Fitting a new chain - how to get the right length?

if there is such a thing as an optimum length..? i assume i want it to be quite far forward in the dropouts, but with a bit of give.

is there a trick for measuring the right number of links?

just overlap both ends whilst sitting on both the chain ring and cog, you can guestimate where you need to break/join it, i go roughly in the middle of the drop-outs, you can always remove another coupla links if need be. no such thing as an optimum lenght,

i have mine right forward (but fully in, not hanging over or anything) then overlap it, and if i'm being really conservative i leave an extra one in just to see. then i take out the extra link if i need to.

halfway in the dropouts is what I would do

ok, cheers, that's what i thought

for me: as short as possible! clearance as tight as a camel's arse in the desert!

at this level its really minute, but closer to the seat tube you get more control, further out you get a smother ride

I always do it as far forward as it will comfortably go, because the chain will stretch over time (yeah, I know I should get a new chain if it's stretched). If it's too far forward it's hard to get the chain on again after changing the tyre.

A wise bicycle man told me to cut the chain thus: sight down the seat stay towards the ground. When the hub is in its ideal position, the track nuts will be in the same plane as the seat stay. Cut the chain accordingly. Apparently, frames are/were designed with this set up in mind.

Slamm that wheel! Then work it out accordingly.
The chain won't take long to stretch speesh being fixed, so removal won't be a prob.
Having a spare half-link comes in handy for those who like the wheel rly slammed.