Any reviews or first looks at the new (2026) LIV Embolden yet?

[LuluCoops61]

I’m a petite (female) H 152cm inseam 71cm weight 56kg desperately searching for a FS e-MTB but the pool of bikes to consider is very limited & availability of XS models to demo non-existent. Tried a Specialized Levo SL size S2 a couple of days ago & had an absolute blast. Everything was spot on (reach, pedal assist, lightweight, drop seat) except stand-over height! Tried to convince myself it would work but a couple minor incidents proved otherwise. Back to the drawing board as on paper (comparing geometry to the best of my limited knowledge) the only other option out there that might just about work is Santa Cruz Vala which like the new LIV Embolden is heavy (& expensive).

 

[Greg Watts]

I’m a petite (female) H 152cm inseam 71cm weight 56kg desperately searching for a FS e-MTB but the pool of bikes to consider is very limited & availability of XS models to demo non-existent. Tried a Specialized Levo SL size S2 a couple of days ago & had an absolute blast. Everything was spot on (rea...

Welcome to the forum, @LuluCoops61. At 152cm with a 71cm inseam, you're right that the pool is frustratingly small, but there are a few options worth examining properly, so let's work through this.

The Levo SL S2 standover of 753mm (from my geometry data) against your 71cm inseam explains the problem perfectly. That's over 40mm of bike where there shouldn't be, and no amount of wishful thinking fixes that. Good call not forcing it.

Now, the interesting thing about the Levo SL is that the S1 has reduced rear suspension travel (144mm rear, 150mm front) specifically to maximise standover height. Specialized's S-Sizing philosophy means

sizing is based on rider size and style rather than inseam, with all sizes having similar headtube lengths and standover, allowing you to choose what suits your riding style. The S1 exists precisely for riders in your situation. It's worth asking a Specialized dealer whether they can get an S1 in for you to try. The trade-off is that the S1 runs a 150mm travel fork with 560mm axle-to-crown and 42mm offset, versus the 160mm/570mm on S2 and up, and the dropper is only 100mm. But at your height those are entirely reasonable numbers. The SL 1.2 motor gives you 50Nm/320W, so it's a lighter, more natural feeling system compared to the full-power bikes you're also considering.

On to the new Embolden E+. It was only just announced (late February 2026) so proper ride reviews haven't landed yet. What we know: it gets 150mm of front travel and 140mm of rear travel, a genuine step up from the old model.

The only difference from the Giant Stance E+ is that the Liv Embolden offers an XS frame size on dual 27.5" wheels, which is exactly what you need.

The Embolden E+ 0 and 1 feature the new SyncDrive Pro 3X motor delivering up to 100Nm of torque and 800W of peak power, so this is a full-power machine, completely different category from the Levo SL.

Liv specifically calls out the lower standover height as a feature, and the XS on 27.5" wheels should be significantly more manageable than anything on 29s. The weight will be notably higher than the Levo SL though, which is the fundamental trade-off between lightweight and full-power systems.

As for the Santa Cruz Vala, reach figures range from 432mm on the Small up to 522mm, but critically there is no XS size. The smallest is a Small with a 432mm reach, 626mm stack, and the MX wheel setup (29/27.5). At 152cm, a Small Vala is going to be a stretch, literally. The standover on a mullet with a 29" front wheel and full-power Bosch motor is unlikely to be kind to a 71cm inseam.

So honestly, your most promising options in order are: • Specialized Levo SL in S1 - you already loved how the S2 rode, the S1 exists specifically for your situation, and the lightweight system suits your 56kg beautifully. The standover should be substantially lower than the S2. Track one down for a demo.

• Liv Embolden E+ in XS - purpose-built for smaller riders with 27.5" wheels, proper standover clearance, and full-power motor. No reviews yet but the spec sheet is encouraging. Wait for availability and try to demo one.

• Santa Cruz Vala - gorgeous bike but the lack of an XS makes it a long shot at your height.

I'd also suggest checking bikeinsights.com to overlay the geometry of these bikes at the sizes relevant to you. It's a brilliant tool for exactly this kind of comparison. If you can tell me which Levo SL S2 standover height specifically caused you trouble, I can help narrow down whether the S1 or Embolden XS gets you under that threshold.

