More newbie questions

I've read in a few places how one of Richie's minimum requirements was to have a few chainlinks. So off I went to chain reaction and found these.. http://www.chainreactioncycles.com/M...px?ModelID=871

How do I know which one to get? This is my bike

I'm grabbing a few bits each month when payday comes along so as not to arouse the wife's suspicions of how much gear I really need for mountain biking and I was wondering what you guys would recommend I get next. I mainly just do XC, but I want to start trying a few DH bits n bobs with mates who do DH. I hope just lowering my saddle is enough to keep me upright

So far I've got:

• helmet
• gloves
• padded lycra undershorts
• padded mtb shorts
• spd shoes
• knee pads
• 1 spare tube
• mtb allen tool from Lidl
• chain lub
• mini mule camelbak

9 speed (middle option!). You'll need a chain tool as well and some tyre levers! And don't worry about lying to the wife ..... we all do it!

It's not lying Richard if you don't actually tell them what you're buying!?

You have most things covered, but a bike would be my next step.

just realised, I don't even have a pump either, lol. Will a cheapo one like this be sufficient?

http://www.chainreactioncycles.com/M...?ModelID=13958

Doesn't matter as long as it inflates your tyre... your the one doing the pumping so its up to you how much money you want to spend on it..

Very true..Luke has a Lidl one I think that works deadly !!! You can lose these things easily enough too..so buying a €40 and losing it in a bog is going to hurt !
I would strongly suggest that you carry a Spare Dropout in your pocket/bag. A couple of 12" Zip ties, some Duct tape and a Phone at all times.
The zip ties can do nearly every emergency repair from shoes to helmets to frames.
The Duct tape can help patch tyre sidewalls and numerous other patch jobs.
Beginners tend to pick up a lot of damage to themselves and their bikes, early on in their learning curve.

And you need to either Brainwash your wife, blind her with romance and sexiness ( thats what works for me)
Or just be so unbelievably difficult to live with that she will do anything to get you out of the house ( this also works for me)
All you lads that are lying to your wives, they will catch on, you know..then its curtains or more babies !!

Where would I buy a spare dropout then?

try the Bike Rack in Cabinteely, or the Superstore or The Cycle Inn, or Hollingsworth ! or Ebay

I couldn't just get them online? Or would I need to specific ones for my frame...

oh yeah..whats your frame?

Mech hangers for just about any bike:

www.betd.co.uk

or even better:

http://www.pilo.co.il/

The Pilo ones are excellent, strong and reliable, better value if I recall right and reasonably priced and prompt delivery.

Wheels Manufacturing do mech hangers... available on CRC..

http://www.chainreactioncycles.com/B...px?BrandID=886

Check this out though... fantastic little gadget... an emergency mech hanger.. everyone should have one of these along with their Powerlinks in their backpacks..

http://www.chainreactioncycles.com/M...?ModelID=32466

If your a beginner then you'll need also need a multi-tool... this one comes with the emergency hanger built in as well..

http://www.chainreactioncycles.com/M...?ModelID=37246

a smart man with a lathe could do some handy money making those emergency hangers !!!!
Nice one Mr Mac !! I seen those before somewhere !! Homemade though!