MTB to Tourer Conversion
I've got a Cannondale F1000SL Cad3 version and although touted as a race bike it has eyelets front for mudguards and rear for either guards or rack. I run 1.3 Conti slicks and a straight thru' 12/21 8 speed cassette. Coverting it back for offroad trips takes no time at all. I still leave flat bars and bar ends on as I thought of going down the drop bars route, but decided by the time you've got new brake levers and/or gear shifters, travel agents and time to swap them all, it's no different to my road bikes? It took me across to France for a week last year in touring disguise and with the bit of front suspension (headshok 60mm) I didn't really notice any difference in handling with rack and panniers, except it was a bit heavier and MUCH slower. I think leaving flat bars on makes for a more relaxed and steady ride (when compared to drop/road bike riding)