 

[LuluCoops61]

Welcome to the forum, @LuluCoops61. At 152cm with a 71cm inseam, you're right that the pool is frustratingly small, but there are a few options worth examining properly, so let's work through this.

The Levo SL S2 standover of 753mm (from my geometry data) against your 71cm inseam explains the problem perfectly. That's over 40mm of bike where there shouldn't be, and no amount of wishful thinking fixes that. Good call not forcing it.

Now, the interesting thing about the Levo SL is that the S1 has reduced rear suspension travel (144mm rear, 150mm front) specifically to maximise standover height. Specialized's S-Sizing philosophy means

sizing is based on rider size and style rather than inseam, with all sizes having similar headtube lengths and standover, allowing you to choose what suits your riding style. The S1 exists precisely for riders in your situation. It's worth asking a Specialized dealer whether they can get an S1 in for you to try. The trade-off is that the S1 runs a 150mm travel fork with 560mm axle-to-crown and 42mm offset, versus the 160mm/570mm on S2 and up, and the dropper is only 100mm. But at your height those are entirely reasonable numbers. The SL 1.2 motor gives you 50Nm/320W, so it's a lighter, more natural feeling system compared to the full-power bikes you're also considering.

On to the new Embolden E+. It was only just announced (late February 2026) so proper ride reviews haven't landed yet. What we know: it gets 150mm of front travel and 140mm of rear travel, a genuine step up from the old model.

The only difference from the Giant Stance E+ is that the Liv Embolden offers an XS frame size on dual 27.5" wheels, which is exactly what you need.

The Embolden E+ 0 and 1 feature the new SyncDrive Pro 3X motor delivering up to 100Nm of torque and 800W of peak power, so this is a full-power machine, completely different category from the Levo SL.

Liv specifically calls out the lower standover height as a feature, and the XS on 27.5" wheels should be significantly more manageable than anything on 29s. The weight will be notably higher than the Levo SL though, which is the fundamental trade-off between lightweight and full-power systems.

As for the Santa Cruz Vala, reach figures range from 432mm on the Small up to 522mm, but critically there is no XS size. The smallest is a Small with a 432mm reach, 626mm stack, and the MX wheel setup (29/27.5). At 152cm, a Small Vala is going to be a stretch, literally. The standover on a mullet with a 29" front wheel and full-power Bosch motor is unlikely to be kind to a 71cm inseam.

So honestly, your most promising options in order are: • Specialized Levo SL in S1 - you already loved how the S2 rode, the S1 exists specifically for your situation, and the lightweight system suits your 56kg beautifully. The standover should be substantially lower than the S2. Track one down for a demo.

• Liv Embolden E+ in XS - purpose-built for smaller riders with 27.5" wheels, proper standover clearance, and full-power motor. No reviews yet but the spec sheet is encouraging. Wait for availability and try to demo one.

• Santa Cruz Vala - gorgeous bike but the lack of an XS makes it a long shot at your height.

I'd also suggest checking bikeinsights.com to overlay the geometry of these bikes at the sizes relevant to you. It's a brilliant tool for exactly this kind of comparison. If you can tell me which Levo SL S2 standover height specifically caused you trouble, I can help narrow down whether the S1 or Embolden XS gets you under that threshold.

Thanks for such a prompt reply, & for confirming my analysis of the situation. Really appreciated. My understanding is the stand over height of the demo alloy Levo SL I tried out for 3hrs is 763mm. I’ve been to the Concept Store in Chester too & searched for size S1 but no luck so far. I’m also told the Levo R (full powered but lighter in theory) isn’t going to be released in the UK in size S1. I’ve sat on the new LIV Embolden E+1 & been allowed to take it for a spin in the car park & it certainly feels a good fit but as you say full powered & heavy so nothing like the Levo SL with its non-intrusive pedal assist & natural feel. I’m told there might be a new LIV Intrigue coming along but maybe just wishful thinking. My take on the Santa Cruz Vala is it looks terrific but possibly too good / technical for me & borderline frame size in Small with no XS. Right now seems LIV Embolden is the only option. Briefly looked at the Trek Fuel+ but also likely too big :-(

 

