Short chainstays, fat cassette blocks, and wide gearing are the bane of easy shifting. And every ten years or so somebody designs something to make it easier, and then we go pushing the limits again.

When I started racing in '73 our setup was a 52-49t or 48t double with a 14-24 or 14-22t 5-speed in the back. With 120mm rear axles. And probably 17-inch chain stays. No chain rub there. The main problem was getting the chain to drop down a 3- or 4-tooth gap when you were half-way up a hill and realized you needed the small ring.