Yep. See all kinds of bad-shifing habits. And have to admit to them sometimes myself when I start to get tired and wonky

Like "Why is it soooo hard to get up this climb?" Then looking down and realizing I'm in the big chainring and cross-geared. Oh. duh. grrrrr.

I knew my recent shifting woes were gear-related (no pun intended) though, because in the past in order to throw the chain back up onto the chainring, all I had to do was shift UP while pedaling. This dropped chain was of the "stuck down in the frame and won't come back up with out manual manipulation" variety.

I had done a bunch of work to the bike (new chain, cassette and cables...). I'm pretty sure my front der. was moved(a different kind of operator error) and no longer in the optimal position. Playing around with it, I can now shift without dumping the chain, but the trade-off is a bit of chainrub when lower on the cassette. I also noticed a lof of "slop" in the pivots. I've crashed a few times and chances are good it could be slightly bent as well. Perhaps after 8+ years its actually time for a new front der.???

Darn, I hate spending $$$ on un-sexy stuff like new derailleurs!

The mountain bike is asking, make that begging, for a new drive-train and shifters (10 year-old LX!) as well.

I'd rather buy pretty new bar-tape and some schwanky new bike shoes.....