"I know there are a ton of modern bikes with triples in front and short chainstays, but with the existing stuff back then, I could not make it work well enough for me to use."
As a poor soul that has to work on these "modern marvels", I have to say it's quite a challenge to make some of these work well. My shopmates and I are contently bemoaning the operation of many new bikes that seem to push the limits of physical possibility. As the Bard would say, "Ah, there's the rub!" (and I guess that's why they invented those little plastic "chain keepers") Thankfully, I'm often assigned the old-school repair work.
"Jurassic" Mark Hoffman
New Britain, CT
USA