Bicycle Mechanics - Lubricating Derailleur Pulleys?

So what’s the scoop? Do derailleur pulleys (non-sealed bearing type) need lubrication or not?

I just overhauled my chain and rear derailleur—a 1983 vintage Suntour Superbe jem. As I pulled the chain aside to clean up the pulleys, I noticed that they turned as if they were packed with molasses. This necessitated dismantling the derailleur and the pulleys. I recalled that that the last time I performed this maneuver, I put some (not much) grease or oil in them (can’t remember which). At that time, I thought it strange that 1. they were so clean inside after years of utter neglect; 2. they didn’t seem to have any oil or grease in them at all; and 3. that they spun quite nicely just like that.

These pulleys are plastic/resin, with a hollow steel cylinder running through the middle and two aluminum, dish-shaped cap-like things on the sides.

For the moment, I have put them back in as dry as can be—not a drop of anything, not even vermouth—on the theory they were better off that way.

I don’t know if it’s related, but after the cleaning I climbed my favorite hill 2 km faster than I usually do. :p

As a related question: are sealed bearing pulleys worth the while for a road bike?

Many thanks in advance. Cheers!

When I am doing a very thorough cleaning I pull the pulleys apart, clean them really well, then put a light coating of grease on the bushing before reassembling. I don't put grease on the ones with ceramic bushings. My LBS buddy talked me out of sealed bearing pulleys. He said they just didn't have any advantage. This is a guy who does know his stuff. On the other hand, several other people seem to like them a lot. I plan to try some eventually.

A word of caution to others. On more modern Shimano ders the two pulleys are slightly different though the difference is not obvious. The guide or jockey pulley, the one closer to the cogs, which "guides" the chain in shifting supposedly has features to improve shifting. The guide pulley has says Shimano G or the word Guide on it. It may also have the word Centeron or have a white ceramic bushing rather than metal.
FWIW,
Raymond

I lube mine with TriFlo.

When mine started squeaking, I put some grease on them, no trouble since.

With the slide bearings i just ad some chain oil into the cylinder, but with the roll bearing type,(i believe Xtr and Record? ) i put some high quality bearing grease on it.

I have been riding for ages, I have never lube my derialleur, I cut my chain, clean the chain and clean the rollers on the derialleur, and that's about it, don't remember ever cleaning more so like dismantling it and putting it back together....You know what because I thinkwhen you oil the chain some of the oil goes to the derailleur, ,

Judging from the number of worn-out derailleur pulleys I have encountered, I favor lubricating their bushings/bearings. (Now I just have to remember to set a good example!)

I've used grease, tri-flo, white-lightnig etc., etc.- I'm now favoring silicon spray ( every couple of rides) as it DOES NOT attract dirt.

Ride Clean
Pat