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-   -   Jockey wheels, do they matter? (https://www.bikeforums.net/bicycle-mechanics/725585-jockey-wheels-do-they-matter.html)

tompt 04-05-11 11:13 PM

Jockey wheels, do they matter?
 
I bought a set of sealed bearing jockey wheels last year. Riding through the winter, the lower wheel has seized. I'm not sure what to do. I don't think the bearings lasted as long as the bushings in the stock Shimano jockey wheels.

Should I try a little fancier jockey wheels, or are the bushings on stock Shimano wheels the best you can do in nasty conditions?

Really, do the jockey wheels matter, or are they all about the same?

Sixty Fiver 04-05-11 11:17 PM

It would appear that the sealed bearings were not as well sealed as one would like.

The stock bushings in most derailleurs handle extreme weather just fine.. the sealed bearing models and after market jockey wheels do make things pretty smooth but so does keeping the stock pulleys clean and lubed.

Suntour jockey wheels were very well made and can be used to replace some other jockey wheels... they do not wear out as quickly as Shimano jockey wheels either.

Captain Blight 04-05-11 11:18 PM

to my mind they are all about the same although the old Huret untoothed, round pulleys are noticeably quieter than anything "modern." Certainly the sealed bearings weigh a good bit more, though it's a difference that's less than a good swallow of water.

Sixty Fiver 04-05-11 11:34 PM

The old Huret pulleys have non sealed bearings in them and when they are clean and the pre-load is right they are very very smooth.

HillRider 04-06-11 06:44 AM

The jockey (upper) pulley on a modern indexing rear derailleur has to "float" sideways a little to make shifting quick and quiet so just any pulley won't do.

Early replacement pulleys were fixed and provided touchy and unreliable shifting when substituted for the OEM ones. I expect current aftermarket pulleys have been redesigned to provide the needed float.

That said, the factory pulleys work so well and last so long I don't see any use spending more money to replace them.

fietsbob 04-06-11 07:29 AM

In Anchorage AK, as a commuter, in the winter , a bushing type pulley
may well do better .

yes specifically, Shimano Indexing requires float ,
so near miss aligned locations are adequate.

20 Years Ago , I got some Carmichael sealed bearing Offered is aluminum and Ti.
the float on those came thru the bushing the bearing sat on.

Have you popped the plastic seal out and cleaned
and re lubricated the bearings in the cartridge?

Looigi 04-06-11 07:34 AM


Originally Posted by HillRider (Post 12466413)
The jockey (upper) pulley on a modern indexing rear derailleur has to "float" sideways a little to make shifting quick and quiet so just any pulley won't do.

My old fashioned 2011 SRAM Red and Force jockey wheels have no significant float. My modern 12, 10, and 6 year old Shimano upper jockey wheels do.

HillRider 04-06-11 10:10 AM


Originally Posted by Looigi (Post 12466596)
My old fashioned 2011 SRAM Red and Force jockey wheels have no significant float. My modern 12, 10, and 6 year old Shimano upper jockey wheels do.

I'm surprised to hear that about SRAM but both Shimano and Campy provide float in their jockey pulleys.

FBinNY 04-06-11 10:24 AM

There's a common misconception about sealed bearings. Most of the commercial sealed bearings used in the bike trade are only sealed to the standards applicable in the world of electric motors. the seals are intended to keep grease in and dust out.

These seals aren't intended as hydraulic shaft seals and will admit water, especially sprayed water. The irony is that when it comes to water they do a far better job sealing it in than out. For a light application like a derailleur, there's zero benefit to ball bearings, compared to brass or bronze bushings. There's a tiny reduction if friction, but since the load is only that of the RD cage spring, the total friction involved is miniscule to begin with.

LesterOfPuppets 04-06-11 10:36 AM


Originally Posted by HillRider (Post 12467399)
I'm surprised to hear that about SRAM but both Shimano and Campy provide float in their jockey pulleys.

I think some Suntour jockey pulleys were float-free also.

HillRider 04-06-11 10:40 AM


Originally Posted by LesterOfPuppets (Post 12467552)
I think some Suntour jockey pulleys were float-free also.

Their pre-indexing pulleys certainly didn't float but I don't recall what they used after they introduced indexing.

LesterOfPuppets 04-06-11 11:00 AM

It seems to me some of their indexed stuff had float and some didn't. Unfortunately I just got rid of an XCE 6sp. rear derailer. I'll check out the XC-Pro 7-sp when I get home though.

LesterOfPuppets 04-06-11 09:49 PM

UPDATE: My Suntour XC-Pro 7-speed rear derailers have absolutely no play in the jockey wheels.


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