Liv Devote Advanced: Is it a road bike or a gravel bike? A closer look at this women’s speedster

With the Devote Advanced SL series, Liv presents a gravel racing platform developed in collaboration with riders Tessa Neejfes and Melisa Rollins from the Liv Racing Collective. The series utilises Advanced SL-grade composite construction for the frame and fork. Ludi Scholz, Liv’s Gravel & Off-Road Category Manager, explains: “Gravel racing has evolved incredibly quickly, and women are a major part of what is driving this development.”

The price for the Devote Advanced SL2 starts at 6,499 euros. The top-of-the-range Advanced SL0 model costs 9,999 euros.

Frame and weight

The frame utilises Advanced SL-grade composite construction with a proprietary carbon resin formula. Continuous Fibre Technology, fully integrated internal routing and precision cold cutting reduce the system weight. The Devote Advanced SL 0, as a complete bike comprising the frame, CADEX Max GXR wheelset, Liv Contact SLR XR integrated handlebars and CADEX GXR 45mm tyres, weighs 4,223 grams. Compared to the Devote Advanced Pro System, the new model saves 297 grams, even though the tyres have been widened from 40mm to 45mm.

Stiffness and efficiency

The Devote Advanced SL 0, fitted with the CADEX Max GXR wheelset, offers a 25 per cent improvement in pedalling stiffness-to-weight efficiency compared with the Devote Advanced Pro system. The steering stiffness-to-weight efficiency increases by 38.5 per cent. The design is intended to maintain power transfer and steering precision for modern gravel races.

Aerodynamics and wind tunnels

The AeroSystem Shaping extends across the frame, fork and cockpit. Wind tunnel tests compared to the Devote Advanced Pro revealed a system saving of 20.03 watts. The Devote Advanced Pro was tested in a more upright all-road/gravel riding position, whilst the Devote Advanced SL was tested in its new race-oriented riding position with a lower stack, longer reach and a more aggressive front setup.

Liv developed the ‘Georgia’ dummy for wind tunnel testing, based on the body measurements of Liv AlUla Jayco athlete Georgia Baker. The dummy was created using 3D printing and a modular design. It features a realistic upper-body shape and dynamic adjustability of the riding position. The tests are designed to show how women maintain their speed over rough terrain and long gravel race distances.

Rolling resistance and tyres

The new CADEX GXR 45mm road tyre reduces rolling resistance by 3.03 watts per wheel compared with the previous CADEX GX 40mm tyre at the same pressure. The additional volume is designed to improve control and handling on rough gravel surfaces.

Geometry and handling

The geometry features a lower stack, longer reach, steeper head angle, reduced trail and longer front-centre. These changes create a more aggressive riding position and are designed to improve high-speed stability and steering precision. The geometry is designed for 45mm gravel racing tyres, but accommodates tyres up to 53mm wide. The setup is designed to balance rolling speed, grip and handling confidence on rough, loose and unpredictable terrain.

Development with female athletes

Tessa Neejfes and Melisa Rollins from the Liv Racing Collective tested the bike during its development. Their feedback was incorporated into the bike’s handling characteristics, efficiency targets, tyre optimisation and race performance priorities. Both riders compete in top-level gravel races.

Availability and sizes

The Devote Advanced SL series will be available from Liv retailers worldwide from July. Frame sizes XS, S, M and L will be available. Availability and prices may vary depending on the market.

Technical specifications:

• Frame: Advanced SL-Grade Composite, Continuous Fibre Technology
• Fork: Advanced SL-Grade Composite
• Wheels: CADEX Max GXR WheelSystem
• Tyres: CADEX GXR 45mm
• Handlebar: Liv Contact SLR XR Integrated Handlebar
• System weight: 4,223 g (Devote Advanced SL 0 complete bike)
• Tyre clearance: up to 53mm
• Sizes: XS, S, M, L
• Availability: from July 2026
• Prices: 3,999 euros (frame kit), 6,499 euros (Advanced SL2); 7,499 euros (Advanced SL1), 9,999 euros (Advanced SL 0)

​Devote Advanced SL – Questions & Answers

Who is the new Devote Advanced SL series designed for? The Devote Advanced SL series is designed for female riders who are serious about gravel racing – from ambitious amateur racers and endurance athletes to performance-oriented riders who want to ride faster, more efficiently and with greater precision on challenging gravel terrain.

