Tent advice

elvis6093

Hi

Could anyone give a recommendation for a tent for cycle touring ? What would be the ideal weight/size?

looking at 2 man tents. i am quite claustrophobic so want something with a bit of head height. Vaude Taurus ultralite ?

Thanks


ol

andymiller

It's difficult to say what is ideal. There are all sorts of trade-offs to be made: weight vs space; weight vs price; weight vs durability.

At 1.49kg, the Vaude Ultralight looks like a reasonable benchmark. By shopping around you might get cheaper, or bigger or lighter, depending on your priorities - but probably not all three.

KeithG

As Andy says, it depends a lot on the climate and how you like to cycle.
In warm climates, a lightweight tent or the flysheet alone will do.
In Scotland, you might be glad of the 2 layers and the extra space of a bigger tent when the weather is bad.
I tend to go light at almost any cost and put up with the compromise of a cramped tent for the joy of a light bike and a fast ride.

1footedninja

2 tents I can recommend -

'Microfast' 1 man tent - they do other sizes as well, its a pop up tunnel tent with seperate fly, although fibreglass poles its positives far outweigh its negatives. compact and flat once all down. They do camo clrs and darkish green. (army use this tent now, so you might be able to pick up a bargain somewhere for one) Check out as much as you can about them and I reckon you will be pleasantly surprised. cost is anywhere from 60 quid upwards, I think ,depending on where you buy from. I use this one on my solo missions. Could fit 2 people if you like being really cosy with the other person! packs down light and compact (think same shape as a bike wheel,sort of,although a little smaller).

Other tent I use is 'Terra-Nova' Voyager 2 man tent - they do a whole heap of tents, and they are built to last and have all the extra things that make a great tent. Good when you want that little more room or are sharing living space. packs sausage shaped but you cld always split bits up between your loads on your bike and velcro your poles to your frame.
Oh! did I mention the lifetime guarentee against any defects with the tents materials? that alone is enough to make you consider buying from them!

Theres loads of good tents out there, its pretty much a buy and try sorta deal till you get what you like best for what you want out of it. Everyones different so have different things there looking for etc in what they want.

elvis6093

Thanks for all the suggestions.

i have never cycle camped before so not really sure what is acceptable weight wise. would a 2.7kg tent be too heavy for solo stuff (vaude taurus ii) ?
also does the packed size make a difference ? The above packs down to 57x23cm i think - would this fit in panniers or on a rack ?
thanks again - id been keen to get something that could also be used for 2 person camping without it being like a coffin

bornagainbiker

What sort of budget do you have?

I can highly recommend the Hilleberg Nallo range , I have the Nallo 3 GT and its huge with a very large porch which could easily hold a bike+. It only weighs 2.7kg.

onbike 1939

I think that the Hilleberg Akto would do the job, while it is a one man tent it is roomy and has three feet of head-room.

andymiller

elvis6093 wrote:

i have never cycle camped before so not really sure what is acceptable weight wise. would a 2.7kg tent be too heavy for solo stuff (vaude taurus ii) ?
also does the packed size make a difference ? The above packs down to 57x23cm i think - would this fit in panniers or on a rack ?
thanks again - id been keen to get something that could also be used for 2 person camping without it being like a coffin

It depends a lot on your priorities and how you intend to use the tent. Personally I really wouldn't cycle with a tent that weighs 2.7 kg. I would say that 15kgs of luggage is a reasonable maximum to set yourself. A 2.7kg tent means you are already almost a fifth of the way there. (If you add a pair of panniers a sleeping bag and mat you are already pushing toward 6kgs).

Pack size isn't an issue as you can bungee it to the top of your pannier rack.

ut_och_cykla

I went on a 7 week tor with a 2,8 kg tent. Spent many nights in it inc. rest days/weekends!

Ease of erection/taking down in whatever weather is paramount - think 'cold wet tired gale - fiddly pole sheath' - NO! As was reliability. Had a Saunders ' with one central transverse ridgepole. V. good (but significanly shorter than specced which was a big downer.

Now have a Hilleberg NAllo 3 man. Nice, roomy, lightweight - a better tent overall. I'd go for something in same design if not price!

Keep tent on rack, easy to access first and doesnt soak everything else if you have to pack up in the rain.

amaferanga

I bought a Big Agnes Seedhouse SL2 last year: http://www.hike-lite.co.uk/acatalog/Big ... se-SL.html

Only 1.5kg, almost freestanding, spatious even for 2. Thoroughly recommend it.

Superlight tents are expensive and don't generally last as long though.....

