Product Review - Topeak Bikamper EXP

This is an innovative product that has caught my eye at Interbike last year: a superlight (2 lbs) one person tent that uses bicycle innertubes for it's structure:



Chris and I each got one of these before our tour, and I think once we learned how to pitch them properly, we're both pretty pleased with their performance. It's kind of cool that in a pinch you have a spare innertube in your tent, too.

After pitching it and sleeping in it a few times now, I'm ready to give the world a product review. One of the things that confounded Chris and I is that after 2 years on the market, there is nary a review of the Bikamper or Bikamper EXP to be found on the internet.

First off, I think we probably pushed the temperature range of this tent to its lower limit. While good sleeping bags kept us plenty warm, even in freezing temperatures, this is a single-wall tent, so some condensation inside is unavoidable.

On the overnight where it wasn't freezing, I had no condensation buildup, and was much happier with the single-wall design.

The ventilation is adequate, with vents on both ends, on the far side, and a roll-up door with bug screen. I slept with this open on dry nights. The key to pitching it well is the tautness of the end stakes (do these first). Topeak includes some very high-quality aluminum angle-stock stakes that stay put nicely. I didn't have any of these work loose during the night.

This is not a tent for the claustrophobic! I'm a sound sleeper, and I pretty much roll in place, so I had no problems with the small interior space. Not much gear fits in here with you, so have an alternate plan for keeping your stuff dry (waterproof panniers were my waterproofing plan).

All in all, I was surprised at the quality and performance of this tent, since Topeak is not known as a tent manufacturer. For Spring/Summer/Fall bicycle campers, I think it's a great option, and at $160 pretty reasonably priced, too.

It's also very, very compact. You can strap it to your handlebars, on top of your rear rack, or pretty easily find a place for it inside your panniers.

If you're traveling light, and by yourself, the Topeak Bikamper EXP deserves a look. These tents must be special ordered through a distributor, so if you need one for a trip be sure to give us about 3-4 weeks notice. That way you can have yours for at least a week to try it out before departing.

Read Chris' Bikamper review.