Touring - New bike + bling bling

Cannondale Touring Classic (http://gb.cannondale.com/bikes/07/ce/urban/touring/model-7TR.html) is ordered and will arrive in a couple of days. Now I'm thinking about what upgrades that can be done at the time of arrival. The bike seems pretty complete as is but as an example if i go up in the mountains i could change to a MTB gears etc. What are the options that may be worth the bucks?

Second question; what additions toys is good to have mounted on it, a horn and a computer w/cadens of course, anything else that might be good/fun to put on it?

An etch-a-sketch.

Wow, that Cannondale is nicely equipped right out the door! I wonder why bike companies don't market touring bikes like this in the U.S.? It even has Tubus racks and a Brooks saddle!

I think the only thing missing besides the panniers are some lights and a squeaky horn :)

A new lower-geared cassette would be nice...something like 12-32 or even 11-34. The trouble is that these aren't easy, or cheap to find. I.R.D carries them, and maybe some other small firm. Good luck finding one at less than $85 U.S.

But honestly....if you don't have a lot of climbing planned for a tour this summer....ride it as is! It's a cool bike.

A new lower-geared cassette would be nice...something like 12-32 or even 11-34. The trouble is that these aren't easy, or cheap to find. I.R.D carries them, and maybe some other small firm. Good luck finding one at less than $85 U.S.

But honestly....if you don't have a lot of climbing planned for a tour this summer....ride it as is! It's a cool bike.

actually you could probably get one from cannondale since the the t2000 comes with an 11-34 and you might be able to swap out the crank set with a t2000 too since it runs a 48-36-26 which should get you over any hill (mountain) out there and if you do a direct swap at your lbs they may cut you a deal for the swap

Why don't they sell these in the US??????

that's the kind of bike that would sell like hotcakes in the USA right now, methinks.

ad-ons? a pine tree 'car freshener', climbers' chalk bag hanging off the saddle as a feed bag and repository for empty gu packs and food wrappers.

bosh, companies still pushing lightweight, impractical 'recreational' racing bikes. carbon fiber, one crash away from replacement, low spoke count wheels, ready to go out of true and break spokes- seems like the US intent is fragile machines needing more frequent replacement and repair.

It's a 10 speed MTB cassette....not the regular 9 speed that the Cannondale classic needs. Shimano doesn't support this, so it's hard to find and costs $$. I'm not sure if the t2000 is currently 9 or 10 speed.

It's a 10 speed MTB cassette....not the regular 9 speed that the Cannondale classic needs. Shimano doesn't support this, so it's hard to find and costs $$. I'm not sure if the t2000 is currently 9 or 10 speed.

that is true hadn't thought of that but the lbs should be able to build one for it. i would think i had a set built for my road bike a streight block 11-18 at my lbs. so shouldn't they be able to??? and the cranks should still be able to be swapped out.. but then do they sell the t2000 in sweden????