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Takeaway: The Liv Embolden 1 is a capable women's mountain bike at a super reasonable price.
- Available in both 27.5 (for sizes XS–M) and 29-inch wheels (S–L)
- 120mm of rear travel with 130mm travel fork
- SRAM 1x12 drivetrain and dropper post
- Designed from scratch for women
Price: $2,300
Weight: 31.5 lbs (Small)
Pros
- Grippy Maxxis tires
Cons
- Weight (but it's not felt on the trail)
Entry-level mountain bikes are probably my favorite bikes to review. I think it’s because they’re so up-front about their strengths and weaknesses: If there’s something that doesn’t function well on a cheap mountain bike, it’s usually very clear.
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That’s why it’s so exciting to find one that just works. A bike that comes in at the low end of what we’ve all collectively agreed is the going price for a new performance bicycle, but without any major flaws that sap your enjoyment and make you yearn for the day when you can upgrade.
The Liv Embolden is that bike. It handles a variety of terrain beautifully, with an unfussy, capable ride. The parts package is great—everything functions properly and smoothly, without making me change the way I ride to accommodate any deficiencies.
Embolden Range
Liv updated the Embolden range for 2022 with a 29-inch wheel option in sizes small through large, along with updated frame construction.
The Embolden range consists of two trail bikes: The Embolden 1 ($2,300) and Embolden 2 ($1,850). They use the same frame and geometry, with slightly different parts packages.
The Embolden has 120mm rear travel from its aluminum FlexPoint single-pivot full-suspension frame. The frame itself features internal cable routing for a clean look, Boost 148mm rear hub spacing, a tapered headtube in case you ever want to upgrade your wheels or fork, and lots of tire clearance.
Liv Embolden Gallery
The bike is offered with 27.5-inch wheels for sizes XS–M and 29-inch wheels in S–L; Liv says those sizes will fit riders 4'11" to 5'11".
At $2,300, the Embolden 1 we tested is a stellar value. With a 12-speed SRAM SX Eagle drivetrain, Shimano hydraulic disc brakes, Maxxis tubeless tires, RockShox Monarch rear shock, and Giant-branded 130mm-travel suspension fork and dropper post, it's A LOT of bike for the money.
The biggest difference between the two models is in the drivetrain—the Embolden 2 saves a little money by opting for Shimano Deore 10-speed shifting, as opposed to the Embolden 1's SRAM SX Eagle 1x12 drivetrain. The Embolden 2 also gets a lower-end Suntour Raidon R shock, while the 1 uses a RockShox Monarch R.
The Ride
I tested the small 29er Embolden over a few weeks in early spring on rocky, rooty Pennsylvania trails. During that time, I was consistently impressed at how well it performed in pretty much every situation I put it into. It sailed through rock gardens without wallowing or pogoing, tackled tight, tricky descents, and even handled my half trail/half pavement ride to and from CrossFit class without making me curse my wrung-out legs.
Truthfully, if I were asked how much this bike cost, just based on the ride alone, my guess would have been fairly far north of $2,300.
Our other tester, Rosael, was especially pleased with how well it climbed. “Not only did it climb well on loose rocky climbs, but it also was quick and responsive when improvising lines in rock gardens, and fun and easy to control on technical descents. After a couple of rides on the Embolden, I found myself conquering all these features with confidence and recording new PRs along the way.”
Rosael also found the Embolden I to be comfortable and stable, with a more upright position that did not compromise speed or skill. While a bigger travel bike, like the Liv Intrigue, would have more to offer on chunkier and steeper terrain, the Embolden makes for a more versatile ride through switchbacked singletrack, whether climbing or descending.
The stock Maxxis Forekaster tires were also one of Rosael’s favorite components, delivering low rolling resistance and plenty of volume. These grippy tires rolled swiftly over rough terrain while keeping her grounded, confident, and barely touching the brakes.
Weighing in at 31.5 pounds for a size small and 31.8 for a medium, it’s not a lightweight bike, but it is totally respectable for its price point. I personally mostly felt the weight as I lifted it onto my car rack—not when I was pedaling uphill.
Of course, there are some things to be aware of. The suspension isn’t as crisp or as poppy as ones found on higher-end bikes, and with 120mm of squish, it’ll only handle so much chunk. And with only a few weeks of ride time on it, I can’t comment on how most of these parts will hold up in the long run. But those are compromises I’m willing to make on a bike at this price point.
This is the kind of bike that enables anyone to fall in love with this sport and then grow their skills substantially, without outgrowing their bike. As I rode the Embolden, one thought consistently crossed my mind: I’m really glad this bike exists.
Taylor Rojek is an associate features editor who has been writing, editing, and testing gear with Bicycling and Runner’s World since 2014. She was nominated for an American Magazine Award in 2017 for her work on the information-packed feature “How Cycling Works.” She has a depth of experience in both sports—she’s split the last two decades between racing on foot, with distances ranging from 800m to 26.2 miles, and on all kinds of bikes, including road, mountain, and cyclocross. This year, she’s moved away from the starting line to focus on training her dog Rosie to join her on the trail. She balances that activity with her current quest to bake—and eat—perfect homemade bread.
