Liv have a clear philosophy: developing bikes by women, for women. That means more than simply giving them a different look. The geometry, frame sizes and tailored components are designed around the female body. Women tend to rely more heavily on their legs than their upper body when riding, making weight distribution and handling even more important.
With the new Intrigue Advanced E+, Liv’s developers are launching the electric counterpart to the analogue Intrigue LT. With 160 mm of travel up front, 150 mm at the rear and a mullet setup combining a 29” front wheel with a 27.5” rear, it aims to blend control, agility and strong climbing performance.
We tested the € 10,000 flagship Liv Intrigue Advanced E+ 0 in size M on the varied uphill and downhill trails around Livigno. Above all, this raised one intriguing question: Is a bike from a brand with such a consistent focus on women really only suitable for female riders? Or can it work just as well for men if the geometry and riding position suit their body proportions?
The Liv Intrigue Advanced E+ 0 in Detail – what’s the concept all about?
The two-tone paintwork immediately catches your eye on the carbon frame of the new Intrigue Advanced E+. The finish certainly has a “girly” touch, but gives the bike a distinctive look that clearly sets it apart from GIANT’s models.
Things get more interesting beneath the surface. The optimised Maestro rear suspension, delivering 150 mm of travel via four pivot points and two links, weighs around 200 grams less than its predecessor. According to Liv, this represents an impressive 6% reduction in material. To retain the full Maestro kinematics despite the motor, Liv worked with Yamaha to develop a dedicated motor housing.
Despite the significant performance upgrade over the previous Intrigue Advanced E+ Elite, Liv have managed to keep the weight down. Compared with its predecessor, the new frame offers an extra 10 mm of travel both front and rear. Nevertheless, according to the manufacturer, frameset weight has only increased slightly from 2,643 to 2,668 g. Our flagship model tips the scales at just 20.2 kg in size M.
The relatively compact battery plays an important role. It sits entirely inside the downtube, can be removed for charging or transport, and is small enough for Liv to carry the concept all the way down to frame size XS. Alongside the mount for a water bottle or range extender, there’s a tool mount on the top tube.
The cables are neatly routed through the headset. Alternatively, Liv have integrated cable ports into the top tube, allowing you to opt for conventional cable routing.
Liv has given frame protection careful thought. The battery cover doubles as a down tube guard, running seamlessly from the motor cover to the head tube. At the rear, a generously sized chainstay protector extends well toward the chainring to fend off chain slap, while a mudguard on the lower seat tube keeps dirt away from the pivot between the main frame and rear end.
The high-quality charging port is easily accessible on the left-hand side of the frame. Its cover slides smoothly aside for charging, providing easy access to the connector.
What can the GIANT SyncDrive Pro 4 motor on the Liv Intrigue Advanced E+ do?
At the heart of the E+ Smart System is the newly developed 48-volt GIANT SyncDrive Pro 4. The drive unit weighs 2.4 kg and delivers up to 120 Nm of torque and 850 watts of power. According to GIANT, the new drive unit offers 41% more sustained torque than the previous SyncDrive Pro 3X. Particularly interesting for technical climbs, GIANT claim that the motor delivers its maximum torque just 0.28 seconds after the first pedal input.
For the battery, Liv rely on the GIANT EnergyPak Smart 560X, offering 560 Wh at 48 V and weighing 2.6 kg. Thanks to its compact 22700B cells, the battery can be integrated neatly into the down tube while remaining removable. According to the manufacturer, it has an IPX7 rating and is designed to withstand up to 2,300 charging cycles.
Charging is taken care of by the GIANT Smart Charger X. According to the manufacturer, the 560X reaches 60% after 1 hour and 40 minutes, 80% after 2 hours and 15 minutes, and a full charge after around 3 hours and 40 minutes. The charger automatically adjusts the voltage and charging current to suit the condition of the battery.
If you need even more range, you can add the EnergyPak Plus 280. The range extender provides an additional 280 Wh while adding 1.5 kg, taking the Intrigue Advanced E+ to a maximum capacity of 840 Wh. It attaches to the bottle cage mounts and also features a USB-C port for charging external devices. The range extender comes as standard with the Intrigue Advanced E+ 0.
