so here's the current status after coming home from work today.
The road bike I have just wasn't made for it, so I've road-ified my Hardrock.
Changes: Race-lite front wheel, Mavic rear rim I just laced to an LX hub with a road 12-23 8 speed. Lights, rack, road pedals, flatbar with barends, 26x1.25 slicks
Starting to keep an eye out for a lighter front fork with lockout.
A simple wheel swap and rack removal gets me to dirt trails for weekend MTB fun.