Liv has up to date its climbing bike, the Liv Langma, in a race-ready package deal which the model says delivers extra for much less. Now seven years outdated and three updates in, the Langma has reportedly gained velocity and effectivity, whereas concurrently dropping weight.
When it comes to bike launch advertising bingo, the model has bought a full home, with lighter, stiffer and extra aero all headline statements.
Trade adjectives apart, Liv clearly is aware of when it’s on to an excellent factor; the Langma has at all times examined properly at Biking Weekly and I’m relieved to disclose that it’s nonetheless enterprise as regular.
In keeping with the model, a mix of modern manufacturing strategies, in-depth analysis and growth has enabled a grand improve for the bike: the frameset, wheelset and tyres are model new to Liv. They don’t seem to be, nevertheless, all new to the biking world.
The extra astute amongst you should have observed that the Liv Langma Superior has closely lent on sibling model Large for inspiration, and it has very a lot been tickled with the identical reworking stick as its newest TCR. Sharing the identical factories and technological know-how, the duo revamp is hardly shocking.
It’s price noting that this launch sees updates to all three Liv Langma Superior platforms.
(Picture credit score: Liv)
The Body
Whereas all of them share the identical DNA of the Liv Langma Superior, the range-topping Superior SL, understandably, advantages the largest step change by way of efficiency enhancements.
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Essentially the entire vary shares the identical geometry because the earlier mannequin, and once more, the top-end bikes are restricted in measurement from additional small to medium, whereas the Langma Superior Professional and Superior acquire an extra massive.
Clarifying its race credentials, the small Liv Langma Superior Professional 0 that I’ve been driving comes with a attain of 377mm, a stack of 532mm, a 72 diploma head angle, 977mm wheelbase and 405mm chainstays.
Our final assessment of the Liv Langma Advance in contrast geometry to different model bikes available on the market, however it will appear extra pertinent to reply the extra apparent questions: is the Langma only a smaller TCR? And, what does an aero facelift imply for the Liv Enviliv, the model’s aero bike?
The primary question is shortly boxed off with a swift take a look at the TCR confirming that whereas the 2 manufacturers might share development strategies, the framesets are poles aside in terms of geometry.
The EnviLiv comparability alternatively is a tougher query to reply. Clearly, they’re each very totally different machines, however lining the numbers up subsequent to one another, these variations are marginal.
An extended headtube on the Langma Advance, 120 vs 112mm, results in taller stack, by simply 9mm, and there is a barely longer path on the Langma Advance, 68mm vs 66.3mm.
It’s a revealing set of numbers, which, primarily based on paper alone, go away little to separate the 2 Liv fashions and does present meals for thought as to what this implies for the patron (or workforce selection of motorcycle), particularly as main manufacturers transfer away from differentiating aero and climbing bikes.
Light-weight aero design
Whereas we as soon as needed to resolve between both going quick on the flat or going quick uphill, aerodynamic design and light-weight development strategies are so superior, the hole between aero and climbing may be very near being fully shut.
None extra so obvious than in our, scorching off-the-press, Race Bike of The Yr characteristic, with us noting that manufacturers are more and more evaluating ranges, and transferring ever nearer in direction of a one-horse technique in terms of a hero race bike.
If sturdy, gentle and quick are all on the desk, why would you solely decide two?
(Picture credit score: Andy Jones)
It’s the range-topping Langma Superior SL that positive aspects, and loses, probably the most on this revamp.
At a look the SL mirrors the tenth era Large TCR development, inheriting the change from laser slicing to ‘chilly blade’ slicing carbon sheets. On the time Large stated that “this method is extra exact and eliminates the danger of deformation attributable to extra warmth, permitting for fewer items of carbon for use”.
A change to a one-piece monocoque layup with an built-in seatpost, in addition to an improve in uncooked carbon materials and resin enhancements have considerably contributed to weight financial savings, improved stiffness and a rise in impression resistance from the earlier fashions.
Simply how gentle and stiff might be seen when learning the Liv-supplied dataset. It reveals that this third-generation Liv Langma Advance SL frameset is 123.03g lighter than the earlier mannequin, coming in at 1329.69g in comparison with 1452.63g.
Stiffness-wise, once more utilizing the earlier mannequin because the benchmark, Liv says the brand new SL affords a 2.50% improve in pedaling stiffness and a 6.75% improve in torsional stiffness.
