Liv USA Kicks Off Largest Ambassador Program in Brand’s History for 2015

Mar 24, 2015 at 6:57
by Giant Bicycles  
Liv 2015

Liv, the cycling brand dedicated solely to the female rider, has created the brand’s largest ambassador program in the company’s history with 80 women who will work with Liv retailers across the United States. Each of these women will be leading rides and giving educational clinics to help grow the women’s cycling communities in their regions.

“The Liv ambassadors give back to the Liv brand ten-fold, but more importantly they help grow women’s cycling in general and an environment where the sport of cycling is less intimidating,” said Elysa Walk, Giant and Liv USA general manager. “All of that has more value than we could ever put a price tag on. As a leader in the women’s cycling industry, I believe we have a responsibility to give women who love to ride a means to share their passion. This program does just that.”

Liv kicked off the 2015 program with the first annual Liv Ambassador Camp near Scottsdale, AZ. In late February, dozens of the new ambassadors gathered over three days at McDowell Mountain Regional Park to learn how to teach useful clinics such as basic bike maintenance, basic riding form, and best practices for leading group rides. The women were also able to get to know each other, Liv athletes, and Liv staff better.

Liv 2015

Liv USA Marketing Specialist Jen Audia said this camp was the final touch on a program that requires a big commitment from the ambassadors. “While many of the ladies comment how fun it is to be a Liv ambassador, we ask a lot of them,” she said. “All are expected to offer one clinic or group ride per month through Liv retailers, as well as attend webinars, be completely familiar with Liv products and technology, and act as an asset for their retailers to help improve the overall experience for women in cycling. The camp is the best way to really establish them in the Liv family.”

To learn more about Liv Ambassador and events, visit giant-bicycles.com/en-us/livgiant/ambassadors.

Liv 2015

About Liv: Liv is committed to the female cyclist. Our core passion is making cycling more approachable and appealing so that it can become a mainstream sport and fitness activity among women. We offer the only comprehensive product collection designed specifically for female cyclists, ranging from beautiful apparel to premium bicycles. No matter your riding style, Liv provides the best products to help you discover new possibilities through cycling. www.liv-cycling.com

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Member since Aug 17, 2011
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25 Comments
  • 21 14
 So I looked at the sizes and specs on the Liv Lust and came to the conclusion that it has been designed for very small people who suck at riding and have more money than sense. Not to mention the marketing bullshit that goes along with this whole line... "holistic"? Really. Go f*ck yourselves and I'll keep riding my men's bike like the giant lady freak I am. I am not even going to look at the clothing because I don't think the internet is ready for that kind of rage.
  • 5 6
 I once did a sales training module about liv as a way to get pro deal on a giant bike. Packed full of incredibly sexist stereotypes and strategies to turn them into sales. It was really gross
  • 4 3
 Seriously agree! I thought their cross bike looked cool, and looked into it realizing I wasn't even close to fitting their "largest" size. I used to think the liv mountain bike offerings had cool designs, until like you said, looked at the sizing and what they actually were offering and was astounded. That's really the best they can offer to female riders? I'll keep my men's frame! Same on the clothing... or much of women's mountain bike clothing. TLD's re-designed skyline short is the only comfortable, functional pair of mountain shorts I've found...
  • 3 5
 @ em-j You are correct , its very unfortunate that companies rather cater to people that know nothing about the sport and will probably buy this bikes to ride them for a couple of weekends and tell themselves and their friends that they are mountain bikers at dinner conversations.
  • 10 2
 I have to disagree. I went to the Liv Demo last weekend and rode the Lust Advance 0, Cross Bike, & Envie Advance Pro 0. The Lust had a solid ride and it really propelled me through the trail. I rode a small 4 mile loop of intermediate single track, nothing crazy - but the handling and suspension really performed well and I felt like I had great control. It was awesome and I could tell a HUGE difference from my Specialized (maybe it was just the carbon frame) and the new gearing is bad ass. And the dropper post. Loved it. The kick ass Liv Ambassador even dialed the bike in specifically for me before my ride. I haven't had the chance to ride many "brand new" mtbs. My current bike was a 2009 Specialized FSR Expert. As for sizing, these frames run LARGE! I am 5'3 and they had me on the XS frame - which fit perfect. Nothing petite about that! My Specialized is a Small frame. The Liv Ambassador also told me that the sizing is comparable to the Men's Giant Frame sizing. But I agree with the pricing, 8K, is WAY too much money for the bike! BUT - its awesome what Liv is doing for women and the opportunity to test ride these bikes was so sweet! Smile
  • 4 13
flag em-j (Mar 24, 2015 at 12:38) (Below Threshold)
 Good. I'm glad they have a market for their hideously patronizing campaign. Please stay away from me at any of the trails I frequent and we should be just fine.

