What tents are you guys using?

[il padrone]

Exped Vela I

http://www.exped.com/exped/web/exped_homepage_int.nsf/

There are the Extreme and Ultra Light versions.
I love it!

+1

Can be pitched in under 2 minutes - 1:30 if you're quick. Minimum of 2 pegs will see it standing well for a calm night. Great internal length, space and sit-up height, with a vestibule that will swallow all your panniers. Weighs 1.8kgs.

[ZeroBike]

Exped Vela I

http://www.exped.com/exped/web/exped_homepage_int.nsf/

There are the Extreme and Ultra Light versions.
I love it!

How durable would you say this tent it compared to something like an Akto?

[ianshearin]

That Andromeda 2 extreme looks great, serious contender for me.

http://www.exped.com/exped/web/exped_homepage_int.nsf/b43popup5/DBE73CDA88516A05C1257857003BCBAD?Opendocument

[jags]

if there tents are as good as the rest of there gear then your on a winner i reckon.

[jags]

That Andromeda 2 extreme looks great, serious contender for me.

http://www.exped.com/exped/web/exped_homepage_int.nsf/b43popup5/DBE73CDA88516A05C1257857003BCBAD?Opendocument

wow great looking clever tent what price is it.

[ianshearin]

A quick search doesnt reveal any UK sellers, seen a few prices in Dollars around 700-800.
So I am guessing we are looking at over £500.

Its now on my radar....

[ZeroBike]

A quick search doesnt reveal any UK sellers, seen a few prices in Dollars around 700-800.
So I am guessing we are looking at over £500.

Its now on my radar....

If you follow the links from the exped site, you eventually end up here.

http://www.lyon.co.uk/outdoor/exped-stockists

It doesn't indicate what exped stuff they sell but does give you a list of all UK exped stockists.

So I guess you need to ring around the UK stockists.

[Danneaux]

Its now on my radar....

A bit like Tatonka's Narvik and Alaska series, Ian:
http://www.tatonka.com/defaulten.aspx
Narvik: http://www.tatonka.com/Products/Tents/tents/Narvik-2/2550
Alaska: http://www.tatonka.com/Products/Tents/tents/Alaska-3/2569

My Dutch pal loves his Alaska 3, and having spent the better part of five weeks in it, I can see why. It is not so much a tent as a truly mobile home, and a very roomy and nice place to stay over in. I've pitched and put it away myself, no problem.

Pic of his here: http://www.thorncycles.co.uk/forums/index.php?action=dlattach;topic=3942.0;attach=1112
Description here, pros and cons of using a larger tent: http://www.thorncycles.co.uk/forums/index.php?topic=3942.msg17538#msg17538

Best,

Dan.

[rualexander]

That Andromeda 2 extreme looks great, serious contender for me.

http://www.exped.com/exped/web/exped_homepage_int.nsf/b43popup5/DBE73CDA88516A05C1257857003BCBAD?Opendocument

Looks like an almost direct copy of a Hilleberg Nallo/Nammatj 2GT

[il padrone]

How durable would you say this tent it compared to something like an Akto?

Mine has now done two extended tours of 9 weeks and 5 weeks, camping 90% of the time; a couple of 1week tours; plus a large number of overnight and 2-4 night local tours all in the past two and a half years.

Still going strong, no signs of wear and tear. Overall a very durable tent.

[il padrone]

That Andromeda 2 extreme looks great, serious contender for me.

http://www.exped.com/exped/web/exped_homepage_int.nsf/b43popup5/DBE73CDA88516A05C1257857003BCBAD?Opendocument

A bit like the Hilleberg Nallo GT. However this will be a good bit heavier than the Vela1. Designed for two people plus extra large vestibule.

[ZeroBike]

Mine has now done two extended tours of 9 weeks and 5 weeks, camping 90% of the time; a couple of 1week tours; plus a large number of overnight and 2-4 night local tours all in the past two and a half years.

Still going strong, no signs of wear and tear. Overall a very durable tent.

Thanks

Also how does the Vela rate as a 4 season tent?  I see some sites describing it as a 4 season tent and others describing it as a 3 season tent.

How does it fair in strong winds? 

Can it cope with light snow (probably overkill for bike touring but something to consider).

How do you get on with the unusual door?  Is it fiddly to open and close?


Thanks

[bikepacker]

A friend of mine has an account with Lyon and may be able to get some prices for you if required. I know Lyon do not stock the whole range of Exped tents as I have made enquiries about them in the past.

[jags]

Nice one Alan i like the look of that Andromada can you get any info on that tent.
a lot less money than the nallo gt2 i would imagine.

[rualexander]

Andromeda 2 extreme is 630 euros at this German shop http://www.unterwegs.biz/en/andromedar-ii-extreme-491532.html so about 100 quid cheaper than a Nallo 2gt but also 1kg heavier than the nallo 2gt.
The Andromeda looks to have more room and extra features though.