Liv Devote Advanced SL 0 review: new Devote goes all-out for women’s gravel racing – but attention to detail lets it down

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There’s no question that Liv is leaning into the latest gravel trend with the new third-generation Devote, at a time when all-rounder gravel bikes are evolving into more performance-oriented gravel race bikes.

Liv has waved goodbye to down-tube storage, fork mounts and a rear flip chip in favour of streamlining the build, ending up with a featherweight 7.1kg range-topping model.

There’s an added 5mm of rubber too, with the bike built around 45mm gravel tyres, yet boasting generous tyre clearance of up to 53mm, which nods to the bike’s off-road capability. 

Liv put an emphasis on designing the bike to optimise race efficiency, from the advanced-grade carbon frame shaping to the 50mm-deep full-carbon wheelset and integrated carbon one-piece cockpit.

It seems certain the adventure-seeking versatility of models past has been well and truly left in the dust. The result is a bike that not only looks the part, but shines when it comes to pushing on the pedals – even on more technical terrain. 

Liv Devote Advanced SL 0 performance

Having reviewed the previous-generation Devote only two years ago, I can tell you there really has been a significant change in how the new Devote performs. Despite a few setup teething issues, the Liv Devote Advanced SL 0 behaves as you’d expect for a range-topping gravel race bike.

Riding on the flat, a few hard pedal strokes cause the bike to lurch forwards, responding proportionately and maintaining speed with ease. This corresponds well to Liv’s claimed 25% increase in pedalling stiffness-to-weight efficiency, measured not only in the frameset but across the system as a whole, and the staggering claimed 20.03 watts reduction in total system resistance, as tested in the wind tunnel.

The also-new tubeless Cadex GXR tyres offer 3.03 watts lower rolling resistance per tyre, according to the brand, even though they are 5mm wider than the Cadex AR gravel tyres. Despite their low-profile tread, I was surprised how well they hooked up in slippy mud sections and cornering at speed, without any loss of traction. This made for a confident, attacking ride despite the conditions. 

Of course, if you were riding or racing in really wintry conditions, you might want to switch these out, but as a three-season tyre that both rolls well, can handle techy, rooty and rocky trails as well as finer gravel at pace in drier conditions, they seem like a great option for the build.

The extra 5mm of width certainly makes a difference to the bike’s descending prowess, boosting grip in sections where it really matters – and let’s face it, these are often the most fun too.

That descending prowess is backed up by clever frame design, with stability enhanced by the moderate 71-degree head tube angle and 1,025mm wheelbase – only 1mm shorter than the model’s all-rounder predecessor.

Some gravel race bikes have a slightly shorter wheelbase than this (for example, the Orbea Terra Race in the same size shaves off a further 7mm). However, this comes at the cost of narrower tyre clearance.

At 53mm, the Devote SL has among the biggest tyre clearances in the gravel race category – although it's bettered by the Specialized Crux and Argon 18 Anti Matter’s 55mm clearance and Ridley Kanzo Fast 2.0’s huge 58mm figure.

Even though I wouldn’t opt for much bigger tyres than 45mm for my local everyday riding, having the option to size up is brilliant, and that extra clearance will always come in handy for rides or races where sticky mud can be make or break (Mid South Gravel, I’m looking at you).

Another contributor to the Devote SL’s descending performance is the one-piece carbon cockpit, which features a bar that measures up at 37cm centre-to-centre on the tops and 42cm in the drops, giving a wider, more stable position for rougher terrain and longer descents.

With fully integrated cabling, the Liv Contact SLR XR design is both aerodynamic and lightweight at only 295g, 105g less than the previous model’s setup.

The ergonomics of this cockpit are much improved from the 2024 Devote, although I find it bizarre that the bar is taped to the middle of the tops, with the finishing tape exactly in the middle of my palms when climbing or resting lightly.

Otherwise, the flattened aero shape here is lovely, but transitioning from that to a chunky bar tape right under the palms is a very odd (and unfortunately uncomfortable) experience.

When it comes to climbing, the featherweight 7.1kg build is certainly a boon, yet with more carbon components than you can shake a stick at, including carbon-bladed spokes, it felt far from delicate when conditions became rougher. 

