Liv Devote Advanced Pro review

Redesigned for its second generation, the Liv Devote Advanced Pro is the top-tier model in the brand’s dedicated gravel offering.

The Liv Devote is the women’s-specific equivalent of the Giant Revolt, which won the gravel category of our 2022 Bike of the Year test and took the honours again in 2023. So, does the new Devote live up to its sibling’s award-winning pedigree?

With flip-chip geometry and down tube storage, there’s no shortage of new gizmos built into the new Devote line-up, as well as some new premium components that are used across the Liv fleet.

Built to suit all riders in the ever-widening gravel bikes category, the brand claims the 2024 Liv Devote can tackle flat-out gravel racing, multi-day bikepacking trips and serve as a trusty companion for novice gravel riders too.

While some other brands offer women’s-specific gravel bikes, Liv is the only brand that designs these from the frame up, using extensive women’s fit data, rather than simply adding smaller components to a unisex frame.

Liv Devote Advanced Pro frame

Topping out the 2024 Liv Devote models, the Devote Advanced Pro utilises Liv’s Advanced-level carbon composite frame, and is the first Devote to feature an Advanced SL-grade composite fork.

The frameset shares much with Liv’s other models; the OverDrive steerer design (which uses an oversized 1-1/2in lower headset bearing paired with a 1-1/8in upper and a tapered carbon steerer), the D-Fuse D-shaped proprietary seatpost, and internal cable routing through the Contact AeroLight stem and handlebar for a cable-free front end.

The Devote’s geometry can be altered using the new flip chip in the rear dropout, which is a feature found across the whole model range.

The two positions – short and long – offer different riding characteristics and tyre clearance, according to the brand.

Opt for the short riding position for a tyre clearance of 45mm with snappier handling, according to Liv; or for an increased tyre clearance of up to 53mm and more stability, switch to the long position.

The new Devote Advanced Pro also features down tube storage – a feature pioneered in enduro mountain bikes that’s becoming increasingly common among gravel bikes too.

A composite door under the bottle cage can be released to access this, with a padded, water-resistant storage bag provided for housing tools, spares and snacks.

In addition to three bottle cage mounts, there are triple fork mounts for adding cargo cages. The Devote is also kitted out with full mudguard mounts for all-season riding.

Liv Devote Advanced Pro geometry

Besides the addition of the flip chip, the brand has also made some adjustments to the frame geometry since the original Liv Devote.

To make the ride position more aggressive, the top tube has been lengthened, head tube shortened, stack shortened and reach lengthened.

It’s worth noting here that the Giant Contact D-Fuse SLR carbon seatpost supplied also offers some level of position adjustability, because you can rotate the saddle clamp to give either -5mm or ＋15mm of offset.

While 45mm isn’t an unreasonable level of clearance in the short position, the 53mm (2.08in) tyre clearance offered by the long position is really generous.

This long position increases the bike’s wheelbase by 10mm.

Liv Devote Advanced Pro specifications

The Devote Advanced Pro’s build reflects its position as the priciest of the seven models on offer. A full SRAM Force AXS groupset is specced, complete with hydraulic brakes and SRAM CentreLine 160mm rotors.

There’s a double-chainring setup, with the SRAM Force D2 DUB crankset offering 43- and 30-tooth chainrings with 170mm cranks on my size medium.

At the rear, a 12-speed 10-36 tooth cassette is installed, linked by a SRAM Force D2 chain.

The finishing kit is all in-house, with the carbon Liv Contact SLR XR D-Fuse handlebar and Giant Contact D-Fuse SLR seatpost.

A new design for this year, also used on the 2024 Liv Avail, the unconventionally shaped seatpost is said to offer up to 7mm of flex, according to Liv.

Liv’s women’s-specific Approach SL saddle is used, featuring a long-nosed cutout design and slightly curved profile.

The carbon handlebar features a small 5-degree backsweep and a slight flare to the drop. Hoses run through the handlebar and into the Contact AeroLight stem, which in turn feeds into the steerer.

The Devote rolls on the Giant CXR 1 carbon wheelset, which features a 35mm depth and a hookless rim with a 25mm inner diameter.

The low-profile tread Cadex AR gravel tyres measure up true to size on the wide rims at 40mm with a rounded profile. These are set up tubeless from the factory.

There’s also a storage bag included with the Devote Advanced Pro that fits in the down tube, but unlike some other premium Liv models, you’ll need to provide bottle cages and a bike computer mount yourself.

Liv Devote Advanced Pro ride impressions

Positioned as a do-it-all gravel bike, I wanted to put the Devote through its paces with some varied riding.

Testing took place on local laps of Haldon Forest Park’s gravel roads and off-piste singletrack, on a group ride on the golden gravel tracks and rocky singletrack of the New Forest, some local bridleways on Dartmoor and a bikepacking overnighter.

I rode the Liv Devote Advanced Pro primarily in the short geometry setting, which is how it was supplied, though I also switched to the long setting to see if I could detect the difference.

Even in the short geometry setting, I was impressed from the outset by how capable the Devote was. The quality 40mm gravel tyres played a large part in this, no doubt.

Those Cadex AR gravel tyres were really confidence-inspiring. They performed well at lower pressures and gave the impression of being wider than 40mm on the more technical terrain, yet without feeling slow or sluggish on or off-road.

This was refreshing, because stock bikes are all too often built up with either far too slick or too aggressive tyres, from my experience.

In line with my usual cockpit gripes, there were certainly a few things to improve when it came to the setup on the Devote.

