A new tent for bicycle camping?

[charlie]

I just purchased a Big Agnes brand Lynx Pass model two person tent and
wanted to know if any of you have used this for bicycle camping or
backpacking etc. It lists the weight at about 4 lbs. 14 oz. and I
managed to get it for $100. Just wondering if I made a smart purchase
or if I should return it and look at something else.

[C.J. Filip]

Used a Big Agnes "Seedhouse" for a number of years backpacking. It
was plenty light enough, probably too light since the aluminum poles
kept splitting at the ends. IIRC the Seedhouse may have been in the
low three-pound range so your poles might be a little beefier. Big
Agnes replaced the poles without hassle or questions.

The Hilleberg tents that Grant and former employee Daniel rave about
are some of the highest quality you can buy yet the weight is right
there with your Lynx Pass.

I'm happy to get 3 seasons out of my backpacking and outdoor gear in
general. $100 would be money well spent if you stay dry, nothing
breaks or rips and you get some good use out of it, IMHO.

[Smitty]

Disclaimer: I have no first hand experience with the tent in question. 

My impression from looking at pics online is that it's probably a reasonable light-weather tent and for $100 it's a good deal. Keep it, use it, enjoy it... don't worry about it.  

It's true that Hilleberg tents are great... but they also cost $500+.   

I have an older model Tarptent that is a nice combination of price + weight + stability. But even their least expensive option is twice what your Big Agnes cost. Plus, most of their current models require hiking poles to stay up.   

I think whether your Big Agnes Lynx Pass is a bargain or a waste depends entirely on how you want to use it. If you're looking to do an occasional s24o when the forecast is good, this tent is perfect. If you plan to be in remote places when the weather could turn ugly without warning, you probably should look for something more robust. 

Not to try to toss a curve ball at you... A few years back I picked up the "Expedition" model Hennessy Hammock. It took a little getting used to but I prefer it to a tent now. If buying a hammock today, I would probably go with a Warbonnet Hammock. 

Whether you keep the BA or swap it for something else, happy camping. And don't forget to post pics. 

--Smitty

[newenglandbike]

I've been using a Hilleberg Unna tent for years now.      Best tent I've ever had.    so simple to set up and tear down, and tough as nails.    Green color-   which is a big thing for me about tents-   I need them to be GREEN (but not lime green).

-Matt

[charlie]

Yea the tent has a dark blue floor and light tan top with a dark green
fly so pretty good for both warm desert terrain and wet forest as far
as blending in. I got it in the bargain room at Cabelas. The tent is
normally priced at $200 so I snagged it. Wasn't even planning on
buying a tent but I knew I wanted one for bicycle camping. Now I need
a bicycle upgrade.

[Mojo]

That is a great price on the Lynx Pass. We have the Copper Spur which as two doors and two vestibules and weighs just over 4lbs. We like it, it has served us well in rain and sun. The walls are nearly vertical. I was happy to pay $400 for it. Plus for us on the west side of Colorado, Big Agnes is local.

[LF]

On Saturday, March 31, 2012 6:50:24 PM UTC-4, charlie wrote:

I just purchased a <snip> two person tent and
It lists the weight at about 4 lbs. 14 oz. <snip> should return it and look at something else.

Charlie,
I havn't used BigAgnes tents. Taking a page out of Kent's Tour Divide Race book, I really like tarptents -- the products & the business.<http://www.tarptent.com/index.html>. One of their 2-person tarptents ,the squal 2, weighs 2 lbs. 2oz, and cost $250. I've inspired some biking friends to get tarptents, and, so far, they've been unanimous in their high praise for tarptent products.
Best,
Larry

[IanA]

FWIW I spent a couple of years bicycle touring and living out of a Eureka Spitfire 2, which was okay and probably compares to your new tent in terms of weight and materials, but I had to reinforce it a couple of times and it was not the best in heavy winds. It had a great deal of use - hundreds of nights.  But, for 99% of the time, any lightweight tent that keeps the bugs off will do the job and the Big Agnes will probably be very good.  For future touring, I will look for a tent with heavier fabric (especially the tent floor), free standing and with a fly that reaches to the ground, sub-3kg (give or take). A small tent is great if you are stealth camping, but it's so nice to have the touring gear inside the tent and the bike chained to a tree - I just found I slept better that way, so a two person tent for one cycle tourist works well. Hilleberg tents are indeed fantastic - as are most Scandinavian tents - but the price is high.

