My Kona Cinder Cone hardtail has had quite a bit of work to make it more like a German style utility bike.
1. swap suspension fork for steel rigid fork
2. swap riser bars for Soma Clarence M shaped bars
3. Planet Bike full fenders
4.Topeak rack and rack pack with fold out panniers & bolted on tail light.
5. city bike tires (originally 2 Specialized Nimbus, now 1 Nimbus and a a Michelin City Protek)
6. Terry saddle in place of WTB
7. several pedal swaps, from cage to clipless to platform back to clipless platform.

It would still benefit from higher gearing and lighter wheels. When the replacement BB wears out I am considering getting a trekking crank in place of the MTB crank.