(The first statement is dripping with sarcasm, the second is not. Just in case you were blinded by my nice pictures and compelling rhetoric and were unable to make an critical decision for yourself).
  • 11 1
 Awesome! I had a great time demoing the bikes! Luckily you were not there! Big Grin
  • 3 7
flag em-j (Mar 24, 2015 at 12:54) (Below Threshold)
 Yes lucky. It would have been terribly embarrassing when they realised that they don't actually have anything that would fit me.
  • 5 0
 You must have monstrous legs! I bet your a rocket. Do you hit your handlebars a lot?
  • 3 14
flag em-j (Mar 24, 2015 at 13:12) (Below Threshold)
 I'm taller than average, but probably no bigger than @goaliekat22 who is also "too big" for Liv. I'm probably faster than you, but it helps that I don't limit myself to "women's specific" mountain biking. Never had a problem hitting my knees on my handlebars if that's what you're implying - that's defs a fitment issue. You should probably ask your Liv Ambassador about that. Anything else I can help you with?
  • 8 1
 @em-j you can have an opinion, but no need to be mean and put other people down and making assumptions that you are faster than them and even if you are that doesn't change that they can have an opinion also...and i'm sure that there are a lot of people faster than you too
  • 3 13
flag em-j (Mar 24, 2015 at 13:28) (Below Threshold)
 That's very "holistic" of you. I recommend you try something from the Liv range, it's right up your alley. Re: the fast thing, I was just answering her question.
  • 10 2
 Why hate on small people? My girlfriend is 5'0" and can't ride anything by most companies. I feel like making the bikes smaller is the least offensive part of women-specific mountain bike marketing. But I get it, you're big and bad and don't need anyone's help and anyone that does doesn't belong on your trails. Glad they're not my trails.
  • 4 1
 I like you. Your wit is fire. I wasn't asking a question. That was sarcasm.
  • 4 0
 dunno what the sizing is like on these, but my gf is 5'7" and rides a small trek cali with no issues whatsoever. I'm personally 5'4" and ride a size small banshee, this all sounds like conjecture and b.s.
  • 3 6
 @bicibicivelo Not hating on small people. Never said anything about small people. Hating on Liv. Use your reading comprehension. I agree that nearly all bike companies neglect riders who are smaller and kids who are trying to get serious about racing from an early age. I don't agree that big bike companies should use that inadequacy to create specially targeted marketing to a small group of women (no pun intended) as though they are some kind of sub-category of human. And if they can't see that it is highly patronizing, then that is of concern to me because I worry about the future of women in general, and how easily we are targeted and bought by media and marketing.

@Adventuregirlie I answered your question with seriousness despite your obvious sarcasm to highlight the issues you completely managed to miss in your glowing appraisal. The fact that more than one woman had mentioned that Liv's largest sizing is seriously inadequate, and @tttyyler 's observation of their marketing campaign being sexist and stereotypical. But you don't care about any of that or how it affects other women because you got what you want. Lucky you.
  • 4 1
 em-j With "I worry about the future of women in general, and how easily we are targeted and bought by media and marketing." you are implying that poor helpless little ladies are too dumb to discern for themselves what bike they should be on. It would be far more conducive to propelling women forward, if you trusted that they had the intelligence to make proper decisions and see through the marketing. This school of thought would ultimately lead to the women shredder's dollars speaking for the group and directing bike manufacturers in what you want. You know... the whole free market thing.
  • 3 1
 the only 2 "proper" women's bikes I've noticed to date are the Juliana line and the trek lush....imho
  • 3 0
 @Adventuregirlie and @em-j Seriously on the sizing, for the cross bike at least, the largest liv made was a 51. Doesn't work when your 5'8 and ride a 54 in road bikes. Seen some of the liv mountain bikes at a LBS, and they are small with narrow handlebars. Again, fantastic if you are under 5'5 not so much past that point. So if your 5'3, then yes, liv is tailored to you, and its great that you can enjoy them.However, giant/liv shouldn't assume that all female riders are small, and should make a full range just as they do for the men's side. Same for clothing, we come in all shapes and sizes, which is perfectly fine! World would be boring if we were all the same. On frame sizing, wheel size, and bike geo vs your geo all goes towards what size you need. I ride a men's 29er, so I sized down. If I end up buying a 27.5 I would size up.
  • 3 1
 em-j, I feel sorry for you. Your life must be so awful with the amount of hate you harbor. Be nice to people and go for a ride. Oh and women's brands don't need to make large bikes because men's bikes will fit just fine. Pretty simple stuff.
  • 1 2
 It is difficult, wading through the endless tide of stupidity every day, and yet somehow I manage. But you hit the nail on the head. It is simple stuff, making men's bikes in sizes that fit women. And short people in general. So how about it then, instead of this bucket load of unnecessary marketing and crap.
  • 1 1
 @Allforfun I wasn't implying that women are poor, helpless or pathetic at all, although @Adventuregirlie is doing her darndest to prove otherwise. Well directed marketing (specifically in mountainbiking, for the sake of this particular argument) can affect anyone, especially someone who is a bit new or naive to the industry and the range of products available as well as their applications and relative prices. For example, you could buy the Lust for 8 grand, or you could buy pretty much anything else with all of the perks and none of the (at best) vaguely offensive hype.
  • 13 5
 This is so awesome! Programs like this is what maintain biking really needs! Props.
  • 6 3
 Couldn't agree more! Glad to see news like this!
  • 4 1
 Wow! This thread is insane! They're just bikes. Kudos to Giant for making a woman in charge of their US operations. However, it's sad to see that there are people out there that feel the need to tear others and their work down, just because a bike doesn't fit them and the marketing doesn't speak to them. Pathetic actually, when you think about the real problems of the word.

btw; My wife, at 5'11", loves her Trance SX size large....







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