Ok, so I’m installing a new bigger cassette (28 to 32T) and long arm derailleur and I’ve just offered up a nearly new chain, largest sprocket to largest chainring and I know I need two extra links for a “fit”. However, with a powelink, I end up with a one link overlap and with an extra link (meaning new chain) I’d end up with a three link overlap, hence my dilemma!

Can I use the nearly new chain with a one link overlap, or should I fit a new chain with a three link overlap?

Full sus or hard tail? Hard tail I’d go with slightly tight. full sus you sometimes get a tighter chain at some points in the travel.

Build it up with the current chain and see how the mech looks in big / big?

as it is an old chain would go with if it will shift into and out of big big then it will do or add some extra bits of old chain

Hard tail, CX to be exact. I’m probably being a bit of a skinflint! But loathe to install a new chain, when the old one is so new!

Not too difficult to avoid riding big big?

Try it, you should be ok

Many thanks for the advice!