The Liv Langma Advanced Disc Will Push Your Limits
This women's racing and climbing bike is fast, responsive, and a great value.
The locals in Tibet refer to Mount Everest as Langma. It means “highest achievable point” – which is exactly where this line of women’s race bikes wants to take you. Billed as a racing and climbing bike, the Langma is available in six models, two of which are disc-brake equipped.
The Advanced Disc I tested has a slightly heftier carbon frame than the Advanced SL 0 and sits at the lowest end of the disc line. At 8.5kg, and outfitted with Giant Conduct hydraulic disc brakes, it’s no featherweight.
Still, the way it jumps, surges, and climbs reminded me how much I once loved racing – before training took a toll and I fizzled out. It accelerated quickly during sprints, like it had more to give. And on climbs, the mixed Shimano Ultegra/105 drivetrain (50/34, 11-32) gave me the gearing I needed to spin uphill at a comfortable cadence. I also gained the confidence to ride more aggressively and take corners hotter than usual – the bike responded well to tiny hip twitches.
If you’re serious about winning races and have cash to drop, you might want to consider the highest-end Langma. I just want a bike that will inspire me to line up at the start. The Advanced Disc is that bike.
Weight: 8.4kg (XS)
READ MORE ON: bikes gear Liv Langma Advanced Disc