Firstly, the shape of the bar wasn’t to my taste. While the position was fine in the hoods, the sloping angle of the drops made me feel unstable because I didn’t have any bend to anchor the heel of my hand into while descending.

After dialling in the reach adjust, I noticed an issue with the SRAM Force AXS shifters.

On multiple occasions on more technical trails, while on the hoods I couldn’t brake because the shift paddles of the lever pulled back against my fingers, pinning them against the handlebar.

Therefore, I had to choose between not being able to reach the brakes properly, or only being able to brake in the drops – or with all fingers on the lever.

Thankfully, the hoods are very ergonomic, though the gappy interface between the hood and bar tape looked a little sub-standard and certainly not as sleek as other shifter models.

Nevertheless, shifting was smooth and accurate, as well as noticeably quiet, which was an added bonus.

Admittedly, the double-chainring setup took some getting used to for a 1x convert such as myself, but the range afforded by them was worth it when I wanted to power on at speed or winch up steep, loose inclines.

On the plus side, the taping is much better on this bike than on some models I’ve tested recently, such as the Liv Enviliv.

I was pleased to see the tape extending to near the stem, so your whole hand benefits from the vibration damping offered when resting on the tops.

The flip chip geometry adjustment isn't quite as straightforward as Liv might have you think. To switch the geometry between positions, you need to remove the rear wheel and brake mount, flip the orientation of the brake mount and reattach it to the bike.

You then need to remove the two flip-chip bolts and reverse the orientation of those, partially tighten them, replace the wheel and axle before fully tightening, then realign the brake caliper.

It’s certainly not the kind of job many will relish doing regularly between rides.

I struggled to notice the difference in riding characteristics between the two modes, though with the extra clearance afforded by the long setting, I’m sure that fitting a set of 2in tyres would really change the character of the ride.

Realistically, you’re not going to be switching geometry often. However, if you predominantly enjoy faster-paced rides or racing, but also want to tackle a week of bikepacking on rougher trails with chunkier rubber, it gives more versatility than most other gravel bike options.

The stash box in the down tube isn’t as roomy as I’d anticipated and, due to the angle of the opening, I was unable to fit my chunky mini-pump or multi-tool into the storage.

The padded bag supplied is a nice touch, though, and prevents stowed items from rattling or – heaven forbid – getting lost inside the frame.

Realistically there’s only space for a few tubeless tools and spares, but at least that’s less in your pockets or bags.

Finally, the choice of paint for this flagship model is really classy; a gloss black with gold detailing is both striking and easier to keep clean than a lighter-coloured, matt finish.

The gold compass on the back of the seat tube is also a really lovely detail.

But how does the Liv Devote Advanced Pro feel to ride, overall? I’ve been struggling to pinpoint it exactly, but I have had a lot of fun on the new Devote.

While most of my riding was pretty relaxed, it’s clear the Devote can be pushed at speed, and removing a few spacers from the front end would no doubt help it feel a little more racy.

The top-end Devote is also light, which makes climbing – and the odd bit of hike-a-bike – much easier too.

Sometimes, gravel bikes at the racier end of the spectrum can feel more sketchy on fun singletrack sections. This certainly wasn’t the case with the Devote, which proved to be capable on all terrain bar the muddiest autumn tracks, where a switch of tyres would be needed.

When it came to spending a few days loaded up on the bike, it continued to perform brilliantly, taking the technical granite and boggy bridleways of Dartmoor in its stride.

While it wouldn’t be my first choice for months of loaded bikepacking across countries, for the shorter trips most of us can realistically fit in, it’ll do the job – and do it well.

How does the Liv Devote Advanced Pro compare to the Juliana Quincy CC Rival?

Both the Juliana Quincy CC Rival and the new Devote boast 45mm tyre clearance – which can be upped to 53mm in the case of the Devote in the long geometry setting – as well as three bottle cage mounts and mudguard mounts.

The Juliana isn’t quite as versatile as the Devote when it comes to loading up for multi-day rides though, because it doesn’t have the same cargo cage mounts as the Devote on the fork legs.

A componentry comparison would be unfair because the Juliana and Liv sit at opposite ends of their respective model ranges in terms of budget, though they both use hydraulic disc brakes with 160mm rotors.

One major difference, though, is the range of gearing, with the Quincy running a single chainring while the Devote benefits from a double.

If you’re planning on going fast on and off-road, being able to use the larger chainring of the double while still retaining an easy gear for winching uphill is going to be a significant advantage.

Where the Devote has taken the nod from its road siblings with an aerodynamic D-shaped seatpost and totally internal cable routing, the Quincy uses a more traditional approach with a round seatpost and standard cockpit setup, with finishing kit courtesy of Easton.

All in all, the Devote offers a more versatile ride that’ll take you both fast and far, though at nearly twice the price of the Quincy tested.

Liv Devote Advanced Pro bottom line

From the get-go, the Liv Devote Advanced Pro proved to be a grin-inducing gravel machine, and for riders like me, that’s pretty much the ticket.

As I delved deeper into testing, I found a few setup quirks that could certainly be improved with regards to the cockpit.

While switching the flip-chip geometry was a more involved process than I’d anticipated, being able to both race competitively and then fit chunky 2in tyres to the same bike is a real boon. It makes this a category-spanning choice at a time when gravel bikes are becoming more and more polarised.

At £5,599, you’ll certainly pay for this lightweight, premium build, but there’s a good range of Devote models for most budgets, with options from £1,299.