Liv – the women’s specific arm of Giant Bicycles – continues to focus on producing bikes with geometry and suspension tuning designed for women. Its latest development is the revised Embolden.
This is the second iteration of the Embolden, which is a trail bike designed with newer riders in mind. The alloy framed 120/130mm full suspension bike now comes in a choice of 27.5 or 29 inch wheels. Here’s the press release.
“First launched in 2016, the second generation Embolden series brings the addition of a 29-inch wheel option. Now there is even greater capability provided to the aspiring trail rider who demands a featured-packed trail bike for developing their skills.”
Ludi Scholz, Liv off-road category manager.
Trail Ready
The Embolden’s proprietary ALUXX-Grade Aluminum frame alloy is 30% stiffer than traditional 6061-series aluminum while reducing overall weight. Liv’s single-pivot FlexPoint Suspension delivers 120mm of rear wheel travel paired with 130mm of travel up front to navigate trail obstacles and singletrack terrain. To complete this trail ready mountain bike, the Embolden series features a dropper seatpost, Liv Sylvia trail saddle and 1x drivetrain.
Wheel Options
Both the Embolden 27.5- and 29-inch wheel models have an updated rear triangle featuring 148mm boost hub spacing with a 12mm through axle and 35mm handlebar and stem setup. Additionally, the 29-inch wheel version has a redesigned toptube and downtube that incorporates Tensio, Liv’s visual technology that encompasses industrial and graphic design to create an organic silhouette with dynamic lines and shapes for a fast and fresh look, along with updated cable ports and a 55mm chainline.
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With boost hub spacing, the Embolden delivers improved stiffness, trail handling and increased tire clearance allowing riders to run up to 2.6-inch tires on 27.5-inch wheel models and 2.4-inch tires on 29-inch wheel models.
Embolden 27.5-inch wheel models are available in XS, S and M, and 29-inch wheel models are available in S, M, and L and start at £1,849. The expanded Embolden series will be available worldwide starting this spring. Learn more at www.liv-cycling.com.
| Model Name | Embolden 1 | Embolden 2 |
| UK retails | £2,149 | £1,849 |
| Colours | 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, 15×110 | Giant Crest 34 RCL, 130mm, 15×110 |
| 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 |
| Pedals | Not included | Not included |
| Shifters | SRAM SX Eagle, 1×12 | Shimano Deore M4100, 1×10 |
| 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, 11×50 | Shimano Deore M4100, 11×46 |
| 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 |
| Tyres | For 27.5: [F] Maxxis Rekon 27.5×2.6 WT, EXO, TR, tubeless [R] Maxxis Ardent Race 27.5×2.6 WT, EXO, TR, tubeless For 29: [F/R] Maxxis Forecaster 29×2.35 WT, EXO, TR, tubeless | For 27.5: [F] Maxxis Rekon 27.5×2.6 WT, EXO, TR, tubeless [R] Maxxis Ardent Race 27.5×2.6 WT, EXO, TR, tubeless For 29: [F/R] Maxxis Forecaster 29×2.35 WT, EXO, TR, tubeless |
| Extras | For 27.5: Factory set up tubeless, max tyre size 2.6″, max chainring size 32t For 29: Factory set up tubeless, max tyre size 2.4″, max chainring size 32t | For 27.5: Factory set up tubeless, max tyre size 2.6″, max chainring size 32t For 29: Factory set up tubeless, max tyre size 2.4″, max chainring size 32t |
