Liv’s Pique Advanced 1 is a Fast and Fun XC Trail Bike

Takeaway: Liv’s Pique Advanced is a solid full-suspension, cross country mountain bike chassis that excels on fast and technical trails. The 115mm rear travel FlexPoint Pro system with a 120mm fork is balanced and controlled, even when pushed hard on terrain where mid-travel trail bikes are often better suited. Liv is the only brand making dedicated women’s bikes and its geometry is unique—some riders may love the geo while others might not. However, this is not a negative; the XC market is loaded with choices, and the Pique will appeal to mountain bikers of any gender seeking a more upright riding position for cross country and lighter trail riding.

Liv Pique Advanced 29 1

$7,800 at Liv Cycling

Pros

• Women‘s-specific geometry
• Lightweight
• Power meter comes stock

Cons

• Clashing controls
• Geometry might not be for everyone

Price: $7,800
Weight: 24.5 lb. (size L)

Cross country is the hot segment in (non-electric) mountain bikes with several brands relaunching or updating their XC offerings in the last two model years. Almost every mountain bike company offers models categorized as “cross country” or “XC”; you will even see XC bikes in the product portfolios of brands better known for road models.

Most brands will use the cross country designation for their models with less than 130mm front wheel travel, and a bias towards lighter weight and climbing ability over pure downhill speed. This can include ultralight race machines and bikes meant for technical trail riding—many combine elements of both. Scores of bikes fall under the cross country umbrella.

There are a lot of choices for bikes of this genre. A LOT. However, there are limited choices for women’s models. And perhaps the best example is Liv’s Pique Advanced.

The term “cross country bike” once almost exclusively referred to hardtail or short-travel mountain bikes intended for racing. And many old cross country bikes descended poorly. But recently XC bikes adopted better geometry, dropper posts, and improved suspension—these changes significantly improved the bikes’ capability on the trail. Many new XC bikes can hold their own against longer-travel bikes when the terrain points downward and, because they’re lighter, climb better than heavy-duty trail bikes.

This shift to more capable XC bikes directly results from professional cross country races becoming more challenging over the past several seasons. UCI World Cup XCO tracks now regularly incorporate technical sections, drops, and jumps. So, athletes pushed their sponsors to provide bikes better suited for the racing conditions. And it means the average rider—who might never race—gets lighter, faster, and better handling cross country bikes.

With such a diverse XC bike market, what is cross country riding? It’s trail riding.

Trail rides range from cruises on flat and easy doubletrack to long climbs and challenging descents on technical singletrack. Since the definition of cross country varies from rider to rider, region to region, and trail to trail—it can even vary by day—trail riding is the easiest way to define it. What you consider cross country might be somebody else’s trail ride or vice versa.

Yet, even with an overabundance of bike options in the cross country category, Liv is one of the only brands with women’s-specific offerings. Liv’s Pique Advanced features a 115mm travel flex-pivot frame with a 120mm travel fork, dual-remote shock lockouts, a dropper seatpost, and fast-rolling tires. The Pique Advanced 1 weighs 24.5 pounds. It ticks all the boxes for inclusion in the broadly defined cross country category.

Liv offers the Pique Advanced in two configurations. Both models use the same carbon frame, are equipped with Fox suspension with dual-remote lockout, and use 29-inch wheels on all frame sizes. The Pique Advanced models also use adjustable travel Giant dropper posts, Shimano disc brakes, and Giant Carbon wheelsets.

Pique Advanced 29 1 - $7,800 (tested)

Suspension: Fox 34 Float SC Performance Elite fork and Float SL Performance Elite shock
Drivetrain: SRAM GX Eagle Transmission AXS
Crank: SRAM XO T-Type with power meter
Brakes: Shimano XT hydraulic
Wheels: Giant XCR 1 30 Carbon WheelSystem
Cockpit: Giant Contact SLR XC carbon bar with Giant Contact SL XC stem

Pique Advanced 29 2 - $5,400

Suspension: Fox 34 Float SC Performance fork and Float SL Performance Elite shock
Drivetrain: Shimano XT
Crank: Shimano SLX
Brakes: Shimano SLX hydraulic
Wheels: Giant XCR 2 29 Carbon WheelSystem
Cockpit: Giant Contact XC alloy flat bar with Giant Contact SL XC stem

A decade ago, if you walked into a bike shop or perused the websites of popular bicycle brands you found many bikes marketed as “women’s”. Some brands had completely standalone women’s lineups with frame geometry, components, and suspension tuning claimed to be optimized for women’s bodies and riding needs. Other women’s models were men’s frames with component changes (saddle, grips, and bar) and usually different paint and graphics.