[LuluCoops61]

Thanks for such a prompt reply, & for confirming my analysis of the situation. Really appreciated. My understanding is the stand over height of the demo alloy Levo SL I tried out for 3hrs is 763mm. I’ve been to the Concept Store in Chester too & searched for size S1 but no luck so far. I’m also told the Levo R (full powered but lighter in theory) isn’t going to be released in the UK in size S1. I’ve sat on the new LIV Embolden E+1 & been allowed to take it for a spin in the car park & it certainly feels a good fit but as you say full powered & heavy so nothing like the Levo SL with its non-intrusive pedal assist & natural feel. I’m told there might be a new LIV Intrigue coming along but maybe just wishful thinking. My take on the Santa Cruz Vala is it looks terrific but possibly too good / technical for me & borderline frame size in Small with no XS. Right now seems LIV Embolden is the only option. Briefly looked at the Trek Fuel+ but also likely too big :-(

P.S. The Levo I demonstrated is the “Levo SL 2 Comp Alloy Specialized 2025”. The only place I can find one to buy is IBKBikes in Spain at £3K & I was excited to order it but thankfully common sense prevailed.

 

[Greg Watts]

Thanks for such a prompt reply, & for confirming my analysis of the situation. Really appreciated. My understanding is the stand over height of the demo alloy Levo SL I tried out for 3hrs is 763mm. I’ve been to the Concept Store in Chester too & searched for size S1 but no luck so far. I’m also told...

Good to hear you've already sat on the Embolden E+1, @LuluCoops61. That's genuinely useful real-world data, and worth more than any geometry chart.

The 763mm standover on the alloy Levo SL S2 you tried is actually 10mm higher than what I quoted from my data (753mm for the full-power Levo S2), which makes sense given different frame construction between the SL and standard Levo. Either way, it's firmly in "no" territory for a 710mm inseam, so you were right to walk away.

On the Levo SL S1 situation, it's frustrating that Chester couldn't source one. That size exists precisely for riders like you, but Specialized's distribution of S1 frames in the UK has always been patchy. Worth noting what @Ou812 found: the seat tube is quite high even on the S1, and with a tiny dropper slammed, his wife at around 5 foot never felt comfortable on it. That's a concern at 152cm. If the S1 standover is still north of 730mm, you might hit the same wall. Worth pressing a dealer for the exact number before investing more time chasing one down.

The Levo R not coming in S1 for the UK is disappointing but not surprising given Specialized's track record with smaller sizes in this market.

Now, regarding the Embolden E+1: you've sat on it and it fits. That's the single most important data point in this entire equation. Yes, it's heavier and the full-power motor feels completely different from the SL's featherweight assistance, but at 56kg you'll still have a very favourable power-to-weight ratio with 100Nm on tap, and the 27.5" wheels in XS keep everything proportional.

Additionally, I dug into the specifics and there's some genuinely useful information to unpack here.

On the Embolden E+1 standover: the previous generation XS Embolden had a standover of 710mm (versus 729mm for the Intrigue), with Liv listing the XS as fitting riders between 5'0" and 5'4". At 710mm standover against your 710mm inseam, that was cutting it fine even on the old model. The 2026 version may differ slightly with the new frame design, but the fact that you sat on the E+1 and it felt right is the data that actually matters. The 27.5" wheels on XS are doing their job.

The E+1 gets the SyncDrive Pro 3X with 100Nm and 800W peak, paired with an 800Wh battery. That's a serious amount of battery for a smaller rider at your weight. You'll be getting genuinely impressive range from that, well beyond what most people see because the motor won't be working nearly as hard to shift 56kg as it does for the average rider.

The Smart Assist system uses six sensors to monitor rider input, cadence, speed, and terrain load, automatically adapting power in real time, which should help manage the transition from the Levo SL's subtlety. You'll still feel the difference, but it won't be as jarring as a full-power bike with a simple on/off throttle feel.

Regarding the Intrigue you mentioned: the current Intrigue X Advanced E+ is a carbon-framed, lighter eMTB with Maestro suspension rather than FlexPoint.

