The New Liv Flourish E+: Hardly Any Other Low-Step Ebike Is More Feminine

A low-step ebike designed exclusively for women. Although bikes with this frame design are no longer reserved for just one gender, such specialist models still exist. At first glance, the brand-new Liv Flourish E+ also appears to belong to this category. On closer inspection, however, it becomes clear that the ‘yes’ is followed by a small ‘but’.

1. Liv Flourish E+: a low-step ebike by women, for women
2. City ebike with a distinctive front rack
3. Gliding along smoothly
4. Economical motor with moderate assistance
5. Ebike system offering free digital anti-theft protection
6. Just how women-specific is the Liv Flourish E+?
7. Two out of three models available in Europe

1. Liv Flourish E+: a low-step bike by women, for women

According to its own statements, Liv is the first and only cycling brand to produce bikes exclusively for women. Founded by industry icon Bonnie Tu, the brand has made it its mission to do far more than ‘just’ produce women-specific bikes. The brand sees itself as a voice for the community. It aims to support women in the cycling industry at all levels of a company, promotes women’s cycling at the very highest level, and acts as a sponsor of relevant races and events.

Nevertheless, Liv’s core competence is, and remains, the manufacture of ebikes and bicycles. And all the results of this must measure up to the claims described. This applies in full to the new Liv Flourish E+ as well. If the name sounds unfamiliar to you, there’s a simple reason for that. It’s a completely new range within Liv’s urban ebike line-up. It complements the existing Liv Allure E+ model range. The Allure and Flourish are similar to one another. However, mainly due to a more powerful – and therefore more expensive – motor, the Allure is priced slightly higher than Liv’s newcomer.

2. City ebike with a distinctive front rack

Besides the low step-through, its large front rack is a defining feature of the Flourish E+. Especially when there’s no rear rack fitted at the same time, it gives the model a look all of its own. Added to this, of course, is its practical utility. Measuring almost 38 centimetres long, 35 centimetres wide and 17 centimetres high, it offers plenty of storage space for the things you carry with you in everyday life. These can even be quite heavy at times. The front rack can handle a load of up to 15 kilograms.

One thing we find a bit awkward is that Liv has mounted the front light on the lower edge of the rack. The height of the light isn’t the problem – it’s high enough to illuminate the area in front of you generously. However, as the rack is rigidly bolted to the head tube and therefore doesn’t follow the movement of the handlebars, the light doesn’t always shine in the direction of travel. This can be irritating in some situations.

3. Gliding along smoothly

If you slow down at one point or another, this should still be manageable. Especially as a slightly more leisurely ride is more in keeping with the character of this low-step bike. Its frame puts you in a very upright riding position. Thanks to the angle-adjustable stem, this can be further customised. This makes it quite easy to find the setting that feels most comfortable.

Comfort whilst riding is ensured by a suspension seatpost working in conjunction with a suspension fork. Its 63-millimetre travel is certainly sufficient to effectively dampen vibrations from cobblestones, other uneven surfaces and even small kerbs. Inflated to the correct pressure, the 55-millimetre-wide balloon tyres also help ensure a relaxed ride.

4. Economical motor with moderate assistance

In keeping with the concept of the Liv Flourish E+, the manufacturer has opted for an e-drive system whose motor provides good assistance on flat terrain and in hilly country. However, it’s not a powerhouse that lets you climb even long, steep ascents with ease. Nor is that its intention. The Giant SyncDrive Core 2 is content with a peak power output of 300 watts, a torque of 55 newton-metres and 300 per cent assistance. That’s more than enough for a leisurely ride around town. And it’s relatively energy-efficient too. Combined with the Giant EnergyPak Smart 625 and its capacity of 625 watt-hours, the range is between 60 kilometres and 140 kilometres, according to Liv.

5. Ebike system offering free digital anti-theft protection

Access to the ebike system is provided by the Giant RideControl Dash 2. This compact control unit allows you to manage the electric drive conveniently. A small screen displays key ride data, the current battery charge level and the selected riding mode. You can customise exactly what you want to see on up to six screens, each with a maximum of two data fields.

