Bicycle Mechanics - Trouble shifting into smaller cogs on 10 speed setup

For some reason I started having trouble shifting into the smaller cogs on my Shimano 105 5700 10 speed setup. It's the last three cogs that I'm having the trouble with. Nothing was done to the bike other than normal riding and it shifted fine before.

I tried tightening and even loosening the tension on the rear derailer. I also tried flexing the rear derailer which only caused a temporary shift to a smaller cog. I didn't change the limit screw since that shouldn't be the issue.

Any suggestions?

Most likely cause is an excess of friction on the derailler cable, whether from corroding/damaged housing, an out-of-place ferrule, or something wrong with the under-the-bottom-bracket cable guide. Most likely the first though, especially if the bike has been used for several thousand miles, in the rain, or near the ocean. Other additional causes could be a binding derailler or a bent derailler hanger. You didn't mention severe use and you didn't mention dropping the bike so I'm not thinking either of those is the problem.

When you change out the housing and cable you'll be resetting the tension on the rear derailler. Read up at www.parktool.com (http://www.parktool.com) and follow their instructions to the word and it should go smoothly. Attempt to take shortcuts and expect to be at it for a few days. If the bike shifted good at some point and you have not yet touched the limit screws, do not touch them. They never go out of adjustment.

The problem turned out to be a frayed rear drailer cable. The frayed portion was at the shifter.

I keep on telling myself this is a learning process. :troll: