Messages

31

Gear Talk / Re: tent for transam

« on: October 07, 2012, 05:13:42 pm »

Did some research, and visited my local REI (20% off this week for any 1 item) and read here a bunch - a few tents that catch my eye that I wonding if any of you have input on:

Big Agnes Fly Creek 2           $370.00  2 lbs. 10 oz. Pack size: 6.5 x 19"    Floor: 86 x 52"  Peak: 38"
Big Agnes Copper Spur UL1  $350.00  2 lbs. 12 oz. Pack size: 5.5 x 16"    Floor: 90 x 42"  Peak: 37"
Eureka Spitfire 1                   $130.00  3 lbs. 4 oz.   Pack size: 5.0 x 22"    Floor: 96 X 42"  Peak: 40"
REI 1/4 Dome T1                   $219.00  3 lbs. 7 oz.   Pack size: 6.5 x 19.5" Floor: 85 x 39"  Peak: 37"

The Spitfire is mentioned here a couple times as a good, light, cheap choice, but is not freestanding

The Fly creek is in stock at REI and while the spendiest, is the lightest by a bit - it is well reviewed by backpackers, but little tourist comment

The Copper spur is a bit cheaper, but more totally freestanding, and more roomy. It also has shorter poles (16") which will fit better on a rack

Not much comment on the quarter dome - it's a bit heavier, but quite roomy (it's a square footprint)

Then of course, I can clean up and keep my JanSport -
LOTS of room, but even with new poles (~$50), a new fly (~25 fabric) it will still weigh ~ 4 #.

Thoughts??

32

Gear Talk / Re: Panniers - dry bag vs. traditional

« on: October 06, 2012, 05:56:35 pm »

@dombrosk - thanks - I think I understand, and agree as to the throw away bit. The price does make me cring though.

@staehpj1 - as for the GT54 being overkill is size - Yup. I travel much lighter. But all brands have a range, so there are always alternatives in each type.

@newfydog - Good input. but I will be on road - isn't that much easier on bags (less jaring, running into bushes...)??

@Bike Hermit - I looked at these. A possible, though the rear bags may be a bit big, and the front small.

@litespeed - it's comments like yours that led me to posting this question. You are not alone in your view. Oh, I'd love a set of Gordon's racks, but cant justify them at this time - I'd take a rock and road too!

Ahhh. decisions, decisions - lots of good into, but still looks like nothing that screams at me as to directions. Seems the lack of pockets are a minor annoyance for some, leading them to regular bags, but water is a big anoyance for those going to dry bags. My existing bags only have a surface mesh pocket anyway, and I don't have (but will be getting) a bar bag. Does that mean I should aim at dry bags??? 

33

Gear Talk / Re: tent for transam

« on: September 30, 2012, 02:20:51 pm »

@ staehpj1 - my ok for 3 weeks comment is that I was getting tired of the cramped tarp tent after 3 weeks but put up with it. I think I'd hate it after 3 months. The temp comments are good - that's the kind of info I need. I can tolerate heat better than most as we Arizonans sleep at 80* in the summer as normal, but "it's a dry heat"  None the less, I want to sleep at night!  On cost, if I have to pay more then I will. I just don't want to waste or overspend uunnecessarily.

34

Gear Talk / Re: Panniers - dry bag vs. traditional

« on: September 30, 2012, 11:47:28 am »

@doms. Thanks. Your responce is very helpful as it is so much like my situation. Question: what convinced you to spend the extra $ for Arkel vs an decent but cheaper bag like the axioms?

35

Gear Talk / Re: tent for transam

« on: September 30, 2012, 11:39:05 am »

Hondo,
Do you mean replace the fly with a Leigh tarp?  That's another interesting idea. I could easily make a silicon impregnated fly for it as the shape is simple. Since the poles and fly are half the weight I might be able to cut the total to 4 #.  That seems decent for what would then be an almost no compromise tent. Interesting idea...

36

Gear Talk / Re: tent for transam

« on: September 30, 2012, 09:26:32 am »

Thanks folks.  I am also thinking that another possibility is to clean up my janSport and replacing the dying and heavy fiberglass poles with new lighter and shorter segmented aluminum poles. That tent really can pitch w/o stakes and while a bit heavy, provides real privacy w/o the fly. My guess is that with new poles it would be 4 1/2 # total. Does that seem high?

37

Gear Talk / tent for transam

« on: September 29, 2012, 06:06:24 pm »

Planning for the transam next summer. I'd did the Pacific coast with a tarp tent, but given bugs I think I need a real tent for the transam. Plus, a cozy abode, while ok for 3 wks is a no for 3 months. I do have a 30+yr old janSport wedge (2/3 2 person dome) which was a nice tent in its day, but is worn and smelly and weighs 5 # total. So it seems time for a new tent. I see the spitfire noted as cheap and light, but what other choices are there?  I *think* I wan't a true free standing tent.  I know I want to be able to sit up (I'm 5' 10") can go to say $300 if I have to, but don't want to spend frivolous. And I prefer to stay light. So what do you all think?

38

Gear Talk / Re: Panniers - dry bag vs. traditional

« on: September 29, 2012, 03:41:31 pm »

Thanks for the info all.  Seems there are some of you who are considering moving away from dry bags to traditional bags after all.

So maybe the Axiom LaSalles are an OK choice after all?  That would certainly be cheaper.

Next up, a post to get tent opinions...

39

Gear Talk / Panniers - dry bag vs. traditional

« on: September 27, 2012, 02:42:15 pm »

I know this is an old question, and traditional wisdom suggests that it's pretty much a personal choice. but...

I am about to replace my aging rear panniers for a planned transam trip next summer. Since retirement is looming, I may well use these a lot more, so want to choose wisely.

What I have now is a pair of ~ 20 year old blackburn side load bags that I believe are specifically designed for blackburn low-riders.  I used them for a Pacific coast tour 15 years ago, but they have sat since, so are in great shape.

My rear bags are a different story. They are almost as old, but have been used for commuting, an average of 2 days a week for 15 years. They are shot and need to be replaced.  What they are is front/rear either or sized REI bags, I believe made by Kirtland. Also side load, one mesh pocket only. IIRC the model is Explorer.

I am thinking Axiom as they look to be above average quality, but reasonably priced, and well reviewed. But they have a huge variety. What appeals to me now, is the LaSalle and monsoon, depending on dry bag vs. traditional.

From the searching and reading I have done, I see that many of the ACA / tour leaders eventually ended up in dry bags (usually Ortlieb), but I don't see any cases where someone started with dry bags (of any type) and switched to traditional bags. That makes me think that as tourist get more and more experience, they gravitate to dry bags, and I might be better off to do that now, since I am changing.

What do you experts think here?

Then the question of brand: If I move up to dry bags, the Monsoon (or Typhoon) costs between $90 and $100 vs. $65-$75 for the LaSalle. You could argue that I'm within such a short difference to the Ortlieb bags that I might as well bite the bullet and get what many think is the ultimate bag now. While I can afford that, and I do want to buy bags will last me for a long time, unless there is a significant difference in quality to justify the increased price, axiom bags are not bad. I have one of their laptop bags (transition) now and it really is a pretty decent bag.

I should also note that there are going to be some other purchases I will likely need to do, such as replacing my tent, purchasing a handlebar bag, new cyclo-computer, etc.

All told, airfare, trip expenses, new equipment… Is likely to run me $5000 so I recognize that overall this is not a cheap trip.

So what are all of your thoughts here? Go what is probably good enough (the LaSalle bags), go with axiom dry bags, or go for the gold (Ortlieb)?