New Liv Embolden – hit the trails from £1,849

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Liv – the women’s specific arm of Giant Bicycles – continues to focus on producing bikes with geometry and suspension tuning designed for women. Its latest development is the revised Embolden.

This is the second iteration of the Embolden, which is a trail bike designed with newer riders in mind. The alloy framed 120/130mm full suspension bike now comes in a choice of 27.5 or 29 inch wheels. Here’s the press release.

“First launched in 2016, the second generation Embolden series brings the addition of a 29-inch wheel option. Now there is even greater capability provided to the aspiring trail rider who demands a featured-packed trail bike for developing their skills.”

Ludi Scholz, Liv off-road category manager.
Liv Embolden
Liv Embolden

Trail Ready

The Embolden’s proprietary ALUXX-Grade Aluminum frame alloy is 30% stiffer than traditional 6061-series aluminum while reducing overall weight. Liv’s single-pivot FlexPoint Suspension delivers 120mm of rear wheel travel paired with 130mm of travel up front to navigate trail obstacles and singletrack terrain. To complete this trail ready mountain bike, the Embolden series features a dropper seatpost, Liv Sylvia trail saddle and 1x drivetrain.

Wheel Options

Both the Embolden 27.5- and 29-inch wheel models have an updated rear triangle featuring 148mm boost hub spacing with a 12mm through axle and 35mm handlebar and stem setup. Additionally, the 29-inch wheel version has a redesigned toptube and downtube that incorporates Tensio, Liv’s visual technology that encompasses industrial and graphic design to create an organic silhouette with dynamic lines and shapes for a fast and fresh look, along with updated cable ports and a 55mm chainline.

Liv Embolden

With boost hub spacing, the Embolden delivers improved stiffness, trail handling and increased tire clearance allowing riders to run up to 2.6-inch tires on 27.5-inch wheel models and 2.4-inch tires on 29-inch wheel models.

Embolden 27.5-inch wheel models are available in XS, S and M, and 29-inch wheel models are available in S, M, and L and start at £1,849. The expanded Embolden series will be available worldwide starting this spring. Learn more at www.liv-cycling.com.

