I have used a Nemo Hypno EX airbeam-supported tent for the last six months, and love it. I'm 6'4", so I either sleep diagonally or stake the middle of one door out to create clearance. That's as close to a negative thing as I can say about it. I bought an Ahwahnee after coveting one for decades, spotted the Nemo a week later and ordered it, and have never used the Ahwahnee.

The Hypno EX is 84" x 53" x 36" tall, weighs 4lbs 2oz and stuffs to roughly the size of a volley ball with compression (8" x 9" per company lit). A hand pump comes with it, and a foot pump is available. Either way, you can have it inflated in a minute or so. To break camp, deflate in 5 seconds or so, stuff, and you're done. Fastest tent I ever had, and without poles to contend with, also the smallest bundle for that size tent.

It is single walled, waterproof and breathable, and had no condensation inside on a rainy night at the HU meeting in North Carolina last weekend. You can vent low and high, crawl out through the bottom of the door without unzipping the upper zipper (if you're athletic?), and spend as long as you want extolling its virtues to interested parties. In fact, another rider bought mine last weekend (I had a new one plus a Morpho AR--the next size up--waiting for me at home. Gadgets will be the death of me!).

The Hypno EX is not in the 2007 line-up (they say they intend to lengthen it for 2008, as requested), but would be worth looking for (discount camping gear companies, ebay, etc.). I haven't tried my new Morpho, yet, but expect equal results except that it won't pack quite as small (it's 112" x 64" x 42" tall. For comparison, the Ahwahnee is 90" x 53" x 45" tall and weighs 6lbs 11oz packed vs 5lbs 11oz for the Morpho.).

The Khyam range is excellent for tents which erect in under a minute. Great in lashing wind and rain!

Ive had my Khyam for 15 years no parts have brocken used it in Oz / US & Europe got a few rips now which are patched with gaffer tape so have just brought a new one . Hope this one lasts as well.
Kev

does anyone make a tent/sleeping bag us tall chaps can fit in properly? never mind, at least we can touch the ground with both feet when we're on our bikes

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dave

Hiya

I've read the whole of this thread with great interest but it's not answered my initial questions I had....

My better half wants to travel with some kind of camp bed on her bike... don't ask why I've been trying to convince her otherwise....

So this would put her 8 inches of the ground.... but still about the same size as her thermarest..... I really like the Vaude Mark II having used them before and I can't take my ever trusty Terra-Nova Trisar as it won't fit in...

She wants a tent with an END ROOM - for storing bike gear in... and big enough to get the camp bed in.... oh and me.... any suggestions...

Tony.

PS: She'd love to stand up in it too... if that's not too much to ask...

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Tony Robson
I'll try anything once, twice if it didn't kill me!

Tony,
Such tents exist of course but you need a trailer to carry them; lots of families will be camping right now, all over Europe at least, in such contraptions complete with the kitchen sink!

Good luck in your quest for the perfect tent.

Naturally, they are not fast to put up, nor to take down, especially in high winds.

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Dave

Camp beds are not the way to go if you're going to be sleeping in a cooler climate. The air gets underneath the bed and makes for a very cold night - even if you have a good sleeping bag. Cold air on the back all night = stiff back in the morning = uncomfortable riding during the day.

I have to second this!! Tadpole 23 I love it... BUT we use it for two people. all the time it is squeeze but as a couple it is fine.... and we used its predecessor "the slick rock2 (same floor plan, just different fly ) for two people and all gear for 6 months on the road..

if you want a little bigger there is also the tadpole 33 (new model 34? i think).. for "3 people"..
exactly the same but bigger floor/footprint

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2000 Africa Twin
http://two-up-ona-twin.blogspot.com

Hiya

Thanks for the advice - I've been working on trying to convince my better half that camp beds are not a good idea - not just for cold patches i.e. back - but also because they take up SO MUCH SPACE when trying to take them on a bike...

I would prefer to take our 2 therma-rests and a good tent - then get a good night in a bed every few days when stopping in a B&B or a hostel on-route....

I'm looking for a tent that has 2 entrances, 2 porches with enough room to put 2 sets of biking gear and 2 set of panniers...

I really like the look of the Vaude MARK II but it's porches aren't big enough..I really like the look of the Wild Country Monsoon.. has anyone had any dealings with this tent???

Terra Nova _ Tents, Sleeping Bags, Camping Accessories

Can anyone suggest similarly alternatives?

Many thanks,

Tony.

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Tony Robson
I'll try anything once, twice if it didn't kill me!

the hilleberg range of tents are worth looking at- as good as the top terra nova quasars- but pricey. Most are made for hikers/climbers were weight is an issue- a cheaper and consequently heavier tent is probally a better deal for your bike. (Also less chance of it been stolen and the inevitable greasy hands wonn't be a big deal)

I've been using the Khyam Sherpa 2 both when travelling solo and with my partner and her bike.

Pros:
It's roomy, both inside the sleeping area and in the vestibule. The vestibule easilly accomodated paniers and bike gear of two people with two bikes. The sleeping area accommodates two people and all their 'precious' stuff easily.
Handled heavy rain (every day for 3 weeks!) and high winds.

Cons:
It's not quick to put up. When I stay put for a few days at a time I don't mind this but when your riding every day you want something real quick to pitch and pack.
Like a lot of tents the slope at the feet end is a bit extreme...it's easy for your feet to push the inner and outer together and then your sleeping bag gets wet. I'm 180cm / 6' so this is only an issue for taller people.

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greencat

Have a look at Gelert.co.uk range of tents or Vango- good value and solid- a tunnel tent with a apex is probally your best configuration for space access and reasonable weight/pack size. prehaps what your better half really just wants is a sense of security and comfort. Try one of the above with a really thick air mattress or a thermarest and eva pad underneath to convince her a camp bed is needed. a set that couples together is probally the best combination of sharing warmth/comfort and packability. (ww.rayjardine.com has some excellent ideas on sleeping arrangements with his wife) A slightly heavier option is a dome with a large vestibule-pretty generic and can vary in quality as mostly used for car camping

Airzone tents, no poles, just air.....

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John C.