Hamster, we had 34 rear BiTD before Suntour started the trend for 20 tooth front cogs.
But only wimps* had a 24/34 setup and a good old 24/28 with the lesser weightweenie conscious going for 24/32 ;-). Of course standard was normally a 26 at the front.
Odd how thing come back with 24 now being the standard granny ring at the front on Shimano's chainsets.
*or them wanting extra fun in granny spinning contests. It was not a standard cassette setup though.