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@gbj_tester
Never, ever, use this expression if you wish to be taken seriously.
A longer chain (or drive shaft) of otherwise similar dimensions will have more backlash from elastic deformation, but there is no evidence that this is a bad thing on a bicycle within the range under discussion. This is partly because any stretch in the chain under peak load is almost fully recovered as usable energy when the load drops (very little hysteresis) and partly because 'wasted' movement at the pedal (i.e. the foot position tending to lead the wheel position during load peaks) is composed mainly of flex in the pedal spindles and cranks, so you would need to make the chain very long for it to become a major part of the total system backlash.