A decade ago, if you walked into a bike shop, you’d find many bikes marketed as ‘women-specific’, with special frame geometry, components and suspension tuning claimed to be optimised for women’s bodies and riding needs. 

But it was a short-lived trend, and most women’s bikes have vanished from the market. Trek (WSD), Specialized, Cannondale and Scott (Contessa) are just a few brands that have quietly shifted away from separate women’s bikes. Factors contributing to the disappearance include companies’ simplified model lines, more bikes available in XS and small sizes, women wanting the same bikes as men, and COVID-19 supply chain disruptions. 

Liv is one brand still flying the flag for women’s bikes, and they go all-in. While Liv bikes share ownership, manufacturing and a dealer network with Giant, each brand has independent product development and marketing staff. As such, Liv bikes have unique frames, geometry and finishes. Liv also invests heavily in marketing and developing women‘s cycling – it sponsors top-level women’s road teams, and the Tour de France Femmes avec Zwift.

Liv launched its latest-generation Pique Advanced earlier this year. The frame received similar updates to those Giant applied to its Anthem Advanced XC race bike in 2022. The biggest change was abandoning the dual-link Maestro suspension system in favour of a more contemporary single pivot with a flex-stay layout.

Another update bringing the Pique in line with its XC category peers is the increased travel – 120mm up front (20mm increase) and 115mm in the rear (15mm increase). Other changes include a modernised frame appearance, two bottle-cage mounts inside the front triangle and longer-travel dropper compatibility. 

Geometry-wise, Liv increased the Pique Advanced’s reach and wheelbase measurements, slackened the head tube angle by 1.5° to 67°, added 2° to the seat angle (76°), and slightly shortened the chainstay length. These changes provide more confidence and control while descending, and put the rider in a better position for climbing.

Interestingly, despite the reach being lengthened in the new model, it’s still shorter than men’s bike standards. Liv does this purposely, claiming that it’s based on fit data from women riders. 

Maybe women do appreciate the comfort afforded by a more upright position; but even if it’s just marketing speak, there’s a lot to like about this bike, regardless of its target audience. The plush Fox suspension, crisp Shimano SLX drivetrain and excellent Giant XCR carbon wheels are highlights. Take one for a test ride, and you might just fall in love.

PRICE: R99 990
WEBSITE: liv-bicycles.co.za

Get the men’s version

The Liv Pique is the sister bike of the tried-and-tested Giant Anthem. For 2024, the Anthem gets a reduction in frame weight (thanks to the Taiwanese megafirm’s carbon-fibre wizardry), plus updated geometry: a steeper 75.5° seat-tube angle and a slacker 67.5° head-tube angle. These changes, paired with a longer reach, make the bike far more capable than its 100mm of rear suspension travel might suggest. 

The Anthem has always been a great cross-country bike, and the new version keeps the tradition going. Note that Giant might make some entry-level bikes, but this is not one of them – the range starts with the Advanced 29 3 at R89 990, and goes all the way up to the Advanced 29 1 at R149 990. The latter bike weighs a spoke or two over 10kg, and has beautiful carbon wheels and electronic SRAM GX Transmission shifting.

READ MORE ON: bike review New bikes