Karl’s Parts Picks: Gear You Can Trust in the Middle of Nowhere

Karl’s Parts Picks: Gear You Can Trust in the Middle of Nowhere

Your guide to the best bikepacking components for New Zealand backcountry missions.

When you’re bikepacking in New Zealand, you quickly learn one thing: gear either works beautifully… or it fails spectacularly. Long climbs, river crossings, washboard gravel, sub-alpine hut tracks — Aotearoa’s terrain finds every weakness.

So when Karl loads up his Cervélo and disappears into the mountains for multi-day adventures, every component on his bike has been chosen because it works. No fluff. No gimmicks. Just reliable kit built to keep you rolling deep in the backcountry.

Below are Karl’s top gear picks — real parts, used in real conditions, on real NZ bikepacking terrain.

1. Schwalbe Racing Ray/Ralph XC Pro – Reliable Grip for NZ Gravel

New Zealand’s backcountry gravel can switch from hardpack to river rock to deep shingle in a heartbeat. The Schwalbe XC Pro tyre handles it all with low rolling resistance and dependable traction.

Why it matters for bikepacking in NZ:

  1. Fast on long gravel straights
  2. Grippy in loose corners
  3. Strong puncture resistance for remote terrain
  4. Great for mixed-surface missions like Molesworth, Rainbow Road, and West Coast trails

If you want a tyre you don’t have to think about, this is it.

2. RockShox Dropper Post – Confidence on Steep NZ Descents

A dropper post on a bikepacking rig? Absolutely. New Zealand’s backcountry routes often descend fast and rough — baby-head rocks, loose clay, ruts, and narrow sidle tracks. A dropper gives control when your bike is heavy and your bags are loaded.

Why it matters:

  1. More stability on technical descents
  2. Easier remounting with a loaded bike
  3. Safer handling when tired or riding after dark
  4. A genuine must-have for hilly NZ backcountry routes

3. Elite Jet Plus 950ml Bottles – Hydration That Lasts

Large water carries are part of NZ bikepacking life — especially on routes with limited resupply points like St James, Dunstan, Clarence, or the Timber Trail.

The Elite Jet Plus 950ml bottles keep dust out with a protective cap and hold enough fluid for big stretches between huts, creeks, and DOC campsites.

Perfect for:

  1. Hot Canterbury and Otago summers
  2. Dry high-country traverses
  3. Multi-hour climbs

Lightweight, simple, dependable.

4. Garmin RTL515 Varia Radar – Safety on Remote Roads

NZ’s big gravel roads can feel empty, but vehicles still appear — and often fast. The Garmin RTL515 radar alerts you well before a car reaches you, even out in the middle of nowhere.

Why it’s essential:

  1. Detects approaching cars up to 140m
  2. Bright day-flash for long-range visibility
  3. Keeps you aware on winding gravel roads

It’s one of the most important safety items you can run on New Zealand bikepacking routes that cross remote but open roads.

5. SRAM Flight Attendant – Smart Suspension for NZ’s Wild Terrain

New Zealand’s backcountry terrain is unpredictable — steep climbs, rough flats, then chunky descents. SRAM Flight Attendant automatically adjusts suspension in real time so you’re always in the right setting.

Why it’s a NZ bikepacking game-changer:

  1. No manual toggling
  2. Saves energy on long climbs
  3. Smooths rough tracks
  4. Works flawlessly under load

No human input. No thinking. It literally does the work for you — ideal when you’ve been pedalling for 8 hours and the brain is mush.

6. SRAM 13-Speed – Range for Real NZ Mountains

Big climbs are part of NZ bikepacking: Old Ghost Road, Rainbow, Mt Difficulty, Nevis, Danseys — the list goes on. SRAM’s 13-speed drivetrain gives massive range for grinding up big ascents and spinning comfortably across long gravel straights.

Best features:

  1. Huge gear range for steep climbs
  2. Smooth, consistent shifting
  3. Ideal for both gravel and road sections
  4. Handles heavy loads with ease

More gears means more comfort and more efficiency deep in the mountains.

Why This Matters: NZ Bikepacking Isn’t Like Anywhere Else

New Zealand has some of the world’s most rugged and beautiful bikepacking terrain — but it’s hard on gear. Your components need to handle:

  1. Remote, rough roads
  2. Steep alpine passes
  3. Dust, mud, rain, river crossings
  4. Multi-day loads
  5. Long stretches between towns

Karl’s setup isn’t theoretical — it’s proven. These are the parts that keep him rolling when he’s days from the nearest shop.

Ready to Gear Up for Your Next Adventure?

Whether you’re planning:

  1. the Old Ghost Road
  2. the Tour Aotearoa
  3. the Molesworth Muster
  4. the Timber Trail
  5. or a DIY backcountry route…

We’ve got the gear to keep you moving.

👉 Shop Bikepacking Essentials at Rouleur Cycles

 

https://rouleurcycles.co.nz/

 


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