I did similar to my old RockHopper.
I need an upright position because of my back, so I put on bars like this-
http://www.nashbar.com/profile.cfm?c...B%20Handlebars
I also raised the stem to its' max, which was about 1" more.
You MIGHT need longer cables. I was BARELY able to make my cables work by relocating the brake wire "clamps" down by the calipers.
I found a tire similar to the one below at my local Krogers type store for <$10. I use on my front, mainly because of all the leaves in the bike lanes in the Fall.
http://www.amazon.com/Cheng-Shin-C72.../dp/B000C125MS