D-Fuse tech and integrated down-tube storage inherited from Giant parent company

By Jack Evans

Published: Tuesday, 26 September 2023 at 15:00 PM


Liv has updated the women-specific Devote gravel bike family with a racier geometry, a flip-chip dropout and integrated down-tube storage.

The Giant sister company says the changes increase versatility, reflecting the diversity of modern gravel riding, while sharpening the top-end models’ race edge.

The second-generation Devote range runs from the entry-level alloy Devote (£1,299/€1,550/AU$1,899) to the top-of-the range Devote Advanced Pro (£5,599/$6,500/€6,499/AU$8,299), a carbon gravel race bike.

Liv says most models and sizes will be available in October.

Adjustable geometry

Woman riding Liv Devote Advanced Pro gravel bike
Liv says the versatile Devote range caters for fast and more leisurely off-road riding.
Liv

Liv has tweaked the geometry of its women’s gravel bike across the board.

Compared to the previous-generation Liv Devote, for example, the new Devote Advanced and Advanced Pro have 8mm less stack and 2mm more reach in a size medium in the shorter wheelbase setting.

The changes put the rider in a more aggressive position while boosting grip, stability and control at speed, according to the brand.

As seen on the Giant Revolt Advanced Pro 0, a flip-chip dropout is a new addition to all Devote models.

Riders can change wheelbase length by 10mm and rear-wheel tyre clearance by 8mm to suit different trails.

Liv says you can unscrew the flip chip from the rear dropout using a 5mm hex wrench.

Switching to the short position speeds up handling and enables tyre clearance of 45mm, according to Liv.

The long position slows down handling, providing more stability and ups tyre clearance to 53mm.

All Devote models are available in sizes XS, S, M and L, apart from the Devote Advanced Pro, which only comes in XS, S and M.

Live Devote Advanced

Size XS ShortXS LongS ShortS LongM Short M LongL ShortL Long
Seat tube length (mm)390390420420465465500500
Seat tube angle (degrees)7574757475747574
Top tube length (mm)525525535535545545555555
Head tube length (mm)9090110110140140160160
Head tube angle (degrees)7070717071717171
Fork rake (mm)5050505050505050
Trail (mm)7882757972757275
Wheelbase (mm)1,0171,0271,0241,0341,0311,0411,0431,052
Chainstay length (mm)430440430440430440430440
Bottom bracket drop (mm)8081808180818081
Stack (mm)523524544545574575593594
Reach (mm)380379384383386385391389
Standover height (mm)681688708715748755779786
Handlebar width (mm)400400400400420420420420
Stem length (mm)5050606070708080
Crank length (mm)165165170170172.5172.5172.5172.5
Wheel size (mm)700X42C700Cx50C700X42C700Cx50C700X42C700Cx50C700X42C700x50C

Live Devote Advanced Pro

XS ShortXS LongS Short S LongM ShortM LongL ShortL Long
Seat tube length (mm) 390390420420465465500500
Seat tube angle (degrees)7574757475747574
Top tube length (mm)525525535535545545555555
Head tube length (mm)9090110110140140160160
Head tube angle (degrees)7070717071717171
Fork rake (mm)5050505050505050
Trail (mm)7882757972757275
Wheelbase (mm)10121022101910291026103610431052
Chainstay length (mm)425435425435425435430440
Bottom bracket drop (mm)8081808180818081
Stack (mm)523524544545574575593594
Reach (mm)380379384383386385391389
Standover height (mm)681688708715748755779786
Handlebar width (mm)400400400400420420420420
Stem length (mm)5050606070708080
Crank length (mm)165165170170172.5172.5172.5172.5
Wheel size700X42C700cx50C700X42C700cx50C700X42C700cx50C700X42C700cx50C

D-Fuse tech

Cables run underneath each side of the stem through the frame.
Cables run underneath each side of the stem through the frame.
Liv

D-Fuse technology first appeared in the seatposts of Giant’s best cyclocross bikes in 2014, in order to improve rear-end comfort.

Since then, Giant and Liv have applied the D-shaped tubing to their endurance road bikes and gravel range.

Certain bikes in each model series come with the D-Fuse seatposts, which flex by up to 7mm, according to Liv.

Liv Devote Advanced Pro D-Fuse seatpost
7mm of flex comes form the D-Fuse seatpost to be easier on your backside.
Liv

Although the D-Fuse seatposts are proprietary, they can be switched for other brands’ 30.9mm or 27.2mm seatposts.

Liv equips the Devote Advanced Pro with the Contact SLR XR D-Fuse handlebar and the Devote Advanced and Devote models with the lower-spec Contact XR D-Fuse handlebar.

The brand says both Contact handlebars have a five-degree back sweep and flared drop to provide comfort and grip.

