Mountain Biking - Conversion from SS to rear gear

Hey folks, I'm new to this forum, and fairly new to cycling in general. I recently purchased a used 2009 Specialized Rockhopper 29er single-speed with disc brakes (http://www.specialized.com/us/en/bc/SBCBkModel.jsp?spid=42613&menuItemId=0). I was primarily interested in this bike because of the low weight and the 29" wheels. After riding yesterday, I'm convinced that I need rear gears, probably a 1x9 setup. After some research, I'd like to go to 11-32 or 11-34 in the rear, whatever will work. On the SS setup I'm running the stock front sprocket and the rear has been dropped to a 16T; I still think I need taller gearing.

My question is... what parts will I need? What's compatible with what? Here's my initial list:

derailleur hanger
rear derailleur
rear cassette
new chain
shift lever & cable

Is that all I need? Now the part that I need some help with... I'm planning to buy piece-by-piece, and I want to be certain everything plays nicely together. Any thoughts? TIA for any help!

You'll probably need some type of chainguide/bashguard on you cranks to keep your chain from falling off of the front chainring. You might not need a derailleur hanger, the Specialized site says your frame has adjustable dropouts so you might be able to just bolt on a derailleur. So then all you'll need is a derailleur, 9 speed shifter lever, chain, and cassette. Just make sure that you buy shifters and a derailleur that will work together. A 11-34 cassette will give you a wider range of gears, just buy a derailleur that can handle a 34 tooth cog.

you're gonna need to order a drive side sliding dropout/hanger from your local specialized dealer.
then you'll be set.
the bikes got tons of potential....check out mine in my sig.

you're gonna need to order a drive side sliding dropout/hanger from your local specialized dealer.
then you'll be set.
the bikes got tons of potential....check out mine in my sig.
Nice bike!!

For the bashguard--what's the bolt configuration? It's 4-by-______, but I don't know what ______ is and it's not on the Spec website.

I'm assuming 104...

you got it.

The Specialized website lists the rear hub cassette style with a "single speed conversion kit" so it sounds like you're in luck...unless it's a shorter spaced single speed casette hub. So I would double check whether you can fit a whole cassette onto your existing wheel.

BBGbashguard has bachguards for cheap and they work well. You will also probably need longer chainring bolts, unless your current ones were set up with spacers. Not a big deal at all, your LBS should have some for like 20 cents each. To keep the chain from falling off on the inside, n-gear jump stops work great and are also inexpensive.

I don't know how .. hilly it is there in Florida, but you might try saving some money and buying a 19 or 20t cog for the rear. It will make a pretty big difference and cost a lot less than all the components you need to go geared. You'll also have less fuss and hassle.

i can confirm that the stock rear hub is a 8/9sp compatible freehub body spaced out with 2 sleeve spacers with a cog in the middle.
and it comes set up with a crappy 20t cog that flexes and pops the chain under a load (never dropped the chain)....i spaced mine out with some nice spacers and tossed on a surly cog...all was well.

All done!

Specialized dropout/der hanger
SRAM X9 grip shift
SRAM X9 rear der
SRAM 11-34 cassette

http://i123.photobucket.com/albums/o295/DeltaNu1142/Bike/IMG_0999.jpg

http://i123.photobucket.com/albums/o295/DeltaNu1142/Bike/IMG_1000.jpg

http://i123.photobucket.com/albums/o295/DeltaNu1142/Bike/IMG_1001.jpg

http://i123.photobucket.com/albums/o295/DeltaNu1142/Bike/IMG_0998.jpg

You should add an N-Gear Jump Stop to keep the chain from derailling to the inside.
They only cost about $10.

I'm just not sure what I'm doing with my cranks yet. May change cranks & chainwheel, so even for $10 I'm hesitant to commit to a solution just yet.

Looks great.