If you search for women’s bikes on manufacturer websites now, you sometimes still find pages showing assorted bikes. However, virtually all the bicycles shown are the brands’ standard offerings versus dedicated women’s models.

Women’s bikes vanished from the market in only a few model years. Trek (WSD), Specialized, Cannondale, Scott (Contessa), and Yeti (Beti) are a few of the brands that quietly shifted away from separate women’s bikes. Factors contributing to the disappearance of women’s bikes include companies’ simplified model lines, more bikes available in XS and small sizes, women wanting the same bikes as men, and COVID-19 supply chain disruptions.

Juliana and Liv are the two brands still flying the flag for women’s bikes. And each takes a different approach to producing women’s bicycles. Juliana, a sub-brand of Santa Cruz Bicycles, uses stock Santa Cruz frames with different model names, colors, saddles, and rear shock tunes.

In contrast, Liv goes all-in on women’s bikes. While Liv bikes are sold through Giant’s vast dealer network—the two brands share ownership and manufacturing technologies—each brand has independent product development and marketing staff. Liv‘s specifications and features often closely match similarly priced Giant models, but Liv bikes have unique frames, geometry, and finishes. Liv also invests heavily in marketing and developing women‘s cycling—it sponsors top-level women’s road teams and the Tour de France Femmes avec Zwift.

I asked Jen Audia, the Global Liv Product Marketing Associate Manager, “Why should a rider purchase a women’s-specific bike?” She provided a long reply, the first part of which is below.

“Why not? Liv's focus on creating bikes that cater to women's needs isn't just a design choice— it's a commitment to addressing the gap that has existed in the cycling industry for years. We believe that women deserve bikes that prioritize fit, performance, and innovation.”

So yes, surely women can have a blast on the trails on any bike. But do women need different frame geometries to enjoy mountain biking? Liv feels strongly that its bikes provide women with a better fit, improved handling, and reduced fatigue than competitors’ bikes not specifically designed for women. But with the huge variation of rider heights, body sizes, and riding experience this may or may not be the same for every woman cyclist.

Liv launched its latest generation Pique Advanced earlier this year. The frame received similar updates that Giant applied to its Anthem Advanced XC race bike in 2022. The biggest change was abandoning the dual-link Maestro suspension system in favor of a more contemporary single pivot with a flexstay layout.

This setup uses a linkage to drive the shock paired with flex engineered into the seatstays of the Pique’s rear triangle. This is not too different than flexstay setups used on cross country bikes by Cannondale, Specialized, Santa Cruz/Juliana, and others. Ditching the Maestro’s lower link saves weight and, in theory, reduces service and improves reliability. Liv claims a 297-gram weight savings compared to the previous generation Pique Advanced. That comes out to 0.65 pounds, which ain’t exactly nothing—especially if you’re the type who fancies racing or chases QOMs.

Another update bringing the Pique in line with its XC category peers is the increased travel—120mm up front (a 20mm increase) and 115mm in the rear (a 15mm increase). Other changes include a modernized frame appearance, two bottle cage mounts inside the front triangle, and longer-travel dropper post compatibility.

Geometry-wise, Liv increased the Pique Advanced’s reach and wheelbase measurements, slackened the head tube angle by 1.5 degrees, added 2 degrees to the seat angle, and slightly shortened the chainstay length. These changes provide more confidence and control while descending and put the rider in a better position for climbing.

Many consider the Pique simply a women’s variant of the Giant Anthem as the two platforms share frame aesthetics, pricing, and many components. But if those folks dig into the details they will find Liv’s XC bike bests the Giant on two important fronts.

The Pique boasts more front and rear travel than the Anthem, making the Pique more on-trend with the cross country bike market and rider needs. Additionally, Liv offers the Pique Advanced in four frame sizes (XS, S, M, and L) to fit riders 4’11” to 5’11” compared to the Anthem Advanced three sizes (M, L, and XL) for people 5’7” to 6’6”. These two reasons should prompt more mountain bikers of any gender to consider the Pique.

