Originally Posted by
Prowler
I work part time at an LBS and I see a LOT of misaligned/bent RD hangers. I've therefore realigned a lot of hangers and seen the improvement in shift and shifting response from that - both friction and indexed systems. I'm pretty fussy about alignments on my own bikes and I'm convinced that has been worth the time. So, be sure your RDs hanger is aligned. If you don't have the tools (eye balling this will not get you there) and experience ask your LBS to do it. At our shop that should cost $10 for aligning the hanger and $17 for adjusting the RD afterwards.
Thanks for your suggestions. Yes, I have a rear derailleur alignment tool from Parktool, and checked the alignment before installing the rear derailleur. I was hesitant to purchase the alignment tool due to its cost, but, about 8 years ago, I bent the hanger of my bike, so I bought it then, and always use it to check the hanger of my vintage bike purchases.
Originally Posted by
Prowler
Lastly: I recently had a lot of bother with one Suntour FW. Mostly shifted well but the shift between two particular cogs was way too fussy. After all sorts of checking and testing I finally took the FW apart. Found that the spacer between those two cogs had been installed wrong. Fixed that and we were "off to the races". So stay open minded and careful what you assume.
That must be very satisfying to solve the issue like that. My Suntour freewheel does tend to pick up the chain at the middle cogs, but no problem with the outer cogs of the freewheel.