Liv Cycling has just expanded its Embolden series for 2022, adding a 29er wheel option so riders of varying sizes can fine-tune their fit. The Embolden has been part of Liv’s range for six years now, and its 2022 refresh now features a choice of 27.5in or 29in wheels on size Small and Medium frames, while 27.5 comes as standard on XS and 29 on Large.
Designed with beginners and confidence-builders in mind, the Liv Embolden features on our list of the best entry-level women’s mountain bikes, while the Embolden E +2 sits within our buyer’s guide to the best budget e-MTBs.
“First launched in 2016, the second generation Embolden series brings the addition of a 29-inch wheel option,” said Ludi Scholz, Liv off-road category manager. “Now there is even greater capability provided to the aspiring trail rider who demands a featured-packed trail bike for developing their skills.”
As one of the few women’s specific bike brands on the planet (and the only one specifically run by women for women), Liv’s latest Embolden offering has been built with all the woman-focused features and small details we’ve come to expect.
Liv Embolden features and specifications
For 2022, the revitalized Liv Embolden sees an updated proprietary ALUXX-Grade aluminum frame which, formed from raw materials in Liv’s own forging facility, is claimed to be 30 percent stiffer — and more lightweight — than traditional 6061-series aluminum.
It uses Liv’s single-pivot FlexPoint Suspension linkage, which delivers 120mm of rear travel, combined with 130mm of travel up front.
There are two models in the range: Embolden 1 and Embolden 2.
The Liv Embolden 1 is the higher-tier model, which comes with a Giant Crest 34 SL RCL 130mm suspension fork and RockShox Monarch R shock that's custom-tuned to suit the average female rider. It's driven by a SRAM SX Eagle 1x12 groupset with hydraulic brakes, and rolls on tubeless Maxxis tires (Forecaster for the 29er and a combination of Rekon and Ardent Race for 27.5).
The slightly more affordable Embolden 2 comes with the same wheel, tire and fork as the Embolden 1. It features a Suntour Raidon R shock, also custom-tuned for Liv, and a Shimano Deore / Praxis mixed drivetrain.
Contact points are women’s specific on both models, with the Liv Sylvia trail saddle topping the Giant Giant Contact Switch dropper seatpost.
Along with the new choice of wheel sizes (for Small-Medium frames, at least), the Embolden sees the addition of Boost hub spacing, bringing it up to date with today’s trend for wider tires and burlier builds. The rear triangle has been overhauled with 148mm boost hub spacing and 12mm through-axle, allowing a tire clearance of 27.5 x 2.6in or 29 x 2.4in.
Other proprietary Liv technologies that have now made it onto the Embolden include Overdrive, the oversized headset bearings with a tapered steerer tube, designed to provide precise front-end steering performance and stiffness, and Powercore, the oversized bottom bracket and chainstay area with asymmetric stays for additional stiffness on the driveside and stability on the non-driveside.
Liv Embolden range overview
| Model name | Embolden 1 | Embolden 2 |
|---|---|---|
| Retail price | £2,149 | £1,849 |
| Colors | Matte Black / Gloss Sparkling Black | Purple Ash |
| Sizes | 27.5": XS, S, M / 29": S, M, L | 27.5": XS, S, M / 29": S, M, L |
| Frame | ALUXX-Grade Aluminum, 120mm FlexPoint Suspension | ALUXX-Grade Aluminum, 120mm FlexPoint Suspension |
| Fork | Giant Crest 34 SL RCL, 130mm, 15x110 | Giant Crest 34 SL RCL, 130mm, 15x110 |
| Shock | RockShox Monarch R, 185/45, custom tuned for Liv | Suntour Raidon R, 185/45, custom tuned for Liv |
| Handlebar | Giant Connect Trail, alloy / For 27.5: XS:730mm, S:750mm, M:750mm / For 29: S:750mm, M:750mm, L:780mm | Giant Connect Trail, alloy / For 27.5: XS:730mm, S:750mm, M:750mm / For 29: S:750mm, M:750mm, L:780mm |
| Grips | Giant Sole-O | Giant Sole-O |
| Stem | Giant Contact / For 27.5: XS:40mm, S:50mm, M:50mm / For 29: S:50mm, M:50mm, L:60mm | Giant Contact / For 27.5: XS:40mm, S:50mm, M:50mm / For 29: S:50mm, M:50mm, L:60mm |
| Seatpost | Giant Contact Switch dropper, remote / For 27.5: XS: 75mm travel / 30.9 x 295mm S: 100mm travel / 30.9 x 345mm M: 125mm travel / 30.9 x 395mm / For 29: S: 100mm travel / 30.9 x 345mm M: 125mm travel / 30.9 x 395mm L: 125mm travel / 30.9 x 395mm | Giant Contact Switch dropper, remote / For 27.5: XS: 75mm travel / 30.9 x 295mm S: 100mm travel / 30.9 x 345mm M: 125mm travel / 30.9 x 395mm / For 29: S: 100mm travel / 30.9 x 345mm M: 125mm travel / 30.9 x 395mm L: 125mm travel / 30.9 x 395mm |
| Saddle | Liv Sylvia | Liv Sylvia |
| Shifters | SRAM SX Eagle, 1x12 | Shimano Deore M4100, 1x10 |
| Front derailleur | N/A | N/A |
| Rear derailleur | SRAM SX Eagle | Shimano Deore M5120 |
| Brakes | Shimano BR-MT420, hydraulic, Shimano SM-RT26 6 bolt rotors [F]180mm, [R]160mm | Shimano BR-MT420, hydraulic, Shimano SM-RT26 6 bolt rotors [F]180mm, [R]160mm |
| Brake levers | Shimano BL-MT401 | Shimano BL-MT201 |
| Cassette | SRAM SX Eagle, 11x50 | Shimano Deore M4100, 11x46 |
| Chain | SRAM SX Eagle | KMC X-10 |
| Crankset | SRAM SX Eagle DUB, 30t / For 27.5: XS:165mm, S:170mm, M:170mm / For 29: S:170mm, M:170mm, L:170mm | Praxis Cadet Boost, 30t / For 27.5: XS:165mm, S:170mm, M:170mm / For 29: S:170mm, M:170mm, L:170mm |
| Bottom bracket | SRAM DUB, press fit | Praxis, press fit |
| Rims | For 27.5: Giant AM 27.5, sleeve-joint rim, 30mm inner width / For 29: Giant AM 29, sleeve-joint rim, 30mm inner width | For 27.5: Giant AM 27.5, sleeve-joint rim, 30mm inner width / For 29: Giant AM 29, sleeve-joint rim, 30mm inner width |
| Hubs | Giant Boost, sealed | Giant Boost, sealed |
| Spokes | Sapim | Sapim |
| Tires | For 27.5: [F] Maxxis Rekon 27.5x2.6 WT, EXO, TR, tubeless [R] Maxxis Ardent Race 27.5x2.6 WT, EXO, TR, tubeless / For 29: [F/R] Maxxis Forecaster 29x2.35 WT, EXO, TR, tubeless | For 27.5: [F] Maxxis Rekon 27.5x2.6 WT, EXO, TR, tubeless [R] Maxxis Ardent Race 27.5x2.6 WT, EXO, TR, tubeless / For 29: [F/R] Maxxis Forecaster 29x2.35 WT, EXO, TR, tubeless |