The great thing about cycle touring, as opposed to hiking, is that you don't carry the weight on your back.  A little extra weight for the tent, sleeping bag and mat, is a well made compromise. To be warm and dry at night is the best way to recover for another day of riding.

On Saturday, March 31, 2012 4:50:24 PM UTC-6, charlie wrote:

[Liesl]

I would also put Nemo tents in the mix. http://www.nemoequipment.com/tents2011

The company is in New Hampshire, tents are sewn in Taiwan, and many of
the non-sewn tent components and accessories are made in the US. I
have the giant Asashi tent for "base camp" style car camping with my
partner and 2 big dogs (okay, okay, yes the dogs sleep in the tent),
but Nemo's little tents would be great for cycling. These are really
thoughful, well made tents and easily available through REI.

liesl

[Ablejack]

I currently use the Nano Elite. (I have had a Tarptent and a Big Agnes in the past as well) I like the Nemo tent enough as it is truly freestanding and very light (under three pounds) for its volume. 

My only gripe is that it 's not as breathable as I would prefer. This is fine for dry nights because the door can be fully mesh all night. But you get wrapped in pretty tight in the rain. If I were to get another tent today it might be the snug Black Diamond HiLight. It is marketed as a 1.5 man tent. It is "snug" as in 6 footers sleep diagonally. Not a problem for one. I do wish, however, the front door window could be zipped open further down. I do like a full mesh door.

[Beth H]

On my last bike campout, I used a very small child's tent --
originally from Walmart but I got mine for four dollars at a yard
sale.
Four poles, built-in vinyl floor and tiny permanent "ranfly" up top.
The whole thing screams "cheap"; I had to seam-seal everything myself.
But you know what? When rolled up and stuffed in its sack it takes up
remarkably little space; and at no-longer-exactly-5' 7" I fit inside
fully stretched out diagonally, with my stuff on either side of me in
the corners. It's the perfect little tent for solo bike-camping.
Beth in PDX

[charlie]

Right on, sometimes less actually is more........and four bucks,
awesome!

[Jim Thill - Hiawatha Cyclery]

Sometimes we enthusiasts get carried away with gear fetishism. Many of us can rattle off detailed specs of various tents on the market, and all for basic portable shelter! Back in college I camped a lot with no tent whatsoever. Then I bought some closeout eureka tent that was poorly reviewed, but cheap and light. I slept in it hundreds of times over the next dozen or so years. It was worn and full of small holes, but adequate, until it finally succumbed to uv damage (from me leaving it outside for the kids all summer). Now I have another tent (Mountainsmith something) that was also on the inexpensive end, and seems just fine for separating me and a traveling companion from bugs and rain. I love the idea of the $4 yard sale tent!

[Mojo]

Nice sentiment Jim! Don't let the gear get in the way of the experience. I can be guilty, especially with a camera trying to 'capture' the moment. I love it when my bike disappears underneath me, and it is just my breathing and the hill and the wind and sunshine.

[EricP]

Agree to a large extent.  However, the past couple of years, been on an overnight bike trip with friends and each time we had a thunderstorm with pretty strong winds.  Both times, my tents stayed up, but not everyone was so lucky.  FWIW, the first trip was with a Sierra Designs Clip Flashlight and the last time was a Eureka that Grant recommended.  Both definitely on the inexpensive end of things.

 

But unless one is really into gear or does take their equipment to extremes, most of us don't need a Hilleberg.  Still, doesn't keep me from wanting one some day.

 

Eric Platt

St. Paul, MN

[erik jensen]

i use a mountain laurel designs tarptent.

no zippers, optimized geometry for severe weather endurance -- if it's nice but just a light rain, you can raise it up and have a nice shelter.

perfect for those of us who prefer to sleep outdoors when we sleep outdoors, but want to stay dry.

i think the whole thing is under 16 ounces, and i can sleep 3 in there comfortably enough. packs the size of my hand.

not sure how much they are anymore, and you can pick the model for your use, but i spent 160 on mine.

http://www.mountainlaureldesigns.com/

erik

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