Originally Posted by
IthaDan
I'm on board, but I think use of the word 'maximum' to define the length of a chain is dangerous. It's a method that works fine 99.9%, but when it doesn't, he results are disastrous (and expensive), and its most decidedly NOT a 'maximum' length. To me maximum implies that all the other bases are covered, not that there's still a risk of ripping the hanger off your frame. .
There are many ways to skin a cat. I'm pretty consistent in reminding people that the minimum is an absolute minimum, while the maximum can be fudged if running systems over rated capacity.
OTOH, the manufacturers are clear about capacity ratings, so folks treading in the over cap. never-never land where the max, is less than the min. need to understand the real estate and act accordingly.
BTW- this doesn't even broach the question of those who diligently cut a chain to a safe minimum length, then swap wheels to one with a larger cassette and destroy the bike.
There's no way to ensure a best result for every situation, and folks need to know WTF they're doing, or accept that they're living in a minefield.