Originally Posted by
tarwheel
I really wanted the BA Copper Spur, but it would have cost $400 or more with the ground pad, and I couldn't justify the price since I was also having to buy panniers and other gear. I was pleasantly surprised by the REI Quarter Dome, even though it was my second choice. It packed very small, so used up very little space in my panniers, and the poles easily fit inside. That was a big issue to me because many tents have poles that won't fit inside panniers, and I didn't want them rattling on top of my rack and possibly falling off.
I really want one, too. But like you, I cannot justify the price for 3-4 short trips/year. I would rather make do with my SD hyrbrid for two and my Hubba Hubba for one and pay off the mortgage that much sooner (should be about 3 more years) so I can explore working less and touring more in the relatively near future.
I have heard other people say they pack their tents in their panniers. Any special reason you do that? Like most (I think)people, I carry mine on my rear rack. (When I had a North Face Slickrock, I carried in on my front rack platform.) But unlike most people I have seen, it sits parallel with the rack, not perpendicular to it.