With the new E+ System, GIANT bring the motor, battery, display, remote and app together on a single platform. Rather than relying on individual components that simply communicate with each other, GIANT have created a fully connected ecosystem. The system is controlled via the Synchronized Power Matrix, which works with six sensors measuring torque, cadence, speed, gradient, power and acceleration. Compared with other motors, the GIANT SyncDrive Pro 4 offers an unusually wide selection of riding modes: Eco, Tour, Active, Sport, Power and Boost. The system also features Traction Control, which is designed to detect rear-wheel slip and adjust motor output accordingly. All modes can be customised via the RideControl app.
The interface between rider and bike consists of the integrated, easy-to-read RideControl Go Lux colour display in the top tube and the wireless RideControl Ergo 5 remote on the handlebars. The display can show information including battery level, support mode, speed, remaining range, distance and cadence. You can configure up to ten pages, each with four data fields, individually via the app.
The buttons on the Ergo 5 can also be programmed via the RideControl app. As well as switching between support modes, you can use it to control functions including Walk Assist, Boost mode and, unusually, the electronic dropper post. It’s a particularly practical setup, putting all the key functions right at your fingertips without requiring you to take your hand off the grip.
Additional features such as Apple Find My, AEGIS E-Lock and the AEGIS Tire Checker round off the E+ System nicely. The latter monitors front and rear tire pressure in real time, displays the values on the Go Lux display, and warns you of rapid pressure loss or if the pressure drops below a user-defined threshold.
The key technical details of the GIANT SyncDrive Pro 4 motor system
- max. power: 850 W
- max. torque: 120 Nm
- Battery: 560 Wh (2.6 kg, 215.4 Wh/kg)
- Drive unit weight: 2.4 kg
The spec of the Liv Intrigue Advanced E+ 0
At € 10,000, the flagship model we tested leaves little to be desired. Up front, there’s a FOX 36 Factory fork with 160 mm of travel and a GRIP X damper. Compared with the even more downhill-focused GRIP X2, the damper saves weight while still offering plenty of adjustment for trail riding. At the rear, a FOX Float X Factory shock controls the 150 mm of travel.
The flagship model relies on a SRAM X0 AXS Transmission drivetrain with a 520% gear range. Praxis Type-2 carbon cranks with short 155 mm crank arms transfer your pedalling power to the rear wheel. A robust KMC eFlatHT chain is designed to cope with the combined input forces of up to 300 Nm quoted by the manufacturer over the long term.
Stopping duties are taken care of by gold TRP EVO Pro four-piston brakes with large 200 mm rotors front and rear. They’re paired with e-bike-optimised GIANT TRX HD carbon wheels featuring a 30 mm internal rim width. Up front, there’s a 29 x 2.5” Maxxis Assegai with an EXO+ casing and 3C MaxxGrip rubber compound, while the rear gets a 27.5 x 2.4” Maxxis Minion DHR II, also with an EXO+ casing but using the faster-rolling MaxxTerra compound.
Liv haven’t cut corners on the cockpit either. According to the manufacturer, the GIANT Contact SLR Trail Integrated Full Carbon cockpit weighs just 255 g. Sweep can be adjusted between 7°, 8° and 9° using angled spacers beneath the stem, while the reach can be set to 40, 45 or 50 mm. Handlebar width is size-specific too, with XS and S getting 760 mm bars and M and L coming with 780 mm bars. Liv Tactal Pro grips complete the setup, along with various top-cap mounts for action cameras or bike computers.
One particularly well-executed feature is the electronic GIANT Contact Switch E+ dropper post, which offers 170 mm of travel on our size M test bike. Not only does it provide plenty of freedom of movement, but it draws power directly from the e-bike system, eliminating the need for a separate battery. Its controls are integrated directly into the Ergo 5, so there’s no need for an additional remote lever. That makes it feel slightly inconsistent that Liv haven’t also integrated the SRAM drivetrain into the e-bike system, meaning it still relies on its own battery. A shame.
For the saddle, Liv use the 155 mm-wide Sylvia SL HD. By comparison, the GIANT counterpart comes with a narrower version.
Our tuning tip: Regardless of whether a saddle is labelled “women-specific”, it’s worth choosing the width to suit your own anatomy. Just because a saddle has been developed for women doesn’t automatically mean it will suit every female rider.
