becnal

I'd love to hear from anyone here who has used or toured with one. I don't mind the weight and already understand it isn't ideal for camping in high winds. The ease of set up and break down is fantastically appealing!

Any experience?

Rowan

Size and ability to carry on the bike?

We have a pop-up two-person tent like that we have used once on a car-camping trip. It's packed size is flat... but the circumference is wider than a 700C wheel and tyre. A one-person tent might be smaller in diameter, but I am not sure it still would be packable enough for a pannier or on top of a rack.

jeffpoulin

I've never used that tent, but living in France, I can tell you that Quechua is a good brand. On par with, say, REI, MEC, or LL Bean.

I have seen lots of these tents at beaches and campgrounds, however. They really do unfold in 2 seconds. Seems a little bulky to carry one on a bike, though.

staehpj1

I remember a similar tent from way back, maybe 20-30 years ago?

The extra packed size and weight wouldn't be worth it to me to save a few minutes of in camp time. Setting up and taking down a regular tent just isn't that big of a chore. That said the pop tents I remember actually did work as advertised and I have seen folks tour with tents that looked like a worse choice.

Machka 

Rowan and I have a Quechua tent which we picked up from a Decathlon in France in 2007 ... and it is a good tent.


We looked at the pop-up ones when we bought the one we have, and as Rowan said the circumference is wider than a 700C wheel and tyre, and it was just too awkward to carry.

djb

I borrowed one of these for a friend last summer when we went to an event in France. They do indeed pop up quickly, but they are indeed rather big. It worked ok in rain but they arent really that well made, and if the flexible thingees inside that do the popuping breaks, t'es foutu. (you're screwed)

BigAura

From what I seen with pop-ups is they are easy to set-up, but tricky to collapse and transport.

pedalsimotxilla

They're a pain in the neck to transport. You could manage it in a pickup bike (although a trailer would be best). Or carry it in your back and look like a giant tortoise. And they tend to condense quite a lot too.

Cyclebum

Just for fun, I took a pop up bug shelter on tour. It strapped nicely to the rear rack, rack pack on top. (Had a very thin homemade fly with me just in case.) Worked just fine, tho a bit odd looking on the bike. Was fun throwing it out and see an instant shelter appear. Refold time is about a minute, with experience.

An actually water proof pop up. 5 lbs.

indyfabz

Folds to a 30" diameter dish? Thanks, but no thanks. I will expend the effort pitching and stiking my tent.

Cyclebum

Other than looking odd on the bicycle, the real negative is wind drag...all the time. If a side wind, more instability. These things are much better for car camping. Really more a gimmick, or for the severely technically challenged. Well, not even the latter 'cause you gotta fold it back up, a technical challenge in itself. Seems a lot are sold to parents looking for a tent for their kid's summer camp.

becnal

Well, if on tour with my gf, I'd be pulling my bob yak trailer anyway, so I could just lay it right on top. But perhaps I'll see if I can rig the tent to the side of my rear rack in place of one of the panniers. I'll experiment this weekend.