The Liv Approach SL is designed to cater to performance-oriented road and gravel cyclists. It boasts a lightweight construction, coupled with a design aimed at enhancing comfort by relieving soft-tissue pressure and minimising pressure points along the saddle's contact area.
Featuring a strategically placed cut-out design, the saddle is intended to prevent numbness and reduce the risk of soft-tissue damage.
Liv asserts that its employment of ultra-light foam ensures sustained support for the sit bones, even during prolonged rides.
The premium Rebound foam, along with lightweight SST alloy rails, results in a saddle that offers day-long comfort without unnecessary bulk.
Notable features include an elongated nose shape, compatibility with the Giant UniClip Mount System, and robust construction for reliable performance, whether on roads or trails.
Available in a single size (155mm), the Approach SL measures 270mm in length and is equipped with SST alloy rails. My test saddle weighed 247g, slightly exceeding the stated figure of 240g.
Liv Approach SL Saddle performance
The biggest surprise during testing was how well this saddle performed across all disciplines. Aimed at both roadies and gravel bikers, the saddle felt more than at home on the trails.
The fact that it's available in only one width (155mm) may put some riders off, but I found it offered ample support and comfort for short to mid-length rides. A good amount of flex when pedalling contributed to the overall comfort of this saddle.
Comfort is further helped by the ergonomic cut-out, which provided excellent soft-tissue relief without compromising support for the sit bones.
However, on rides of three hours or longer, I noticed some discomfort around my sit bones.
On those longer rides, I never felt discomfort or numbness in the labial area. However, the saddle wings hindered manoeuvrability slightly on technical trails.
It ranked third lightest of the group of women's-specific saddles I tested and is considerably cheaper than the lighter saddles from Specialized and Fizik. The ease of cleaning, excellent price and compatibility with Giant’s UniClip accessories add to its appeal, making it a versatile and practical choice for multi-discipline cyclists.
Mountain bike saddles | How we tested
Rach tested these mountain bike saddles on a variety of terrain across the South West of England and South Wales.
She rode both a cross-country bike and trail bike to gauge how the saddles performed in different disciplines and conditions.
Saddles on test
- Fizik Vento Argo R1 Adaptive
- Ergon SM E-Mountain Sport Women
- SDG Allure V2
- Liv Approach SL
- Specialized Power Comp with MIMIC
Liv Approach SL Saddle bottom line
The Liv Approach SL is a versatile saddle that offers brilliant value for money, with an RRP of £70 / €60 / AU$130.
Comfort is excellent for the labial area and reasonable for the sit bones, although it may not suit riders with a dynamic riding style because the wings and long nose can interfere on technical descents.
Product
| Brand | liv |
| Price | 130.00 AUD,60.00 EUR,70.00 GBP |
| Weight | 247.0000, GRAM (155mm x 270mm) - |
Features
| br_rails | aluminium |
| br_cutOut | yes |
| br_gender | womens |
| br_length | 270mm |
| br_availableWidths | 155mm |