Why did Liv develop the new Devote Advanced SL? Gravel racing has evolved rapidly in recent years – it’s getting faster, more competitive, and the focus is increasingly on efficiency over long race distances. Previous Devote models have combined race performance and versatility well, but Liv has recognised the opportunity to develop a specialised gravel racing platform that is truly tailored to the demands of modern gravel racing.

How does the Devote Advanced SL differ from the other Devote models? The Devote Advanced SL sits at the top of the Devote gravel range and is the model most geared towards racing. Whilst the other Devote models continue to prioritise versatility, adventure capability and everyday gravel riding, the Devote Advanced SL focuses entirely on pure gravel race performance – thanks to Advanced SL composite material, AeroSystem Shaping, race-oriented geometry and optimised overall system tuning.

What distinguishes the Devote Advanced SL 0 from the previous top-of-the-range model, the Devote Advanced Pro? The Devote Advanced SL offers significant improvements in terms of weight, stiffness-to-weight ratio, aerodynamics, rolling efficiency and race geometry compared to the previous Devote Advanced Pro.

The key performance improvements at a glance:

• +25% Pedal stiffness-to-weight ratio
• +38.5% Steering stiffness-to-weight ratio
• 20.03 watts lower total system resistance
• 3.03 watts lower rolling resistance thanks to the new CADEX GXR 45mm tyre
• 297 grams lower overall system weight – despite wider 45mm racing tyres
• Advanced SL composite now used in both the frame and the fork
• AeroSystem Shaping on the frame, fork and cockpit
• Updated race geometry, optimised for gravel racing positioning and 45mm tyres

Taken together, this results in a lighter, faster and more efficient gravel racing platform that conserves energy, maintains momentum and improves control on challenging terrain.

What does it mean that the Devote Advanced SL was developed as a complete racing system? Rather than optimising individual components in isolation, the Devote Advanced SL was developed as a unified gravel racing system. The frame shape, cockpit integration, wheelsets, tyre selection, geometry and rider position were all fine-tuned together to maximise the overall efficiency of the system. Aerodynamic drag, rolling resistance, stiffness, handling precision and rider position thus interplay as a harmonious overall package.

How was the aerodynamic test carried out? The aerodynamic tests were carried out using Liv’s own wind tunnel dummy, ‘Georgia’, which was specially developed to replicate the female body as accurately as possible in realistic riding positions. In the wind tunnel, the Devote Advanced SL was compared directly with the previous Devote Advanced Pro – in the riding position typical of each bike’s geometry and riding style. The tests focused on the total system drag of the complete bike-rider system – that is, aerodynamic drag and rolling resistance combined – rather than just isolated frame data.

How was the Devote Advanced SL designed specifically for women? The Devote Advanced SL was developed in line with Liv’s ‘Women-First’ design philosophy – using anthropometric data, close collaboration with female athletes and performance tests specifically tailored to female riders. The development was led by Liv’s Gravel & Off-Road Category Manager, Ludi Scholz, who worked closely with the amateur riders of the Liv Racing Collective and personally tested prototypes in real gravel races.

The development process also included aerodynamic tests using the ‘Georgia’ dummy, which is based on female body measurements and riding positions, as well as direct feedback from Liv Racing Collective athletes who compete at the highest level. The geometry, fit, riding position and system integration were all optimised to help women maintain speed, control and efficiency over long gravel race distances.

Why was the geometry revised? Gravel racing is evolving towards higher speeds, more aggressive racing tactics and more technically demanding routes. The revised geometry takes this into account: a lower stack, longer reach, steeper head tube angle, less trail and a longer front centre. Together, these features ensure a more efficient racing position, greater high-speed stability, more precise front-end handling and greater confidence on rough terrain.

Why was the platform optimised for 45mm tyres? In gravel racing, the trend is clearly towards wider tyres – for better rolling efficiency, more grip and greater control on rough terrain. The Devote Advanced SL has been optimised for 45mm gravel race tyres to offer the best balance of speed, rolling resistance, comfort and handling precision. Those looking for a bit more can also fit tyres up to 53mm.

Which new components were developed specifically for the Devote Advanced SL?

• Cockpit:
• Liv Contact SLR XR Integrated (Handlebar/Stem)
• Wheel systems:
• CADEX Max GXR WheelSystem
• Giant CXR 0 WheelSystem
• Tyres:
• CADEX GXR 45c