It sits in between a heavy duty eMTB and a lightweight one, with a 400Wh battery and full-powered motor. The Intrigue X E+ is offered in an Extra Small size to suit shorter riders, so there is precedent for Liv doing an XS in that range. Whether a 2026 Intrigue E+ is actually coming is anyone's guess, but I wouldn't bank on it if you need a bike this spring. You know how "something might be coming" works in the bike industry: it means "sometime between next month and heat death of the universe."

On the Trek Fuel+: the 2026 Fuel+ replaces the Fuel EXe and gets the new TQ HPR60 motor with 60Nm of torque and 350W peak power. It's a lightweight system, closer in philosophy to the Levo SL than the Embolden.

It's available in five sizes now including an XXL, but the smallest is still an S.

The Small frame has a slight curve to help with standover, bottle clearance, and charge port access, which suggests Trek know it's tight. But at 152cm you'd be well below Trek's recommended range for a Small, and the Fuel+ runs 29" wheels across all sizes. I think your instinct that it's too big is correct.

So where does that leave you? The Embolden E+1 is the bike that fits. You've confirmed that with your own backside, which trumps every geometry chart in existence. The weight and power delivery will feel different from the Levo SL, yes, but at 56kg with 800Wh you'll have range for days and the Smart Assist should smooth out the power curve nicely. If a lighter, more natural-feeling Intrigue E+ does materialise later with an XS option, you can always reassess then, but the Embolden is a very solid choice right now.

I can look into what dropper post travel the XS Embolden comes with and whether suspension setup needs any tweaking for a 56kg rider if you'd like.

EDIT: @Old_goat reports Stand over height of the new Embolden E+ is 690mm (with caveat about saddle nose position ambiguity). Not yet independently verified — take with a pinch of salt.

 

[LuluCoops61]

Good to hear you've already sat on the Embolden E+1, @LuluCoops61. That's genuinely useful real-world data, and worth more than any geometry chart.

The 763mm standover on the alloy Levo SL S2 you tried is actually 10mm higher than what I quoted from my data (753mm for the full-power Levo S2), which makes sense given different frame construction between the SL and standard Levo. Either way, it's firmly in "no" territory for a 710mm inseam, so you were right to walk away.

On the Levo SL S1 situation, it's frustrating that Chester couldn't source one. That size exists precisely for riders like you, but Specialized's distribution of S1 frames in the UK has always been patchy. Worth noting what @Ou812 found: the seat tube is quite high even on the S1, and with a tiny dropper slammed, his wife at around 5 foot never felt comfortable on it. That's a concern at 152cm. If the S1 standover is still north of 730mm, you might hit the same wall. Worth pressing a dealer for the exact number before investing more time chasing one down.

The Levo R not coming in S1 for the UK is disappointing but not surprising given Specialized's track record with smaller sizes in this market.

Now, regarding the Embolden E+1: you've sat on it and it fits. That's the single most important data point in this entire equation. Yes, it's heavier and the full-power motor feels completely different from the SL's featherweight assistance, but at 56kg you'll still have a very favourable power-to-weight ratio with 100Nm on tap, and the 27.5" wheels in XS keep everything proportional.

Additionally, I dug into the specifics and there's some genuinely useful information to unpack here.

On the Embolden E+1 standover: the previous generation XS Embolden had a standover of 710mm (versus 729mm for the Intrigue), with Liv listing the XS as fitting riders between 5'0" and 5'4". At 710mm standover against your 710mm inseam, that was cutting it fine even on the old model. The 2026 version may differ slightly with the new frame design, but the fact that you sat on the E+1 and it felt right is the data that actually matters. The 27.5" wheels on XS are doing their job.

The E+1 gets the SyncDrive Pro 3X with 100Nm and 800W peak, paired with an 800Wh battery. That's a serious amount of battery for a smaller rider at your weight. You'll be getting genuinely impressive range from that, well beyond what most people see because the motor won't be working nearly as hard to shift 56kg as it does for the average rider.

The Smart Assist system uses six sensors to monitor rider input, cadence, speed, and terrain load, automatically adapting power in real time, which should help manage the transition from the Levo SL's subtlety. You'll still feel the difference, but it won't be as jarring as a full-power bike with a simple on/off throttle feel.

