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Shopping: Cranks
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http://www.bicycle-touring-guide.com/touring-bicycle-gearing/
The rear cogs or cassettes that are suitable for touring bicycles usually have a 12 tooth smallest cog for 8 speed systems or 11 tooth for 9 speed systems. For your lower touring gear, the largest cog should be either 28, 32, or 34 teeth.
When it comes to changing out your rear cassette, most long cage derailleurs should be able to handle up to a 34 tooth cog. Short cage derailleurs that are used on racing and sport bicycles will only handle up to a 26 to 28 tooth rear cog.
Some of the common front cranksets available for touring bicycles include:
Compact double: 50/34
Road triple: 50/39/30
Touring triple: 48/36/26
Expedition triple: 44/32/22
Mountain triple: 42/32/22
mountain double 42/28 and a 12-36 cassette. May throw on a 24t inner if we expect lots of mountains.
2 X 9 Drivetrains: http://www.bike198.com/mountain-bike-setup-2x9-drivetrains/
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RANDO'S: Shimano Deore DX (FC-MT60)
[VeloBase]: Crank length = 175mm. BCD = 110mm / 74mm. BB style: square taper. Extractor threading: 22x1mm (Standard). Pedal threads: 9/16" x 20 (English). 754 grams. (Late 1980s).
Chainrings: 50/44/28 (40/44 Biopace) (28 Salsa).
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MINTY'S ORIGINAL: Shimano FC-B126 (double); BCD = 130; Arm 170mm; Biopace 42 / 52; (lowest possible chainring is a 38)
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MINTY"S NEW: Shimano FC-MT60 (triple); BCD = 110; Arm 170mm; using 36/46 chainrings; Minimum chainring size: 33 (34); [VeloBase]
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SYNAPSE: Crank: FSA Gossamer BB30 Compact, 50/34 (crank length: 172.5mm)
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VO Compact Double Crankset (34/48): $100: http://store.velo-orange.com/index.php/components/cranksets/vo-compact-double-crankset-34x48t.html
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VO Triple Crank: http://store.velo-orange.com/index.php/vo-triple-crankset.html
VO Grand Cru Fluted Triple: $195: http://store.velo-orange.com/index.php/components/cranksets/grand-cru-110-fluted-triple-crankset-24x34x48t.html