Liv Intrigue Advanced E+ 0
Specifications
Motor GIANT SyncDrive Pro 4 120 Nm
Battery GIANT EnergyPak 560 Wh
Display GIANT RideControl
Fork FOX 36 Factory GRIP-X-Kartusche 160 mm
Rear Shock FOX FLOAT X Factory 150 mm
Seatpost GIANT Contact Switch 170 mm
Brakes TRP Evo Pro 220/200 mm
Drivetrain SRAM X0 Eagle Transmission 1x12
Stem GIANT Contact SLR
Handlebar GIANT Contact SLR 780 mm
Wheelset GIANT e-TRX 29"/27.5"
Tires MAXXIS ASSEGAI / MAXXIS Minion DHR 2.5"/2.4"
Technical Data
Size XS S M L
Weight 20.2 kg
Specific Features
Flip-Chip
Range Extender
electronic tire pressure sensor
Other versions of the Liv Intrigue Advanced E+ 0
Liv offer four versions of the Intrigue Advanced E+ in total, differing not only in paintwork but, more importantly, in suspension, drivetrain, brakes and wheels. Prices range from € 6,000 for the Intrigue Advanced E+ 2 to € 10,000 for our flagship test bike.
Importantly, the underlying concept remains the same throughout the range. Even the more affordable models come with the SyncDrive Pro 4 and the 560 Wh main battery. For € 8,000, the Intrigue Advanced E+ 1 comes with a FOX 36 Performance Elite fork and FOX Float X Performance shock, electronic SRAM GX AXS Transmission drivetrain, TRP EVO Expert brakes and GIANT e-TRA wheels.
The € 6,500 Intrigue Advanced E+ SE, meanwhile, relies on a GIANT Crest 36 Elite fork and Crest Flotrac TR shock, paired with a mechanical Shimano CUES 1×11 drivetrain. TRP EVO Comp brakes provide the stopping power, while GIANT e-TRA wheels complete the build.
The € 6,000 Intrigue Advanced E+ 2 pares things back another step. A RockShox Psylo Gold RC fork and Deluxe Select shock are paired with a mechanical Shimano Deore 1×12 drivetrain, TRP EVO Comp brakes and GIANT e-TRA wheels. It’s also the only one of the four models that doesn’t include the 280 Wh range extender as standard.
Incidentally, GIANT also have a new eMTB lined up for the coming season. The Trance Advanced E+ will be available in several different builds, ranging from the € 6,000 Trance Advanced E+ 2 to the € 10,000 flagship E+ 0.
The geometry of the Liv Intrigue Advanced E+ 0
The Intrigue Advanced E+ is available in four frame sizes (XS, S, M, L), all of which use a mullet setup while leaving enough room in the front triangle for a range extender across the entire size range. Liv’s geometry concept combines a steep seat tube angle for efficient climbing, a low standover height, short chainstays for agility and a slack head angle with a taller stack. The latter shifts your riding position slightly rearwards and is intended to inspire greater confidence on steep sections. A three-position flip chip on the Maestro rocker link (High / Mid / Low) also lets you adjust the head angle, seat angle and bottom bracket height to suit your preferences.
In the stock Mid setting, our size M test bike has a reach of 452 mm, a wheelbase of 1,231 mm and a 64.5° head angle on paper. The geometry scales sensibly across the four frame sizes: reach increases from 412 mm in XS to 423 mm in S, 452 mm in M and 477 mm in L, while the wheelbase grows from 1,183 to 1,260 mm. The chainstays, however, remain a consistently short 443 mm across all sizes, so Liv don’t use size-specific rear-centre lengths. Stack increases from 618 mm in XS to 645 mm in L, giving the larger frames a correspondingly taller front end.
The optimised seat tube insertion depth is also intended to allow longer-travel dropper posts to be fitted even to smaller frames. The short chainstays are designed to maximise agility and make it easier to lift the front wheel. At the same time, the steeper seat tube angle improves weight distribution on technical climbs.
