OK, I took two links off (1 inch). I didn't want to risk taking any more off. The BIG-BIG combo looks exactly like the pic on parks website that I listed earlier. The SMALL-SMALL combo also looks exactly as prescribed in the pic next to their "Adequate chain length will not sag" caption - chain clears upper pulley by about an inch. The B-tension is still maxed out. Every gear *appears* to work (albeit the pulley is quite close), except for the lowest possible gear combo (little chainring, big cog). It is clicking and bumping on the rear derailleur (top pulley). The largest cassette cog is clearly passing within the frame of the pulleys. I get the feeling that, yeah, my chain might have been a tad bit longer than average, but something else is going on.
Last edited by lineinthewater; 09-28-09 at 10:29 AM.