Liv Approach SL Saddle review
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Liv Approach SL Saddle review

Versatile female-specific saddle at a fair price

Our rating

4

60.00
70.00
130.00

Andy Lloyd / Our Media

Published: July 11, 2024 at 10:00 am

Our review
An all-rounder saddle that provides comfort on and off-road, but manoeuvrability is hindered on technical trails

Pros:

Soft-tissue relief channel effective; versatile; light; low price

Cons:

Wide wings and long nose hinder manoeuvrability; thin padding

The Liv Approach SL is designed to cater to performance-oriented road and gravel cyclists. It boasts a lightweight construction, coupled with a design aimed at enhancing comfort by relieving soft-tissue pressure and minimising pressure points along the saddle's contact area.

Featuring a strategically placed cut-out design, the saddle is intended to prevent numbness and reduce the risk of soft-tissue damage.

Liv asserts that its employment of ultra-light foam ensures sustained support for the sit bones, even during prolonged rides.

The premium Rebound foam, along with lightweight SST alloy rails, results in a saddle that offers day-long comfort without unnecessary bulk.

Liv Approach SL women's saddle
The alloy rails are easily accessible for straightforward mounting. Andy Lloyd / Our Media

Notable features include an elongated nose shape, compatibility with the Giant UniClip Mount System, and robust construction for reliable performance, whether on roads or trails.

Available in a single size (155mm), the Approach SL measures 270mm in length and is equipped with SST alloy rails. My test saddle weighed 247g, slightly exceeding the stated figure of 240g.

Liv Approach SL Saddle performance

Liv Approach SL women's saddle
The wide wings offer plenty of support for your sit bones. Andy Lloyd / Our Media

The biggest surprise during testing was how well this saddle performed across all disciplines. Aimed at both roadies and gravel bikers, the saddle felt more than at home on the trails.

The fact that it's available in only one width (155mm) may put some riders off, but I found it offered ample support and comfort for short to mid-length rides. A good amount of flex when pedalling contributed to the overall comfort of this saddle.

Comfort is further helped by the ergonomic cut-out, which provided excellent soft-tissue relief without compromising support for the sit bones.

However, on rides of three hours or longer, I noticed some discomfort around my sit bones.

Liv Approach SL women's saddle
Attachment points for Giant's UniClip accessories. Andy Lloyd / Our Media

On those longer rides, I never felt discomfort or numbness in the labial area. However, the saddle wings hindered manoeuvrability slightly on technical trails.

It ranked third lightest of the group of women's-specific saddles I tested and is considerably cheaper than the lighter saddles from Specialized and Fizik. The ease of cleaning, excellent price and compatibility with Giant’s UniClip accessories add to its appeal, making it a versatile and practical choice for multi-discipline cyclists.

Mountain bike saddles | How we tested

Rach tested these mountain bike saddles on a variety of terrain across the South West of England and South Wales.

She rode both a cross-country bike and trail bike to gauge how the saddles performed in different disciplines and conditions.

Saddles on test

  • Fizik Vento Argo R1 Adaptive
  • Ergon SM E-Mountain Sport Women
  • SDG Allure V2
  • Liv Approach SL
  • Specialized Power Comp with MIMIC

Liv Approach SL Saddle bottom line

Liv Approach SL women's saddle
A large cut-out provides good soft-tissue relief. Andy Lloyd / Our Media

The Liv Approach SL is a versatile saddle that offers brilliant value for money, with an RRP of £70 / €60 / AU$130.

Comfort is excellent for the labial area and reasonable for the sit bones, although it may not suit riders with a dynamic riding style because the wings and long nose can interfere on technical descents.

Product

Brand liv
Price 130.00 AUD,60.00 EUR,70.00 GBP
Weight 247.0000, GRAM (155mm x 270mm) -

Features

br_rails aluminium
br_cutOut yes
br_gender womens
br_length 270mm
br_availableWidths 155mm