MSR - Hubba Hubba Bikepack 2-Person

There are bikepack specific tents (I have a Hubba Hubba Bikepack 2-person tent) and ultra-light hiking tents. Many products have a light or ultralight version. Be prepared to pay premium prices. As for a sleeping bag, some of the ultralight ones pack down to a very compact shape. I prefer to use a quilt and a good sleeping pad during warmer months.

I have the hubba hubba 2p bikepacking cause it was on sale and fits 2 25" pads but I don't actually use it for bikepacking. Its a very well made tent but for some reason the latest run of hubba hubbas have very little mesh on them; like just 4 tiny windows of it. Great for cold weather but it's a sauna in warm weather. I bought mine at REI and I think I am going to return it in favor of the nemo. Just the tent material of the NEMO will be better since it's polyester instead of nylon so it wont stretch in the rain. The hubba hubba also smells like eggs/fart even after using it 5 times lol.

I have the MSR Hubba Hubba bikepacking tent which is right about 2lbs in 1 person variant. It comes with a nice compression sack and foam spacers that can be strapped directly to handlebars although I usually just put it in a larger roll top bar bag with some other things. I think it’s mostly a good tent. The only downside is it can be a kind of hot with the dark rain fly and limited mesh. The upside is that it’s relatively private even without the rainfly, and it holds heat well on colder nights. On really hot trips I’m likely to use a bivvy anyways so this works for me.

It’s a little pricier so may not be what you’re looking for but the hubba hubba 2 is 50% off at backcountry(dot)com. That is a screaming deal for a lightweight tent that’s beginner-friendly.  It’s heavier than all the hiking pole ones so far on this thread (not ultralight weight) but it’s freestanding which makes it a bit easier to manage for a newer backpacker. If he doesn’t have two hiking poles, the hiking pole tents will be a bigger investment, cuz you’ll need poles. 

I’ve seen to many guys in these courses get a four season tent and then have condensation. You need a three season tent. I love my hubba hubba. Would recommend the ultralight.

MSR makes a 1p that is under 2 lbs and the poles are super small. I have a MSR 2p now as I don't care about weight. I used the 1p on my first outing and it was very awesome. MSR Freelite https://cascadedesigns.com/products/freelite-1-person-ultralight-backpacking-tent?_pos=3&_fid=c788cde60&_ss=c