transforming a hardtail into a touring bike

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Has one ever successfully (key word, here in terms of rider comfort) done this...i was reading a lengthy article written on the web by a chap named desousa (here's the web link: briandesousa.com/bicycling/tech/convert.htm ) and he shows
how its' done.

this interests me as i have a fab (used) dekerf generation hardtail (handbuild by chris dekerf out here in vancouver bc, who used to make the bikes for Rocky Mountain)....but I am thinking
of getting a touring bike for its larger 700cc wheels and geometry, ie., drop bars vs straight..

Any feedback on this would be appreciated.

Feel free to email me directly at
joseph.collins@telus.com

Thanks

It would be expensive to go full route....ie, replace bars with
drops, new brake levers/shifters. Does the frame have rear
braze-ons for mounting a rear rack? The most I would do
would be to replace the tires with 26x1. Look for a used
touring bike....best route.

Originally posted by canali
Has one ever successfully (key word, here in terms of rider comfort) done this...i was reading a lengthy article written on the web by a chap named desousa (here's the web link: briandesousa.com/bicycling/tech/convert.htm ) and he shows
how its' done.

this interests me as i have a fab (used) dekerf generation hardtail (handbuild by chris dekerf out here in vancouver bc, who used to make the bikes for Rocky Mountain)....but I am thinking
of getting a touring bike for its larger 700cc wheels and geometry, ie., drop bars vs straight..

Any feedback on this would be appreciated.

Feel free to email me directly at
joseph.collins@telus.com

Thanks

If your touring is on the road and you are self contained, I would look for a real touring bicycle.
Bruce Gordon has some great tips on his wesite at URL:
http://www.bgcycles.com/bruce.html
He also has posted some good information on his bikes and others in his site's FAQ section at URL:
http://www.bgcycles.com/faq.html
David Ornee, Western Springs, IL