Originally Posted by
Retro Grouch
Cable friction would be my first guess too.
If I were working on your bike at home, the FIRST thing that I would check would be the derailleur hanger alignment with my gauge. It doesn't have to be very far off to cause the kind of problem that you are describing. Hanger alignment only takes a couple of minutes to check and, even if it's spot on, it's good to eliminate that as the possible source of your shifting problem.
Agreed, if we had one handy. I'm thinking about making my own, or as one of the last tools purchase to round out the kit. A nice LBS can check and straighten the hanger for about $10. While you wait if during the really slow days...l
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