Another option worth considering -- SRAM now has 2 x 10 mountain bike groups. They started with the XX group (very pricey) a year ago, and are just now introducing the XO group. They also will have 2 x 10 options in their X9 group, as well.

I talked to a SRAM rep at a bike shop opening yesterday and he confirmed you could combine the 26/39 crankset or 28/42 crankset with an 11-36 rear cassette *with* SRAM double-tap road shifters and brake levers. I am not sure what the pricing is going to be the SRAM guy said it will be competitive with the mid-level Shimano stuff (the XX stuff was priced like Shimano XTR).

To me that makes more sense than the stock Vaya drivetrain with the 50-34 compact double. That gear is too high for a bike like this, IMHO.