Gender raises another interesting question here. Ultimately, whether the geometry works for you depends less on whether you’re a man or a woman and more on your height, proportions and personal riding style. If the geometry suits you, there’s no fundamental reason why a man shouldn’t ride the Liv too.
| Size | XS | S | M | L |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Top Tube | 550 mm | 563 mm | 596 mm | 623 mm |
| Seat Tube | 380 mm | 400 mm | 425 mm | 450 mm |
| Head Tube | 95 mm | 105 mm | 115 mm | 125 mm |
| Head Angle | 64,5° | 64,5° | 64,5° | 64,5° |
| Seat Angle | 77° | 77° | 77° | 77° |
| Chainstay | 443 mm | 443 mm | 443 mm | 443 mm |
| BB Drop | 12 mm | 12 mm | 12 mm | 12 mm |
| Wheelbase | 1183 mm | 1198 mm | 1231 mm | 1260 mm |
| Reach | 412 mm | 423 mm | 452 mm | 477 mm |
| Stack | 618 mm | 627 mm | 636 mm | 645 mm |
How does the Liv Intrigue Advanced E+ 0 perform on the trail?
How does the new Liv Intrigue Advanced E+ 0 perform uphill?
At 1.70 m tall, we rode the Liv Intrigue Advanced E+ 0 in size M in the mountains around Livigno, taking on enduro and gravel trails without any big jumps, but with plenty of sunshine. Depending on your preferred riding position, size L could also be an option at 1.70 m.
From the first few metres, the Intrigue feels relatively compact, but over time this proves to be a good thing. You’re not stretched out over the bike, but sit in a comfortable yet sporty position and feel nicely integrated between the front and rear wheels. On more relaxed climbs, you can simply stay seated and let the Liv do the work. Pedalling feels smooth and comfortable, and we didn’t notice any excessive bobbing from the rear suspension. Neither the fork, shock nor rear end exhibits unnecessary movement. At the same time, the rear suspension works with the tires to generate plenty of traction, even on loose surfaces. However, the 155 mm-wide women’s saddle caused us some discomfort during the test, once again demonstrating how important your individual sit-bone width is.
If the main battery starts running low on longer rides, the range extender is a useful option. It attaches quickly via a lever-operated mount, and you barely notice the additional weight, whether climbing or descending. This means you can use the bike day to day with the lighter main battery and add extra range whenever you need it.
When things get steeper, however, you need to get active. Slide forwards on the saddle and put additional pressure through the handlebars to keep the front wheel planted. Thanks to the bike’s light handling, this comes pretty intuitively. The compact riding position also makes it easy to shift your weight forwards quickly.
At a high cadence, the motor provides plenty of assistance even in Eco mode. The app connects quickly and lets you customise the individual modes extensively, noticeably affecting both motor characteristics and range. It’s definitely worth experimenting with the settings. On technical climbs, we found Tour and Active already provided plenty of support. The GIANT SyncDrive Pro 4 responds quickly and sensitively to pedal input and, together with the traction control and tires, generates plenty of grip even on loose terrain. However, that sensitive response demands a little attention. If you’re standing relaxed on the pedals on the trail and inadvertently apply some pressure, the motor responds immediately.
The eMTB won’t do all the work for you on technically demanding sections, though. Even the Liv can’t completely compensate for a lack of riding technique. Dropping the saddle slightly on technical climbs gives you noticeably more control.
During the test, we rode the new Liv with the flip chip in the Low setting. On rough, technical climbs, the High position would probably have been the better choice, providing more ground clearance and reducing the risk of striking obstacles.
Aside from the excellent performance, one thing in particular left a lasting impression: the noise. The motor was consistently audible throughout our test rides and was hard to tune out even when riding in a group. According to Liv, the production model should be quieter. Otherwise, the Intrigue Advanced E+ 0 is impressively quiet on the trail, with no rattling.
How does the Liv Intrigue Advanced E+ 0 perform downhill?
Point the Liv Intrigue Advanced E+ 0 downhill and its low, integrated riding position between the wheels quickly gives you plenty of control. The bike feels pleasantly compact and light on its feet, while remaining composed and stable. The taller front end really comes into its own on steep sections. You feel nicely integrated into the bike and far less like you’re being pulled too far forwards.
On Livigno’s rooty, rocky trails, the Intrigue Advanced E+ 0 proved to be a very successful compromise between agility and stability. It rolls confidently over roots and rocks, holds its line calmly and can still be flicked through corners with ease. On rough descents in particular, however, the Liv rewards an active riding style and requires you to trust the bike. It therefore takes a little time to get used to, but after a few rides your confidence increases noticeably.
