I wouldn't worry about not being able to get small/small and big/big anyways, that's cross chaining and knackers your drivetrain up putting undue pressure on your chain with sideways forces you don't want.
Just another thought as to why your chain/cage was hitting the spokes, has the back end taken a shunt at any point, you might want to check the alignment of the stays in case it is that that is throwing everything out of kilter.
I wouldn't worry about not being able to get small/small and big/big anyways, that's cross chaining and knackers your drivetrain up putting undue pressure on your chain with sideways forces you don't want.
Just another thought as to why your chain/cage was hitting the spokes, has the back end taken a shunt at any point, you might want to check the alignment of the stays in case it is that that is throwing everything out of kilter.