The bicycle- Cannondale Jekyll 900

The roads between Siem Reap and Saigon are completely flat. Even so I decided to to use my mountain bike for they are often very bumpy and potholed. Sometimes you have to ride unpaved sandy sections even on the so called highways (best to be avoided).
I did some adjustments to the bicycle for the needs of traveling:
I replaced the handle bar and the stem to sit in a more upright position, changed the tires to "Schwalbe Marathon", added a Topeak rack and a side stand (custom made because there is no product on the market for the Cannondale Jekyll).
For my baggage I use small Ortlieb panniers for the rack, an Ortlieb handle bar bag for camera and things you want to have on hand and a saddle bag for tools.
A cheap light cable lock is safe enough for Cambodia and Vietnam. In most places local people are proud to look after your bicycle when you go out sightseeing and in the guesthouses you can put it inside the house for the night. 
You will draw a lot of attention with your modern bicycle. People will surround it and discuss what all the strange parts are for, count the gears and laugh about the height of the saddle. When asked about the price I tried to satisfy them by answering: "many dollars"  but most times they insisted on a number so I say 1000 $ (in fact 3000$ is true) and confirmed them in the opinion that all farangs are somewhat crazy. For 1000$ you can buy a decent moter bike so why spend the money for a stupid bicycle. The bicycles people ride there are about 30- 100$ and cycling means that you are too young or too poor to ride a motor bike.