Liv EnviLiv Advanced 1 review

Advances in aerodynamic design see the Liv EnviLiv relaunched in its third generation since 2013, aiming to put this performance-oriented women’s road bike at the front and centre of any sprint.

This update brings the Liv EnviLiv back in line with its brother model, the 2023 Giant Propel – unveiled last year and one of the best aero road bikes we’ve tested – though with women’s-specific geometry and component choices.

The new range sees the brand’s premium SL-grade carbon used for the first time on the EnviLiv, formerly used only on the Giant Propel SL, while a reduction in tube sizing and shape has led to a weight-saving across all models.

Three frames are available in all: the base Advanced version, the mid-range Advanced Pro and the aforementioned Advanced SL, available as a frameset only.

While Liv doesn’t make any specific performance claims about the Advanced-level build on test here (presumably because it’s the first in the EnviLiv range), the new Advanced Pro model is said to reduce aerodynamic drag by 9.21 watts compared to the previous generation, saving 40 seconds over a 40-kilometre course at 40kph, according to Liv.

Back to my test bike, and the frame is kitted out with Giant’s 50mm deep-section wheels and a SRAM Rival eTap AXS electronic groupset. All told, it has proven to be a rapid choice fit for fast road riding, while keeping one eye on value in today’s market.

Liv EnviLiv Advanced 1 frame

The Liv EnviLiv Advanced is the base frameset, available in two builds. Both the frame and fork are constructed with the brand’s ‘Advanced Grade’ carbon fibre layup, while the mid-range Advanced Pro model upgrades to an SL-grade fork, and the premium SL frameset uses the ‘SuperLight’ grade throughout.

The shaping of the frame is one of the most noticeable changes to the outgoing generation, with significantly slimmed-down aero profiles, particularly the top tube, seat tube and corresponding seatpost. This achieves a lower weight without compromising on aerodynamics, according to Liv, while saving 292g across the frameset.

Liv EnviLiv Advanced 1 geometry

Geometry is as you’d expect for this calibre of bike, with racy numbers throughout, and a steep 72-degree head tube angle and 74.5-degree seat tube angle on my size small.

I rode with 35mm of headset spacers, so there’s the option to get into a much more aggressive position, should you wish.

All sizes are kitted out with 700c wheels, even the XXS model, whereas other brands may opt for 650b for the smallest sizes.

Compared to the Giant Propel in the same size, the reach is 6mm less and the top tube is 11mm shorter, while the stack has been increased by 4mm, all reflecting the thinking that women tend to have shorter torsos in comparison to leg length.

Liv EnviLiv Advanced 1 specifications

SRAM Rival eTap AXS provides the 12-speed electronic gearing for the Advanced 1 model, kitted out with a 48/35t crankset paired to a 10-30t cassette. SRAM Rival also provides the hydraulic disc brakes, combining a 160mm SRAM Paceline rotor up-front and 140mm at the rear.

To complement the aero frameset, there’s a 50mm-deep Giant SLR 2 50 Carbon Disc WheelSystem, set up on alloy Giant hubs. These are shod with Giant Gavia Course 1 25mm tyres, which measure up as a more respectable 29mm on the 22.4mm-wide rims, handily set up tubeless as standard.

Unsurprisingly, the finishing kit comes in-house too, with the Liv Approach cut-out saddle topping the Giant Vector D-shaped aero carbon seatpost. Designed specifically for women, the Liv Contact SL Aero alloy bar measures 38cm-wide on my size small.

Just like the new Giant Propel, the EnviLiv is specced with a Giant Contact SL Aero stem for integrated cable routing.

Designed to work with the D-shaped steerer, the proprietary stem is three-sided, so you can see the brake hoses (and gear cables/wires if you have them) running from the steerer into the handlebar underneath.

Each model comes complete with two aero bottle cages, designed to work in tandem with the EnviLiv’s tube shapes, and a 32g out-front mount with Giant, Wahoo and Garmin inserts, as well as an adaptor to enable you to run a GoPro or light underneath.

While perhaps not as streamlined as those seen on the Team BikeExchange-Jayco bikes last year, the mount is highly adjustable.

Including the cages and mount as provided, the Liv EnviLiv measures up at 8.6kg.

