Originally Posted by
ThermionicScott
1" or 2 half-links is the rule I've always heard/used. It's enough.
OP's picture looks fine to me. Yes, it's unusual to see the tension pulley pointing forward, but if you are able to push the cage up further with your finger while it is in the big-big combination before it hits any stops or pulls tight, then you are good.
Yes, I misread the original post and thought he meant 1 link, not 1 inch which is the same as 2 links. You're right - if he's in big-big and there is still spring in the derailleur, he should be fine.