Liv built the Pique so you can build yourself.
Every gram, angle, and detail of the new Pique Advanced SL was tested and proven to perform—because progress isn’t claimed, it’s measured. Liv engineers validated improvements across four key areas: weight, stiffness, efficiency, and system integration. Compared to its predecessor and benchmarked against the Specialized S-Works Epic 8, the new Pique Advanced SL delivers measurable gains you can feel the moment you hit the trail.
Frame weight can vary depending on what’s included. For this comparison, a frame is defined as:
| PIQUE ADVANCED SL (NEW) | PIQUE ADVANCED 29 (PREVIOUS) | SPECIALIZED S-WORKS EPIC 8 (CURRENT) | Δ vs. PREVIOUS | Δ vs. S-WORKS EPIC 8 | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| FRAME (PAINTED) | 1557 g | 1687 g | 1724.3 g | 130 g lighter | 167.3 g lighter |
| REAR DERAILLEUR HARDWARE | 49.1 g | 46.8 g | 33.9 g | 2.3 g heavier | 15.2 g heavier |
| TOP CAP | 28.8 g | 30.0 g | 13.0 g | 1.2 g lighter | 15.8 g heavier |
| HEADSET & SPACERS | 138.5 g | 94.7 g | 69.0 g | 43.8 g heavier | 69.5 g heavier |
| TOTAL WEIGHT | 1773.4 g | 1858.5 g | 1840.2 g | 85.1 g lighter | 66.8 g lighter |
The new Pique Advanced SL outperforms its predecessor by shedding 85.1 grams, while also coming in 66.8 grams lighter than the current Specialized S-Works Epic 8.
Weight savings were achieved through two major innovations:
Conducted using industry-standard protocols with size Medium frames, steering and pedaling stiffness were measured with a steel dummy fork to ensure consistent, real-world accuracy. Each frame was fixed at the rear dropouts while lateral force was applied to the fork to measure torsional flex. Higher stiffness means more precise handling, better cornering, and more efficient power transfer.
| COMPONENT (STIFFNESS TYPE) | PIQUE ADVANCED SL (NEW) | PIQUE ADVANCED 29 (PREVIOUS) | SPECIALIZED S-WORKS EPIC 8 (CURRENT) | Δ vs. PREVIOUS | Δ vs. S-WORKS EPIC 8 |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| FRAME (STEERING) | 76.2 Nm/ º | 72.0 Nm/ º | 71.3 Nm/ º | +6% stiffer | +7% stiffer |
| FRAME (PEDALING) | 91.2 N/mm | 93.0 N/mm | 82.3 N/mm | -2% softer | +11% stiffer |
| TRANSMISSION* | 167.4 N/mm | 165.0 N/mm | 153.6 N/mm | +1% stiffer | +9% stiffer |
*FRAME STEERING & PEDALING STIFFNESS COMBINED
While stiffness compared to the previous Pique Advanced 29 remains nearly identical, the gains over the current Specialized S-Works Epic 8 are substantial. The new Pique Advanced SL delivers 9% greater transmission stiffness, giving racers instant power transfer when charging up climbs, driving through corners, and sprinting for the finish line.
Frame-level efficiency measures how well stiffness is balanced against frame weight – a key indicator of real-world speed and acceleration. Increased frame stiffness means better power transmission enabling the rider to reach and maintain higher speeds with less effort. The combination of lower weight and higher stiffness adds up to superior overall efficiency.
| FEATURE | PIQUE ADVANCED SL (NEW) | PIQUE ADVANCED 29 (PREVIOUS) | SPECIALIZED S-WORKS EPIC 8 (CURRENT) | Δ vs. PREVIOUS | Δ vs. S-WORKS EPIC 8 |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| TRANSMISSION STIFFNESS* | 167.4 N/mm | 165.0 N/mm | 153.6 N/mm | - | - |
| FRAME WITH PAINT WEIGHT | 1.557 kg | 1.687 kg | 1.724 kg | - | - |
| STIFFNESS-TO-WEIGHT RATIO | 107.51 | 97.81 | 89.1 | +10% more efficient | +21% more efficient |
*FRAME STEERING & PEDALING STIFFNESS COMBINED
The Pique Advanced SL achieves a 10% improvement in stiffness-to-weight efficiency over the previous generation Pique Advanced 29 and a 21% advantage over the current Specialized S-Works Epic 8—turning every pedal stroke into faster acceleration and sustained race-day speed.
Real-world performance comes from how the entire system works together. Liv engineers tested complete setups — frame, drivetrain, and wheels— to measure total transmission stiffness and deformation under load.
| TEST SETUP | FRAME | WHEELSYSTEM | COMBINED STIFFNESS | Δ vs. PREVIOUS | Δ vs. S-WORKS EPIC 8 |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| PIQUE ADVANCED SL (NEW) | ADVANCED SL-GRADE COMPOSITE | GIANT XCR (NEW) | 47.9 N/mm | +7% GREATER EFFICIENCY | +35% GREATER EFFICIENCY |
| PIQUE ADVANCED 29 (PREVIOUS) | ADVANCED-GRADE COMPOSIT | GIANT XCR (PREVIOUS) | 44.9 N/mm | - | - |
| SPECIALIZED S-WORKS EPIC 8 (CURRENT) | S-WORKS | ROVAL CONTROL SL (CURRENT) | 35.6 N/mm | - | - |
The new Pique Advanced SL + Giant XCR WheelSystem delivers a 7% increase in overall system stiffness compared to the previous generation Pique Advanced 29 + Giant XCR WheelSystem and a 35% advantage over the current Specialized S-Works Epic 8 + Roval Control SL.
The results shown reflect the performance of the Pique Advanced SL SE, 0, and 1 models equipped with the Giant XCR WheelSystem—the specific configuration tested. They exemplify Liv’s intentional system integration approach, where the frame, suspension, and wheels are engineered as one cohesive performance platform. While results vary by specification, every model in the Pique Advanced SL range benefits from this same integrated design philosophy to deliver maximum stiffness, responsiveness, and real-world race-day efficiency.
