complete bivi set up......with a small tent.

[ton]

got back to riding my bike a bit, so i am gonna get a few things done while i am able.
i want a full bivi set up. nice and light and packable, but i want a tent rather than a bag.
so what is a good starter kit list.
cheers

[Dan_K]

How much you got to spend? What time of year do you plan to use it?

Do you want a tent or a 1 person tarp/shelter with bug net?

Personally, i'd look at some of the shelters Tarptent have to offer. I've recently bought a Stratospire 2 for hiking and it is excellent for the money but big for one person.

Mats look at Neoair or Exped. Sleeping bags look at Alpkit or similar.

Cooking - look at lightweight gas stoves such as MSR pocket rocket or one of Stu's efforts (click the Bear above to redirect) if you want to cook with meths.

Titanium cookware - look at Alpkit or MSR or Snow Peak.

[ton]

all year round with a small 2 man tent.
nice lightweight synthetic bag will suffice, got plenty of good outdoor clobber.
nice lightweight gas cooking set up.

[Bearbonesnorm]

Ton, I'd consider having a look at the Wild Country Zephyros 2. It's a similar design to the TN Lazers but a touch heavier and much cheaper - http://www.fieldandtrek.com/wild-countr ... ent-783174

Insulated air mat is going to be the lightest mat that's still comfy. I've been using an Exped Synmat UL 7 this year and it's great. Even the short version is pretty long ... in fact long enough for me to think it's full length

As Dan says, AlpKit for a Ti pot/mug, etc and you're not going to find a gas stove much lighter than this - http://www.fieldandtrek.com/karrimor-x- ... 012-787169 It's less than 50g and costs £16 which is bonkers!

[Ming]

I used a zephyros 2 for a 2 week cycle tour in Scotland with my girlfriend recently. For the money it is very nice tent and feels good quality, but check the size before buying. It's very much on the cosy side and the two of us had to top and tail to get a good nights sleep. I'm guessing that is probably the case for most lightweight tents though.

[99percentchimp]

Ton,
I've tended towards tents rather than tarps and have used a TN Laser Large as a two man on the WRT and on the Trans Cambrian Way.... I'm 6'3" and you can get two in there easily. Not too heavy if you're sharing other kit between the pair.
Fits neatly on the bars in an Alpkit Escape Pod tent bag http://www.alpkit.com/shop/cart.php?tar ... ory_id=250 which compresses everything to stop potential front tyre rubbing. Everything else in frame bags and seat packs and a small Camelback each.

[url=http://www.flickr.com/photos/99per ... .jpg[/img]
IMG_1745 by 99percentchimp, on Flickr[/url]

[restlessshawn]

I have one of them karrimor ti stoves, really like it. Fits nicely in an alpkit my ti mug with a 100g cannister, which for a gas setup is pretty light

[Cheeky Monkey]

That's a bargain for that stove. I think there's a few people re-branding it as the one I got from GoOutdoors looks identical except for a different coloured block. Think I paid c.£25. Got no criticisms of it but factor in a windshield or that you'll need to give it some shelter.

[ton]

all advice noted and appreciated fella's.

bloody expensive game this bikepacking in't it? :)

[Cheeky Monkey]

You don't "need" all this. Personally I'd prioritise bag and shelter if you don't have either of these already. Everything else is nice to have / makes life a bit easier / is the latest fad etc.

IMO 8-)

[Tanglefist]

This might be your tent solution;

http://www.outdoorsmagic.com/forum/clas ... 55546.html

"Green Golite Shangri-la 3, fly & 2 man nest. "

Someone's offering a lightweight (1.4kg) two man tent for £150. No idea if they're any good - any opinions around the forum?

[Bearbonesnorm]

I had an SL3 ... fantastic thing. Sold mine to Adjustable Wench who seems to like it.