Model NameEmbolden 1Embolden 2
UK retails£2,149£1,849
ColoursMatte Black / Gloss Sparkling BlackPurple Ash
Sizes27.5″: XS, S, M 29″: S, M, L27.5″: XS, S, M 29″: S, M, L
FrameALUXX-Grade Aluminum, 120mm FlexPoint SuspensionALUXX-Grade Aluminum, 120mm FlexPoint Suspension
ForkGiant Crest 34 SL RCL, 130mm, 15×110Giant Crest 34 RCL, 130mm, 15×110
ShockRockShox Monarch R, 185/45, custom tuned for LivSuntour Raidon R, 185/45, custom tuned for Liv
HandlebarGiant Connect Trail, alloy For 27.5: XS:730mm, S:750mm, M:750mm For 29: S:750mm, M:750mm, L:780mmGiant Connect Trail, alloy For 27.5: XS:730mm, S:750mm, M:750mm For 29: S:750mm, M:750mm, L:780mm
GripsGiant Sole-OGiant Sole-O
StemGiant Contact For 27.5: XS:40mm, S:50mm, M:50mm For 29: S:50mm, M:50mm, L:60mmGiant Contact For 27.5: XS:40mm, S:50mm, M:50mm For 29: S:50mm, M:50mm, L:60mm
SeatpostGiant Contact Switch dropper, remote  For 27.5: XS: 75mm travel / 30.9 x 295mm S: 100mm travel / 30.9 x 345mm M: 125mm travel / 30.9 x 395mm
For 29: S: 100mm travel / 30.9 x 345mm M: 125mm travel / 30.9 x 395mm L: 125mm travel / 30.9 x 395mm                                                                                                      
Giant Contact Switch dropper, remote  For 27.5: XS: 75mm travel / 30.9 x 295mm S: 100mm travel / 30.9 x 345mm M: 125mm travel / 30.9 x 395mm
For 29: S: 100mm travel / 30.9 x 345mm M: 125mm travel / 30.9 x 395mm L: 125mm travel / 30.9 x 395mm                                                                                                      
SaddleLiv SylviaLiv Sylvia
PedalsNot includedNot included
Shifters SRAM SX Eagle, 1×12Shimano Deore M4100, 1×10
Front DerailleurN/AN/A
Rear Derailleur SRAM SX EagleShimano Deore M5120
BrakesShimano BR-MT420, hydraulic, Shimano SM-RT26 6 bolt rotors               [F]180mm, [R]160mmShimano BR-MT420, hydraulic, Shimano SM-RT26 6 bolt rotors  F]180mm, [R]160mm
Brake LeversShimano BL-MT401Shimano BL-MT201
CassetteSRAM SX Eagle, 11×50Shimano Deore M4100, 11×46
Chain SRAM SX Eagle KMC X-10
CranksetSRAM SX Eagle DUB, 30t  For 27.5: XS:165mm, S:170mm, M:170mm For 29: S:170mm, M:170mm, L:170mmPraxis Cadet Boost, 30t For 27.5: XS:165mm, S:170mm, M:170mm For 29: S:170mm, M:170mm, L:170mm
Bottom BracketSRAM DUB, press fitPraxis, press fit
RimsFor 27.5: Giant AM 27.5, sleeve-joint rim, 30mm inner width For 29: Giant AM 29, sleeve-joint rim, 30mm inner widthFor 27.5: Giant AM 27.5, sleeve-joint rim, 30mm inner width For 29: Giant AM 29, sleeve-joint rim, 30mm inner width
HubsGiant Boost, sealedGiant Boost, sealed
SpokesSapimSapim
TyresFor 27.5: [F] Maxxis Rekon 27.5×2.6 WT, EXO, TR, tubeless [R] Maxxis Ardent Race 27.5×2.6 WT, EXO, TR, tubeless
For 29: [F/R] Maxxis Forecaster 29×2.35 WT, EXO, TR, tubeless 
For 27.5: [F] Maxxis Rekon 27.5×2.6 WT, EXO, TR, tubeless [R] Maxxis Ardent Race 27.5×2.6 WT, EXO, TR, tubeless
For 29: [F/R] Maxxis Forecaster 29×2.35 WT, EXO, TR, tubeless 
ExtrasFor 27.5: Factory set up tubeless, max tyre size 2.6″, max chainring size 32t For 29: Factory set up tubeless, max tyre size 2.4″, max chainring size 32tFor 27.5: Factory set up tubeless, max tyre size 2.6″, max chainring size 32t For 29: Factory set up tubeless, max tyre size 2.4″, max chainring size 32t

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Home Forums New Liv Embolden – hit the trails from £1,849

Viewing 9 posts - 1 through 9 (of 9 total)
  • New Liv Embolden – hit the trails from £1,849
  • stingmered
    Full Member

    1×10…. what year is this, 2010?

    weeksy
    Full Member

    Well you can get 1*12 and pay £250 more…. probably.

    You can’t expect a budget price and full high-spec components.

    kimbers
    Full Member

    1×10…. what year is this, 2010?

    A wide range 10 speed setup is going to get you up anything as well as an 11-46 12 speed would!

    And Deore a lot more reliable than sx

    stingmered
    Full Member

    granted, but huge gaps between the cogs… Didn’t realise that 10spd was still a thing on new MTBs

    kimbers
    Full Member

    The only big jump is between the biggest 2 sprockets, and that’s just shimano being silly, because sunrace manage to even them out nicely

    I run wide range 10 speed on my hardtail and there’s hardly any difference between that and the posh stuff on my main bike- the biggest difference is that the 10 speed is a lot less sensitive to setup and considerably cheaper to maintain

    cakefacesmallblock
    Full Member

    1×12 will make all the difference ! I can’t believe the hype over 2 cogs. If a recreational rider needs or would notice the difference on the trails, some pro team should sign them up.
    Well done to all the manufacturers producing decent bikes to get folk into riding.

    jameso
    Full Member

    The Embolden’s proprietary ALUXX-Grade Aluminum frame alloy is 30% stiffer than traditional 6061-series aluminum

    Fact Check please / metallurgy magic if so.

    mashr
    Full Member

    How many years before nobody is able to service the fork properly?

    dokonjodaikon
    Free Member

    Totally on board with the 1×10. My Ribble hardtail just arrived with 12 speed NX which is made out of cheese while having a cassette that weighs in at 610g. Disasterous shifting from the word go. I spend every ride fiddling with a barrel adjuster, and the forums tell me that is par for the course. The silver lining is that it uses a HG driver. Can’t get 10 speed back on that bike quickly enough.

Viewing 9 posts - 1 through 9 (of 9 total)

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