Lubricating Derailleur Pulleys?
05-15-02, 12:42 PM
#1
serial mender
Thread Starter
Join Date: Mar 2002
Location: Bonn, Germany
Posts: 416
Mentioned: 0 Post(s)
Tagged: 0 Thread(s)
Quoted: 0 Post(s)
Likes: 0
Liked 0 Times
in
0 Posts
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.
As a related question: are sealed bearing pulleys worth the while for a road bike?
Many thanks in advance. Cheers!
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.
As a related question: are sealed bearing pulleys worth the while for a road bike?
Many thanks in advance. Cheers!
05-15-02, 01:43 PM
#2
Mr. Cellophane
Join Date: Nov 2000
Location: New Orleans, LA
Posts: 3,037
Mentioned: 0 Post(s)
Tagged: 0 Thread(s)
Quoted: 2 Post(s)
Likes: 0
Liked 0 Times
in
0 Posts
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
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
__________________
If it ain't broke, mess with it anyway!
If it ain't broke, mess with it anyway!
Last edited by RainmanP; 05-15-02 at 01:57 PM.
05-15-02, 04:45 PM
#4
Love Me....Love My Bike!
Join Date: Dec 2000
Location: Winnipeg
Posts: 1,231
Bikes: Bikes: Giant hybrid, Trek 4500, Cannondale R800 Some commuting 20mi/day, mostly fitness riding - 20-50 mile rides
Mentioned: 0 Post(s)
Tagged: 0 Thread(s)
Quoted: 1 Post(s)
Likes: 0
Liked 0 Times
in
0 Posts
When mine started squeaking, I put some grease on them, no trouble since.
__________________
"...perhaps the world needs a little more Canada" - Jean Chretian, 2003.
"...perhaps the world needs a little more Canada" - Jean Chretian, 2003.
05-16-02, 09:29 AM
#5
Ich bin ein Lowlander!
Join Date: Mar 2001
Location: Atlantic Ocean, France
Posts: 583
Mentioned: 0 Post(s)
Tagged: 0 Thread(s)
Quoted: 0 Post(s)
Likes: 0
Liked 0 Times
in
0 Posts
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.
__________________
Mark
Dancevalley 2th of august 2003 -> JXL, Laidback luke, Sasha, John Digweed, Monica Krusse.....and on!
Mark
Dancevalley 2th of august 2003 -> JXL, Laidback luke, Sasha, John Digweed, Monica Krusse.....and on!
05-16-02, 06:47 PM
#6
riding a Pinarello Prince
Join Date: Jul 2000
Location: Downtown Toronto,Canada
Posts: 2,409
Bikes: Pinarello, Prince and an FP5
Mentioned: 0 Post(s)
Tagged: 0 Thread(s)
Quoted: 0 Post(s)
Likes: 0
Liked 0 Times
in
0 Posts
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, ,
__________________
"Racso", the well oiled machine;)
"Racso", the well oiled machine;)
05-17-02, 09:17 AM
#7
feros ferio
Join Date: Jul 2000
Location: www.ci.encinitas.ca.us
Posts: 21,796
Bikes: 1959 Capo Modell Campagnolo; 1960 Capo Sieger (2); 1962 Carlton Franco Suisse; 1970 Peugeot UO-8; 1982 Bianchi Campione d'Italia; 1988 Schwinn Project KOM-10;
Mentioned: 44 Post(s)
Tagged: 0 Thread(s)
Quoted: 1392 Post(s)
Liked 1,324 Times
in
836 Posts
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!)
__________________
"Far and away the best prize that life offers is the chance to work hard at work worth doing." --Theodore Roosevelt
Capo: 1959 Modell Campagnolo, S/N 40324; 1960 Sieger (2), S/N 42624, 42597
Carlton: 1962 Franco Suisse, S/N K7911
Peugeot: 1970 UO-8, S/N 0010468
Bianchi: 1982 Campione d'Italia, S/N 1.M9914
Schwinn: 1988 Project KOM-10, S/N F804069
"Far and away the best prize that life offers is the chance to work hard at work worth doing." --Theodore Roosevelt
Capo: 1959 Modell Campagnolo, S/N 40324; 1960 Sieger (2), S/N 42624, 42597
Carlton: 1962 Franco Suisse, S/N K7911
Peugeot: 1970 UO-8, S/N 0010468
Bianchi: 1982 Campione d'Italia, S/N 1.M9914
Schwinn: 1988 Project KOM-10, S/N F804069
05-19-02, 03:03 AM
#8
Senior Member
Join Date: Sep 2000
Location: Spokane WA
Posts: 1,148
Bikes: Seven Axiom Ti, Trek 620, Masi cylocross (steel). Masi Souleville 8spd, Fat Chance Mtn. (steel), Schwinn Triple Bar cruiser, Mazi Speciale Fix/single, Schwinn Typhoon
Mentioned: 0 Post(s)
Tagged: 0 Thread(s)
Quoted: 7 Post(s)
Likes: 0
Liked 1 Time
in
1 Post
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
Ride Clean
Pat
