ghost shifting

[aicabsolut]

What do you mean by "jumping"? Do you mean the chain feels like it's skipping on top of the cog or is the chain trying to jump between cogs and not settling on any one cog?

The first is "skipping," and the second is "autoshifting."

Skipping: http://sheldonbrown.com/derailer-adj....html#skipping

Autoshifting: http://www.sheldonbrown.com/autoshift.html

Alternatively, your indexing may be off. Does it happen such that you have a hard time shifting up or down into that problem cog? If so, then it's an indexing issue. If you can shift fine but then it starts acting up under load, then it may be one of the other problems.

If indexing improves things some but not enough or not for long, then check the condition of your cables. Any obvious damage to the cable or housing? Is it really dry under your bottom bracket? Try lubing the cables under the BB. If nothing works and you're certain it is not a chain wear problem, then you might need to replace your cables. Since you had some issues recently with the FD as well that sounds like a cable tension problem, my guess is that your cables are just getting too old and need to be replaced. That's not surprising at the year mark with the mileage you've got. DA cables might last a bit longer (because they're thicker) but it's probably a good time to change them, particularly if they are not Dura Ace cables.

[DebW]

If you have 4000 miles on one chain, then it's time to replace it. 2000 miles is a more reasonable replacement time. You may have to replace the cassette as well as the chain to avoid skipping.

[sundial]

What do you mean by "jumping"? Do you mean the chain feels like it's skipping on top of the cog or is the chain trying to jump between cogs and not settling on any one cog?

Both. I don't have any problem shifting, but the chain wants to ghost shift over the cassette. Thanks for sharing the links and I'm going to meet with the lbs mechanic and see what we can do to fix the problem.

I guess a new chain and cassette is a small price to pay.

[aicabsolut]

I had my shifting go all to hell when my cables quit on me. Eventually, it would get where I'd lose pretty much all tension on the cables and I couldn't get into any cog in particular. The large end of the cassette was the worst, because that's where you need the most tension on the cable. After 6500 miles on one cassette and chain, it never got that bad. I did have issues in just a couple of cogs when, after a really mucky ride, I cleaned my bike too well and had too much friction going on with the cables under the BB. The chain and cassette were fine. Lubing the cables fixed that.

4000 miles is probably near the end of the chain's life. If the chain checker is still good for sure (on the smallest measurement side), then I'd look to the cables. It could ultimately come down to being time to replace everything. Your cassette might still be fine--they can check that with the chain whip thing. Chain and cables replacement would be the cheapest way to start.