Liv has carefully balanced the demands of comfort with all-out speed and technical ability, too, with the proprietary D-shaped seatpost offering noticeable compliance. After all, there’s no point in having a fast bike if it’s not comfortable enough to maintain a decent position comfortably over the longer distances that some gravel races demand.

The position is a little more reachy, as you would expect for a bike of this ilk, enabling the rider to get into a more aerodynamic position, which has a very significant impact on total system drag. 

It’s worth noting that the sizing is a bit different from the 2024 Devote, too; at 165cm tall, I previously tested a size medium, whereas in this model I was recommended a size small at the same height. Both fitted well, although interestingly, the newer small model features 165mm cranks rather than 170mm – a reflection of the general trend in recent years. There’s also an extra size (large) in the line-up for 2026, which is great news for taller female riders.

Gearing-wise, the Devote Advanced SL 0 is certainly race-focused, with a meaty 42T chainring paired to a 10-46T cassette, plus there’s scope for changing to a double up front (as long as it’s an electronic groupset), which can come in handy for racing a range of different terrain or catering to personal preferences. 

(Lack of) attention to detail

One thing that irked me with the new Devote was the attention to detail with the build quality. When you spend the best part of £10,000 on a bike, you expect it to be spot-on, which was not the case here.

The tape came loose on the bar’s corner on the first ride, the rear derailleur wasn’t attached at the right place, causing issues with the shifting, and the rear brake mount wasn’t level, which would require facing to get a good, square and even fit. This requires specialist tooling, that many bike shops might not have, because it's very expensive and not often required. These are quality control issues, which, in my opinion, are not acceptable.

Of course, your Liv stockist may well set your bike up better than my press sample was, but let this serve as my cautionary tale to check any newly bought bike before you wheel it away.

A word on aesthetics, too. I love the gloss paintjob. These are typically much easier to look after, especially for muckier off-road disciplines, but I’m not sure I can get behind the ‘Tahitian Pearl’ colourway; a blend of metallic fudgey-brown with an iridescent teal shimmer.

The flecked purple paintjob of the frameset-only option is much more appealing in my book, or the matte lilac Devote Advanced SL 1 (£6,999 / $8,000 / €7,499).

The frameset itself is pared back without any polarising features, yet still complete with aero fork blades, dropped seatstays and aero-shaped tubing, typical of this genre. There are still mounts for two bottle cages, plus a bolt-on bag either above or below the top tube for additional storage – perhaps for a tool kit to make up for the removal of the down-tube storage from the Devote’s predecessor.

It’s also worth mentioning the very sleek down-tube frame protector sticker and low-profile chainstay rubber, which both offer subtle protection without adding anything too bulky.

The bike is also supplied with an out-front computer mount and integrated light mount, which is a neat but not unexpected touch for a build at this price point.

Speaking of value, I certainly think there are other options at the top end of the market that offer better value for money. For example, the Ridley Kanzo Fast 2.0 Force AXS XPLR at £6,299 / €6,999, which won this year’s Gravel Bike of the Year award; although the spec doesn’t quite match up to the all-carbon bling of the Devote, the ride quality certainly can rival it, along with a tuneable spec through Ridley’s configurator.

Liv Devote Advanced SL 0 bottom line

The new Devote Advanced SL 0 has re-established itself as a major player in the women’s-specific gravel race bike market, with an incredibly lightweight carbon build that doesn’t compromise on comfort, tyre clearance or technical ability.

It’s great to see premium bikes such as this designed specifically for the needs of women, who are all too often neglected at the pointy end of the scene.

The range-topping spec and clearly well-researched frameset come at a cost, and you could argue there are several better-value options when it comes to the top end of the gravel bike market.

It’s let down by a few issues with the final assembly and eye-watering price, but once you get over those, it’s a ride that you won’t regret trying.

Liv Devote Advanced SL 0 key spec details

• Frame: Liv Devote Advanced SL
• Fork: Liv Devote Advanced SL
• Groupset: SRAM Red XPLR AXS with power meter, 42T, 10-46t cassette
• Wheelset: Cadex Max GXR WheelSystem
• Tyres: Cadex GXR 45mm
• Cockpit: Liv Contact SLR XR Integrated
• Bottom bracket standard: SRAM DUB press fit
• Extras: Out-front computer and light mount

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