The flip chip also plays an important role here. In the Low setting we tested, the Intrigue Advanced E+ 0 feels particularly planted and stable through corners, inspiring plenty of confidence. The flip chip is quick to adjust too, so it’s worth experimenting with the different positions to tailor the bike’s character to your preferences.
The brakes suit the controlled ride feel well too. The TRP EVO Pro brakes impress with a clearly defined, easy-to-modulate bite point. We didn’t experience any fading, even on longer descents.
The electronic dropper post is practical too. It continues to work even when the main battery is already so depleted that the motor no longer provides assistance. That’s particularly useful if you reach the top of the trail and want to drop the saddle before heading down. During testing, it operated quickly and without any noticeable play.
With the Ergo 5 remote, we could comfortably control both the support modes and dropper post height with one finger, even while riding off-road. However, because the buttons sit very close together, they take a little getting used to. Early on, we occasionally changed the support mode by accident when we actually wanted to operate the dropper.
The Tire Checker is pretty cool too. Changes in tire pressure are shown on the display in real time, and the readings proved impressively accurate during our test. That’s particularly useful if you like experimenting with different tire pressures. Connecting to the app is quick too, and settings can be adjusted easily.
You notice the low overall weight before you even hit the trail, as soon as you lift the bike onto a workstand for the first time. The more compact battery contributes to this and noticeably improves the light handling. However, its lower capacity becomes apparent on longer rides. That’s where the range extender comes in. You barely notice its additional weight, whether climbing or descending, yet it significantly broadens the bike’s range of use, whether you’re heading out on a longer ride or simply squeezing in one more quick lap in the evening.
In a nutshell: the Liv puts in a strong performance on the rooty, rocky trails around Livigno. It combines playful lightness with dependable stability and rewards an active riding style with plenty of fun. However, we’d need more test days and, above all, steeper and rougher terrain to explore the bike’s true limits.
Who is the Liv Intrigue Advanced E+ 0 the right eMTB for?
So, is the new Liv Intrigue Advanced E+ 0 purely a women’s bike? Not at all. The Liv suits anyone looking for a light, agile full-power eMTB that offers plenty of control. The compact riding position helps on technical climbs, while the tall front end and planted ride feel inspire confidence on descents. If you like fine-tuning your setup, there’s plenty of scope to do so too. The flip chip, suspension and motor characteristics can all be adjusted noticeably to suit your riding style and the terrain.
Liv consistently develop their bikes based on feedback from women, and you can feel the results. The lower weight, well-balanced geometry and carefully selected components, such as the saddle, are all designed with female riders in mind. But the benefits don’t stop at gender. Men can also benefit from lighter handling and a well-thought-out setup. Ultimately, what matters is simply whether the geometry and character of the bike suit your riding style.
What we really like is the thinking behind it. Liv consistently develop their bikes with and for women, creating another route into the world of mountain biking without automatically excluding men.
Who should take a closer look at this eMTB
- Riders looking for a light and agile full-power eMTB for technical climbs and demanding trails
- Beginners benefit from the planted, controlled ride feel
- Active and experienced riders can use the flip chip, suspension and motor setup to tune the bike towards a more playful riding style
- Anyone who enjoys fine-tuning their setup and adapting the bike to their riding style and terrain
Who might not get on with this bike
- Anyone expecting a particularly quiet motor
Conclusions about the Liv Intrigue Advanced E+ 0
Agile yet composed, and impressively light on its feet, the Liv Intrigue Advanced E+ 0 delivers a ride that is easy to love. Climbing feels natural thanks to the compact riding position, while the tall front end and deep-in-the-bike stance keep you calm and confident when the gradient tips downhill. Thoughtful system integration, a choice of motor modes and a flip chip give you scope to tailor its personality. Only the clearly audible motor spoils the mood. Women are the target audience, but they won’t have this bike to themselves for long.
Tops
- Light, agile handling despite the full-power system
- Clever integration of the dropper post, remote and Tire Checker
- Planted, controlled ride feel downhill
- Compact, comfortable riding position with good control on climbs
Flops
- Loud motor
For more information, visit Liv’s website.
Words & Photos: Sarah Baumert
