots, stones and small drops effortlessly and generated traction en masse. Nevertheless, even tamer trails do not lose their appeal due to the limited suspension travel, as is often the case with some enduro bikes that are packed with suspension travel.

The bike also performed superbly in the Alps. Of course, when you ride 1,000 metres downhill in one go, your arms and legs get tired relatively early due to the limited reserves - my stamina was always the limiting factor here. Because the bike itself never seemed overstretched.

On downhill terrain in the bike park, however, the Intrigue X quickly shows its limits. Where you can leave the throttle open on enduro bikes, the Liv requires sensitivity. Misplaced landings don't go unnoticed in the suspension travel, and on the wrong line you'll get a good shake.

My equipment highlight: the Shimano XT brakes

I actually ride Trickstuffs Direttissima on my own bike and initially thought: "OK, a few weeks of XT - then I'll convert." Well, I was wrong. The XT brake system impressed me across the board: great ergonomics, powerful and, above all, reliable. That's what I call good value for money! The durability of the brake pads is also impressive. At the front, the first pad change was only due after 52441 metres and 1340 kilometres. The rear pair of pads lasted even longer.

A little treat at the end: Highrise handlebars

Towards the end of the test phase, I gave the Liv another upgrade and changed to a high-rise handlebar (Renthal, 70 mm). This changed the bike noticeably - and I fell in love all over again. I was more upright on the bike, more stable on the pedals and immediately gained riding confidence. Especially on steep, technical sections, this gave me a clear increase in control.

List of defects / signs of wear

The only defects I could mention were the bent seat stay and a bent brake lever - both the result of a crash. I had to send the Fox Foat X shock in once because it was leaking oil. The fact that I once gave the XT a piston massage because of pressure point problems is classic maintenance work for me. The final inspection in the BIKE test lab revealed the following:

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