Liv EnviLiv Advanced 1 performance

I put the Liv EnviLiv to the test in the lanes of East Devon. This incorporated a three-hour, fast-paced club ride and excursions onto the hillier terrain of Dartmoor, including a 30-minute sustained effort up Hay Tor and shorter, sharper ascents.

Conditions varied from 40mph gusts and drizzle on wet moorland roads to bright spring mornings on dry tarmac, with a mix of rough lanes and fresh asphalt.

Liv EnviLiv Advanced 1 setup

Setup was mostly straightforward, with bottle cages and a computer mount provided (other brands, take note), as well as tyres set up tubeless from the get-go.

One aspect that proved a little more tricky was setting the saddle height. The clamp design gave me flashbacks to the 3T Exploro aero gravel bike, with the bolt located frustratingly close to the seatpost. You have to make sure you have an Allen key in just the right shape to adjust it, especially if you need any mid-ride micro-adjustments upon initial setup.

It’s not something that’ll be a problem once set up, it’s just a bit fiddly when you’re getting used to a new bike, especially because the bolt is angled with the head towards the seatpost.

Liv EnviLiv Advanced 1 ride impressions

The Liv EnviLiv Advanced 1 is the kind of bike that rewards you in proportion to the effort you put in. The momentum it carries when really pushing on the pedals is impressive, and the beautifully shaped compact drops mean tucking down into the handlebar is both easy and, for me, comfortable.

When you really need to pick up speed, the bike feels keen and ready to deliver as you toss the frame from side to side. It’s at home on short, punchy hills too, carrying speed into the gradient to take the initial sting out of a lump in the road. Ridden at pace, the EnviLiv truly sings.

Taken into the bigger hills this way, the EnviLiv struggled a little in comparison with the Liv Langma, the brand’s lightweight climber turned all-round racer.

I would also have preferred a lower gear than the 35-30 option for the particularly steep, double-digit gradients common on Dartmoor. Strong winds required keeping an eye on the deep-section front wheel, too.

This all proved a point, though. If you’re in the market for an all-rounder, do-it-all race bike, the Langma – a bike I’ve spent a fair bit of time on since last year’s Bike of the Year test – is the more rounded choice. Ridden at pace, though – on the flat, rolling terrain on which aero bikes excel – the EnviLiv truly sings.

Liv EnviLiv Advanced 1 comfort and handling

In terms of comfort and handling, the EnviLiv was impressive. From cornering to tackling rougher, often potholed lanes, this race-focused bike didn’t once feel sketchy or out of its comfort zone.

I’d almost expected a bike this stiff to feel harsher over rougher roads, but the frame and tyre setup did a great job of reducing any discomfort. I’m also a fan of the slightly curved Liv Approach saddle and, while I personally sometimes struggle with the reach on road bikes, Liv’s women’s-specific geometry takes care of this for me.

The tubeless Gavia Course 1 tyres stuck to both dry and wet roads well, inspiring confidence just as they did on the Women’s Bike of the Year 2022 winner, the Liv Langma Advanced Disc 1+. Ignoring the 25mm width as printed on the sidewalls, the 29mm (as measured) rubber hit a sensible sweet spot between speed and comfort.

The one thing that really irked me was the bar tape. Perhaps it’s fashionable to tape half of the bar, but the way the tape ends exactly in the middle of where my palms rested on the tops, meant I’d be looking to re-tape the bar if this were my bike.

I’d prefer to see the full bar taped, or to tape only the corner of the bar and leave the flattened aero tops untaped.

Ending on a high, the paintjob is very smart in the flesh. Named ‘Airglow’, I feel it's more like Rainbow Trout; iridescent, shimmering, glossy and easy to clean.

Liv EnviLiv Advanced 1 bottom line

For pure speed, the EnviLiv will take some beating. However, it's the more specialised machine in the Liv range, compared to the Langma, as a more versatile choice for all terrain and conditions.

As a race-ready rig for triathlon, criteriums, road racing or simply wanting to make your pals suffer on the club ride, the Liv EnviLiv Advanced 1 is an aero bike that really comes to life on flat or rolling terrain. It’s a highly rewarding ride, and one that matches its speed with good comfort, too.

At 8.6kg, it’s a little way from the latest iteration of lightweight aero or climbing bikes. However, with the Advanced frame used as the basis of the build, this helps keep the smart spec at a relatively sensible price.

On that note, plenty of thought has gone into the build, and I’m glad to see related accessories and a tubeless setup included as standard.