[BigVaz]

I just bought a new bike for the trails & ended up keeping my old beater. I'm thinking of turning it into a town bike. (not sure if thats a thing)

Something I could ride downtown & have some fun on.

It's a 2011 Se Stout 29er. I've already got BB7's & upgraded the handlebars/grips.

Looking for suggestions on tires, if I can mount racks etc...
I like the look of the Big Apples, but i'm open to suggestions.
Here's how she sits currently

 

[sunvalleylaw]

That could make a great commuter/townie. I have a 26" old bike I am doing the same to. I have Ritchey Tom Slicks on it, which are quite similar to those Big Apples. Does your frame have braze-ons for a rear rack? If so, the Axiom Journey is inexpensive and a good way to go. If you don't have braze-ons, there are lots of racks that you can use with adaptor clips or even P clips from the hardware store. Then, the main other thing is are you happy with your bar for cruising/commuting, or do you want one with a little sweep for comfort.

Here is the thread to my conversion so you can see what I have been doing. My goal was more commuting/touring than cruiser/townie, but the only real difference is the bar IMHO. A cruiser tends to have a lot of sweep so you can sit up, but ties your hands back in close to you if you want to stretch out and pedal. I went for some comfort with some sweep, but am staying away from full cruiser bars as I commute longer distances and want to dig in at times.

Here is my thread for ideas. http://forums.mtbr.com/commuting/my-commuter-build-conversion-thread-89-fisher-paragon-908426.html There are lots of others you can look at too if you cruise around this sub-forum. Looking at bikes in the Post a pic of your commuter thread is a good start also.

Your 29 inch wheels will be a nice advantage over us with 26 inch wheels for cruising/touring.

 

[antisocial83]

Throw some 700C tires on there. I have put some continental 28C tires on my extra wheelset for my specialized carve 29er.... set a few strava street KOMs! i would probably go with a more commuter style 30c or so though. I hit the slightest bit of anything slick on those and im sliding.

 

[BigVaz]

I think i'm going to order the Big Apples in a 28x2.35. I rode 6 1/2 miles this past weekend with the stock Kenda Nevegals & I could tell i was wasting a lot of energy... (lots of humming from the tires)

I'm pretty sure I need to change the gearing too. I was spinning like mad. What would you guys recommend for street SS gears? I'm pretty sure the bike is 32t-18t stock.

I think I'd only want to change the front chain ring.

 

[fotooutdoors]

For ss, I use a 36/16 combo. It is on the easier side of what I would ride, but I run that gearing through the winter. Any reason not to change the cog too? They are usually pretty cheap, and you would need top go fairly large in the front to get a good gear

Sent from a one-finger keyboard...pardon my autocorrect

 

[BigVaz]

Didn't know how hard they are to change. This will be my first time wrenching on a bike.

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[Straz85]

Didn't know how hard they are to change. This will be my first time wrenching on a bike.

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To change the cog you would need a couple specialty tools, but they're good to have anyway, especially if you're riding SS and may want to experiment with different gearing. There's a couple DIY videos on youtube. Here's one:

Changing cassette or cogs on rear wheel of bike - YouTube

Here's the tools you could need:

Nashbar Cassette Lockring Tool - Normal Shipping Ground

PARK TOOL SR-1 Sprocket Remover and Chain Whip - Eastern Mountain Sports


To change the chainring you generally just need an allen wrench, it's pretty simple.

If you want to run an 18T rear, I would probably suggest high 40's or even 50T chainring.

 

[BigVaz]

I think I'll take the advice and change both, rather than have the huge front ring.

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[eatcake]

I've got the same bike and use it for commuting. The Nevagals went in my mtn bike and I put Big Apples on this one. It was a great improvement on pavement. I also upgraded to BB7s and added Ergon cork grips. For a rack I use the Topeak MTX with the quick release basket. It is a great commuter in this configuration.

 

[newfangled]

To change the chainring you generally just need an allen wrench, it's pretty simple.

And probably a chainring wrench too. You can make do with a big flathead screwdriver if you absolutely have to, but the wrench is worth having.

And bigapples are so much fun.

 

[CommuterBoy]

I put over 5000 miles on a set of the 2.35 Big Apples. Sweet tires, and ideal for that kind of bike. Fun factor is there for sure. I'm confused by your original post though, you talked about having fun, and asked about mounting racks also. Those two things do not go together :lol:

 

[Straz85]

And probably a chainring wrench too. You can make do with a big flathead screwdriver if you absolutely have to, but the wrench is worth having.

And bigapples are so much fun.

Yes, this is true. In my case right now all my chainring bolts are allen on both sides, but I've had these in the past too.

 

[newfangled]

I'm confused by your original post though, you talked about having fun, and asked about mounting racks also. Those two things do not go together :lol:

Ignore Commuterboy.

This is just a 26er, but it's ss (now fixed), has bigapples, and is the funnest bike ever - rack and all:

<a href="https://www.flickr.com/photos/inthreedimensions/6916063948" title="K20D3121 by inthreedimensions, on Flickr"><img src="https://farm6.staticflickr.com/5459/6916063948_2c8f2639eb_z.jpg" width="426" height="640" alt="K20D3121"></a>

 

[BigVaz]

Haha, racks for pizza & beers...

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[CommuterBoy]

Ignore Commuterboy.

:eekster: I'm hurt. :lol:

Forgot to mention, the BA's worked awesome tubeless if you're into that kind of thing...

 

[Mr Pink57]

<a href="https://photobucket.com/" target="_blank"><img src="https://img.photobucket.com/albums/v319/mrpink57/Bike/th_AD0272D5-A264-4574-BA4B-1B2AA0B5BFA3_zpsjdniyuvn.jpg" border="0" alt=" photo AD0272D5-A264-4574-BA4B-1B2AA0B5BFA3_zpsjdniyuvn.jpg" style=""></a>
Here is what I did with mine.
It is fixed with a Velosolo cog and I am about to buy a dingle speed fixed cog for more options along with a big apple 2.35 out back.

But I would think just throw some Big Apples on there with taller gearing and you're good to go.

 

[BigVaz]

Would these work for me?

36t (probably 38t because I want the black one.)
Race Face Single Ring Chainring > Components > Drivetrain > Chainrings | Jenson USA Online Bike Shop

16t
Surly Single Speed Cog > Components > Drivetrain > Singlespeed Cogs and Freewheels | Jenson USA Online Bike Shop

What chain will I need & what other small odds & ends?

 

[Mr Pink57]

KMC Z-51 HG & Ig Compatible Chain > Components > Drivetrain > Chains | Jenson USA Online Bike Shop
Since you linked to Jenson I will link a chain to save on shipping. Get a cheap 8 speed chain no need for a 9 speed or higher save the cash. I've used a 3 speed chain from walmart too.

I do not know if you are going to get Big Apples now or just keep the tires on there. A used set of Race King 29x2.0/2.2 would work fine for tires or a set of WTB Nanoraptors they roll pretty good on pavement and last FOREVER. Maybe you can trade your tires locally with someone for a set of slicks.

 

[CommuterBoy]

I had good luck with the SRAM singlespeed chain with a similar set-up, but I have read that they stretch out even faster than the 8 speed ones...