If you're in the market for a top-of-the-line E mountain bike that can handle challenging terrain and provide a comfortable ride, the Liv Intrigue X Advanced E+ Elite is definitely worth considering. Here are some of the highlights of this fun and impressive bike:
Lightweight Design for Agile Handling
One of the standout features of the Liv Intrigue X Advanced E+ Elite is its lightweight design. This makes the bike incredibly agile and easy to handle, even on the most technical terrain. Even while navigating tight corners or taking steep chunky and technical descents , the Liv Intrigue X Advanced E+ Elite offered a responsive and precise ride that I appreciated.
Top-Notch Suspension System with Fox Live Valve Technology
One of the cool components of the Liv Intrigue X Advanced E+ Elite's suspension system is the Fox Live Valve technology. This system uses sensors to adjust the suspension in real-time, making adjustments based on the terrain and riding conditions. This in theory means that riders can enjoy a smoother, more responsive ride even on the most challenging terrain. The bike comes equipped with a Fox 36 Float fork and a Fox Float DPX2 shock, both of which offer exceptional performance on the trail.
The Fox Live Valve system is intuitive and easy to use. It automatically adjusts the suspension to provide the best possible ride quality, with no need for manual adjustments. This is a huge advantage for riders who want to focus on the trail rather than fiddling with technical details. Note: The bike needs to be turned on for the suspension system to work properly, other than that it was very much set and forget. I personally am not a fan of the extra wires, but that's an aesthetics thing and not a performance based view.
Powerful Motor for Climbing Steep Hills
The Liv Intrigue X Advanced E+ Elite's motor is one of the key features that sets it apart from other e-bikes on the market. The bike is equipped with a SyncDrive Pro 2 motor from Yamaha, which delivers up to 85Nm of torque. I found the transference of power from stroke to engagement to be smooth and consistently instant.
The motor is also touted as incredibly quiet, which is a nice bonus for riders who prefer a quieter ride. In my experience that does not mean silent and I was always aware of the motor noise.
Full Power Despite Smaller Battery
The bike is equipped with a 400Wh battery. Liv's new Energypak 400 battery is not your average e-bike battery. With six batteries wrapped in individual chassis, the risk of overheating is minimized, making for a safer ride. But what's really impressive is the battery's small size. It allowed Liv to slim down the bike's downtube, and reduce the overall weight of the bike. In my opinion this was one of the key reasons the bike is more responsive and nimble on the trail.
Supposedly the the battery boasts a range of up to 150 km on a single charge, I never had the opportunity to truly put this to the test, but suspect they got to this number on the lowest power setting on relatively flat ground. It did however have impressive charging times, so getting it powered up and back out the door was a quick turn around.
SRAM AXS Drivetrain for Smooth and Efficient Shifting
The Liv Intrigue X Advanced E+ Elite is equipped with a range of high-quality components that contribute to the bike's efficient and versatile performance. One of the standout features is the bike's SRAM AXS drivetrain, which delivers smooth and precise shifting for a more efficient ride.
The SRAM AXS drivetrain is a wireless system that eliminates the need for cables and provides accurate and reliable shifting. The AXS drivetrain is also very intuitive and easy to use, with a simple push-button system that makes shifting a breeze. I run an AXS drivetrain on my daily driver and am a fan! (just remember to charge that battery!)
Contact SLR Trail Integrated Bar
The Liv Intrigue X Advanced E+ Elite features the Contact SLR Trail Integrated Bar from Giant. The Contact SLR Trail Integrated Bar is designed to be lightweight and both stiff and compliant. The Contact SLR Trail Integrated Bar allows for a more customized fit. Riders can choose from a range of stem lengths and handlebar widths by changing out a number of spacers to find the perfect fit for their body and riding style.
The one takeaway for me however, is that the Contact SLR Trail Integrated Bar is designed to sit at the top of your headset spacer stack, so if you want to try that bar in a lower setting you have to cut your steerer tube. Not a deal breaker and I did rather enjoy the setup, but worthy of a sidenote.
Minor Issues Of Note
Speaking of negatives, while the Liv Intrigue X Advanced E+ Elite is an impressive bike overall, there were a couple of minor issues that I experienced during my time with it:
Lightweight Rear Tire
I found the rear tire on the Liv Intrigue X Advanced E+ Elite a bit underwhelming, on my regular bike I run an EXO+ or even a double down depending on the time of year and trails I'm planning to ride. The Liv comes spec'd with a EXO casing tire, which is lightweight, sure, but with that comes the increased risk of damage to the tire. I actually ended up punching a hole in it during my second ride out, which was frustrating, as I wasn't riding anything out of the ordinary for me, and I was running slightly higher air pressure than on my regular bike. (Note I busted the tire riding Pipeline trail)
Motor Cover Plastic
The motor cover on the Liv Intrigue X Advanced E+ Elite is made of a hard plastic material. Now maybe this isn't an issue for most riding areas, however I found myself banging it on a number of occasions causing some damage. I feel like a a more impact absorbing cover may prevent serious damage. That being said it appears that the cover is a single peace that can be easily enough replaced.
Would I Own One? My Final Thoughts on the Liv Intrigue X Advanced E+ Elite
While I thoroughly enjoyed riding the Liv Intrigue X Advanced E+ Elite and appreciate the benefits of e-bikes for many riders, I have to admit that it's not the bike for me. As someone who enjoys the physical challenge of mountain biking, as well as riding a throttle motorized bike (Yes I am referring to my trials moto), I enjoy the effort of pedaling (and hiking) and the technical challenges that come with traditional mountain biking.
That being said, the Liv Intrigue X Advanced E+ Elite is an outstanding e-bike that delivers a fantastic ride experience. The lightweight design, powerful motor, and top-notch suspension system make it an ideal choice for serious mountain bikers who want to tackle challenging terrain. Where I in the market for an e-mountain bike I would short list it for sure!
