AdvXtrm

I'm about ready to buy a tent, and I would like to find one that would at least have a better chance at withstanding more severe weather, but not weigh too much or cost too much either. So yes, waterproof, taped seems, etc. Not sure what fair weight would be for a tent on a bicycle. As for cost, I want to keep it under $500, and of course the less expensive the better, provided I'm not loosing out on structural integrity and weather resistance. Once I set out, I'll be on the road for quite some time. I have no car, and no money for hotels and such. That tent may end up being my home for at least a while as well, so it's got to be good and dependable for me. I'd like something roomier than a singe person tent, so a two-person tent is what I'm interested in. I'd also like to avoid these bright blinding colors they so many of them are coming out in. I need something a bit more subdued and stealthy for obvious reasons.

So, what are some tents I should be looking at considering what my needs are?

Machka 

Ours was about 120 Euro ... bought a few days into a European tour from a Decathlon back in 2007. It has withstood some wild weather (including today) and is still going.

AdvXtrm

Brand and model? Any specific brand/model recommendations that may be available to me in the US?

Machka 

Quechua ... and no idea what's available in the US I don't live there.

PedalingWalrus

I would add to your requirements a tent you don't need to seam seal (with taped seams)

staehpj1

Given your listed requirements, I think the MSR Hubba Hubba would be a reasonable choice. It is about $300, well made, and quite roomy. I only use mine when there are two of us sharing it.

Personally I an inclined toward carrying much less tent and like my Eureka Spitfire 1 quite a bit when I take a tent (I take a 5 ounce bivy and a 7 ounce tarp most of the time these days). The Spitfire packs small, was inexpensive (a little over $100 if you shop around), and light. It is a really nice tent IMO, especially for the price. I do recommend replacing the cheap steel stakes for lighter ones.

There is also a Spitfire 2. I have no experience with it, but based on my experience with the Spitfire 1 I think it probably is a nice tent.

AdvXtrm

Thanks, I just did.

I like the Hubba Hubba, but I don't like the bright colors.

AdvXtrm

Right now I really like this one.

Big Agnes - Seedhouse SL2

PedalingWalrus

Looks great

indyfabz

I have one. Nice tent, but look at their Copper Spur UL2.

Tandem Tom

We have had the BA Copper Spur 3 since 2012. It has been to Europe 2x and across the US and a number of other trips. Great tent!

Squeezebox

Euraka is inexpensive, from Campmor, heavy for the size it is. Copper Spur interior space is impressive, freestanding. Hubba Hubba pretty much the same. Seed house not free standing, less interior, front entrance. Check out Zpacks duplex. VERY light, can be bought free standing, very expensive. Most sturdy tent might be the Hiliberg. Also very expensive. Look at Tarp tent, and Light heart, both very well respected by the hikers. Tarp tent Notch,or Mo trail would be good. Definately check out Rei, Their 1/4 dome is less expensive and a bit heavier. $20 membership will get you a 20% off coupon. They carry a lot of stuff. Rei credit card gets another 5%.
You probably want a 2 person tent, particularly since you say you'll be out there for a while. Tyvek for a ground sheet. Wash it 1st to get the stiffness out. Zpacks sells it by the foot.
Personally I have a Copper spur 2. Love it. If I were rich I'ld have a Zpacks.

bikemig 

+ 1. This is the tent I thought of when I read the OP's post. The price is reasonable and the tent is reasonably light weight and reasonably stout. It's a good compromise.

1989Pre 

Adv, I think you can save 100 bucks (and gain 2" of internal height) by going with the Kelty Trail Ridge. I have an older version of this Kelty, and at 55 inches wide, is a little wider than a lot of 2-person tents:


https://kelty.com/trail-ridge-2-with-footprint/


(Big Agnes doesn't give the floor dimensions of the Seedhouse).

Older version (I haven't camped in windy conditions, yet):

gerryl

I have a Sierra Designs Flaslight 2.
Used it this past summer for 3 months, every day.
Very roomy.
Two vestibules.
Two doors.
Sets up fast.
Fits in my front panniers w/o polls.
Light at about 1.7Kg.
It's a single wall tent, so you have to watch for condensation.

bikemig 

How do you feel about it in high winds? I have the flashlight 1. I like how roomy it is but I haven't hit a really serious storm in it yet.

grizzly59

Mountainsmith Morrison 2, a lot of tent for not a lot of $$

Mountainsmith Morrison 2

https://www.amazon.com/Mountainsmith...=morrison+tent

gerryl

The tent has extra tie down points on the top of each pole. Those really came in handy when a storm blew through southern France this past September. When all the tie downs are used, the tent is extreme stable and secure. That was the only time in 3 months that I figured I needed the extra security. The only issue that I had was that some of the stakes where coming out of the rocky ground - it was windy!

Squeezebox

I think the seedhouse is the same floor space as the copper spur.

BobG

I have a Big A Seedhouse SL1. The Seedhouse SL2 pictured above by AdvXtrm is a better choice as it has an additional 2 inches of head room allowing one to sit up in a chair (if you have one) to read or wait out bad weather. My head touches the top sitting up in the SL1. Wish I had bought the SL2. Only 7oz more weight.

My only other quibble with the SL1 is that the drip line at the vestibule is above the interior floor of the tent. I assume the SL2 is the same. In rain you must zip the door shut rather than let the breeze blow through. SL2...

cyccommute 

Big Agnes is a good choice all the way around. I have an Seedhouse SL2 and Fly Creek UL1. Both are good tents that can take the elements. My SL2 stood up to a very frightening night of thunderstorms in eastern Texas. It faired much better than I did...I spent the night in the masonry bathroom when the thunder preceded the lightning flashes. I'm not a fan of being electrocuted in my sleep

Here's the morning after



As for any drip problems, all you have to do is partially close the door. It doesn't cut down on the air flow much.

biker222

Great tent for the price. I have used one for about 4yrs. Did cross-country bike tour with it and camped it over
120 days. Been in some 30-50MPH winds. Still using original equipment except I went with MSR stakes.

fietsbob

You want to hide your Bike ? with a Black Diamond Mega Light you put it Up, over your Bike
https://www.bikeforums.net/touring/10...e-tenting.html

It has No Floor, so add a ground Cloth where you put your sleeping bag .

robow

I looked at both the BA SL1 and SL2 and selected the SL2 for that reason. Mind you, the floor area in the SL2 is still not excessively large at 27 sq. ft but it is quite adequate for 1 person. These tents have multiple tie downs in case of inclement weather but for normal use, several can go unused.

I also agree with BobG and the one shortcoming I have with the tent is remembering the drip line.

Ty0604

+1 - I love my Eureka Spitfire! I got mine for $74.99 at Dick's Sporting Goods. I'm not sure if mine is the 1 or the 2 though. I ditched the steel stakes for aluminum ones.

Eureka even replaced my tent free of charge ($8 shipping) after a raccoon tore a hole in my tent a few weeks ago. The guy said it wasn't covered under their normal warranty but found my story funny and did as such as a one time gesture of good faith.

Photo shows tent without the rainfly.