time to replace rear derailleur?
Subject is a mid-80's era Raleigh Technium mtn bike. Derailleur is a Deore XT. I've been using this bike for grocery and beer runs. I think I'd like to restore it for easy trail use for my son.
Problem is something others in BF have called "lashing" - chain jumps or skips when peddling over bumps like curbs or bigger.
History of repairs so far:
- new chain
- new rear freehub (tiagra road at 130mm was the closest fit to the 126mm dropouts on this frame)
- new 7 speed cassette with 4.5 mm spacer
- new jockey pulleys
Gave up indexed shifting - using smooth shift mode.
There was this one time - in a fit of frustration before any of the above mentioned repairs - when I kicked the rear derailleur with my foot....several times maybe...I can't remember. The cage looks bent and has resisted my efforts to straighten it. When I remove the cage and pulleys nothing appears bent.
Should I throw in the towel on this derailleur?
Thanks