Liv Cycling adds muscle with Intrigue SX for 2016
Subtle tweaks to rest of women's-specific road and MTB ranges
Having launched as a separate, women’s-specific brand to Giant Bicycles in 2014, Liv continues into 2016 with its ever-expanding range. Many of the road models carry over with minor aesthetic and component upgrades, while the mountain bike range gets burly with the new Intrigue SX.
Related: Giant stiffens Trance, adds carbon Glory for 2016
2016 Liv mountain range
Intrigue SX
While the 27.5in wheeled 140mm-travel Intrigue remains in the range, the Intrigue SX 1 fits a longer travel 160mm RockShox Pike on the front, which in turn slackens the head angle from 68 to 66.9 degrees.
The Intrigue SX is the Intrigue with more guts
The alloy frame remains unchanged from the standard Intrigue, keeping 140mm of travel at the rear wheel. However, the suspension should be ready to handle a little more aggression and descent with a piggyback rear shock in the form of a RockShox Monarch Plus RC3 DebonAir.
The touch components are changed too, with a wider handlebar, shorter stem and of course Giant’s dropper seatpost out back. Adding to the hard-hitting confidence are wider 2.35in wide Schwalbe tubeless-ready treads.
A single chainring drivetrain is given in the form of SRAM’s X1 (30t front chainring), while SRAM’s Guide RS handle braking duties.
A matt anodized-type finish should prove extremely durable
It’s just the $4,475 / AU$4,799 / £TBC Intrigue SX 1 sitting solely in the new range, with three sizes available. It’s available in the pictured blue only – a matt anodized type coating, which should prove far more durable from scuffs and scratches to standard paint.
Intrigue
The 2016 Liv Intrigue 1
Just like the men’s Trance, the standard Intrigue receives a stiffer fork for 2016 in the form of a FOX Float 34. With a lower grade component package than the Intrigue SX, the Intrigue 1 is cheaper at $TBC / AU$3,599 / £TBC.
Lust and Obsess
For those seeking a little more cross-country speed, the Lust and Obsess remain mostly unchanged for 2016.
The fully featured Lust Advanced 0 racer, including a dropper post
At the top of the range, the Lust Advanced 0 dual suspension receives a RockShox RS-1 upside-down fork, and due to a specific axle, SRAM Rise 60 carbon wheels are given. Otherwise it’s a full SRAM XX1 component spec that leads to a $9,000 / AU$9,399 / £TBC price tag.
The Obsess Advanced 1 headlines the hardtail range ($N/A / AU$5,799 / £TBC)
2016 Liv road range
The Avail Advanced Pro ($3,750 / AU$3,999 / £TBC)
With the launch of a wholly new Avail Advanced last year, the women’s performance range receives mostly cosmetic changes for 2016. The exceptions to this are Giant’s new Aero race wheels found on the Envie Advanced Pro’s, and a new range of saddles given on all models – both of which we covered in our parts and accessories overview.
The Avail 1 gets disc brakes for 2016 ($1,500 / AU$1,799 / £TBC)
In addition to the performance bikes, and something we’ve covered previously, the budget Avail 1 and 2 (not available in Australia) get disc brakes. We’ve already reviewed the men’s version and quite like it.
Click or swipe through the gallery up top for a look through much of the 2016 Liv performance range.
