LIV EMBOLDEN 1

A sub-£2k full-Susser is a cheering prospect; especially one with the Embolden’s spec sheet

- Michelle Arthurs-Brennan

£1,999 / 27.5in / liv-cycling.com

NEED TO KNOW

An entry-level full-sussser with a two-bike range at £1,699 and £1,999 price points

27.5in wheels rolling on a Maxxis Rekon and Ardent Race tyre combo

120mm travel via a single-pivot linkage design with flex stays and a 130mmtravel RockShox fork upfront

Dropper Seatpost as standard, alongside SRAM Eagle SX drivetrain and Shimano hydraulic disc brakes

A sub-£2k full-susser is a cheering prospect; especially one with the Embolden’s spec sheet

Aline-up of MBR-recommended full-suspension trail bikes under £2,000 would be a short one, but the Liv Embolden 1 would make the cut. Sibling to the longstanding Giant Stance, albeit with smaller wheels, the Embolden is a do-it-all shredder with a spec list that outperforms expectations based on the swing tag alone.

The heart of the bike is a Liv/Giant ALUXX-grade aluminium frame, which utilises the brand’s single-pivot FlexPoint Suspension system to deliver 120mm travel at the rear with a RockShox Monarch R shock. Eschewing the more familiar twin-link Maestro design to save weight and cut costs, Liv instead builds a modicum of flex into the back end. It’s a popular trick among brands looking to simplify shorter-travel models since it only really works up to around 120mm. Liv says the shock is tuned for women, which basically means it’s suitable for smaller and lighter riders of either sex.