Originally Posted by
Bezalel
Don't just do a swap for a 24t chainring. You are already at the maximum capacity of your rear derailleur and unless you get a smaller big chainring or smaller big cog, you'll be over your capacity. I use and reccomend a 44/32/22 crankset with an 11-34 cassette.
You're also at the maximum capacity for your front derailleur but going over on the front isn't as bad as on the rear.
Sorry but you are wrong. The Deore rear can handle a 24 tooth chain ring on that crankset just fine without any changes at all. You could even go to a 20 tooth (you can find them on Ebay) and still not cause problems with the shifting. I run a 46/34/20 on my touring bike and don't have any issues with either the front or rear handling that range. Granted my rear derailer is an XTR but the XTR uses the same design as the Deore.