Thread: Best super lightweight tent for bike touring?

Originally Posted by The Cone of Silence

I need a new tent for throwing in the postie bike pannier and getting out amongst it.

Requirements:

• Lightweight
• Quick to setup
• Freestanding (doesn't need guy ropes)
• Space for me + a gear bag
• 1 pole is preferred

I'd really appreciate any insights that anyone has. I recently bought a postie bike and I plan on getting away on it from time to time and when I find a nice spot, throwing down the tent and camping out.

Also need to have a look at sleeping mattresses so if anyone has good ideas - let me know! I sleep on my side so I struggle with most sleeping mats because my shoulder gets sore

A hootchie?

More civilised version: Crossfire – Contractors to the Military, Fire, Emergency Services & Police – Dug Out Bivy Bag
1600grams

Overnight your cheap nylon tent will be waterproof or dew proof but you still get condensation inside by breathing, so a breathable fabric is needed. eVent or gortex are the choices.

I am also a side sleeper. I use a exercise mat under an airbed. The mat insulates and gives extra padding. I use the Harbinger Ex mat sold at Clark rubber. $50 (CCP and not cheap).

The airbed is a $220 well-sorted item that is also priced like defender parts, but I think every night you don't use a motel is a $100 or more saving. Thats $600 saving a week, allowing for the road rules that say you must stay in a motel and shower at least once a week. The airbed is a "Thermarest NeoAir Xtherm", 450grams Ultralight Outdoor Gear - Passionate suppliers of the most lightweight, functional and best quality backpacking, trekking and adventure racing gear.

I don't know if you could get a free standing tent with only one pole. What's the reasoning behind free standing?

How about a hammock?

Originally Posted by Ranga

How about a hammock?

I do have an awesome Hennessy Hammock which I love but I find I get pins and needles in my legs sometimes.

I love the Crossfire bivvy but I think I want to be able to sit upright if I'm making dinner in the rain.....either that or I'd need a separate tarp and that defeats the point. I do like that bivvy though.

Depending on the Hennessy hammock you have it may be that you just need a hammock with a little more length to reduce any calf ridge, which can cause the pins and needles. Or you could try hanging the Hennessy with a little more sag.

Terra Nova Lazer Competition 1. Absolutely love mine. Carry it cycling in the UK. meets your requirements. 1kg. Proper tent. Cant beat it.

G

We have 2 free standing tents for bicycle touring. One for summer and a 4 season one for winter. They're cheap, great quality, lightweight and have never let us down.

I'm not sure what they have available now (they change their designs all the time) but the brand we got was Denali from Anaconda. We have the Storm and the Stratus.

I read a lot of forums about touring tents and came across one from some people camping in the snow. They'd been in a big group and all had expensive tents and the only one who's tent didn't leak was the one who bought the Denali one from Anaconda.

Before getting a 4wd all our holidays between 2008 and 2011 used to be bike touring along the Munda Biddi Trail in all seasons.