My Volpe set up with an 11-34 rear cassette, Shimano Deore rear derailleur, and 44/32/22 crankset. I also used a shorter, 103 mm bottom bracket to maintain a 45-47 mm chainline with the mountain bike cranks. Mountain bike cranks are usually made to obtain a 50 mm chainline. It is true mountain bike gearing. We have hills here! I also have a LHT set up with the same drive train, except a LX RD. You can just change out the rear derailleur, and the cassette to get a good combination of touring gears.