The Pique’s geometry (particularly its stack and reach measurements) falls somewhat outside the norms of current cross country mountain bike trends. Liv does this purposefully, and the brand claims it bases this unique geometry on fit data from women cyclists. I do not feel this is good or bad, right or wrong; it’s simply different. And if it’s not your bidon of recovery drink, there is a plethora of fantastic XC bikes out there from which to choose.

Since there are no other bikes with women’s-specific geometry currently in the market, the only geometry comparisons are to non-women’s-specific models. Comparing the Pique Advanced to other brands’ cross country models with similar travel, the Liv often has taller stack heights and a shorter reach. This is especially true for the Pique Advanced’s M and L size frames, with the XS and S sizes sometimes equal to or longer than competitors’ models.

Compared to the Juliana Wilder, the only other women’s bike in the category, the Pique is taller in stack for all sizes and shorter in reach for M and L frames.

Liv Pique Advanced vs. Juliana Wilder geometry

I am six feet tall and prefer more saddle-to-bar drop than some riders—the large-sized Pique was too tall in the front end and a little cramped in the top tube for my liking. I slammed the stem and flipped it to negative rise to cheat the front end lower and longer, and I had lots of fun on the bike. But if I were buying an XC bike I would want one with a rangier top tube.

Yet, many riders—women, men, and non-binary—want a medium or large-framed cross country bike with a shorter reach and more stack than bikes currently in the market. The Pique is a great choice for those riders. In other brands, riders are forced to size down if they want less reach or add a bunch of spacers to increase front-end height.

One weekend afternoon I met such a rider at the trailhead. The rider was unhappy with the fit of his 120mm travel bike but hadn’t thought about buying a Liv. He wanted an XC or trail bike with a short top tube and tall front end. A brief spin around the parking lot quickly had the man considering a women’s bike. More fit options are good—if a bike fits you correctly, it’s right for you regardless if it is women’s or men’s-specific.

The Pique Advanced has snappy acceleration and more than adequate climbing traction. It also surprised me with its capability on descents and technical trails. Bottom line: Modern XC bikes are a hoot and this bike is a ripper.

I am not a speedy climber, so I wasn’t planning to pick up any QOMs regardless of how well the Pique performs uphill. But the bike’s climbing prowess made the hills slightly less tortuous than they typically are for me. The Pique sits into the rear travel nicely on climbs. And as long as you spin and don’t mash on the pedals, the bike remains composed.

Sudden surges (of body weight and power) cause the rear to squat into the travel when climbing, though it does not break the rear wheel loose. I often found myself pushing the lockout lever during hard out-of-the-saddle charges—such as cresting a hill or powering up the inside line on a corner—seeking additional support or a more efficient feel.

On flat and rolling terrain, the Pique Advanced feels punchy. It quickly gets up to pace out of corners and the Maxxis Aspen tires maintain speed. The size L’s short wheelbase enables swift line changes—the bike has great flow when transitioning from corner to corner.

The Pique surprised me in technical sections and descents. With its limited travel and cross country race tires, I was not expecting the Pique to be nearly as adept as longer travel bikes with knobbier and grippier tires that I’ve ridden on the same trails. I even unexpectedly snagged a PR on a local descent.

I chalk some of the Pique’s abilities up to its geometry and some to its suspension. But there is also something to be said about the maneuverability of lightweight bikes. Putting the bike where you need it on the trail (because of the lower weight) aids you as much on descents and technical sections as when climbing.

While I detected some flex from the fork’s 34mm stanchions in some sections and under heavy braking, the rear end rarely felt overworked. Even when I increased the sag to about 33 percent (more than Liv’s recommended 25 percent), I did not experience any harsh bottom-outs.

However, my experience with the Pique wasn’t all sunshine. As referenced earlier, I thought the front end was too tall and short for my preferences. Other riders may like the taller front end and should consider this bike. However, my criticisms of the Pique Advanced are mainly with the components; specifically the controls.

The combination of brake levers (Shimano), shifter (SRAM AXS), dropper lever (Giant), and lockout remote (Fox) is an ergonomic mishmash. Individually, each works well on its own. But together, the different brands’ levers spatially clash with each other. After some repositioning trial-and-error, I found a setup that worked adequately. Though it wasn’t perfect and it annoyed me every time I rode.

