I'm surprised the same people who insist on 26" wheels for touring in remote areas wouldn't also insist on a Shimano MTB crankset for the same reasons. They're dead simple to remove and install with readily available tools. You only need the special outboard bearing tool if you're worried about scratching the finish. If a tiny bike shop in a remote village has any crank parts at all, they'll be MTB parts. If there's any such thing as a "universal" bike type around the world, it's probably the standard MTB.