Thanks John for your tips!
But how do you get XTR or Dura Ace rings to fit my LX five bolt and XT four bolt compact cranks?
Yes, new cranks AND bottombracket is the answer to that one...
Even if i got these new cranks there are very few shops outside the industrialised world that carry replacement rings, bottombrackets etc.
We are talking longdistance(world-) touring trips here! Money is an issue, quick shifting is not!
After searching the webb I did find a company that produce thick, reversible and longlasting rings with bolt patterns to suite any crank:
http://www.highpath.co.uk/cycles/index.html