MTB to Touring bike

[Gravity Aided]

Might look at a Sun Race seven-speed thumb shifter set.
https://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B...0f5-520f-8374-b08d46943e04&pf_rd_i=6389288011
I like these, I have them on a bike once rehabbed by a local bike charity, work really fine.

 

[stewie griffin]

Thanks for the link G.A, that's probably the way I'll go when needed.

 

[Cycleops]

Just for a bit of contrast here's one that's gone the other way. From tourer to MTB or whatever you like to call it.

It was brought over from the states in a container. It's a AWOL Elite. Almost everything has been changed, the only original parts are the frame and wheels. I'd love to know why but haven't been able to figure it. I wanted to ask @Gravity Aided if there was particular fashion that might have inspired it there. The tyres are 45c e-bike specific. It is available as a frameset so it could have been built up. I intend to convert it back to drops.

 

[Gravity Aided]

I believe the AWOL Elite was cast, in spite of its' name, as a drop bar commuter.
https://www.specialized.com/us/en/awol-elite/106555

 

[ActiveCampers]

Hi all,
A while ago I changed the wheels and bought Marathon tyres for my Felt hardtail mtb and have gradually added racks and panniers and to test it all out I did a two day tour last week around Datmoor to see how things went which apart from choosing the two days of rain went pretty well .

It's a bit hillier than I thought and with the exception of somewhere around Tavistock the granny wheel got more use than it ought to have done but depsite the weather the bike ,panniers and tent performed well which was the main point of doing a short tour. To iron out any problems.

I know weight isn't too much of an issue with touring but I am wondering if I ought to investigate keeping all the goods bits of my mtb (wheels,tyres, bars, disc's etc) and transferring them to a frame from Thorn's or the like.

It's a fairly comfortable mtb ,or it will be when I change the saddle, so posture wise I wouldn't want anything too different. I've got the touring bug now and plan a couple more this year so perhaps I'm thinking I should invest in a specific frame . A wise move or should I ride the mtb until it separates ?

We cycled to the med on Specialised Hardrock Pro & Myka elite with panniers and marathon tyres! Also from Lands End to Wiltshire where the granny gear was used. The bikes were heavy and the pannier mounting wasn't really that good. Bikes now done >> 3000 road miles, and about 3 months down hill in the alps! So mucho abuse but did well.

Next trip we are doing on Cyclo cross bikes. Boardman CX Teams. But installed adjustable stems to make the riding position easier for touring. Seem much faster and smoother and we'll take much less junk - so should be quicker. Perfect for light tracks and road but not really off road.