I ride in alot of what you do. I love my old style hard tail MTB I bought used. I put a set of touring bars on it and some cross breed slick tires with a edge of nobbies. The poor bike is looking vary Fred and one of the nicest rides. You do not always need to buy new. recycling works out great!

The touring bars fit on with out a need to change out levers also. On the flat bars my hands where killing me, no longer!