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Developed since 2013 Liv Aero racing bikes especially for women. Marianne Vos rode the first Envie to the 2013 World Championships and to victories in La Course and the Women's Tour. The strategy of the world's largest bike manufacturer Giant to establish its own sporty brand specifically for women seems to be working: With the EnviLiv, the race model is now in its fourth generation alongside the Giant Propel.
Liv EnviLiv Gen. 4: The most important facts
Manufacturer information
- Weight of complete wheel: from 6.4 kilogrammes
- 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 wheel): 2999 to 11999 Euro >> available here
- Price (frame set): 2699 to 3899 Euro
Shorter and smaller
The main differences to the Giant models are mainly of a geometric nature: the Liv bikes are slightly shorter and you sit a little more upright on them. The size range covers more small and fewer large sizes because women are statistically smaller than men. There are also narrower handlebars and shorter cranks.
Find out more about Liv bikes here:
Otherwise, the equipment and product range are largely comparable. The new Advanced SL frame, which is used on the top models, weighs 805 grams in size M, the fork 355 grams. The complete frameset weighs 1443 grams - a good 120 grams less than the previous generation. With all components, the overall system even saves more than 400 grams, according to the manufacturer.
The integrated seatpost, already familiar from the Propel, now replaces the conventional design with a separate seatpost on the EnviLiv for the first time. This alone saves 64 grams on the frameset. This design is reserved for the Advanced SL, the cheaper versions use a classic, adjustable seatpost.
The slightly cheaper Advanced Pro and Advanced frames should weigh 885 grams. The Advanced Pro fork uses Advanced SL Carbon and weighs 355 grams, while the Advanced fork made of Advanced Carbon weighs 413 grams.
With a female dummy in the wind tunnel
The EnviLiv was also developed separately in the wind tunnel. Liv developed the Georgia test dummy based on the body measurements of Georgia Baker. The 3D-printed dummy replicates the female anatomy, including a realistic upper body shape. The leg geometry corresponds to natural proportions and 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 a total of almost nine watts compared to its predecessor. However, Liv tested the new bike with different components that have an influence on the aerodynamics: With the Liv Contact SLR 0 handlebar/stem unit in 400/370 mm (instead of 400/400 mm), Cadex Aero tyres in 28c (instead of 25c) and Cadex Max 50 wheels (instead of Cadex Ultra 50).
Geometry and equipment variants
The EnviLiv comes in five sizes from XXS to L. The Advanced Pro and Advanced models remain geometrically identical to the Advanced SL.
A total of six equipment variants are planned for the German-speaking market. A frame set for self-assembly is not officially included, but is listed as the top version Advanced SL for the international market.
The EnviLiv Advanced SL 0 rolls on Cadex Max 50 tyres, the 50 mm deep carbon rims weigh 1250 grams in total. Cadex Aero tyres in 28c with a 64-groove profile on the shoulder reduce air resistance and rolling resistance.
The Advanced Pro 0 also uses Cadex Aero tyres, while the Advanced Pro 1 uses Giant Gavia Course tyres with RR-S compound. The Giant wheels with 50 mm tread height weigh 1380 grams on the Advanced Pro and 1690 grams on the Advanced. All frames offer tyre clearance of up to 32 mm.
Enviliv Advanced SL 0
- Drive/gear shift: Sram Red AXS E1 (2x12; 48/35, 10-36 t.)
- Brakes: Sram Red eTap AXS HRD (160/140 mm)
- Tyres: CADEX Aero (28 mm)
- Impellers: CADEX Max 50 (Carbon)
- Price: 11,999 Euro >> available here
Enviliv Advanced Pro 0
- Drive/gear shift: Sram Force AXS E1 (2x12; 48/35, 10-36 t.)
- Brakes: Sram Force eTap AXS HRD (160/140 mm)
- Tyres: CADEX Aero (28 mm)
- Impellers: Giant SLR 0 50 (Carbon)
- Price: 6,499 Euro >> available here
Enviliv Advanced Pro 1
- Drive/gear shift: 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)
- Impellers: Giant SLR 1 50 (Carbon)
- Price: 4,999 Euro >> available here
Enviliv Advanced 0
- Drive/gear shift: Shimano Ultegra Di2 (2x12; 52/36, 11-34 t.)
- Brakes: Shimano Ultegra BR-R8170 (160/140 mm)
- Tyres: Giant Gavia Course 0 (28 mm)
- Impellers: Giant SLR 2 (Carbon)
- Price: 4,799 Euro >> available here
Enviliv Advanced 1
- Drive/gear shift: Shimano 105 Di2 (2x12; 52/36, 11-36 t.)
- Brakes: Shimano 105 BR-R7170 (160/140 mm)
- Tyres: Giant Gavia Course 0 (28 mm)
- Impellers: Giant SLR 2 (Carbon)
- Price: 4,399 Euro >> available here
Enviliv Advanced 2
- Drive/gear shift: Shimano 105 (2x12; 52/36, 11-30 t.)
- Brakes: Shimano 105 BR-R7070 (160/140 mm)
- Tyres: Giant Gavia Course 0 (28 mm)
- Impellers: Giant P-A1 (aluminium)
- Price: 2,999 Euro >> available here
EnviLiv Advanced SL frameset
Jens Klötzer
Editor
