I've always used the large/large method...not running it through the derailleur and adding a few links before cutting.
Just so I'm clear, the small/small DOES run through the derailleur and you take out enough links so that the derailleur has tension, right?
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2014 Specialized Roubaix2003 Interloc Impala2007 ParkPre Image C6 (RIP)