The tarmac breaks up, a cobbled stretch, then a farm track: that is exactly where a classic road bike asks you to turn back. On 23 September 2026, Giant and Liv presented their answer: the Giant Contend AR and the Liv BeLiv AR, two aluminium all-road bikes designed to keep going when the road gets rough.
In Belgium, one build of each is offered: the Contend AR 2 and the BeLiv AR 2, both at €1,599. Here is what actually changes, who they are for, and how they compare with the other Giant bikes in our range.
Sources: Giant and Liv press kit and official product pages (Benelux), KAMEO catalogue. Prices incl. VAT and supplier availability checked on 23 September 2026.
43 mm
of tyre clearance: enough for cobbles and easy gravel
32 mm
tubeless tyres fitted as standard, for more comfort
€1,599
retail price of both the Contend AR 2 and BeLiv AR 2
The short answer
WHO FOR → You want a real road bike, but your rides take in broken roads, cobbles or a bit of track.
WHAT CHANGES → Room for wider tyres (43 mm), a carbon fork and seatpost that filter vibration, a more stable handlebar on descents.
WHAT DOESN'T → It is not a gravel bike: the geometry stays road-bike, quick on tarmac.
CONTEND OR BELIV → Same idea; the BeLiv AR is designed by Liv for women, with sizes XS to L and a narrower cockpit.
Two bikes, one idea
The Contend AR and BeLiv AR join the Contend SL and BeLiv SL, Giant and Liv's comfortable, accessible road bikes. The recipe, as announced by Giant: a light ALUXX SL aluminium frame with integrated cable routing, an Advanced-grade carbon fork and clearance for tyres up to 43 mm.
What it means for you: a bike with the looks and liveliness of a modern road bike that no longer forces you to avoid the broken country lane or the unpaved greenway.
What does “all-road” actually mean?
It all comes down to tyre width. Frame and fork accept tyres up to 43 mm — Giant points out that is 8 mm more than a Specialized Allez Comp. The bike ships on 32 mm, already wider than a classic road tyre.
For you, that means: on a cobble, a pothole or a compacted gravel path, the tyre absorbs instead of bouncing. And if your rides head more off-road, you can fit a bigger tyre without changing bike.
The aluminium Giant P-AR wheels have a 23 mm rim depth (Giant's figure for the Contend AR): light enough to accelerate, strong enough for daily use on mixed surfaces. The aero-shaped down tube and cables hidden in the bar, stem and frame keep the silhouette of a fast road bike.
Workshop tip
Most of the comfort comes from tyre pressure. With 32 mm tubeless you can run noticeably lower pressure than a 25 mm tyre with a tube, without pinch-flat risk. Drop by the workshop: we set the pressure for your weight and your roads.
Comfort, part by part
Giant calls it an “endurance-inspired” bike. Four parts work together to reduce fatigue on long rides:
- The Advanced-grade carbon fork filters vibration before it reaches your hands.
- The D-Fuse carbon seatpost, D-shaped, flexes slightly to soften shocks from the rear wheel.
- The Approach saddle uses Particle Flow technology: moving particles in the padding follow your body and spread the pressure.
- Gavia Fondo 2 tubeless tyres with Race Shield Kevlar® puncture protection.
Worried about tubeless? We wrote a simple guide on fixing a tubeless puncture, in the right order.
Drivetrain, brakes, bar: control
The Contend AR 2 runs a Shimano CUES drivetrain with 2 chainrings (50/34) and 10 speeds, with an 11-39 cassette. The BeLiv AR also uses Shimano CUES. In short: a very easy gear for Ardennes climbs and enough top gear for the flat.
Shimano hydraulic disc brakes (160 mm front and rear on the Contend AR 2) with 12 mm thru-axles: steady, predictable braking, even in Belgian rain.
The Contact handlebar flares out by 7.2° in the drops: your hands sit slightly wider, which makes the bike steadier on descents and corners. Its wider contact surface spreads pressure across the palm.
Single or double chainring? Our article single or double chainring explains what it changes.
