Gear ratios for touring

[Danny]

For a long time I had a set up similar to your's, but when I got a new touring bike two years ago I changed it following advice given here, and went for a 44, 32, 22 crankset, and a 12-27 nine speed rear cassette.

This was definitely a big improvement for touring and I wouldn't go back to my old setup. Having spent years riding on bikes with wide ratio rear cassettes I would definitely recommend trying to fit one with closer ratios.

 

[Ergle]

I would go for the lowest gears you can get for loaded touring.
I had a 28 tooth inner chainring and thought it was fine until I had to push the bike, loaded for camping, up hills. in cycling shoes it was not fun at all.

My Thorn Sherpa has an MTB chainset, and I have fitted a 22 ring inner on it. That, with a 34 tooth on the cassette will climb a house.

 

[Dave Davenport]

I toured on a 50/34T and 12-25T cassette and it was fine.

I've used the same set up when staying at B&B's but wouldn't fancy it fully loaded with camping gear (use a 26-36-46 x 12-27 for that).