Right from the very beginning, AQR wanted to offer our guests bikes to ride in the Pyrenees that were ideal for proper mountain terrain: light on the climbs, but stable, strong and confidence inspiring on the descents, and did we mention fast.
Hiring an AQR bike for a week makes perfect sense, making travelling from the UK just that bit easier - simply pack your riding kit and AQR will organise the rest. Furthermore you won't have to worry about whether your bike is up to the job or suitable for the trails in Luchon - just use Cotic bikes that have been tried and tested in Luchon by all AQR instructors, including the chef.
The Hemlock ticks all the boxes in our "ideal guest bike" criteria - full seat post adjustment, low weight, good size range and a low centre of gravity for quick handling. We've gone for the long/long option with 140mm travel at the front and 150mm at the rear. Wind the forks down and you get huge amounts of traction from the supple rear end for the technical climbs and pop it back up for the cool single track at the top.
The Soul was the very first Cotic handled on the Luchon trail. All AQR instructors have used a Soul, and it has been part of the AQR fleet of bikes for the past five years. The Soul is the classic long fork steel hardtail, suitable for 100-130mm forks and with a steep seat angle and short rear end for ultimate climbing traction.
AQR have a selection of stem lengths as well as ladies saddles to tailor the riding position to you.