Originally Posted by HiYoSilver
I'd recommend 12-32 9 speed in the rear and 22.34.44 chainrings in the front. You'ld be giving up 4gi at top but would have easier shifting and the same low granny gear.
I personally like to stick with a square taper BB if going with quality 22/34/44 crankset....if you can locate one, like a NOS XT square taper crankset for example. I've got that setup on my Mtb with a 11-32 9-speed cassette which I occasionally use for those quick off road overnight tours.
I also like the Sugino 26/36/46 crankset as mentioned which uses the traditional square taper BB. The only thing I might swap is the granny to a 24 which is the smallest the crankarm can handle. I run a 24 granny on my old LX crankset (which by the way looks almost identical to the Sugino) on my commuter/tourer.