https://sites.google.com/site/njbbicycling/technical/gears
Crankset: Shimano Deore DX (FC-MT60)
Crank length = 175mm.
BCD = 110mm / 74mm.
BB style: square taper. Extractor threading: 22x1mm (Standard). Pedal threads: 9/16" x 20 (English). 754 grams.
Chainrings: 50/44/28 (40/44 Biopace) (28 Salsa).
http://sheldonbrown.com/harris/chainrings.html
http://www.peterwhitecycles.com/chainrings.asp
My most popular chainrings are 48 - 38 - 26 and 24 tooth replacements for Shimano's 9 speed Ultegra and 105 triple cranks. This makes for a much better range of gears if you're touring. Most of Shimano's 9 speed cassettes start with a 12 tooth cog, and some start with 11, which is wasted when your largest chainring is 52 teeth and you're carrying a heavy load. Reducing the size of all the chainrings lets you actually use all nine cogs in back. Why have nine speeds if you can't use them all? 48,38,24 shifts very smoothly with the Ultegra 9 speed front derailleur and STI shifters. When you change the size of the outer chainring, you'll need to change the position of the front derailleur. With every tooth reduction, the derailleur needs to be lowered by 2mm.
For best shifting without STI, I recommend the Shimano XT front derailleur. It works best with a 12 tooth difference between the outer and middle ring on a triple to shift well. But the XT isn't compatible with STI road shifters. Use it with bar end or down tube shifters instead.