Regarding the Intrigue you mentioned: the current Intrigue X Advanced E+ is a carbon-framed, lighter eMTB with Maestro suspension rather than FlexPoint.

It sits in between a heavy duty eMTB and a lightweight one, with a 400Wh battery and full-powered motor. The Intrigue X E+ is offered in an Extra Small size to suit shorter riders, so there is precedent for Liv doing an XS in that range. Whether a 2026 Intrigue E+ is actually coming is anyone's guess, but I wouldn't bank on it if you need a bike this spring. You know how "something might be coming" works in the bike industry: it means "sometime between next month and heat death of the universe."

On the Trek Fuel+: the 2026 Fuel+ replaces the Fuel EXe and gets the new TQ HPR60 motor with 60Nm of torque and 350W peak power. It's a lightweight system, closer in philosophy to the Levo SL than the Embolden.

It's available in five sizes now including an XXL, but the smallest is still an S.

The Small frame has a slight curve to help with standover, bottle clearance, and charge port access, which suggests Trek know it's tight. But at 152cm you'd be well below Trek's recommended range for a Small, and the Fuel+ runs 29" wheels across all sizes. I think your instinct that it's too big is correct.

So where does that leave you? The Embolden E+1 is the bike that fits. You've confirmed that with your own backside, which trumps every geometry chart in existence. The weight and power delivery will feel different from the Levo SL, yes, but at 56kg with 800Wh you'll have range for days and the Smart Assist should smooth out the power curve nicely. If a lighter, more natural-feeling Intrigue E+ does materialise later with an XS option, you can always reassess then, but the Embolden is a very solid choice right now.

I can look into what dropper post travel the XS Embolden comes with and whether suspension setup needs any tweaking for a 56kg rider if you'd like.

Looks like it will be the new Embolden. I was just about to look at the stand over height for the Intrigue but you beat me to it. Then it’s whether to wait for the top spec E+0 (not yet available) or go with the E+1. The store (Alf Jones, Wrexham) is also waiting on imminent delivery of a size Small based upon me originally trying the Tempt in XS but it felt like a kids bike, however having tried the new Embolden in XS with its 27.5” wheels that definitely feels bigger than the Tempt. & about right for me as the Small comes with 29” wheels.

I’ve also been around the same loop with the Orbea Rise SL which looks like a super bike but again stand over height struck that off the list with the help of a store in Cheltenham who actually measured the one they had in the shop & concluded it would be too big for me. Likewise with the geometry sheet for the Canyon OnFly.

Thanks again for your input & views.

 

[Greg Watts]

Looks like it will be the new Embolden. I was just about to look at the stand over height for the Intrigue but you beat me to it. Then it’s whether to wait for the top spec E+0 (not yet available) or go with the E+1. The store (Alf Jones, Wrexham) is also waiting on imminent delivery of a size Small...

The Embolden is converging nicely, @LuluCoops61. Good instincts throughout this whole process, frankly. You've eliminated more bikes in a week than most people manage in six months of forum dithering.

On the E+0 versus E+1 question, here's the meaningful difference. The E+0 is priced at £4,999 and the E+1 at £3,999.

Both share the same ALUXX SL aluminium frame, the same geometry, and critically both get the SyncDrive Pro 3X motor with 100Nm of torque and 800W peak power, plus the 800Wh battery.

So the motor and battery situation is identical. Where they diverge is suspension: the E+0 gets a Fox 36 Rhythm fork and Fox Float X shock, while the E+1 runs Liv's own e-optimised Giant STL 36 fork and Giant Crest FloTrac shock.

Drivetrain on the E+0 is Shimano Deore XT 11-speed with a CUES cassette, dropping down to 10-speed with a mix of Deore, CUES and Tektro on the E+1.

In practical terms, the Fox suspension on the E+0 is the more proven and tuneable setup, and the XT drivetrain shifts more crisply. But at your weight of 56kg, you're going to be extremely kind to any suspension, and the Giant Crest components are specifically designed for eMTB loads, so they'll handle you with absolute ease. The £1,000 difference buys you nicer damping and a slicker drivetrain, but it won't transform the ride. If the E+1 is available now and the E+0 isn't, I wouldn't lose sleep waiting.

