Tent question

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MartDude · #1 Post by **MartDude** » Tue Jun 21, 2011 8:22 pm

Need a new biking tent.

I'm considering a couple of Vangos (Beta 350 and Atlas), and one from the Lichfield range (Arisaig 3); all larger than necessary for bike events, but it will also have to be suitable for weekends with Gill.

Anyone using tents from either of these makers? Any good? Haven't bought a small tent for over 20 years

Aladinsaneuk · #2 Post by **Aladinsaneuk** » Tue Jun 21, 2011 8:23 pm

Before I repaired mine, I looked and liked the vango 350 - think they are being advertised cheap on the tv ATM?

BikerGran · #3 Post by **BikerGran** » Tue Jun 21, 2011 8:24 pm

Nope. My previous tents were cheapies - BG Towers wasn't but you wouldn't carry it on a bike!

Nooj · #4 Post by **Nooj** » Tue Jun 21, 2011 8:26 pm

I always try and go for the big brick tents with nice bathrooms, I think Hotel makes them, that's what they all seem to have on the front.

Samray · #5 Post by **Samray** » Tue Jun 21, 2011 8:31 pm

Had one of those Van Goghs for several years, done stirling service.

MartDude · #6 Post by **MartDude** » Tue Jun 21, 2011 8:35 pm

Nooj wrote:I always try and go for the big brick tents with nice bathrooms, I think Hotel makes them, that's what they all seem to have on the front.

Big girl's blouse

#7 Post by **mangocrazy** » Tue Jun 21, 2011 8:53 pm

Vango are very good quality and a reliable choice. I bought a Vango Storm 300 dome tent a couple of years back and I'm dead impressed with the quality and the little design features. I'd definitely go for a 3 person tent (like the Beta 350) as two normal sized humans stand a chance of fitting in them.

2 person tents are suitable only for malnourished dwarves (IMHO, of course).

Aladinsaneuk · #8 Post by **Aladinsaneuk** » Tue Jun 21, 2011 9:10 pm

So speaking of dwarves, we must assume that the company quartermaster buys them for the army...

Nooj · #9 Post by **Nooj** » Tue Jun 21, 2011 9:24 pm

MartDude wrote:
Big girl's blouse

Good work if you can get it.

Falcopops · #10 Post by **Falcopops** » Tue Jun 21, 2011 10:19 pm

I've just got a new bike tent and was initially looking at the expensive end of the range ($200 - $300) that boasted all the impressive stats.

Then I realised I was only likely to use it maybe 10 times a year, so grabbed a $30 thing from Target.

Let's face it, if it's shit, I'll just bin it and get something else, if it lasts a year, bonus.

Consider it's use and ammount of use it'll get and spend appropriately.

MartDude · #11 Post by **MartDude** » Tue Jun 21, 2011 10:36 pm

Falcopops wrote:I've just got a new bike tent and was initially looking at the expensive end of the range ($200 - $300) that boasted all the impressive stats.

Then I realised I was only likely to use it maybe 10 times a year, so grabbed a $30 thing from Target.

Let's face it, if it's shit, I'll just bin it and get something else, if it lasts a year, bonus.

Consider it's use and ammount of use it'll get and spend appropriately.

I considered that approach. But, the new tent has to have reasonable headroom (don't do prolonged crouching any more, except when taken short - knees knackered); there don't seem to any cheapo tents which meet that requirement. Also, as the about-to-be-retired tent has lasted 22 years @ average 6 or 7 outings p.a. I'd be reluctant to replace it with an inferior product, which might let us down at an awkward moment. the most expensive on my shortlist is around £80.00, so it's not going to break the bank. Even if it lasted only 5 years, £80 wouldn't be a deal-breaker.

Dusty · #12 Post by **Dusty** » Wed Jun 22, 2011 12:10 pm

I use a 2 man Vango Omega 250 which is perfect for my solo bike trips as it has a large porch area for wet gear. I consider the separate porch to be an essential in the UK rather than a luxury. It also has alloy poles which are lighter and less liable to break than fibreglass. If you ususally travel two up, the 3 man Omega 350 would probably be better for you. However, head room may not suit your preference but to get more headroom, you'll need a much larger tent which will weigh more and pack larger.

Tweaker · #13 Post by **Tweaker** » Wed Jun 22, 2011 1:27 pm

Ride magazine have a test of 'Biking' tents this month.

BikerGran · #14 Post by **BikerGran** » Wed Jun 22, 2011 5:33 pm

I'll see if I can dig out the research I did when tall-tent hunting!

I only went for mine because a) there's plenty of room on the trike and b) I fell in love with it!

Nooj · #15 Post by **Nooj** » Wed Jun 22, 2011 6:12 pm

and b) I fell in love with it!

That's just weird.