>>1470582there are plenty of people who shift a lot but do not think about the complex dynamics between chain, cassette, and derailleur.
you know as well as i do that the quick shifting on modern index systems has a lot to do with advances in cassette design. the chain is encouraged to move easily by careful shaping of cogs and chains. "ghost shifting" from slightly misaligned derailleurs is more of a problem on those cassettes. i have used identical friction drivetrains with both 6-speed freewheels and 9-speed cassettes and the older freewheel is far easier to shift well on especially if you are tired or not paying very much attention. systems intended for friction do not assume perfect alignment of the upper pulley with the cog as much as indexed systems do because the chain is not intentionally made unstable and ready to shift at a moment's notice on systems predating hyperglide.
obviously the derailleur does not know if the thing holding the cable tension is indexed or not. i am referring to the derailleur's newfound role in not simply moving the chain but keeping it in place above a certain gear. shifting is a matter of overcoming the chain's tendency to stay where it is and the less of that tendency there is the quicker the shift. that means that there has to be something else keeping it on that gear, which is where the derailleur's exact positioning relative to each cog on the cassette is useful. this is why shimano has moved to floatless upper pulleys
as you have proven it is not impossible to do 12sp friction. do not pretend that it requires as little precision or care as pic related