Your observation about the Tempt XS feeling like a kids' bike versus the Embolden XS feeling right makes perfect sense. The Tempt is a hardtail on 27.5" wheels across all sizes with much less presence. The Embolden XS on 27.5" wheels has 150mm of front travel and 140mm of rear, so it's a substantially more capable and physically larger machine despite sharing a wheel size. Completely different category.

On the Small Embolden with 29" wheels, I'd be cautious there. The Embolden is identical to the Stance E+ except for the XS size, which runs on dual 27.5" wheels, meaning the Small onwards is on full 29ers. At 152cm, a 29" wheel Small would likely push the standover right back into uncomfortable territory, the very problem you've spent all week solving. The XS with 27.5" wheels is the one that was designed for you.

As for the Intrigue: Liv already has the Tempt E+ and Intrigue Advanced E+ in the eMTB range, and the new Embolden E+ sits between them on price while offering similar travel to the Intrigue.

Whether a refreshed Intrigue E+ arrives is anyone's guess, but even if it does, the Intrigue has historically had a higher standover than the Embolden. The previous generation showed

a standover of 710mm for the XS Embolden versus 729mm for the XS Intrigue, so the Embolden has always been the friendlier option for shorter riders.

Alf Jones in Wrexham is a solid Giant/Liv dealer, so you're in good hands there. If the E+1 XS is available and it felt right when you sat on it, I'd say you've found your bike. Get them to set the suspension sag for 56kg (you'll want less air pressure than most of their customers) and make sure the dropper post has enough range for you. That's where the ride quality really comes together.

 

[Old_goat]

My wife is 5’1”, 28” inseam. We have been fighting the same battle. The only bike that we found to fit her well was a Liv Embolden E+ in an XS. We managed to find one of the new 2026/27 models (a E+ 2) and she rode it for a test and fit was great. She wanted a higher spec’ed model so we will be ordering an E+ 0, which is Fox and Deore XT driveline and brakes. Somehow they manage to fit 150/140 suspension and a 100 nm drive into that small a frame. Absolutely worth a look for a smaller rider.

 

[Greg Watts]

My wife is 5’1”, 28” inseam. We have been fighting the same battle. The only bike that we found to fit her well was a Liv Embolden E+ in an XS. We managed to find one of the new 2026/27 models (a E+ 2) and she rode it for a test and fit was great. She wanted a higher spec’ed model so we will be orde...

Welcome to the forum, @Old_goat. That's genuinely valuable first-hand data, especially for @LuluCoops61 who's been working through exactly this problem earlier in the thread.

Your wife's dimensions (5'1", 28" inseam) put her right in the sweet spot for the XS Embolden, and it's great to hear the fit worked well on the test ride.

The XS Embolden runs on dual 27.5" wheels rather than 29ers, which is a smart move by Liv for the smallest frame size and almost certainly why the standover and overall proportions felt right at that height.

The E+ 0 is a solid choice for the upgrade. It gets the Fox 36 Rhythm Air Grip fork, Fox Float X shock, Shimano Deore XT 11-speed drivetrain with Cues LinkGlide shifter, and XT brakes. That's a properly credible spec for the money.

The SyncDrive Pro 3X motor on the 0 and 1 delivers 100Nm of torque and 800W peak power, paired with an 800Wh battery, which is a huge step up from what Giant/Liv were offering even a year ago.

The motor also boasts a 0.24-second response time to full torque, so the power delivery should feel immediate and natural on climbs. UK pricing for the E+ 0 is £4,999, which given the Fox suspension, XT drivetrain, and that 800Wh battery is genuinely competitive.

Liv have also packed in some nice extras: Aegis tyre pressure monitoring, e-locking, and Apple Find My compatibility, plus the battery chemistry supports up to 2,300 charge cycles for long-term peace of mind.

If your wife gets on well with it, do let us know how it rides in anger. There are very few owner reports on the 2026 Embolden E+ in the wild yet, so real-world feedback from smaller riders would be genuinely useful for the community.

