Converting a touring bike to a road?

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What are your thoughts on swapping out a few components on a touring bike (Bianchi Volpe) to make it more like a road bike? I'm not looking to race competitively, just increase my speed while I loop around the park for personal fitness. I know it's not the same geometry as a road bike, but I figured new wheels and tires would make me roll faster. Any suggestions/potential problems? I never owned or rode a road bike before.

Please post a link to your bike specs, then we can see what needs changing. ;)

Meanwhile, see:
http://www.sheldonbrown.com/volpe.html
http://www.bianchiusa.com/06_volpe.html
http://www.bianchiusa.com/05_volpe.html

Initially, my suggestions,
28mm Conti Ultra Gator Skin Tyres
12-25 9 Speed Cassette.

Here you go!
http://www.bianchiusa.com/06_volpe.html

the long wheelbase will kinda make you a lil bit slower.

i used to have a long wheelbase bike then after switching to a short wheelbase roadbike, im significantly faster.