(nb: there's also a standard Seedhouse that weighs about 2kg in 2-man)

ThatGuyOnABike

i was going to buy a coleman avoir or epsilon at one point but then saw a bargin priced coleman rigel x2 plus i thought wieght would be an issue. it's not what you seem to want (it is a bit of a coffin) but i like it. but yeh, the epsilon and avior 3 man tents were recommended to me as great 2 man tents and not tooooo heavy (still under 3kg) or definantly not too pricy espeicially good if this is your first tour.
http://www.amazon.co.uk/Coleman-Avior-X3/dp/B000PJML2G

PHcp

Just about any tent will be fine to get started. After a few tours you'll have a better idea of what you want, how often you're likely to use it and how much you're prepared to spend. I started with a 3kg Coleman Epsilon, Used it for around 40 nights over two years and have just traded it in for a Terra Nova Solar 2. There's no doubt the TN is a better tent, lighter, warmer, easier to put up, less flappy...but the Coleman served me well. I wouldn't get too hung up about weight, unless you're crossing the Alps an extra kilo isn't going to matter.

Terra Nova have a sister company, Wild Country, that makes cheaper tents. There's a couple of new models that are aimed at cycletourists, the Duolitet might be of interest to you. It may be to new to have been reviewed, it certainly looks good, I was tempted but have been planning to get the Solar for ages...
http://www.terra-nova.co.uk/Brand/Wild_ ... OLITE.html

Shop around and you'll find it for about £110

Tako

Less than 36hrs ago, I was in exactly the same predicament. My needs were: 3season, 2person, freestanding, seperate inner and fly pitching for flexability, sub-2.5kg, natural coloured fly for wild camping, under £200. I concur re: choices +aspirations. Be honest and pick what you feel is most comfortable and suitable to your needs.

FWIW, my use: 6week tour Peaks, Lakes, NW Scotland. Next year Southern half of UK or Canada/Asia. Terra Nova looks nice but overbudget, l had settled for Vaude Taurus but Cotswold did me a great deal on the MH Viperine 2. Look in the sale section for last seasons tents, all shops l visited were planning new season and l picked mine up half price! Planning N.Wales sortie as soon as my wheels are built!

nun

I have yet to see a better range of tents for cycle touring than TARPTENT

www.tarptent.com

The tents are single skin and light. I use a Contrail and at 1.5 pounds its the
ideal single person touring tent. Check out the Rainbow if you want a bit more room.

elvis6093

great advice above. very tempted by the viperine 2 - half price in cotswold at 120 quid.

tako - have you tried this out yet - what is it like inside ?

TheBoyBilly

The problem with single skin tents is condensation. You'll wake up some mornings feeling awful because of sore throats etc. I ditched mine years ago after the first event I went to and have since progressed to a Khya Eiger. There are some excellent tents out there from the likes of The North Face but you'll pay good money. Do you need this for This is a brilliant tent to put up in the rainas it takes only a few minutes, even with pegging-out. Khyam do a range of backpacking/cycling tents the most suitable to you being the Ranger with a carry weight of 4 kilos. For around £110, it's money well spent, and it will last for years.
B the way, you'll never need half the kit you think you'll need so you can cut weigh carrying down by carrying fewer/lighter clothes and by buying food etc. at or near the site. There are all manner of superlight stoves and cookware and cutlery can always provide a way of saving weight. I have a mate who carries the proverbial kitchen sink "just in case" and never uses a third of it. Less is more as they say.

andymiller

4 kilos! Yikes!

nun

TheBoyBilly wrote:

The problem with single skin tents is condensation. You'll wake up some mornings feeling awful because of sore throats etc. I ditched mine years ago

Single skin tents have come a long way since they were first used. They now have bathtub floors, netting to keep the bugs out and good ventilation to solve the condensation issues. Tents like the Tarptent line are great for 3 season use which is when most people tour.

Khyam do a range of backpacking/cycling tents the most suitable to you being the Ranger with a carry weight of 4 kilos.

4 kilos That's half of my entire gear weight, my Contrail weights 0.68kg

B the way, you'll never need half the kit you think you'll need so you can cut weigh carrying down by carrying fewer/lighter clothes and by buying food etc

It seems a bit ridiculous to use a 4 kg tent and then save weight by carrying fewer clothes. The place to cut weight is in the big 4; tent, sleeping bag/pad, bags and cooking stuff.

Philip Davis

I'd just like to reiterate what some posters have said - tents are a very personal thing. After doing lots of research online I bought a Hilleberg Nallo GT2. A fantastic tent, great design, but.... I ended up selling it because it just didn't suit me. I only found this out after using it a little while.

I'd suggest that before looking at tents, you write down exactly what you want your tent for, and what it is you like/dislike about camping. For example:

1. Is the tent going to be your primary 'home' for touring, or is it an emergency shelter?
2. Will you be going to extreme environments or camping in the depths of winter?
3. Will you be going from campground to campground, or wild camping?
4. How much comfort and space are you willing to sacrifice for light weight and compactness on the bike?
5. Do you feel the need to have your bike and all the kit protected, or are you willing to accept a bit of risk by having a very small tent and keeping stuff outside?


I think that if you think about these (and other) questions seriously, you will find that you will immediately cut down your choice a lot.

BTW, as regards tarptents, i know some people adore them, I also know some quite experienced people who have had awful experiences with them. Again, its a personal thing.

