The Liv Embolden and Giant Stance budget full-suspension bikes just got a major update. We dive into the details, including modern geo, house-brand suspension, and workhorse drivetrains…
Editor’s note: Giant recently came under scrutiny for using various exploitative labor practices. US Customs has an ongoing Withhold Release Order (WRO) preventing the import of some Giant products. We cover what that means for the Embolden and Stance in this story, but we also recommend you read our September 2025 explainer on the accusations, as well as Giant Bicycles’ page outlining their actions to address and remedy them.
Budget full-suspension bikes have always been risky. There’s a threshold where the savings aren’t worth the tradeoffs. That threshold has been rising steadily over the years, but for a brand-new, non-discounted, full-featured build that’ll be worth holding onto for many years, $3,000 is a safe starting point. You can cheat that by a couple hundred bucks if you’re shopping direct-to-consumer brands like Polygon or Ari, but few even bother going that low. And if you’re taking your first step into full suspension, it’s really nice to have the support of a brick-and-mortar bike shop. The Giant Stance and Liv Embolden have long been a decent way to check several important boxes, and today they got several important updates.
Liv Embolden and Giant Stance Quick Hits
- 130mm rear travel, 140mm front
- Linkage-driven single-pivot with flex stays
- Aluminum frame
- Stance is available in XS through XL, with mixed 27.5”/29” wheels on XS
- Embolden is available in XS through L, with mixed 27.5”/29” wheels on XS and S
- Every size Embolden has unique women ’s-specific geometry, spec, and rear shock tune
- One spec option, with Shimano Cues / Linkglide drivetrain (11-48 cassette), Tektro 4-piston brakes, and house-brand Crest fork and rear shock (Embolden gets Fox Rhythm R shock in US)
- $2,300 USD, $2,599 CAD, £1,999, €1,999, $3,299 AUD
Suspension Design
Instead of the traditional vertical-mount shock and rocker link, the new Stance and Embolden mimic the silhouette taking over XC bikes. That is, tucking the shock under the top tube and actuating it with a short swing link. It’s a light and stiff platform that looks modern and leaves lots of front-triangle space. No frame sizes include a water bottle mount on the seat tube, but you do get an extra accessory mount on the downtube.
As with previous Embolden and Stance generations, the pivots that would normally be near the rear dropouts are replaced with flex stays. This saves weight, cost, and maintenance. It, of course, does deform the aluminum slightly as the shock compresses, but all frames flex a bit as we pedal and turn and pump and jump. Plus, Liv and Giant claim the flex on these new frames is “the lowest in this category of trail bikes,” which limits fatigue and unwanted influence on suspension feel.
Shock and Fork
Of course, the suspension components themselves are factors here. And at the time of publishing this, the rear shock spec will be different in the US from what is specced globally. US Customs has an ongoing Withhold Release Order (WRO) preventing import of goods manufactured by one of Giant’s main factories; Giant Taiwan Manufacturing (GTM). GTM is under investigation for multiple exploitative labor practices. Kyle Klain wrote an in-depth explainer on the situation for us back in September of last year. And Giant has a page where they post updates on the process of remedying it.
The only part of the Embolden and Stance manufactured by GTM is the rear shock. So, because the WRO is still ongoing, Liv and Giant will spec a Fox rear shock on bikes exported to the US. The rest of the world, including Europe, will be importing bikes using Giant’s house-brand “Crest” shock, and we expect they will switch back to it in the US eventually. We have no experience with this shock, but it accommodates volume spacers and has a lockout.
We’re similarly inexperienced with the Crest fork specced on all Emboldens and Stances, but the relatively stout 34mm stanchions are well suited for this travel range without being too beefy. It also features adjustable compression damping and, like the rear shock, volume tunability. For a budget fork, it seems to be aiming high.
Build Kit
It’s, of course, got modern spec like tubeless-ready tires and wheels and a 1X drivetrain. The Shimano Cues 11-speed (11-48) cassette and Linkglide chain make for arguably the most robust combination out there. It’s nice to see durability get priority on a bike aimed at folks who aren’t going to replace it every two years. Similarly, Tektro four-piston brakes have a good track record, though they tend to be a little lacking in peak power for more aggressive riders.
Geometry
Speaking of which, the new Embolden and Stance geometry is a bit more capable this go-around. The 65-degree head angle borders on all-mountain, so it should add some versatility without being unwieldy. And the generous 40mm of bottom-bracket drop (on matched 29” builds) is on the low side, while the stack is on the high side, making for what looks to be a relatively comfortable “stance,” if we may. And the seat tube is low enough, with deep enough insertion that the LG Embolden gets a 170mm dropper and the LG and XL Stance get a 200mm.
It’s a pretty impressive package for $2,300. And it’s nice to see Liv and Giant still holding it down for the budget-minded consumer. It’s a big investment to commit to designing, building, and stocking a high-volume, low-cost model in a total of nine unique frame sizes and four colors for who knows how many countries. Though the new Liv Embolden and Giant Stance builds are packed with smart choices that seem like they were meant to hook new mountain bikers and keep them for life. So, maybe it’s not much of a risk after all.