Bicycle Mechanics - Simplex/Suntour/Shimano Pulley Wheel compatibility

This question has been asked elsewhere before but I am still not sure of the answer. I am trying to replace a broken 10-tooth pulley from Simplex (off an old Peugeot bike). It's rather similar to Suntour from an old Schwinn. I know I have no problem using the Suntour in place of Simplex but then the Schwinn is without a pulley. Since both Simplex and Suntour are difficult to find nowadays, is there a cheap $5 Shimano pulley that can take its place? The pulley measures 1 cm in thickness, about 4 cm in diameter and it's hub is 6 mm. I do not need the bolt. Also, it does not have to be an exact match since friction shifter is a bit more tolerant than index shifter, I think. Thanks for your help.

For older non-index derailleurs it doesn't matter what you pulleys you use as long as the width and hole diameter match. if you scout around you shouldn't have any problem finding a generic pulley to fit.

Trying to order the pulley online. Does anyknow the approximate dimension of a generic 10-tooth Shimano pulley wheel, anything close to 1 cm thick and 4 cm diameter?

Yes on both counts. These are pretty standardized using a 5mm bolt. The thickness is in the 1cm range, but may vary since they've gotten slightly thinner as chains did for 7, 8 and 9s. You can check by measuring across the inside of your RD cage. The thickness isn't critical but affects the length of the screw needed. Worst case scenario you'll need longer 5mm screws to assemble the cage.

Here's an example (http://www.bikepartsusa.com/bikeparts/item/01-102203) of one that will probably fit.

You can pay way too much for original replacements-

http://cgi.ebay.com/NOS-Simplex-Derailleur-Pulleys-1-pair-french-pulleys-/310222064173?cmd=ViewItem&pt=Cycling_Parts_Accessories&hash=item483aad0a2d

or you can pay way less for a huge upgrade-

http://www.velo-orange.com/vogrcrusebeu.html

The Simplex pulleys are probably 35-40 years and they will crack just like yours did. They cracked when they were new and they're more brittle now.
I've used Suntour pulleys on Simplex. They work fine. My favorite replacement is Bullseye:

http://inlinethumb42.webshots.com/44393/2483250460068014369S600x600Q85.jpg (http://good-times.webshots.com/photo/2483250460068014369Wvlrif)

Found out Simplex and Suntour both have 6 mm centers but Shimano has 5 mm. Drilling the metal plates bigger is not a problem but drilling the metal center piece maybe slightly more involved. Don't know if that's hardened metal, probably not.

Thanks for the link but not sure if I can replace 10-tooth with 11-tooth and even though the link say it is Simplex compatible, I think the metal center is probably 5 mm rather than the needed 6 mm as well.

So you think it's a lie? If Chris says it will fit, it will. He has lots of experience with Simplex derailers since he's into French style bikes. The metal center is way oversize. The adapters shown make it fit the bolt.

If you have a plastic Simplex Prestige, it's not worth repairing. Replace it with something decent like a Simplex SX610 or any Suntour.

Before buying new pulleys, why don't you simply remove the lower pulley bolt and measure it. That'll tell you what you'll need to know before buying a replacement. I suspect you'll find it a 5x.8mm screw so any plastic on bushing pulley will work. Whether it's 10 or 11t won't make a difference.

Shimano metal hub is 5 mm. Simplex and Suntour metal hubs are 6 mm. The bolts on Simplex and Suntour are also close to 6 mm.

+1 to Dirtdrop. If it's Simplex (or French), take his word for it.

Either get the Velo-Orange pulleys or dig up a set of 6mm Suntour pulleys and use those. Forget about the Shimanos.

-Kurt

This question has been asked elsewhere before but I am still not sure of the answer. I am trying to replace a broken 10-tooth pulley from Simplex (off an old Peugeot bike). It's rather similar to Suntour from an old Schwinn. I know I have no problem using the Suntour in place of Simplex but then the Schwinn is without a pulley. Since both Simplex and Suntour are difficult to find nowadays, is there a cheap $5 Shimano pulley that can take its place? The pulley measures 1 cm in thickness, about 4 cm in diameter and it's hub is 6 mm. I do not need the bolt. Also, it does not have to be an exact match since friction shifter is a bit more tolerant than index shifter, I think. Thanks for your help.

I need help too!
Did you find a suitable replacement for the pulley set? And, where?

My ride has been a gorgeus old timer. Even though a have a much improved bike - I don't want to abandon the old girl yet.

Or just buy a cheap 1970s Suntour derailleur off eBay.

