Thanks for the advice. The driver here is not to get more gears, but to upgrade from the old worn out X.4 derailleur to another that will shift better. There just doesn't seem to be a lot of options without buying used equipment that might leave me right where I already am. The der that is on there works, just not really well. I guess it works as well as I would expect a $20 der to work.

I already have way too much money sunk in to this bike, so some more isn't going to make a huge difference.. lol ..