Liv Langma
Price £1,799
Frame carbon
Gears Shimano Ultegra 11-speed
Wheels Giant P-R2
Bonnie Tu is often called the “Godmother of Cycling” and her ferocious work ethic and infectious charm mean she has long been a persuasive and passionate advocate of getting more women into cycling. She’s also chairwoman of the Giant global group, one of the largest bike brands, and the founder of Liv Cycling, which sells bikes designed and built by women to be ridden by women. This Thursday is also International Women’s Day and Liv has just launched the new lightweight Langma road bike so it seems the perfect moment to ask her a few questions about women’s cycling.
Martin: Why was it important to create Liv – a brand for women that makes bikes designed by women?
Bonnie: It is only a female cyclist who can know the needs of a female cyclist. It takes a female cyclist to understand what makes a ride painful or uncomfortable, and what will make a woman feel more relaxed. It needs to come from a personal experience, so it has got to be designed by women.
Martin: How often do you ride a bike, is it every morning?
Bonnie: Oh no no no. I have too many 8am meetings. If I do cycle to the office it takes me so long that I’d miss the meeting. But I do try to cycle at least once a week.
Martin: How far is your office from your home?
Bonnie: 40km.
Martin: 40km! No wonder you are late. I hope you don’t ride back home in the evening. Do you have a favourite bike and which ride do you feel most proud of?
Bonnie: That’s easy – the Envie or this new Langma.
Martin: It would have to be one of yours.
Bonnie: Yes, but they are great bikes. Also, I love the Envie because the first time I ever rode one, I set out without a destination target. I just rode and rode. Before I knew it I was already more than 30km away. I stopped for a coffee and then slowly came back. So my first day I rode more than 60km. I was so impressed with myself.
Martin: Do you see the bicycle as a machine of empowerment for women?
Bonnie: Yes, definitely. Cycling is a sport that brings such freedom. It is bonding and social. It brings people of all sorts together. You can do it at any level, and if you practise and commit to it, you can become really good.
Martin: Do you think we’ve seen the end of “pink” bicycles for women?
Bonnie: No, not yet, because our friends, competitors in the bicycle industry, don’t take female cyclists seriously. They still think: “Shrink it, pink it, flower it.” You know, while I was in Bristol recently, my son pointed out a pink bike and said: “Oh, is that a female bicycle?” I said: “Son, let me tell you that it’s not. It is only the colour.” The last thing that makes a bicycle female is that it is pink.
Martin: Can you do any bike tricks?
Bonnie: When I was in high school, I could ride “hands off”. I don’t know why, but now I can’t. I think maybe it must be age. I’m 65 now!
Get your numbers up
The Wahoo Elemnt Bolt GPS bike computer is used by Peter Sagan. Need we add anything else? It’s also fully aerodynamic! The unique design creates an integrated system of computer and mount which results in a highly slippery unit. Equipped with Bluetooth Smart and ANT+ dual-band technology, the Elemnt Bolt will pair with all of your cycling sensors. It also works with a free companion app which allows you to set up your data fields, customise profiles, track performance and share ride data – no more confusing menus! Plus, programmable LED QuickLook indicators provide a quick way to see if you’re on pace with important performance metrics such as speed, heart rate and power. It costs £199.99 and is available from wahoofitness.com
Email Martin at martin.love@observer.co.uk or follow him on Twitter @MartinLove166
