dags

Hi there,

I am currently living in Perth Australia and Planning to head to New Zealand South Island to tour the Island by bike. I was wondering if there is any gear I'm better off buying ahead of time that I might get a better price on. I think I'll be riding for 3-5 weeks. What online shops are good for gear, what accessories should I consider getting now before I go to NZ.

Cheers,
Dan

fks

Having your bike set up prior to departing is a must. It will be easier to buy the gear you need in OZ and give it all a trail run prior to leaving. That way you can sort out your camping set up. Make sure that you have adequately low gearing for NZ, 22-34 for a 26 in wheel will see you over just about any hill in the sth island.

mikeey01

Hi Dan,

"What online shops are good for gear, what accessories should I consider getting now before I go to NZ"?

What sort of gear & accessories are you meaning / thinking of?
fks pointed out and I'd recommend the same, buy the hardware type stuff and test it firstly.

What time of year are you thinking of doing the SI?
It really does matter when it comes to what type of equipment you'll need in NZ.
It can get down to 5 degrees one night and never go below 25 the next over summer.

https://www.trademe.co.nz/
https://www.completeoutdoors.co.nz/
https://www.torpedo7.co.nz/

As for spares, there are bike shops all over the place, most have a good selection of spares and can get stuff sent over night if needed.

dags

Hey FKS thanks for the tips and the specifics on the gearing and mikey cheers for the sites.

I plan on coming at the beginning of March and cycling through the entire month. Would a sleeping bag rated to -5 c do me fine? I thought I can get an extra lining if rather than by another bag.

cheers for the links. Would there be any links for set ups people have done in the past for a trip like this?

mikeey01

Dan,

March is perfect, the weather is normally settled with mild cool-ish nights (no frosts).
As for your sleeping bag, no worries at all. It's what I've got and we've travelled into April & May, frosts and all, without too many worries before.

As for setup links...
I've read a really good write up on South Island NZ recently, when I find it again I'll post the link in here.

Setups? take your pic...
You could gear up for tent camping or you could gear down for staying in camping grounds with cabins only.
The camping grounds in NZ are very good, full kitchens n all.

We normally do a bit of both, if it's wet then we'll try and get a cabin (they are cheap) if not then we tent.
We don't do freedom camping and I would recommend staying in camping grounds to anyone touring NZ, they are clean cheap and safe.
I use an extrawheel voyager with the bike loaded too, yeah I'm the pack horse I carry most of the wife and kids stuff.

Camp grounds...
https://www.jasons.co.nz/south-island...-holiday-parks
https://www.nzcamping.co.nz/island.php?id=2
https://www.top10.co.nz/

Camping type sites...
https://www.doc.govt.nz/parks-and-rec...e-information/


Regarding the weather, I read the following which I thought was so true....
If it's fine on the east coast stay away from the west (rain)
If it's raining on the east coast head to the west ( it'll be fine)

Keep an eye on the weather for the towns / areas your heading too here...
https://metservice.com/national/home
It'll at least give you some idea on what to expect in the way of tempertures during the day / overnight leading up to your start date.

On tour
Get a weather app for your phone such as NZ weather and Traffic, written by Ben L.
Bens one gives a metservice pencil head type map, fronts, wind, rain, rain radar, satellite imagery etc etc..
There are free wi fi hot spots all over NZ

There are also local prepay sim cards (available almost anywhere) if needed.
https://www.2degreesmobile.co.nz/home
https://www.vodafone.co.nz/
https://www.telecom.co.nz/mobile/


Hope the above helps.