Liv Avail Advanced E+: What's it like to ride an e-road bike?

The racing bike of choice was the recently presented Liv Avail Advanced E+. The e-road bike is designed for long distances and challenging climbs. With tyres up to 38 millimetres wide, it also feels comfortable on poor roads or light gravel paths - or rather the rider feels comfortable on it because the bike is comfortable to ride. The hub motor in the rear wheel can provide support with 30 Newton metres (Nm), which is comparable to 75 Nm from a mid-motor.

Now for my test drive. It's cold in Munich in mid-November and the humidity is high. So appropriate clothing is required on the bike.

The outfit

• Helmet: HJC Ibex 3 >> available here
• Jacket: Liv Cefira windbreaker, size S >> available here
• Trousers: Castelli Unlimited Cargo W DT Bibtight, size S >> available here
• Jersey: Pas Normal Studios Mechanism Thermal Long Sleeve Jersey, size S >> available here
• Baselayer: GripGrab Women's Ultralight Mesh Sleeveless Base Layer >> available here
• Sports bra: Anita Air Control >> available here
• Shoes: Fizik Tempo Beat, size 39
• Glasses: forgotten at home, not recommended
• Gloves: No name >> Have a look here for warm gloves

Test ride with the e-road bike

Now just press the button on the top tube and you're ready to go. Starting off is much easier with the assistance at the lowest level. After the first acceleration, the e-drive kicks in and provides assistance until the Garmin display is at just under 27 km/h. After that, it becomes much harder and the motor stops working. My speed levels out exactly where the motor switches between on and off, which is strange. "A bit like a stubborn horse," I think and have to smile. So I try to be either faster or slower.

I have to say that my choice of route was not ideal for the e-bike test. The route was simply too flat. As long as the motor is assisting me, I don't have to exert myself much, but after that I do. And that's too much for me on the test day with a headache. But to stay warm, I need something in between. On climbs, the support is pleasant and I can pedal powerfully.

Conclusion

Due to the assistance up to just 25 km/h, I think that it needs to be on hilly to mountainous terrain for the bike to be really fun. When I think of group rides on flat terrain, I can already see myself with my tongue hanging out of my throat as I try to ride along, as the bike is considerably heavier than other road bikes at just under 13 kilograms. In hilly to mountainous terrain, I can imagine this happening much sooner. Then the e-road bike can be just that: an enabler.

A somewhat older but For a detailed report on what it's like to ride an E-road bike, check out this ride review of the Rose Reveal and Scott Contessa.