The jockey wheels on my 5700 derailleur are pretty noisy.
This is a pic of the lower/tension pulley, I think it's a delrin bushing, same material as the wheel itself. After cleaning and lubing with r&r gold chain lube, it's still the loudest part of my drivetrain.
Looks like higher grade derailleurs have at least a ceramic bushing and sealed bearing.
Roller boys 11t wheels have sealed bearings and are around $20. Or there's ultegra or dura ace wheels at $35 and $55.
Any experience with this?
by iBN3qk
5 Comments
I think it’s a common upgrade to put ultegra ones in
ultegra jockey wheels should not be that expensive. this will likely save you 1 watt though
I had wheels that screeched after lots and lots miles, the outside of the metal bushing was scored. Some heavier weight motor oil kept things quiet for another couple thousand before needing reapplication. I eventually replaced them.
Others have mistakened a squeaky (dry) chain for squeaky wheels.
I avoid the wheels with a rubber gaskets that “seals” the bearing, they add friction even when clean and don’t tend to stay clean long which then adds even more friction.
Actually ultegra wheels (ceramic bushing + sealed bearing) are around $16 and dura ace are $35 (2 sealed bearings).
These jockey wheels with bushings should be lubricated with grease and not chain lube AFAIK. Packing it with thick grease should quieten it a bit, but like others have said you can always buy the ultegra version with pressed bearings.