The Contact handlebars are fitted with the Contact AeroLight stem, which is optimised for round steerer tubes.

The alloy stem’s faceplate sends external cables under each side of the stem and down through the frame. Liv says this design enhances aerodynamics, creates a tidier front end and makes room for dropper post cables in the headset.

Integrated down-tube storage

Liv Devote Advanced Pro tool compartment
The Advanced and Advanced Pro have a tool compartment in the down tube.
Liv

The Devote Advanced Pro and Devote Advanced models have integrated down-tube storage, an increasingly common feature on adventure gravel bikes.

A hatch on the down tube covers an internal compartment holding a water-resistant bag. This can hold spares to fix a puncture, including an inner tube, CO2 canister, tyre lever and multi-tool.

Liv Devote Advanced Pro closed tool compartment
Alternatively, you can bolt a bottle cage to the hatch cover.
Liv

Liv says the compartment cover doubles as a water bottle mount.

Frame and fork tiers

The range-topping Advanced Pro has a higher grade of carbon frame and fork than the Advanced and Devote, which makes it the lightest of the three series.

That said, Liv doesn’t offer any claimed figures for the framesets.

The entry-level Devote uses Liv’s Aluxx-grade aluminium frame.

All new Devote models incorporate Overdrive fork steerer tube technology. Liv says the oversized stainless steel headset bearings are long-lasting and, together with a tapered steerer tube, make steering stiff but also responsive.

Flat-mount disc brakes pair with front and rear 12mm thru-axles across the Devote range. This ensures predictable braking in all conditions, according to Liv.

All Devote bikes have frame mounts for gravel bike accessories, such as three bottle cages, bikepacking bags and mudguards or fenders.

Liv Devote models and availability

Liv Devote Advanced Pro

Liv Devote Advanced Pro
SRAM Force eTap AXS pairs with Giant CXR 1 carbon wheels.
Liv

The Liv Devote Advanced Pro tops the range at £5,599/$6,500/€6,499/AU$8,299.

  • Frame: Advanced-grade composite
  • Colour: Carbon/Gold chrome
  • Wheels: Giant CXR 1 Carbon Disc WheelSystem
  • Groupset: SRAM Force eTap AXS, 2×12

Liv Devote Advanced 0

Liv Devote Advanced 0
The second-rung Devote has 12-speed GRX.
Liv

The second-tier Liv Devote Advanced 0 costs £3,799/$4,000/€4,999 (Australian pricing is currently unavailable).

  • Frame: Advanced-grade composite
  • Colour: Tiger Red
  • Wheels: Giant CXR 2 Carbon Disc WheelSystem
  • Groupset: Shimano GRX RX-820, 2×12

Liv Devote Advanced 1

Liv Devote Advanced 1
SRAM’s new Apex drivetrain is specced on the Advanced 1.
Liv

The Liv Devote Advanced 1 is priced at £3,099/$3,000/€3,200/AU$4,199.

  • Frame: Advanced-grade composite
  • Colour: Ice Age
  • Wheels: Giant P-X2 Disc wheelset, alloy
  • Groupset: SRAM Apex, 1×12

Liv Devote Advanced 2

Liv Devote Advanced 2
The most affordable Devote Advanced comes in gravelly green.
Liv

The cheapest Advanced model, the Liv Devote Advanced 2, will set you back £2,699/€2,950/AU$3,699 (US pricing is not currently available).

  • Frame: Advanced-grade composite
  • Colour: Kelp Forest
  • Wheels: Giant P-X2 Disc wheelset, alloy
  • Groupset: Shimano GRX RX-610, 2×12

Liv Devote 0

The Liv Devote 0 costs £1,799/€1,999. Australian pricing is unavailable.

As is the case for the whole Devote range, US pricing is not available at time of launch.

  • Frame: Aluxx-grade aluminium
  • Colour: Sandshell
  • Wheels: Giant S-X2 Disc wheelset, alloy
  • Groupset: Shimano GRX RX-610, 2×12

Liv Devote 1

Giant Devote 1
The Devote models have aluminium frames and wheels.
Liv

The Liv Devote 1 costs £1,599/€1,850/AU$1,899.

  • Frame: Aluxx-grade aluminium
  • Colour: Charcoal Plum
  • Wheels: Giant S-X2 Disc wheelset, alloy
  • Groupset: Shimano GRX RX-400, 2×10

Liv Devote 2

Liv Devote 2
The entry-level Devote has a mix of GRX and Tiagra components.
Liv

The entry-level Liv Devote 2 is priced at £1,599/€1,550/AU$1,899.

  • Frame: Aluxx-grade aluminium
  • Colour: Shale Green
  • Wheels: Giant S-X2 Disc wheelset, alloy
  • Groupset: Shimano Sora, 2×9