Of the numerous digital functions offered by Giant’s Smart Gateway 2.0, this model features the E-Lock function and integration with ‘Apple Find My’. The former provides digital anti-theft protection. Once activated in the RideControl app, the ebike is automatically locked and the motor assistance is completely deactivated when you switch it off. E-Lock responds to any attempt at unauthorised movement with an audible warning signal. Should criminals nevertheless steal the ebike, you can still locate it using an Apple mobile device via the Find My network.

6. Just how women-specific is the Liv Flourish E+?

All the features of the Liv Flourish E+ mentioned so far can also be found, either exactly as described or in a similar form, on numerous other city ebikes featuring a low step-through. So where is the explicit focus on women? And how might that manifest itself? To answer these questions, we’ll look at details that are particularly relevant here. These include aspects such as the frame geometry, the dimensions of certain components and the contact points on the frame.

In our search for a suitable comparison model, we came across an ebike from Giant that was also launched this year – the new Giant Newtour E+. There are versions of this with a low-step frame that largely correspond to Liv’s Flourish *. In fact, they do correspond in very large parts.

One reason for this becomes clear when looking at the spec sheet and the corresponding frame geometry. Both use the same frame. With two key adjustments: the Liv model, designed specifically for women, starts at frame size XS and ends at size M. It also consistently features smaller 27.5-inch wheels. With the Newtour E+ as a low-step model, all four frame sizes S, M, L and XL are fitted with 28-inch wheels. The Flourish therefore caters to the shorter average height of women.

Shorter cranks also reflect this specialisation. Depending on the frame size, Liv fits cranks measuring 160 millimetres and 165 millimetres. On the Giant model, by contrast, the length is always 170 millimetres

However, no differences can be detected in two other components. Both the handlebar width and the grips are absolutely identical. As for the saddles, these are two different models from Selle Royal. In the photos, however, the Lift on the Flourish E+ and the Essenza Gel on the Newtour E+ also look like very close relatives.

Liv has even opted for surprisingly long stems. Across the three frame sizes XS, S and M the length increases by 20 millimetres in each case, from 70 millimetres to 110 millimetres. This means the distance between the handlebars and the saddle increases. This is also the case on the Newtour E+. However, the jump to 90 millimetres and then 110 millimetres only occurs with frame sizes L and XL. Normally, we would have expected Liv to use stems of the same or even slightly shorter length. After all, the fact that women are on average shorter also applies to their upper bodies.

Overall, the Liv Flourish E+ clearly features women-specific design elements. However, these are not reflected with equal emphasis in every detail. In the case of the stem, there is even a certain contradiction.

7. Two out of three models available in Europe

Within the model range, this understandably has no impact. Here, the specific spec plays the decisive role. Information from the manufacturer indicates that three models of the Flourish E+ are being launched. In Europe, only two of these are available – the Liv Flourish E+ 1 and the Liv Flourish E+ 2. Both utilise the Giant SyncDrive Core 2 in combination with the Shimano Nexus 8 hub gear system. On the more expensive Liv Flourish E+ 1, the system is driven by a carbon belt. It also comes with a rear rack as standard. On the more affordable Liv Flourish E+ 2, the manufacturer has swapped the belt for a conventional bicycle chain and omitted the rear rack. As a result, the price comes in at just 2,799 euros. For the more expensive model, you’ll need to budget an extra 400 euros.

Liv Flourish-E+ at a glance

• Models: Liv Flourish E+ 1, Liv Flourish E+ 2, Liv Flourish E+ 3
• Frame: Aluminium
• Suspension fork: SR Suntour Mobie A32
• Motor: Giant SyncDrive Core 2
• Battery: Giant EnergyPak Smart 625
• Control unit: Giant RideControl Dash 2
• Drivetrain: Shimano Nexus 8
• Brakes: Tektro HD-M281
• Max. load capacity on front rack: 15 kg
• Weight: n/a
• Maximum permitted total weight: 156 kg
• Colours: Cabernet, Mountain Air, Golden Shimmer, Midnight Moon
• Prices: from 2,799 euros

Pictures: Giant Deutschland GmbH