A tarp Q ... if you'd be so kind.

[Bearbonesnorm]

If you were on the look out to buy a new tarp/shelter, how important to you would the ability to pitch it using your bike/wheels be?

If a lightweight (say sub 100g), reasonably priced pole was available, would you be less concerned about the the ability to use your bike?

Ta

[pedalhead]

Ideally I'd like to be able to use it with a bike wheel or a pole, but pole-only wouldn't be a deal breaker. (I just bought a Hexamid that requires a pole).

[Ray Young]

My tarp use/experience is limited so having said that I did try several methods of erecting my 1.5 x 2 tarp using the bike/wheels but came to the conclusion that the extra weight of poles is worth it for convenience/ease of use so yes, i would happily carry a pole.

[gairym]

i don't think the wheel issue would ever be a deal-breaker for me but it just kind of makes sense to use something you're already taking with you (and I usually take at least 1 if not 2 wheels!).

[Dan_K]

Agree with Gary really. Makes sense to use what you carry but it wouldn't be a deal breaker.

I'd weigh up all the pros and cons. If you're thinking of going into production of something special, i'll be interested to hear what you come up with.......

I'm awaiting delivery of my Tarptent Stratospire 2 (stupid customs) which uses trekking poles so bike-friendly alternatives could be ideal. I did order the additional carbon poles so it'll be interesting to weigh them when they arrive and see how they stack up.

[pedalhead]

Ah it's not just my Hexamid that's stuck in customs then!

[Ian]

If you were on the look out to buy a new tarp/shelter, how important to you would the ability to pitch it using your bike/wheels be?

It depends on the dimensions of the tarp and whether or not I want to be able to sit up or not.

If a lightweight (say sub 100g), reasonably priced pole was available, would you be less concerned about the the ability to use your bike?

For my Hexamid tarp I got a couple of sections of Easton pole and some connectors/ ends and made my own weighing 50g for about £12

[Bearbonesnorm]

It depends on the dimensions of the tarp and whether or not I want to be able to sit up or not.

Very good point Ian ... I like something I can sit up under (obviously for me that means it actually doesn't have to be that high) anyone feel the same way about height ?

[chris n]

I would prefer to use a pole wherever possible. For my preferred pitches (a sloping A-frame and a half-pyramid) a pole is much more useful than a bike as the bike just gets in the way. I've just bought a new tarp (5'x8' Siltarp 1) and will use it with two poles: a 115cm, 105g pole at the high side and a 30cm long, 35g pole for the low end of the A-frame or as a lifter on the half-pyramid. I definitely prefer to be able to sit up under the tarp - 1m is about the minimum height I'd need.

[DanLear]

Being a lanky-type a pole gives much more flexibility in pitching options, so a cheap, lightweight option would be highly desirable.

Like others I find pitching with just a bike tends to make getting in and out of the tarp tricky (possibly just due to crap pitching :? ), and also often ruins the view...

[Ian]

If a lightweight (say sub 100g), reasonably priced pole was available

Stu, what do you have in mind this pole being made of - alloy, or carbon?
Also, have you done any research into stiffness/ diameter of different poles?

(third question for maximum points - what's the OD for one of those red MSR extendable poles?)

[Bearbonesnorm]

Stu, what do you have in mind this pole being made of - alloy, or carbon?
Also, have you done any research into stiffness/ diameter of different poles?

(third question for maximum points - what's the OD for one of those red MSR extendable poles?)

Pole in mind would be aluminium - I can source it in the UK and it'll be way cheaper than a carbon option.

I've found that 10mm - 11mm O/D works fine without much flex ... as long as the tarp isnt too big and the pole doesn't need to be much over 110cm in length.

MSR = 16mm O/D