Ok...not sure how long a road frame will hold up to offroading...your were talking mountain bike size tiere.......but understand where you are coming from.
here is what i did took a classic, but not expensive super high end, campy/ofmega/univeral equipped italian bike and turned it in to fun run around bike.
walk basket up front, VO postino bars, and tektro city levers.
This bike is just fun to ride...hop on an go, it handles well and for whatever reason it just puts a big smile on my face.
this is not to say you should do the same, but this is my option for your perusal
