My wife has been wanting to go on some trails with me now that I started taking the kids. She has never ridden off the pavement and doesn’t need this much bike. I honestly was going to get her a decent hardtail but then this popped up in my search and I’m very tempted to get it for her at $1100.
Would it be better to start her off on a lighter hardtail? Or will having rear suspension offset the downside of a slightly heavier bike? She’s in great shape so I’m not worried about the pedaling part, I just want her to be able to control the bike well. Photos with specs are attached.
by Big-Don-Kedic
17 Comments
Buy it good sir
IMO not overkill. Got the intrigue 1 for my girlfriends first bike and she loves it. It’s balanced well and doesn’t ride like a heavy bike. Plus FS is more versatile, won’t have to upgrade as quick
I have the Trance 2 29er as a complete beginner. They use the same frame just different parts. I really enjoy it. I’ll upgrade a few down the line but they are great bikes to get your feet wet.
I am an instructor and work predominantly with middle aged women.
This is a solid bike to start with. The more comfortable and confidence inspiring a bike is, the easier it is to focus on having fun and learning. Having fun is the most important factor when it comes to sticking with a hobby.
This will be a bike that allows her to grow and have confidence as she does.
Midtravel trail bikes are almost never overkill. They can be ridden comfortably on green mellow XC trails, but they will help a rider survive a rowdy trail when they inevitably get in over there head. They can be ridden pretty much everywhere.
A lot of my beginner riders start on hardtail XC bikes and usually within just a few months they are looking to upgrade to a bike like this. Livs aren’t my favorite but you could far worse.
I would also encourage you to find her a coach and a community. Partners tend to make terrible teachers. At the beginning of all my clinics I ask my students why there are here. Probably 70% say something along the lines of “My ex got me into riding, now I want to build confidence.”
Good choice
Solid bike, solid price
This is the bike I bought my wife and I was working in the industry with access to a lot of more exotic brands. It’s a great bike with a great build kit.
Can’t beat it for the price, beginner or not. Sure, she’ll probably be overbiked for the trails she starts learning on but she won’t need to worry about upgrading as she progresses either.
She will enjoy the ride much more
Do it. They are selling fast and you will not find another new FS bike with these components around this price point probably ever again. The intrigue is not a particularly specialized MTB. I would recommend an FS with name brand components over a hard tail or a FS with cheap parts for a beginner 10 times out of 10. Plus your dollar will never go further.
Giant (parent company of Liv) is dumping all their old inventory at or below cost to clear the market of anything that might undercut prices of their new lineup. All of their upcoming MTBs are significantly more expensive than they’ve been in the past. This is your moment. 👍🏼
Why do you want to get her a hardtail ? Do you want her to leave you ? This bike will do everything she needs it to and maybe more , also she will probably enjoy riding a full suspension bike a lot more than a hard tail
I will second the notion of buy it!
If you enjoy this hobby and want her to love it, you should make her experience as comfortable as it can be. It’s a lot of bike but it will be a comfortable ride and she can “grow” into it as she progresses her skill/ability. the full suspension will definitely offset the downside of a heavier bike. The hardtail while typically lighter is a rougher experience and could potentially make for a less enjoyable ride.
I bought my wife this same bike for these reasons. It’s become her favorite hobby and now we have our son who can’t get enough trail time, he rides shotgun with me so the family rides just keep getting better
I got this as my first bike, had it a year and I love it!!
I wanted full suspension because I didnt want to outgrow the bike.
I say no to hardtail they are just too rough.
Send it
I got this for my wife it’s a good bike and I do recommend going full sus for your spouse esp if trying to encourage them to ride, comfortability is a big factor
My wife rides one of these loves it. I vote buy it.