Tako

Oh man, what a trip. I did my 1st S24O last night. Blasted it out to city limits, *ahem* "wild camped" and caned it back in time for Sunday lunch!

elvis, the MHV2 appears well constructed and felt rock solid, abit more fiddly to set up as it uses a single pole, triangular design but dead easy after a couple of practice set-ups and l got it in one 'out in the field'. Internal space is palatial for one; house 2 OK, porch storage is v.generous too. I'm 5'9" and mildy claustrophobic so extra headroom is welcome and you don't have to crawl in/out. I could sit upright in comfort, even stretch! and l slept very well - although that may be down to cranking 40+miles and downing a 4pack

My friend has the Taurus Ultralight so l am familiar with that as a comparison, in fact, l was going to buy the standard Taurus. The Vaude is easier to pitch but the MHV2 is much more versatile and adaptable. In actuality, the differences between pitching the 2tents is ~45 - 60secs - not alot but you might wish you had gotten a dual pitch tent if you're caught out in nasty weather. However, given the space:weight:price ratios and after my 1st real world test, l can't fault it. Consider too that every product has its limitations and you will always find user bias. Hope that answers your question!

nun

Philip Davis wrote:

BTW, as regards tarptents, i know some people adore them, I also know some quite experienced people who have had awful experiences with them. Again, its a personal thing.

Very sensible comments and advise. However, I think many people reject tarptents because they assume that they are minimalist and only for the "hardcore" ultralight campers who don't need comfort. That was true when these tents only consisted of a piece of silnylon, some cord and a couple of poles. They're not like that anymore and can provide excellent and comfortable shelter, my one caveat would be that they don't do well with heavy snow loads.

andrew_s

The trouble is that by the time you add a mesh inner to keep the midges out and the walking poles that as a cyclist you wouldn't be carrying otherwise, you end up with very little if any weight saved over a lightweight tent like a TN Laser Comp, which is < 1kg.

nun

andrew_s wrote:

The trouble is that by the time you add a mesh inner to keep the midges out and the walking poles that as a cyclist you wouldn't be carrying otherwise, you end up with very little if any weight saved over a lightweight tent like a TN Laser Comp, which is < 1kg.

The Terra Nova looks like a fantastic 2 skin tent, and fantastically light at 900kg, but I think the Contrail and the Laser Competition are almost converging to the same solution and the cost of the Laser Comp is 2.5x that of the Contrail.

By the way you don't need walking poles for the Tarptents, they come with ultralight poles and pegs, the Contaril is 700g and packs very small 35cm x 10cm so that I can strap it under my saddle with ease. I'd think the TN Laser Comp would make a great touring tent, jusr as the Contrail does. My main point is that why would anyone consider lugging a 4kg tent on tour when you can get 1 and 2 man tents that are less than half that weight.

clanton

Have read all the above with interest as we are about to buy oru first touring tent. Using Phillip's criteria:
1. It will be the primary home for the tour
2. It will be used in Patagonia in Summer so must be able to deal with very strong winds
3. Mixture of campgrounds where available, wild where not
4. It will be a three month tour for two and I'm not planning on getting divorced! So must be spacious enough to be comfortable, yet still light.
5. The bikes can stay outside - some stuff will want to be inside though.

So I'm considering the Terra Nova Laserlarge1 and or Laserlarge 3 but the 3 seems a little too big, the 1 slightly on the small side (its only a tiny bit bigger than our current, rather heavy and well used tent). I'm mainly concerned about the veastibule size on the 1. I've had a look at all the others in the list and they tick some but not all the boxes! Any other suggestions?
Do people store their stuff on the bikes mainly - under a tarp if needs be? This would cut down on space needed inside the vestibule I guess.

Harveytile

I expect a torent of abuse from this but... Anyone tried the Topeak Bikamper "tents"? I dea seems ok but it just seems like a heavy weight single skin tent. Am I missing something?

alfablue

Harveytile wrote:

I expect a torent of abuse from this but... Anyone tried the Topeak Bikamper "tents"? I dea seems ok but it just seems like a heavy weight single skin tent. Am I missing something?

That tent makes me think "just because it can be done, doesn't mean it should be done"

I wouldn't try one.

(I use a Coleman Avior X2, about 2kg, double skin, very small pack size, goes up in 5 minutes, cost £70!)

Harveytile

Nice! I am trying to get an argument together for the "bank manager". £70 seems like a good argument .

alfablue

Well, I know they are far cheaper than most of the exotic tents peope use, but the design is top-notch. Inner and fly sheet go up in one go, there are 2 doors (the whole of one side opens, so entry is easy), they use really neat minimalist alu pegs, really easy to erect and pack away.

I got mine on eBay, at the moment there is an X1 (1 person) for £67 but no X2's.

I also have an X3 for more comfortable touring with g/f, I think that cost me about £95.

onbike 1939

onbike 1939 wrote:

I think that the Hilleberg Akto would do the job, while it is a one man tent it is roomy and has three feet of head-room.

+1 as it would provide 3 ft of headroom while being very light. I would recommend it 100%.