Quote Originally Posted by CA_in_NC View Post
Interesting - I thought they had stopped doing that with the advent of the Capreo cassette. Hmmm...food for thought.
Yeah, I guess that a standard crankset is used with a Capreo cassette. However, we didn't want the Capreo (which they did have even back in early 2004, when we ordered our Fridays) as we both wanted that 34t huge XT cassette in back for steep climbs while fully loaded. On our upstate NY unsupported tour, I did have occasion to use my 30t ring in the front with that 34 in the back several times since I was hauling four panniers, two racks, a Tailrider, and a front bag up some VERY steep hills. The hills around the Finger Lakes make our hills here in the Piedmont of NC look like the gentle rollers that they are!

For unloaded riding, I agree that a standard crankset and Capreo cogset would be just fine, but we bought our bikes specifically for loaded touring. Unfortunately, we've only done the one tour, but hauling a heavy load of groceries has also warranted use of mountain gearing!