Additionally, the bike’s two-piston Shimano XT stoppers are adequate but not exceptional. Cross country bikes from competing brands are almost all equipped with four-pot units. Heavier duty brakes add a little weight but provide more confidence and control. As a heavier rider, it’s a trade I’d take. However, more braking power is something lightweight riders also need on the trail, particularly because the Pique can hold its own on trails often reserved for 130mm or 140mm bikes.

Value is always subjective and highly dependent on your wants and needs as a rider. Looking strictly at the price, at $7,800 the Pique Advanced 1 is the priciest option for SRAM GX AXS Transmission-equipped bikes. But the extra cost might be worth it for racers or riders who train with power.

Popular competitors in the XC category—such as the Specialized Epic 8 Expert, Juliana Wilder GX AXS TR, and Cannondale Scalpel 2—are $800 to $1,300 less than the Liv. However, none of these models come with remote lockouts or power meters—both upgrades will set you back several hundred dollars. Remote lockouts, in particular, require extra parts and shop time that add to the cost.

A bike that costs significantly less than the Pique and comes stock with remote lockout and carbon wheels is Canyon’s Lux Trail CF 9. Currently on sale for $5,300, the Lux is a hot deal. However, Canyon’s claimed weight on the bike is nearly 3 pounds heavier than our measured weight on the Pique Advanced. The Lux’s top tubes are also long; 35mm longer than the Liv in size L. So, if Liv’s geometry is specifically what you’re seeking, spending more for the Pique Advanced 1 (or downgrading to the Advanced 2 for the lower price) is necessary.

Earlier in the review I provided Jen Audia from Liv’s reply to “Why should a rider purchase a women’s-specific bike?” The second part of Audia’s response to my query was, “When you choose a bike from Liv, you're not only getting a considered product experience, you're also supporting a movement that is redefining what inclusivity in cycling truly means.”

Some of that is slick marketing speak—Audia is great at her job, after all—but there is also a big nugget of truth in there. Many riders want to purchase a bike and Liv is the only brand fully committed to women’s-specific product and marketing. If buying a women’s-specific bike makes more women hit the trail, get in more miles, or try racing, then women’s bikes are important.

There are plenty—perhaps too many—options for “men’s” bikes, so there is surely space for a women’s brand. Plus, some men will discover that a women’s-specific bike fits them best.

• Liv noted that it tunes suspension on the Pique Advanced “so the best performance can capture 95% of our target audience. That covers a weight span from 54kg [119 lb.] up to 85kg [187 lb.] where the performance is at its best.” I am over that range (I weigh about 200 lb.) and did not experience any jarring bottom-outs from the rear suspension.
• The stock Maxxis Aspen, 29”x2.4” TLR EXO tires rolled fast and had more grip than expected. However, I burped the rear tire on two rides with 24/26psi (f/r). Adding pressure made the rear feel pingy off rocks. I didn’t want to damage the tires or rims running less pressure, so I kept it around 26psi. Consider swapping to beefier rubber depending on your local trails and riding style.
• The Fizik Vento Argo R5 saddle is typically found on road and gravel bikes, but it’s a favorite of mine so I was pleased to see it on a mountain bike.
• 760mm is standard for bars on XC bikes, but as a former downhiller, I wanted wider. Luckily since the bar isn’t a one-piece set-up, changing to wider bars is a simple fix.
• The bike’s weight—24.5 lb. for size L—helps with maneuverability on descents as much as it’s noticeable on climbs.
• As someone who all too often stares at her watts on rides, I liked having a power meter on the mountain bike. Especially because the numbers often showed I was riding harder than I thought given my perceived effort.

Tara Seplavy

Deputy Editor

As Deputy Editor, Tara Seplavy leads Bicycling’s product test team; after having previously led product development and sourcing for multiple bike brands, run World Championship winning mountain bike teams, wrenched at renowned bicycle shops in Brooklyn, raced everything from criteriums to downhill, and ridden bikes on six different continents (landing herself in hospital emergency rooms in four countries and counting). Based in Easton, Pennsylvania, Tara spends tons of time on the road and trail testing products. A familiar face at cyclocross races, crits, and bike parks in the Mid Atlantic and New England, on weekends she can often be found racing for the New York City-based CRCA/KruisCX team. When not riding a bike, or talking about them, Tara listens to a lot of ska, punk, and emo music, and consumes too much social media.