Joined: Mar 2008
Posts: 5,559
Likes: 53
From: The 'Wack, BC, Canada
Bikes: Norco (2), Miyata, Canondale, Soma, Redline
I'd run the chain down to the smallest rear gear just because once you release the tension in the cable as part of the removal the derrailleur cage would spring to that position anyway. The same would apply to any work on the derraileurs front or back where the cable will be undone for any reason.