Originally Posted by SurferRosa

I guess, ymmv. It really bothers me if the cable is slack (even a tiny bit!) at the top of the shifter travel, and I need to take up slack before the chain begins to shift. I probably spend more time than most guys in initial setup of securing the derailleur's cable anchor when removing all slack.

Originally Posted by smd4

Yeah, no. Absolutely no need for a slack cable if everything is properly adjusted.