Originally Posted by dsbrantjr

What is the condition of your cable housings, particularly the last run going into the derailleur? Is that loop the correct length, neither too long nor short, clean and un-worn? Your symptoms sound like cable friction, although if you suspect derailleur misalignment that should be checked and corrected first. I replace cables and housings a lot and am often surprised at how much improvement (in terms of ease of adjustment) occurs with a system which seemed to be working fairly well before the change, even with 7- and 8-speed systems. With an 11-speed system everything needs to be in tip-top condition for reliable results.