Liv Langma Advance Professional 0’s very neat high tube, seat keep, seat tube and seat publish junction
(Picture credit score: Andy Jones)
The fashions additional down the Langma Superior vary nonetheless utilise the earlier ‘modified monocoque’ method. This implies a three-piece meeting (tube high, seat tube, down tube) is moulded as one, earlier than the rear half (chainstays and seat stays) are joined in what Liv calls a ‘secondary course of’.
This extra processing method does add somewhat to the general weight, ranging between 270.4g and 274.66g greater than the SL model relying on the mannequin. Once more in contrast towards earlier fashions, there is a claimed saving of 44g on the Langma Superior Professional, and 77g on the Langma Superior framesets.
It additionally means there’s a stiffness compromise, with 4.12% much less pedaling stiffness for the Superior Professional, and eight.09% for the Superior, plus 3.81% and 11% much less torsion accordingly.
The Liv Langma Superior Professional 0’s entrance finish is now very tidy.
(Picture credit score: Andy Jones)
Aero optimisations
The entrance finish of the bike is the place I’m, personally, most delighted by the replace. The messy nest of cables has gone. Arguably built-in cabling is simply passing the headache on to mechanics to take care of, however from an aero and aesthetic standpoint, this non-cluttered method to cable porting has been lengthy overdue.
Cockpit-wise, once more this depends upon the Liv Langma Superior mannequin chosen, nevertheless it consists of the just lately redesigned Large Contact SLR/SL AeroLight stem and new flared Liv Contact SLR/SL handlebar with inside cable routing.
This does restrict choices to personal model, however I’m assured that there’s carbon or alloy to select from and loads of sizes to go well with all rider necessities.
The final factor to focus underneath the bike launch lens is the wheel and tyre mixture.
It is a massive replace for the Liv Langma Advance generally with a bounce to the Large SLR 1 40mm hookless wheelset, to a good deeper rim from the earlier fashions, which had been geared up with a 36mm model.
The opposite improve right here is the transfer to the Large Gavia Course 0, tubeless, 700x25c (28mm when inflated) tyres, though Liv say that there’s as much as 33mm of tyre clearance, a marginal acquire of round 2mm on the earlier model.
Once more, each these adjustments are in sync with the Large TCR updates, the place you’ll be able to learn extra in regards to the impression of wheels and tyre selection on aerodynamic drag, and comparisons throughout different wheel system platforms.
Bundling all of the Langma Superior enhancements collectively and looking out as soon as extra on the Liv-produced datasets, the underside line reveals a marked enchancment all spherical on the discount of drag.
Even with what the model refers to as real-world testing, two water bottles and dynamic rider within the wind tunnel, the top-end Langma Advance SL saves practically 13 watts when hitting 40kph in comparison with the earlier model.
Unpicking this dataset to confirm is close to unimaginable. Liv use the earlier Langma Superior SL wattage of 256.27 and examine it to the brand new SL wattage of 243.7 to proof this type of energy saving.
Utilizing extremely crude back-of-an-envelope maths, it will seem that if two riders set off on each new and outdated variations of the Liv Langma Superior SL to finish a 25mile (40km) time trial, the rider on the brand new model would end over a minute faster, with a time of round 58.52. In different phrases it is 0.77km/h sooner.
However this does deliver me again to the theoretical quandary between the Liv Langma Advance and EnviLiv.
I agree, I’m not evaluating apples with apples. The EnviLiv is a devoted aero race bike, and its tubing profiles alone spotlight this categorization. I’d must do some correct empirical knowledge testing to really cite which was the quickest in any given set of circumstances, however I can not assist however surprise if the urged watt and weight saving spells the top for the Liv EnviLiv.
Out within the hills on the Liv Langma Advance Professional 0.
(Picture credit score: Andy Jones)
First Journey
It has been six years since I final rode the Liv Langma, and hopping on board once more is making me realise that it’s been far too lengthy.
I’ve had a few week with the Liv Langma Superior Professional 0, and from the very first pedal stroke I used to be, once more, immediately smitten, reminding me why I initially rated it as worthy of an Editors Alternative Award.
Climber, sprinter, aero – but once more this bike delivers all in spades.
As a do-all bike, it’s simple to journey with a point-and-shoot angle, permitting me to neglect my less-than-race pedigree health standing.
After testing out the braking effectivity with a few immediate descents, I swiftly realised how naturally the bike oozes functionality, the Shimano Ultegra Di2 does assist right here. There’s no method that I’d usually throw myself down the Peak District declines inside the first couple of miles of a check journey.
