Originally Posted by Flak

So i was unhappy with the job my LBS did with my derailleur and decided, "dammit, if these shmucks can do it so can i". Went to parktool, read over and printed thier instructions, and went to work. Took me a while, but i finally got my bike shifting the way i like, bar 1 problem, its hesitates shifting to the smallest sprocket. It shifts eventually, but the lag is annoying. The tension is as loose as possible without impacting upshifting to easier gears, yet it still hesitates when going to the harder 'high' gear. My limit screws are set properly, i dont think my hanger is bent, b screw is set properly, cable housing is ok, and cable is lubed.

Is there perhaps something relativly simple that im overlooking? I notice the swing arm on the derailleur is slightly bent inwards, probably from impact somewhere. Could this be my problem? If so, is there a way to straighten it without just pulling on it to straighten it out? Or is this ok?

Thanks for any advice.