So here:

I experience a 'clumpy' sort of feeling when I'm pedaling; it varies with chain tension... right now I have mine within the recommended (1/4-1/2") area, with minimal (but existent) play in the cranks. If I go tighter, the problem is worse... any looser and well, the chain's loose.

The noise/feeling is not the clicking associated with loose pedals. It's something I can feel through my shoes, intermittent enough to be annoying, more present when I'm really laying into it. A pulpy feeling that disrupts the smoothness of the stroke.

Several bike mechanics have told me that's just part of the ride, effectively saying that a smooth pedal rotation all the time isn't going to happen. The odd thing is, this happens on my newish Pista, but didn't occur on the beat up schwinn conversion I started out on.

Since at least some of you seem to share my perfectionistic neuroses, I was wondering: is this something you all 'live with'? Does it get worse for you when you run the chain so tightly that there isn't any play in the cranks whatsoever?

I plan on replacing my chainring, chain, and sprocket very soon, so perhaps that will solve it, if it is indeed solvable..

thanks