Cheap trekking pole?
perhaps should have been clearer. I have trekking poles but I’m looking for something to fit in my frame bag.
I’ll def be using it with a trekking pole when I start going back out with d of e groups.
I bought a carbon pole of AliExpress when I bought my lanshan 1. Being that it doesn't come with a pole I figured that would be a good time to buy one 😂
Yea same as adave2 - I brought mine from Ali when I brought the tent.
I got a 125cm:
￡35.57 | Ultralight Lightweight Carbon Fiber 3F Lanshan Asta Zpacks Tent Support Rod Sturdy Stiff Rigid Tent Pole
https://a.aliexpress.com/_msvjFLA
I bought mine from Ali express, weighs under 100g and seems solid so far.
Alternatively alpkit do one but I think the 125cm has sold out. Email them to see when it's back in stock.
https://alpkit.com/products/vertex-tarp-pole
I've even seen people whittle a small branch down for ultimate lightweight backpacking. 🤣
Did you buy a 1 or a 1pro?
If you bought a pro 1 l, have you seam sealed it? If you bought a 1 you might want to seam seal it round the attachments points just to be sure.
Hmm. Some confusing info about what is the correct pole length for the newer lanshan design. Those of you with the 125cm poles - do you have the 2021 version of the tent?
I went for the 120 and if I need to make it bigger I'll shove something under it. So far 120 has been fine. Mines the newer model too.
Hm, the price of the pole has gone up to £38 for me, so will prob be >£40 once tax is added. Will see if alpkit are getting any in soon and if not sell my childrens organs and buy the bearbones one*.
*I know it's not really that expensive.
Solo camping.....
If your priority is camping then go bivvy bag and tarp. It's all part of the fun setting up camp and sitting out in the evening maybe with a small fire and a dram. Weather depending obviously.
Where if your priority is riding with a last minute pitch at dusk where you are very tired and just need some sleep. Then go tent. One you can pitch in a oner quickly.
Neither are right or wrong, just different.... There will of course be someone along shortly to recommend a hammock 😆
Pole. Surely ebay any cheap tent off the bay. Or try a walking pole.
https://www.decathlon.co.uk/p/1-affordable-hiking-pole-mt100/_/R-p-122861
Anyone have any suggestions other than spending half the price of the tent again at Barebones for a pole?
I got a pole made for my lanshan teepee tent by someone from eBay..was even able to say how long I wanted it to fold to so that it would fit in my frame bag. Wasn't expensive.
I was going to also add that my lanshan teepee tent can go up outer only so is like a tarp only better (in some ways) big though as it sleeps 2.
Ended up going for a BearBones pole to guarantee I get it in time for my trip. No regrets as Stuart is a pleasure to deal with.
Tent + pole + pegs comes in at a shade under 950g - I think my bivy & tarp comes in at about 900g so no complaints from me. Will have to rethink my packing methods to fit it in a it but it'll hopefully be worth it for a bit more warmth.
I've just read all that and it has got me wondering how you all know if there are going to be midges or not before you set off? Seasons obviously, wind?
Apologies if thats a daft question, most of my 'camping' is in a campervan!
My one bikepacking trip was the Calder Divide Trail last September but we've entered the Jennride so I'll soon be doubling that... I opted for the luxury of a reasonably light Alpkit 2 man tent for the space and didn't regret it.
Bit late now but you can buy carbon poles on eBay really cheaply, and the joints and bungee to go with so you can make your own shock corded poles. You can choose your diameter for the tubes. I bought some thin stuff to make long tent stakes for less than solid ground, and 3D printed ends for them.
eBay is the place to go for that kind of gubbins, also kevlar cord in a variety of thicknesses, those little metal bits to make adjustable guys, tiny carabiner clips etc etc. Great resource.
how you all know if there are going to be midges or not before you set off?
Region, weather, time of year but also where you actually end up camping. Anywhere there's still water or wet ground results in lots of midges.
That said, there are many more biting insects besides midges and there are lots of midges outside Scotland. I have a midge-proof head net that is tiny and weighs hardly anything, to be deployed in an emergency, although I am not sure there's an eyelet from which to hang it on my tarp. I need to fix that.
I usually chuck a headnet in the bag from now until late September wherever I am in the UK. It's saved my sanity on a number of occasions. I don't mind sleeping in it.
Re: tent vs bivi, it's as much weather dependent as insect activity. Watch the forecast. I'd normally be in/under a bivi by late April, but after cycling through snow showers on Monday I was glad of the extra shelter a small tent provided.
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Just to hijack this thread a bit.
I've currently got an Alpkit Ordus 2, which I've be using on my last tours and quite happy with it.
However I am thinking of going lighter and smaller for an up and coming tour (1kg or less).
Been looking at the Lanshan 1 tent, but have reservations about durability and whether it will get here on time (I need it before June). I think someone mentioned they usually take about 3 weeks to arrive? Are they a quality piece of kit that will last out, as long as it is looked after?
Also been looking at some of the MSR tents such as the Freelite 1. Fairly happy with durability as they seem to be similar construction to the Alpkit stuff, but with a hydrostatic head of 1200mm are they really suitable for UK/ European use?
Any other recommendations as it's quite hard to choose?
Bump
A superlight tent will never be as durable as a quality heavier one. Its all about the thickness of the material
I would recomend the trekkertent but you won't get a new one in time tho the odd secondhand one does appear now and then
my big trekkertent stood up well to 70 -80 nights in it last summer but I did tear it being clumsy with the pole. Easily repaired
Cheers TJ
Will have a look at second hand ones.
There is a facebok group for them - they appear on there sometimes
@ricko1984 - I know someone selling a Trekkertent Stealth 1. Only been used maybe 5-6 times. PM me if you want me to pass on your details.
The Lanshan is very light but seems well built for the money. If used with a footprint and set up properly there's no reason why it shouldn't last. If it does rip, it should be easy enough to repair.
My previous tent lasted really well but I damaged it when it was packed up strapped to the bike and something rubbed a hole in it.
Hi Scotroutes (sorry don't know how to link your name), that would be really helpful thanks as looks like a nice tent.
The stealth 1 is pretty small - I have the 1.5.
Click on scotroutes name and you can message him
Thanks TJ
