Tyrell

Interesting...but danged expensive!

https://www.rei.com/product/779410

John Nelson

Nice idea, but way overpriced in my opinion. It probably won't sell well, so you might be able to get it on closeout at REI-Outlet if you wait a year.

Compare with the Bikamper: https://www.rei.com/product/732405

82times

I got my catalog yesterday, too, and wondered how you're supposed to get in and out of the tent with a bicycle in the way...

mo_feezy

It looks like both sides open and each side has a different vestibule.

xcapekey

I saw that tent too and it looks interesting.

I think the actual entrance to the tent is on the side opposite of the vestibule....there seems to be two zippered entrances....

It IS spendy. I think I prefer this design to the bikecamper though, since you don't have to remove a wheel to make it part of the tent structure or anything like that...

I think if the price was a little more competitive it wouldn't be so bad....otherwise, get a REI Q1 tent and a waterproof tarp to throw on your bike and gear...

Boston Commuter

What happens if your bike falls over??

roadfix

..or gets jacked by rope by Mongolian Horsemen.

BikeArkansas

I talked to a man that was using one of these on a tour across the US. He seemed to be very pleased with the tent. He mentioned how much he liked having his bike covered. This was his third tour and the first with this tent.

Losligato

It is a nice tent!

-Great weight.
-Just enough room.
-Double doors
-Nice area in the vestibule on the back side for panniers.

Good design. Ahh... If money were no object.

mev

As best I can tell, the tent itself has only one door. So, the only way to get to the larger vestibule is from the outside.

It mostly doesn't match what I look for in a tent, but it would match better if there was a second door. This way I could access what is in the bike vestibule without having to go outside (and put panniers there as well as a bike). If I have to go outside anyways to get to the bike, then it is less expensive to carry a second footprint that I can drape over the bike when it is wet and use for other purposes.

John Nelson

This test offers some pretty good security for your bike if that's a factor.

MNBikeguy

I was going to stay away from this thread as I'm old, crusty, and some things are just too hilarious for words in the realm of "marketing ingenuity."
If you are really that concerned about covering your bike from the elements while touring, you should either: 1. stop riding that CF Orbea you clean each night with Q-tips and get a real touring bike or 2. Get a new hobby more in line with your desire to keep your toys perfect. Do you not ride in the rain when touring either?
TIP: Get a normal tent, and a free plastic bag from the grocery store to tie over your seat when it rains.

Thasiet

I'm more concerned about theft of ride, crusty old jump to conclusions guy.

MNBikeguy

I'm sorry. This secures your bike how? Hiding behind a sihlouetted vestibule?

fuzz2050

I have to say, in terms of touring specific tents, this one by topeak has always intrigued me

I don't think I would actually buy one, but it's interesting at least.

wheel

or you could just make your own tent.

BigBlueToe

Not for me, thanks. I bought a Eureka Backcountry 1, which has a similar floor plan: long and narrow. I liked the long part, because I'm 6'4", it was free-standing (yay), looked like it would be waterproof, and I liked the window placement - you could watch what was going on outside and still be protected from rain. But when I slept in it I discovered it was so narrow that I couldn't lay on my side and read. I couldn't hold my book away from my body. That was a deal-breaker. I read every night on tour. This tent looks just as narrow. Plus, I don't really care if my bike is inside my tent. I leave mine out in the rain (with a plastic bag over the saddle) and chain it to something near my tent. That works for me. I don't really get covering your bike at night if you're going to be riding it in the rain anyway. Am I missing something?

John Nelson

I don't think a bike cover is worth the weight, but I can understand wanting to cover it at night anyway. Many times it rains overnight but clears up by morning. Or maybe you just have a heavy dew. In either case, a cover would save you the trouble of relubing your chain (which you really should do after it gets wet).

Furthermore, a covered bike is a bit better for stealth camping, and a bit less tempting to steal.

But, as I said, these advantages are not enough to make me want to add the weight of a bike cover.

Bekologist

that ghisallo 1 looks narrow.

at that price and for bike tourist use that tent should have a silnylon fly for better packability. if the poles break down to 12 inch lengths that would be sweet too, but it looks like they are 18" sections.

oh well, a hit into the outfield but not a home run by Mountain Hardwear. anyone who gets this for cycle touring would likely still be STOKED.

well biked

You should apply for a job at Rivendell. You've got the "I'm the only one who gets it" routine down pat.

You say the tent is hilarious, I say the "I'm the only one who gets it" routine is hilarious.

To each their own. Including the guys/gals riding carbon fiber Orbeas who seem to bug you so much.

bccycleguy

The vestibule is a good idea for keeping the bike out of sight, keeping it out of the rain, etc. is meaningless.

The weight (4.2 lbs.) is the absolute max I'd ever consider for a bike tour. Tent inside at 17 sq. ft. is pretty small. I used a tent this size (17sf) and found in wet weather that it was way too tight with all the wet gear and wet, dirty panniers, etc. I ended up using garbage bags to store that stuff (some inside and some outside).

staehpj1

Actually I was thinking that it just might be something that Rivendell would sell.

It looks like an interesting setup if you want to take your bike inside. It seems like having only one door eliminates the ability to access stuff on the bike from the tent. That seems like an unfortunate omission.

I also wonder if the higher profile compromises the tent's abilty to stand up to strong winds.

Personally, my bike stays outside and uncovered when on tour. The panniers stay on it. Any gear or clothing that I don't need during the night stays in the panniers with the exception of what I will wear in the morning. I really don't see the need to cover or take a bike inside while on tour when I ride it in the weather all day anyway. So even if it were cheaper, it doesn't look like it would be tempting to me.

MNBikeguy

You err.... don't seem to get it.
Equipment is lauded or ripped routinely in these forums. Personally, I think this tent belongs in the overpriced-gadgetry-with-limited-function catergory.
CF bikes don't bug me; I have one. Only I don't tour with it thereby stressing if it gets dusty or rained upon.
Regardless of what "routine" you think I have down pat, you can disagree with me and think this tent is the nuts. That's great. Except don't take equipment opinions quite so personally.

Incidentally, this tent would be right up Rivendells road.

juggleaddict

hennessy hamock and a collapsable stick (for days that you cannot find trees ^^ AND AND this leaves room for a mid sized tarp, all adding up to be less than a tent : )

bokerfest

Old and crusty guy, looks like you are the same page as I am. I am in the market for a tent. I pretty much have all my other gear and am doing a tour from Nebraska to Los Angeles in May by way of Texas. My budget is coming to a close and my tent is the thing that looks like it is going to brake me. I read all kinds of threads of gear tent talk but I do not want to spend that much money one them. So in your opinion what is a "normal tent" that would suffice a long distance tour?