Thoughts on this tent

[flying start]

What's propels thoughts on this tent

http://www.amazon.co.uk/gp/aw/d/B00322Q ... XRQTE1#top

I'm new to this site and new to bike packing

I'm a keen mountain bike rider and do most or my rideing in the lakes
Sw Scottish Borders

Will also be looking to get most of the camping gear as I don't have any

Been hiding in the back ground just reading people's topics/ posts

And gathering loads of info

Regards.
Lee

[Bearbonesnorm]

Ooh the Gelert Solo

Good Points:
It will keep you dry and won't suffer with condensation too much.
Pack size is fairly small.
Weight isn't bad for a double skin tent.

Bad Points:
They're tiny, you can't do anything except lie down and if you're approaching 6' you can't easily do that.
The poles are glassfibre and have been known to snap (you can make new poles from aluminium using a Vango universal pole kit).
Not much porch room for storing gear and certainly no room to cook under cover.
Pitches inner first, PITA if it's raining.

If you're working on a tight budget then it might be worth a go. If you can stretch things then there's better quality, more useable options out there - Wild Country Zephyros, Luxe Mini-Peak, etc.

Someone may be along shortly to say they've used a Gelert Solo for 5 years and it's been superb ... but I doubt it

[Cheeky Monkey]

Or get a tarp and any number of the "better value" bivi bags (e.g. the Rig7 and Hunka from Alpkit). A bit more knack to it (but it's not rocket science) but probably more versatile than a coffin / mini tent.

Not knocking your choice. Get whatever you feel comfy with and that then helps you get out.

Stu - you need to write the equivalent of "The Ultimate Hang" for bikepacking, you'd clean up ;-)

[summittoppler]

Ooh the Gelert Solo

Someone may be along shortly to say they've used a Gelert Solo for 5 years and .....

Ha, I've had mine for about 4 yearsa nd its........

Tbh, as said before if you're on a budget and just want to 'give it a go' then why not. I think I've only used mine for about 10 nights in total in all that time. Packs small & easy to put up. However this is a very small tent and you can't do much else apart from lay down in it. If you're double jointed or if you don't mind dislocating your hip joint then you could even take your socks off in it I did cook in the porch area of mine a couple of weeks back but as said before they ain't much room and your elbow goes dead!!
All in all I'm glad I got mine but I would like something a little biggger as camping out is great fun and it would be nice to sit up in the thing :)

[flying start]

Thanks for the info guys its much appreciated

Like I say I'm new to all this and a friend of mine told me about it
I'm not on a budget really but I'd like better quality stuff I think

I've thought about the tarp in fact I love the idea of it, so if I go down the tarp roughy
Ill need a good bag and a bivvy bag +a mat?

Does anyone have some pics or links to the kit they use?

[Bearbonesnorm]

Does anyone have some pics or links to the kit they use?

There's plenty of stuff on the link below and lots about tarps.

http://bearbonesbikepacking.blogspot.co.uk/

I've thought about the tarp in fact I love the idea of it, so if I go down the tarp roughy
Ill need a good bag and a bivvy bag +a mat?

Whether you're in a tent or under a tarp you'll be needing a good sleeping bag and mat. A bivvy bag will make life easier under a tarp but it isn't always required, much will depend on the tarp you choose.

A bicycle 3.5 and Hunka from Alpkit will set you back £65 the pair. They'll give you lots of options and with a little practice you won't get wet.

[FLV]

Follow stu's links to the reviews. lots and lots of good tips.

also, have a browse of the bivi a month (and other threads) for pics of peoples set ups throughout the year. They're often quite varied and interesting to look at (if you're that way out)

http://bearbonesbikepacking.co.uk/phpBB ... =10&t=1471
http://bearbonesbikepacking.co.uk/phpBB ... =10&t=2961

[Ray Young]

Alpkit 3.5 tarp and hunka bivi bag is great value at £65 as Stu says. I bought the standard hunka but if I was to buy again then I'd go for the xl as it is a bit less restrictive. If you want poles for the tarp then I highly recomend Stu's own polar bear poles.

[Mike]

If I were in the market for a bikepacking tent id try and pick up a second hand terra nova laser comp. I have one and its great. Pricy new but worth it. Fairly lightweight robust and packs small enough.

[flying start]

Wel what can I say my first post and loads of freindly people with good advice


S8tannorm thank you for the link it's helped loads

I'm liking the tarp more and more

Thanks lee

[Bearbonesnorm]

Just spotted Zephyros 1 for the right money: http://www.theoutdoorshop.com/showPart.asp?part=PN5652

[jamiep]

Just spotted Zephyros 1 for the right money: http://www.theoutdoorshop.com/showPart.asp?part=PN5652

Argghhh I am haemorrhaging money. Just bought after being on the lookout since last summer at the right price. Thanks for the post

[Zoglug]

If you look about you can pick up some excellent bargains. From the classifieds on Outdoors Magic i picked up a Zephyros 2, used only a couple of times for £65 including postage. Now i just need to work out the best way to pack it onto my bike.