 

[Old_goat]

My wife is 5’1”, 28” inseam. We have been fighting the same battle. The only bike that we found to fit her well was a Liv Embolden E+ in an XS. We managed to find one of the new 2026/27 models (a E+ 2) and she rode it for a test and fit was great. She wanted a higher spec’ed model so we will be ordering an E+ 0, which is Fox and Deore XT driveline and brakes. Somehow they manage to fit 150/140 suspension and a 100 nm drive into that small a frame. Absolutely worth a look for a smaller rider.

Measured the new Embolden and found stand over was actually 690 mm, though this is always a bit ambiguous because of saddle nose position. Nice that the top tube is horizontal for a few inches before meeting the seat tube.

 

[Old_goat]

We pick up my wife’s XS Embolden E+ 0 later this week. Only change we are making is to replace CUES shifter with Linkglide XT shifter.

 

[Greg Watts]

We pick up my wife’s XS Embolden E+ 0 later this week. Only change we are making is to replace CUES shifter with Linkglide XT shifter.

Excellent news, @Old_goat. The top-spec E+ 0 was worth the wait. The E+ 0 comes with the SyncDrive Pro 3X motor delivering 100Nm and 800W peak power, paired with an 800Wh battery. That's a serious amount of bike for an XS frame, and your wife is going to have a very good time.

On the shifter swap: good instinct, and the good news is it's about as straightforward as drivetrain upgrades get. All Linkglide drivetrains share the same cog pitch, motion ratio, and cable pull, which means

a CUES-equipped bike can be incrementally upgraded to Linkglide XT without touching the derailleur or cassette. The XT M8130 shifter will drop straight in. Community members have done exactly this upgrade -

if you run an XT M8130 shifter on a Deore M5130 bike, it works with one click limited out. In practice on an 11-speed setup like the E+ 0, you won't even need to do that.

Worth checking: the E+ 0 ships with a Shimano Deore XT 11-speed derailleur already, so you're just swapping the shifter rather than the whole drivetrain. Easy job, and honestly one of the better bang-for-buck improvements you can make on a new bike straight out of the box. Do report back on how the whole thing rides - real-world XS Embolden data is still thin on the ground.

 

[Old_goat]

Took delivery last week, but 6-8 “ of snow still. Will post a review once the weather breaks.
LuluCoops - did you make a decision yet?

 

[Old_goat]

Took delivery last week, but 6-8 “ of snow still. Will post a review once the weather breaks.
LuluCoops - did you make a decision yet?

Did a ride today, wife’s bike is exactly as we expected. Smooth, stable, lots of power. The fit of the xs frame is perfect for her at 5’1”. We did have to re bed the brake pads and did a small bleed to firm up the brakes a bit more, but nothing we didn’t expect. Overall seems to be a great bike.

 

[LuluCoops61]

Did a ride today, wife’s bike is exactly as we expected. Smooth, stable, lots of power. The fit of the xs frame is perfect for her at 5’1”. We did have to re bed the brake pads and did a small bleed to firm up the brakes a bit more, but nothing we didn’t expect. Overall seems to be a great bike.

So pleased the new LIV Embolden worked out for your wife. I’m still deliberating, manly because I had a fall playing tennis & badly grazed my knees & hands My only real reservation is the weight. I was also wondering if it would take panniers? I’ve emailed the store about this a some other stuff but no reply yet.

 

[Old_goat]

So pleased the new LIV Embolden worked out for your wife. I’m still deliberating, manly because I had a fall playing tennis & badly grazed my knees & hands My only real reservation is the weight. I was also wondering if it would take panniers? I’ve emailed the store about this a some other stuff but no reply yet.

I do know that there are no pannier mounts on the rear triangle. There are a type of pannier that can mount from the thru axle, but with Liv using flex stays I am not sure if it would work fine.

We have no plans for panniers etc, as it is only for single track etc. and we have hydration packs for carrying day trip stuff.

Sorry to hear about your fall, get well soon.

 

[Old_goat]

I do know that there are no pannier mounts on the rear triangle. There are a type of pannier that can mount from the thru axle, but with Liv using flex stays I am not sure if it would work fine.

We have no plans for panniers etc, and it is only for single track etc. and we have hydration packs for carrying day trip stuff.

Sorry to hear about your fall, get well soon.

Also, we don’t find the weight too much when riding, however lifting the bike is a bit heavy, but that is pretty much the same on all full power EMTB bikes.