Touring - Anyone try these?

Ingenious, but is it worth the hassle?

http://www.topeak.com/products/Bike-Tent/Bikamper
http://www.topeak.com/products/Bike-Tent/BikamperEXP

Can anyone recommend a tent? I hear this is good.
http://www.campmor.com/outdoor/gear/Product___23889

I'm not going to lie, but those look pretty gimmicky. I would stick to the tried and true method of real tent camping.

The EXP looks to be fine. The one that uses the bike for a frame seems gimmicky and at 3 pounds isn't saving you anything over a "real" tent or hammock tent.

I've got a 'proper' one-man tent (singleskin) which rolls up to about the same size - I don't see the advantage in that fangled thing.

I think Topeak makes great stuff, and repair service is excellent. Unfortunately, the bike tent things kind of look like a solution in search of a problem. ;)

There are tons of great tents out there. The only caveat about tents is that their sizing is, well, optimistic. :D If you get a one-person tent, it will be hard to keep your gear inside the tent, especially since that one doesn't have a vestibule.

FWIW I'm doing pretty well with the Kelty Teton 2. Almost the same price, fairly light for a 2-person tent, and it's held up to a couple of strong storms.

I agree the bike-pole thing is gimmicky and stupid. what if you pitch your tent and then want to ride into town a few miles away? You're missing a pole!

RE: the Eureka, for 3lbs 4oz you get a one-man tent, but for a 8 oz more you can have any number of 2-man tents. I really like a 2 man tent, you can bring your clothes panniers inside, sit up, change your clothes, read a book, organize your stuff, roll up your sleeping bag & pad w/o going outside.. all kind of things that if it's raining or you need privacy it's nice to do inside the tent. One or two big vestibules are nice too, you can stash things under them that you don't want to get wet.

This summer my tour partner had a big agnes one person tent, and while it was tiny and light to carry, it looked like a PITA to live in.

I like my Eureka Zeus 2 (old style, single wall) and my REI Quarterdome UL (I think this was replaced by the Quarterdone T2). Both just tad over 4 pounds, 2 person tents.

+1 for a freestanding tent. They are more versatile. I have an older 2 person Eureka tent with a vestibule and 2 windows. It's a little heavy at close to 5lbs but comfortable and roomy.

I think Topeak makes great stuff, and repair service is excellent. Unfortunately, the bike tent things kind of look like a solution in search of a problem. ;)

+1 - there are lots of lightweight shelters out there that work great for bike touring without the gimmicks.

I agree the bike-pole thing is gimmicky and stupid. what if you pitch your tent and then want to ride into town a few miles away? You're missing a pole!
+1
We often wanted to ride somewhere after the tent was pitched. While they make some good stuff, I think the Topeak tents have generally gotten negative reviews. Lots of great tents out there, no need to buy a bike specific one.

+1
We often wanted to ride somewhere after the tent was pitched. While they make some good stuff, I think the Topeak tents have generally gotten negative reviews. Lots of great tents out there, no need to buy a bike specific one.

BTW - these tents have been around for a while. The question to ask is are there any out there actually being used?

I agree with everyone here that the gimmicky factor is high and I think the only thing really going for it is that it might "help" to deter theft while you sleep but it also might lead you to a false sense of security. The fly also looks kind of skimpy. I also agree that freestanding is better.

I just bought an REI Quarter Dome T2 tent and love it... It cost a bit more that the Eureka you linked to but I think it's worth it and at just over 3lbs means each person only has to carry under 2lbs of tent. If you're going solo their T1 is a pound lighter.

I would hate to see that it in a wind storm.


I found a 3 season two person tent 4lbs drops down to 3 if you don't need the rainfly.
Serria designs.

http://www.instructables.com/files/deriv/F37/ITDL/FI50YKNX/F37ITDLFI50YKNX.MEDIUM.jpg