TT Rainbow and carbon fiber

[Franco Darioli]

Blame Miguel Arboleda for this one.
Already some are wondering about the possible weight of the Rainbow with carbon fiber center pole, end poles (for freestanding) and strut. ( Yes Miguel I can read minds)
Here is a start.
The first shipment of the Rainbow is sold out, there is another one on the 19th, could be sold out also…..
if you order now you can get the cross strut in carbon fiber for no extra charge. Just mention my name ( OK you don’t have to) with your order and you have a 6g lighter tent.
Now, if enough of you ask for the full kit in carbon fiber ( not my choice) Henry will make it available.
Franco
The center strut in the Rainbow does not come under stress, so you are pretty safe.

[Henry Shires / Tarptent]

CF strut, yes, just ask. Arch pole, no, but I do think it would work. I’ll leave it someone else to take the plunge and let us all know how it works out. The Easton aluminum arch pole we use now is 6 ounces; CF might save you 2 ounces. CF trekking pole replacements, maybe. They would be need to pretty stiff and I would have to source them.

-H

[EndoftheTrail]

Hi Henry:

Curious, given the short length of the strut, how much weight savings is there — switching from alum to CF?

[Henry Shires / Tarptent]

The struts are 18″ long and the weight difference is 6 grams (1 ounce = 28.375 grams). We stopped shipping the CF struts in the Squall 2/Virga 2 early on after a few reports of snaps but the stress difference is night and day between the Squall 2 and Rainbow and CF tubing is just fine in the Rainbow. You do, however, need to be a bit more careful with CF, especially if you remove it from the sleeve, because it’s more susceptible to nicks and cuts than aluminum.

[Franco Darioli]

Hi Henry
I could not resist the whole CF kit idea just to stir you up a bit.
( I will try not to do it again)
I do feel that some will try it, personally, as stated, considering the minor weight difference( to me) versus the risk, I would not bother and you made it very clear that it is not your choice.

For the superlight mob
Do you realise that with a full CF kit you can have the lightest freestanding
non midget size tent? Don’t settle for a bivy or a fiddly tarp !
Now go and bother Fibraplex
Franco

[Joshua Mitchell]

Henry,
I wonder if you would be able to source from a similar location that titaniumgoat.com sources their tent / walking staffs from?

[Author]

Posts