The BeLiv AR: the same idea, designed by Liv
Liv is the Giant Group's women's brand. The BeLiv AR joins the BeLiv SL with the same ALUXX SL frame, the same carbon fork, the same 32 mm tyres and the same 43 mm clearance. For Sally Wang, Liv's road category manager, “for some it may be their first drop-bar bike; for others, a new way to ride farther”.
What changes is the fit: four sizes from XS to L here, narrower bars (380 mm measured at the drops in XS), 70 to 90 mm stems and 165 or 170 mm cranks depending on size. In practice: a natural position, without having to bend a bike designed for taller riders.
Good to know
Liv offers the BeLiv AR in several builds worldwide, but Giant Benelux only offers the BeLiv AR 2 (Tyrian Purple) here. That is the one we can order for you.
Contend AR, Contend SL or FastRoad?
The question we hear most in store: “which one is for me?”. Here are the closest Giant and Liv models, with their price incl. VAT in our catalogue.
€1,599
The new one: road bike with 32 mm tubeless tyres and 43 mm clearance. For rough roads and easy gravel.
€1,599
Same price, more road-focused: Shimano Tiagra drivetrain. If you stay on tarmac.
€1,999
The step up: Shimano 105 groupset. For those who ride often and long on the road.
Which size?
Giant gives these guideline heights for the Contend AR 2:
| S | 165–175 cm |
| M | 171–181 cm |
| ML | 177–187 cm |
| L | 183–193 cm |
| XL | 189–199 cm |
Between two sizes? That's common, and a chart isn't enough. In store we take your measurements and compare with your current bike in ten minutes.
Availability and ordering
Both models have just been announced. On 23 September 2026, no Contend AR 2 or BeLiv AR 2 size was in stock yet at Giant Benelux: the simplest is to reserve your size with us — we track arrivals daily.
Assembly, fitting and servicing take place in our workshops in Liège (Quai de Rome 22) and Brussels (Uccle, rue de la Mutualité 79). And if your employer offers bike leasing, both models are eligible like any bike in our range.
The questions we get in store
Is it a road bike or a gravel bike?+
A road bike. Geometry and bar are road-bike; the difference is that it takes much wider tyres. For truly rough tracks or bikepacking, a gravel bike is still the better fit.
Can I fit mudguards?+
Giant did not specify it in the Contend AR 2027 launch kit. We will check on the bike as soon as it arrives: come by or call us before ordering if it's essential for you.
How much does it weigh?+
Giant does not publish a weight for this model. We will weigh the first one in the workshop and update the product page.
What's the difference with the Contend SL at the same price?+
The Contend SL 1 is more tarmac-oriented, with Shimano Tiagra. The Contend AR 2 bets on wider tyres and a CUES drivetrain with a very easy low gear. If you sometimes leave the road, take the AR.
Can I test ride it?+
As soon as the first bikes arrive, yes. Leave your details in store or via the contact form: we'll let you know.
Our sources
- Giant Group Benelux, press release of 23 September 2026 (FR and NL): Benelux models, recommended retail prices (€1,599), ALUXX SL frame, Advanced-grade fork, 43 mm clearance, Shimano CUES.
- Giant, international Contend AR press release: comparison with the Specialized Allez Comp (+8 mm), 23 mm P-AR rims, 7.2° flare, D-Fuse, Approach saddle, Gavia Fondo 2.
- Liv, BeLiv AR press release and launch book: Sally Wang quote.
- liv-cycling.com/nl, BeLiv AR 2 (2027) page: sizes XS to L in Benelux, bars, stems and cranks per size, availability.
- giant-bicycles.com, Contend AR 2 (2027) page: specifications (CUES 50/34 and 11-39, 160 mm rotors), size guide, availability.
- Photos: Giant Group, Contend AR and BeLiv AR press kit.
- Prices incl. VAT: KAMEO Bikes online catalogue, checked on 23 September 2026.
Contend AR, BeLiv AR or Contend SL: not sure?
Visit our stores in Liège or Brussels: measurements, advice and reservation of your size.