Originally Posted by
FBinNY
Any of a number of methods will work fine when operating within the capacity of the RD........
However issues can occur when running at or slightly over RD capacity, where chain length can become critical with little or no room for error. That's when checking the minimum length becomes important.
That's a big qualifier. Many riders (me, for example) using triple road cranks will change the factory 30T granny chainring for a 26 or even 24T. That change will usually exceed the derailleur's published wrap capacity so using small-small may leave the chain too short to cover the absolutely essential big-big.