It’s a testomony to the holistic Langma Superior Professional 0 platform that I instinctively trusted the bike’s setup, and felt protected. After all, the wheels and tyres play an enormous position on this confidence-inspiring journey really feel.
The Large SLR 40 wheelset, shod within the Cadex Race GC Tubeless tyres, appears to be the right partnership. I’m a little bit of a tyre nerd, and whereas I wish to really feel in all probability extra street suggestions than most, I additionally don’t wish to endure eyeball vibration.
This wheel/ tyre combo seems to have nailed that candy spot, offering me with sufficient of a surefooted sensation, whereas additionally being malleable when leant over or on the questionable street surfaces that the majority highways within the UK appear to be peppered with.
Liv Langma Superior Professional 0 first journey, with Manchester on the skyline
(Picture credit score: Andy Jones)
My issues about facet winds whipping the 40cm deep wheels with bladed spokes didn’t come to fruition. I didn’t appear to endure anyplace close to as a lot buffering as I used to be predicting.
Even on fairly gusty rides within the hills, and into Manchester Metropolis Centre the place wind tunnelling results can catch even probably the most skilled rider off guard. I wouldn’t say I used to be able to journey hands-free to don a raincoat, however I actually did not discover any snatching.
The frameset in fact additionally performs an enormous position within the journey really feel and I am happy it is carried over geometry from the earlier mannequin, which was so properly executed.
It nonetheless delivers such a pinging journey. Like a shaken-up can of fizzy pop, the bike feels pressing and explosive, instantly making me sort out among the extra grotesque native climbs that I usually wish to keep away from.
My preliminary ‘going for a spin’ journey was all of the sudden a surprisingly simple 30 miles within the hills, and I’ve not needed to cease driving Langma since, regardless of one of many coldest begins to June, it’s continually luring me out to journey.
After which there’s the Liv Langma’s beauty.
Even probably the most stoic of hearts can be exhausting to not admire these. I personally suppose it’s the closest rival to the Wilier Filante within the Professional Peloton. Hand on coronary heart I’d actually wrestle to decide on between them if compelled to choose only one.
The Liv Langma Superior Professional 0 is snug, speedy, light-weight, sure-footed, agile… all of the superlatives and extra. Which simply begs the query, why does the model even trouble with the EnviLiv?
Fashions and Pricing
(Picture credit score: Liv)
The highest-end Liv Langma Superior SL 0 is specced within the new SRAM Purple AXS with built-in energy meter, Cadex Max 40 wheels and Race GC tyres and Contact SLR bars and stem. Prime finish does imply high price ticket too, with this mannequin setting riders again £11,999/ $12,500
Holding the identical frameset and ending equipment, the Superior SL 1 simply has a drive prepare swap out to Shimano Ultegra Di2 and a Large Energy Professional energy meter. These compromises do add up, assuming you are within the UK that’s.
The RRP drops to £8,999 for the SL1, however sadly, this mannequin is not out there within the USA.
LIV Langma Superior Professional 1
(Picture credit score: Liv)
Subsequent in line is the Langma Superior Professional 0, the bike I have been driving. The large change right here is the frameset swaps to the modified monocoque development method and the lack of the built-in seat publish. However aside from that it retains the identical spec because the Superior SL1 and prices £6,499/ $6,500.
Marginally under the Professional 0 sits the Superior Professional 1. This retains the identical frameset and wheel system because the Professional 0, however swaps out to both SRAM Rival AXS with a Large Energy Halo energy meter for £4,999, or Shimano 105 Di2 and Large Energy Professional energy meter for £4,899, each transferring to a Liv Contact SL handlebar. The Professional 1 is not out there within the USA.
(Picture credit score: Liv)
Finishing the vary is the Langma Superior 0, 1 and Superior 2.
The Superior 0 retains an analogous setup to the Superior Professional 1, ditching the ability meter and swopping the bar to a Liv Contact, and the deep part wheels for Large SLR 2 36 wheel system in Large Gavia Course 1 tyres. The value tag is available in at $4,700, with the UK shedding out on the Superior 0 availability.
The Superior 1 once more retains plenty of similarities to the Superior Professional 1, however this time loses the ability meter, swaps the bar to a Liv Contact, drops the Shimano rotors and chain for Large personal model and KMC accordingly, and loses the deep part wheels for Large P-R2 shod in Large Gavia Course 1 tyres. This is available in at £3,199.
The Superior 2 follows go well with, however leaves the digital shifting in favour of mechanical 105 for £2,699/ $3,200
