Hi everybody--

I'm currently weighing the prospect of getting a 29er hardtail mountain bike and converting it to a commuter. At 6'1 and 320 lbs, I'm a big guy on a budget and I figured that getting a "stock" MTB frame/wheels would be a cost effective way to get bulletproof components at a cheap price. I've got a thread going in the Clydesdales forum but I had a couple of questions which would be better served by you guys.

REI's running an awesome deal right now where you take 20% off the top of their Novara house-brand bicycles, and then 10% of the remainder comes back to you in a dividend credit next year. Their Novara Ponderosa is an incredible value at that price, and the sales guy indicated he'd be willing to do a little upgrading to set me up for free.

So I'm trying to figure out what to do to convert this to an efficient reliable commuter. I want to mount a rack and fenders, and probably a front and rear light, and switch out the knobbies for some street-friendly rubber. The front fork has a speed lockout, which I'd use on the road.

How do I go about doing this? What should I be looking for?

32 spoke wheels for a 320lbs guy looking for the toughest bike ??
Bikes fail at the wheels, not the frame or components and there is no reason to avoid 36 spokes.

Can you point me to a decent set of 36-spoke doublewall rims + hubs for a 29er which cost less than $150?

Nothing wrong with well built 32h wheels, but are they well built? If they are, your weight should be no issue for them.

For the bike, looks OK, changes / concerns would be - tires if you are only going on the road, slicks really would be better, you mentioned this. Rack / fender mounts if you use these (they are useful for commuting), looks as though it can take a rack with the bolts on the seatstays, but as the frame is compact, getting one which will fit may be an issue.

For lights, depending on how far you go with them on, may be worth looking at Dynamo hub ones, Shimano now do disc dynamo hubs. if only using light for short distance, stick with rechargable battery ones.

Forks look fine, normally you don't want suspension for commuting, but as these have lockout, you have the option if you need it.

I agree with Jimc101 regarding the wheels if you are going to primarily use it as a commuter, bombing down hill I would be more cautious though. A well-built set of 32h wheels can be better than than a lesser quality set of 36h. Also, the lockout on the fork is a big advantage for road use and most of the components look fine, but again, I would look for tires that are lighter and can take a bit higher pressure like 29x2.2 Maxxis-Ikon-Exo or you can go with 29x2.0/2.35 Schwalbe Big Apples which are a bit heavier but cheaper.

I use a MagicShine MJ-808 headlight because there is nothing brighter for the price but I also hava a Blackburn Flea 2.0 that works very well for a smaller light.

26" wheels are stronger than 700c/29" for comparable wheels. Slicks and a rigid fork are good for commuting. Make sure the bike will fit a rack and fenders. Disc brakes are a plus.

Who is currently selling any kind of mtn bike with a rigid fork at a budget price...? Not hatin', just snarking on the current state of the industry...

OP -- shop their catalog, pick out some mid-level stuff that looks OK for what you want -- rack, fenders, lights -- talk with the rep, and go from there. (You'll need disc brake specific rack/fenders with this bike...) If you're worried about the wheels because of what people are saying here, recognize that shopping on budget and getting something perfect for your not-the-norm situation are incompatible. Confirm with REI that their bike wheels will support your weight, find out what the warranty is on the wheels, and expect to either be replacing wheels under warranty within their period of warranty coverage, or spending $400-600 for custom bullet-proof replacement wheels down the road, or $200 for another set of wheels with a very limited lifespan, considering your situation.

I would lke to support REI, but it's an Al frame, cro-mo is much nicer for your purpose...I've had 29ers in both. The wheelset, it' s not the number of spokes but the quality...and I would be suspicious of those wheels. Fork, a Suntour fork...yuk. Essentially, this is a Giant made in China bike. Frankly, if this is the way you are going go you might be better off with one of the BikeDrects aluminum Fantom29ers, you may get better wheels & fork. Sorry, but these low-end 29ers really turn me off, but if you going to do it buy smart: https://www.bikesdirect.com/products/...9_comp_xii.htm There are different models depending on your budget.

Funny, I have the 20% coupon too. I can't find anything at REI that I want, everything seems 30% overpriced or dorky. Maybe I'll get a nice daypack.

My son bought my steel 29er for commuting and single track. We mounted low rider suspension specific racks and waterproof panniers on the front, not back, it works very well. The racks stay on for off-road, no issues. One of the things that surprises, a 29er is pretty darn fast up to 18mph, then aero takes over. He paces a road bike without a sweat, if you stay away from big knobby MTB tires a well set up 29er wil fly down the pavement. The WTB Nanos that come stock on some 29ers are great all purpose tires.

I think this is the thing to do--go into the deal knowing that the wheels are the weakest part of the bike, knowing I'm getting something sturdier than a 700c road rim but I still have to ride light and plan to upgrade. This is smart. They did say that before I take it out of the store, I can swap any component on the bike for the difference in sticker between the two & no labor. Considering a wheel build itself is $40/wheel....hmm. I might push to find a 36-spoke or 36F/40R setup but I have no clue what the sticker on the stock wheels would be, and I have NOT AT ALL begun component shopping.

Then Frenchfit come along and shows me a gamechanger. I'd heard of BikesDirect but hadn't done any looking on there before. Wow. Bottom dollar for obscenely good components which would normally be way outside my price range, no shipping charges and no tax. Or, what I originally wanted for within my original budget. So...What's the catch? They ship you a box and that's it? You build the bike up and don't like it, you can't return it I guess... And no warranty, I'm assuming. (Time to go read the website's terms.)

seems a bit over priced to me for it's specs, I'd shop around. You can get a name brand bike equipped similar for the same price point. Along the lines of this
https://www.bicyclewarehouse.com/prod...-1-69152-1.htm

or better parts/ fork-shifters and would be worth off road as well.

https://www.bicyclewarehouse.com/prod...2-131226-1.htm

Budget a bike build on a new bike ($50-75?) at a local bike shop if you go this route. Bike will not be at all adjusted or perhaps even assembled to finished specs. You might run into attitude about building a BD bike at a local bike shop, but that's also a great indicator of a shop you don't want to even start a relationship with...

Truth is, they assemble in minutes..no big deal. They are 95% ready to go. Most big LBSs in my area use kids to assemble their bikes, they come to them exactly the same way in that long brown box - you think you are getting some pro at teh LBS to put it together, and you're wrong. Same story at REI, not all their bike shop employees are gearheads.

The rant on BikesDirect, BD, is their components-builds aren't sufficently lubed. If you have a mind to, dis-assemble the bottom bracket and steerer, add some Phil's in there. A tube of Phil's cost about $10, and it's a fun project. Other than the fact BD adds nothing to the US economy or bike industry, and they normally don't have bikes I want, they are a top of the list option for anyone looking for a bike on a budget. Their Ti bikes are such hot sellers they are never in stock.

Enjoy.

Afterthought; don't get a 29er that's too big. It's a common mistake, just look at the number of used "L" 29ers on eBay.

Read the geometry chart, think about the effective top tube length carefully. If you've ridden one, you should have some grasp of the reach involved [pun] on given sizes...hopefully.

Are you sure about this? Usually discounted items are not eligible for the 10% year end rebate. If anything, only the 5% Visa rebate applies for discounted items.