Notchy action when turning pedals backwards...

[andyoxon]

How smooth should the action be when moving pedals backwards?  Fixed slow rear tyre puncture last night - also checked bearings added grease in.  All good - axle nice & smooth.  But noticed that there's a 'chain catching - notchy action' when rotating pedal backwards - even with chain mid cassette - & 39t middle chain ring.  BB action is very smooth.  FD is not connecting chain.  Seems like chain not aligned on rear mech / chain catching cassette teeth as it moves, but can't see what.  Have released RD cable and reconnected.  No cigar.   10 speed drivetrain - all 105 (triple) with Deore M591 9spd rd.

Any ideas?

[Feanor]

Slightly sticky freehub?

[Chris S]

Worn chain?

Does it catch in one particular point in the chain's rotation? If so, check for a damaged link.

[andyoxon]

Thanks both.  Cassette spins very nicely.  New shimano 11-34t cassette and KMC 10s chain ~ 3months ago.

[philip]

The top jockey wheel typically has some lateral movement when new, but once it gets worn it can then lean too much and the chain runs to one side.

[andyoxon]

Ok, think I've sorted it.     Somehow I'd not noticed (until bike was on the work stand) that the chain wasn't seated on the lower jockey wheel properly.   

[Feanor]

Another favourite is threading the chain round the wrong side of the wee lug between the 2 jockey pulleys so it drags across the lug...

[JonB]

Another favourite is threading the chain round the wrong side of the wee lug between the 2 jockey pulleys so it drags across the lug...

Guilty 

[yorkie]

Another favourite is threading the chain round the wrong side of the wee lug between the 2 jockey pulleys so it drags across the lug...

Guilty 

Yup! 

[bairn again]

Another favourite is threading the chain round the wrong side of the wee lug between the 2 jockey pulleys so it drags across the lug...

Had to find, buy and fit a new chain the day before PBP in 2015.  Obviously did this too! 

[Nutbeem]

Another favourite is threading the chain round the wrong side of the wee lug between the 2 jockey pulleys so it drags across the lug...

& me, new chain fitted day before the Easter Arrow. Discovered what i'd done after driving to our start point 100km from home, so no chain link pliers. Ended up removing a jockey wheel to correctly position the chain.

[Lightning Phil]

Another favourite is threading the chain round the wrong side of the wee lug between the 2 jockey pulleys so it drags across the lug...

& me, new chain fitted day before the Easter Arrow. Discovered what i'd done after driving to our start point 100km from home, so no chain link pliers. Ended up removing a jockey wheel to correctly position the chain.

I’ve done that last bit, due to same issue after fitting new chain