it doesn't need 2 inner plates unless you are using a quick link. You don't have to go that route but if you do, you are correct. The display shows an inner link on the chain coming off the top of the gear (it's there). If you pop the pin of the outer link where he has his finger pointed, it will fit to the inner link coming off the top. It's kind of hard to see. I use this method and I like it too on my Campy chain. On another of my bikes I do use a quick link though.
I also don't think it matters if it's a long cage or short cage as this is the longest length you will see on your gears and you have to have the chain at least fit this. Cage length is to take up the loose chain when you use the small chain ring and does not come into play on "minimum length necessary", which is what measuring chain length is all about.
Originally Posted by
BCRider
Well that's screwed up right off the bat since he's telling us to break the chain on an outerplate link where it needs an inner plate left on both ends. I'm sure he meant well but just put his finger in the wrong place.
It also depends on if you have a short or long cage rear derrailleur. Not by a lot but a long cage may require an extra link if the adjustment is close to the limit of going shorter.
What a lot of us do is run the chain through all the derrailleurs and then put the gearing onto the big to big combo. Then draw the chain up tight but so that there's still some give in the rear derrailleur. In other words if you flex the RD up a little it still gives you a touch of slack. It needs that slack to let the chain pop over the teeth just in case you ever change to the big to big combo by accident. With that set you should still have enough tension to operate when in the small to small combo which you can't test yet.
In truth some folks set it using the rear cog one or even two rings down and rely on their awareness to shift the front before selecting that high on the rear. But make one forgetful mistake and you'll do some serious harm. The least of which is blowing your chain apart.
In any event by using the big to big combo and including the rear derrailleur with a touch of give to it you're covering off the absolute worst possible combo.