One of my bikes, the Gunnar Sport, is set up with 9sp Ultegra triple. I wanted much lower gears in back than a regular road bike, so I have a 34t with an XT rder. I love it. We have a few hills here in Colorado. haha.

When I did Bicycle Tour of Colorado, a few folks were ogling my set up on the big passes.

My other bike is a Ruby with 10sp Ult triple, 25t in back. I'm spoiled by the gearing on my other bike and wasn't always so happy with the higher gearing on the Ruby.

Shimano recently came out with 10sp mountain cassettes. They go up to 36t!
I wanted it!

So we ordered a 36t cassette and I had an XT Shadow rder. The Boy set it up (he loves playing with things like that) and so far it seems to be working well, although I've only done a spin downtown with it.

There probably aren't too many Rubys with a pie pan like that!

My friend has a new Madone 4.5 with 10sp 105 triple and she wanted that set up too, so we just did hers up with 36t and an SLX rder (works same as XT Shadow).

So if you've got 9sp or 10sp and want much lower gears, it can be done.