Rear Mech dragged by chain

Erasmus

Hi folks, I hope you can help with a weird problem. I have just changed the cassette and chain on my summer bike which hasn't been used for months. Since setting it up, the gears change ok when on the stand and the pedals turned by hand, and everything else seems normal. However, after being under load (i.e. after pedaling pressure), once I stop pedaling or backpedal, the rear mech/jockey wheel get dragged forward by the bottom run of the chain and it's like the the mech is jamming and trying to change down a gear to a smaller sprocket.

I've tried the whole range of working adjustments for the indexing and it happens no matter if I'm in the middle or at either extreme for adjustment.

The only thing I can think of is that the bike has taken a knock and the rear mech/dropout is out of alignment. However, I would be grateful for any thoughts/suggestions before I head off to the LBS. Cheers, John.

Wappygixer

Are your jockey wheels and or freehub free?If either of these are stiff it can cause back pedal issues.
If it has taken a knock is it not possible to see it?If not take is to your LBS to check it out

Erasmus

Thanks Wappy, I have serviced the rear wheel (campy proton) and freewheel was stiff, but this is now sorted. Bottom jockey wheel is a bit dodgy so I think you are on the right lines with this and I will investigate tomorrow when my patience is restored. Thanks again, John

Streak

Erasmus, check you don't have any tight chain link(s)

streak

Erasmus

Thanks again folks, I have now re-checked all of chain (one link was a bit stiff), cassette is free, and jockey wheels a bit old but still spinning freely (bit like me really).

All runs smoothly until I actually cycle and apply normal pedaling pressure, when I hear a creaking/cracking noise as if something is forced where it doesn't want to go. All stays ok while pedaling, but once I freewheel or backpedal that's when things go out of line.

If I look at the alignment compared to my other bike I could imagine it's out, but if it is then it's slight. I'm tempted to take it for a proper spin and see if stop/starting irons it out. However, if it's a real problem it may make it worse so I think it's off to LBS next weekend. Cheers, John

Wappygixer

When you say the wheel was serviced did you have all the bearings replaced?

If a bearing is stiff its often worse under loading.

Does your axel turn freely? If not try it with the freewheel removed.This is just to narrow down which bearing it is if any.

Erasmus

This is really a case of the bad workman blaming his tools as It was me who serviced the wheels. Following Wappygixers last post I've just tried swapping the wheel in another bike, and the wheel is definitely the problem. The bearings run smooth, but there is some sort of seal around the freewheel which seems to be distorted. It may be this that is the problem under loading so so I will try straightening this and post back. Thanks, John.

John.T

I think your freehub is knackered. Putting pressure on is displacing a pawl or something and then jamming things up. Depends on what make for if it is servicable or not.

Erasmus

Thanks John, I suspect your succinct summing up of the situation is spot on.

Being a stubborn sort, I am going to find a quiet hour later in the week and strip down again and concentrate just on the freehub, pawls, and the dodgy looking seal. If this works then great, otherwise I think it's time to consign to the bin. Cheers, John

Erasmus

Well, I found that quiet hour and re-done the wheel. Following Johns technical comments I concentrated on the freehub, remembering that although it spun freely, it never quite regained that distinct ratchet noise of a freehub.

Anyway, upshot is everything is tickety boo again (see, I can do technical as well), and I'm off for a play now in the nice weather. Thanks Wappygixer, Streak, and John for your help.

Wappygixer

I had a similar problem this week with my new Record hubs, the rachet kept slipping on climbs.
It turned out to be to much grease on the pawls and spring.
A quick clean up and it runs a treat.
Glad your up and running ok now and without binning a nice set of wheels