Liv Avail Advanced 2020: comfier frame, bigger tyres

Liv’s flagship endurance model, the Avail Advanced, has received its first major update for a decade. As the sibling to Giant's popular Defy Advanced, the women’s cycling brand has set out to create a seriously comfortable and versatile ‘do everything’ road bike.

10 years since the launch of the original Avail, Liv has worked to add more comfort to the latest iteration of its Avail Advanced range, as well as giving it a full geometry overhaul to accommodate wider tyres.

Liv Avail Advanced 2020 new features

With its first major revamp in a decade, the biggest difference you'll notice with the new Liv Avail Advanced is the size of its tyres. Previously running 25mm rubber, the new model boasts 32mm of tyre to soak up the bumps of bad roads, cobbles and anything else you might encounter on an all-day ride.

The range is now fully compatible with electronic groupsets and includes cable ports to allow for conversions, while the top-end model in the range — the Liv Avail Advanced Pro 1 — comes stock with the new SRAM Force eTap AXS wireless groupset.

Liv Avail Advanced Pro 1 SRAM Force eTap AXS wireless drivetrain — The Liv Avail Advanced Pro 1 comes with the new SRAM Force eTap AXS wireless groupset - Damien Rosso

All models now arrive set up tubeless with Giant Gavia Fondo tyres, while Liv claims the Advanced-Grade composite carbon layup has been updated to be even lighter than before. Weights for each of the new models are yet to be published.

The new Avail also gets Giant's OverDrive 2 steerer which, with a 1 1/4in upper diameter, is larger than most for improved steering stiffness.

Liv Avail Advanced Pro 1 stem and OverDrive 2 steerer — The OverDrive 2 steerer is designed to provide performance-quality steering without adding extra weight to the bike - Damien Rosso

Liv Avail Advanced 2020 geometry

Liv Avail Advanced Pro 1 side view — Liv has given its popular Avail Advanced range its first major overhaul in a decade - Damien Rosso

In order to accommodate the larger tyres, the geometry has undergone some changes. Across the range, the fork length has been increased by 2mm to 372mm (axle to crown) and the fork rake has increased by 5mm to 50mm.

In addition to this, the XXS and XS frames now have a 10mm shorter head tube (XXS: 110mm, XS: 125mm) and 5mm lower bottom bracket drop (now 75mm).

Small, Medium and Large frames have had their head tube reduced by 5mm (S: 145mm, M: 165mm, L: 185mm) and the bottom bracket lowered by an extra 3mm, to 73mm.

Liv Avail Advanced Pro 1 internal routing cable port — A cable port on the down tube makes the new range compatible with both mechanical and electronic shifting - Damien Rosso

Liv Avail Advanced 2020 range overview

There are five bikes available in the new Avail Advanced range, with three Avail Advanced models and two Advanced Pros. Sizing ranges from XXS to Large, and should suit rider heights from 145cm/4ft 9in to 183cm/6ft.

At the top end of the range the Avail Advanced Pro 1 comes with the new SRAM Force eTap AXS wireless groupset, a RideSense Bluetooth and ANT+ compatible sensor, and full carbon finishing kit, and will set you back $5,500.

Liv Avail Advanced Pro 1 RideSense — The Liv Avail Advanced Pro 1 and Pro 2 come stock with a RideSense unit, compatible with Bluetooth and ANT - Damien Rosso

The entry-level Avail Advanced 3 gets Shimano Tiagra gearing and hydraulic disc brakes with aluminium finishing kit and will cost $2,020.

The entire range comes stock with Giant Gavia Fondo 1 32mm tubeless tyres and Liv’s own Advanced-Grade composite frame and forks, with a carbon layup that Giant says is designed and fine-tuned specifically for women, based on the brand’s extensive data set.