Recognising the demands of riders who are racing on more technically challenging XCO and XCM terrain, the Pique has gained 20mm of front and 15mm of rear suspension. The new builds feature 120mm forks and 115mm of suspension at the rear.
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The third-generation Pique’s carbon frame has been shaped to be lighter and more rigid while delivering efficiency benefits in total bike build mass and pedalling dynamics. With 6% greater torsional stiffness, the new Pique is claimed to improve pedalling efficiency by 10%, while being 297g lighter, too, says Liv.
The brand’s engineers have not only managed to make the Pique frame lighter and stiffer, but they have integrated progressive geometry angles and additional downtube protection.
Single pivot suspension
The significant change for Pique, is the evolution from Giant’s Maestro rear-suspension system to a new FlexPoint Pro configuration.
FlexPoint Pro is a single-pivot design, with three pivot points, as opposed to Maestro’s four, with engineers having removed the lower rocker arm. That’s where a lot of the frame’s weight saving comes from: one less suspension linkage component and fewer bearings.
Balancing the third-generation Pique’s updated rear suspension and longer travel 120mm front fork, is more progressive geometry. The seat tube angle is steeper by two degrees (now at 76-degrees), to support riders in a more comfortable posture when climbing steep, technical terrain.
Progressive geometry updates
A longer front triangle with more reach and slacker head angle improves bike handling on steep and technical descents. With its upgrade from a 100- to 120mm front fork specification, Pique now sits at a 1.5-degree slacker head angle (67-degrees) and has more reach, allowing riders to centre themselves with more control when descending. For reference, on the size small Pique, reach has grown from 413- to 420mm.
All four frame sizes (XS, S, M, and L), feature trimmed chainstays, shortened from 438- to 435mm, to aid handling agility in switchback corners. Those reshaped stays have tyre clearance for 2.4” width casings and for riders using the additional suspension travel and more downhill-orientated geometry, a minimalist chain guide is included, to ensure drivetrain integrity when rolling through rock gardens at speed.
The build options
Liv’s third-generation Pique, with its more trail and downhill-capable suspension travel and geometry, is available in three build options for the UK, all with carbon wheels.
The Pique Advanced 0 29 is priced at £11,999, featuring SRAM’s AXS XX 1×12 drivetrain, Shimano XTR brakes and ZIPP 1ZERO HiTop SL 29 wheels with 29mm wide rims. At £6 999, the Pique Advanced 1 29 shifts an AXS GX Eagle drivetrain, stops with XT brakes and rolls Giant XCR 1 29 carbon wheels, also with a 29mm internal rim diameter.
The most affordable UK market version of Liv’s new Pique is the Advanced 2 29, at £ 4,999. This value derivative has a Shimano XT 1×12 drivetrain, SLX brakes and Giant XCR 2 29 carbon wheels with 25mm internal diameter rims.
