I've found the basis of my first-ever conversion, at the co-op where I volunteer, and there's some choices to make. The bike just got donated, and we're closed for the holidays, so there's some info that I don't have yet.

As it sits:
GT Karakoram, looks like a '94, based on red color, black LX crank and RD. Upgraded with Rock Shox Pilot fork, XT V-brakes, shift, and brake levers. (Silver gray XT, so an early/mid 2000s upgrade.) Currently wearing what look like 26x1.25ish slicks. No seatpost or saddle.

What I have in the parts bin:
9 speed XTR RD
A full set of Campagnolo Record OR "tandem" cantilevers.

So, the questions are:

Should I swap the fork for a rigid? There's a cromoly GT fork in the shop that will fit. I don't know anything about the Pilot fork that's on it now.

Assuming it works, leave the LX rear derailleur, or swap it for my XTR? (I'm leaning towards the swap, just cuz I have the XTR, and it's an XTR, and, so.... Yeah. That said, there ain't no flies on a 7-speed black LX. Great derailleur.)

Run the XT v-brakes or the Campy cantis? Do the available v-brake road levers feel good in the hand?

What currently-available bars have people liked, for a bike that will spend most of its life on (crappy) asphalt, but might see occasional trails and fire / logging roads. (This also feeds into the fork question.)

This is going to be a minimum money build, using bin/co-op parts wherever possible.

Thanks,

--Shannon