Most of us won't know who "dirtdrop" or "chris" are, so can't tell who these replies were aimed at or referred to.

As for the Simplex pullies, they all have a 6mm bore.
Simplex, Suntour, Ofmega/Gipiemme (both made by Simplex btw), and a select few old Shimano derailers use the 6mm bolt size, while almost all Shimano and Campagnolo pullies are for 5mm bolts these days.

Someone mentioned drilling out the cage plates, but this will require a nut which may foul the spokes (and the Simplex bolts and holes are already the bigger size)!

I don't like Simplex pulleys because they are so prone to brittle failure.

I don't like Suntour pullies because their very large sleeve diameter multiplies rotating friction.

Huret ball-bearing pullies (with metal centers and plastic-covered teeth) are very durable, are 6mm, and are even adjustable.

I get 10-tooth ball bearing pullies off of Ebay, which have alloy cover-plate/bushings that are plugged into oversized thin bearings.
This allows the bushing holes to be easily reamed to any size, up to 8mm or so! The width of these pullies is pretty modern, i.e. a little narrower than Simplex, but worked well here (with just a washer added under each bolt head) as I used narrow chain after drilling the pulley's alloy cover plates out to 6mm:

http://farm9.staticflickr.com/8097/8386103582_4997241622_z.jpg

I used to be Dirtdrop. This is a very old thread resurrected by a newbie. It happens a lot.

as long as the width and hole diameter match.

Not even! It doesn't matter a damn if the bushing has a larger hole than necessary (because moving the centre of the pulley 2mm in any direction will almost certainly not result in fouling the chain), and if it's too narrow it can simply be shimmed with washers.


This is a very old thread resurrected by a newbie.

Dammit, I need to start looking at the dates before I reply.

i am baffled by the fact that VO doesn't supply simplex compatible pulleys...

isn't it their exact market ?

i am baffled by the fact that VO doesn't supply simplex compatible pulleys...

isn't it their exact market ?

I'm not too sure about that, at this point most people are using newer derailers than Simplex or Suntour, so the market is pretty limited for a 6mm pully.
But, since they could just buy the ones I got, in large quantities to minimise the shipping costs from China, they might as well just stock them in a basic silver and black.
There is still the problem of getting the right thickness of pully to the customer, so might be best for them to supply exact-replacement parts only, and leave the reaming and bolt-shimming to the serious tinkerers.

The best solution is to do what Suntour did, supplying their replacement ball-bearing pullies with a 6mm bore and with a 5mm reducer sleeve that is removeable. Those were the best pullies ever, imo, and also fit Simplex, Campy and even many Huret derailers perfectly.

I just read this thread and I am still a little confused. I have this Simplex derailleur. Which pulleys should I buy? Some links / sources?

https://lh6.googleusercontent.com/-eyMHZHMy41c/UZGitjfSJZI/AAAAAAABNvw/30KouE0XmlE/s800/IMG_6465.jpg

Hope this isn't considered a necrobump ...

You'll need pulleys with a 6mm hole in them for any Simplex derailer.

Simplex, Huret, Suntour come to mind as possible 6mm donors.

And remember Campag is 5mm when hunting for your vintage pullies.

You'll need pulleys with a 6mm hole in them for any Simplex derailer.

Simplex, Huret, Suntour come to mind as possible 6mm donors.

And remember Campag is 5mm when hunting for your vintage pullies.

Any known good online sources? I see that NOS ones are no good. What's everyone using?
I saw VO mentioned up above, but theirs (http://store.velo-orange.com/index.php/components/shifting-freewheels-cassettes/parts-maintenance/dr-0002.html) sounds like a 5mm one (since they mention Shimano).

Any known good online sources? I see that NOS ones are no good. What's everyone using?
I saw VO mentioned up above, but theirs (http://store.velo-orange.com/index.php/components/shifting-freewheels-cassettes/parts-maintenance/dr-0002.html) sounds like a 5mm one (since they mention Shimano).

Noone? Where do you guys get your stuff (other than old Suntour DR at the coop)?

Noone? Where do you guys get your stuff (other than old Suntour DR at the coop)?

I've bought Huret ball-bearing pullies from Ebay, and also get them from swap-meet Huret derailers.

Ebay vendors in China sell alloy 10t pullies. The ones you want have large-diameter bearing cartridges in them, with alloy hub centers fitted to adapt down to the 5mm bolt hole. These can be drilled out to 6mm, as I did here:
http://farm9.staticflickr.com/8097/8386103582_4997241622_z.jpg