Jockey Wheel Maintenance
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Drago
Legendary Member
- Location
- Suburban Poshshire
On the bikes I use regularly, annually. I run kcnc alloy jockey and idler wheels on 2 of my bikes, which simplifies things as they're sealed roller bearing.
Racing roadkill
Guru
I replace them with every chain and cassette change, I pay special attention to them when cleaning the drive train, the screws sometimes work loose over time, it's always worth checking they are torqued up right.
Broadside
Guru
- Location
- Fleet, Hants
[QUOTE 4666570, member: 9609"]How often if ever do you rebuild them and how do you lube them ?
This time of year (winter) with the wet salty roads I dismantle them about once a month (400mile) clean them up and rebuild with a water proof (marine) grease. I never bother trying to oil between rebuilds.
Just wondering how do others maintain theirs ?[/QUOTE]
Aside from wiping them clean I have never done anything with jockey wheels. My main bike rear derailleur has got 12,000 miles on it and the gear shifting is not brilliant, I am wondering if some new jockey wheels would make a difference.
This time of year (winter) with the wet salty roads I dismantle them about once a month (400mile) clean them up and rebuild with a water proof (marine) grease. I never bother trying to oil between rebuilds.
Just wondering how do others maintain theirs ?[/QUOTE]
Aside from wiping them clean I have never done anything with jockey wheels. My main bike rear derailleur has got 12,000 miles on it and the gear shifting is not brilliant, I am wondering if some new jockey wheels would make a difference.
CanucksTraveller
Macho Business Donkey Wrestler
- Location
- Hertfordshire
I'm like Broadside, I've cleaned them and given them a GT85 spray and an oil (a little tiny squeeze into the pinion), and that's it. I've never given them much thought other than that. I didn't know you could strip and rebuild, if I'm honest.
That gives me something else to worry about late at night now. Thanks.
That gives me something else to worry about late at night now. Thanks.
I like Skol
A Minging Manc...
- Location
- Sunny Ashton-under-Lyne
I'm with crax on this, they will tell you when it is time.
Well you are definitely doing something wrong, maybe fiddling with them too much? Never had a jockey wheel bolt come loose and certainly not had any appreciable wear in the life of a chain. Perhaps you should consider reviewing your lube regime?
Don't jockey wheels usually have a dab of loctite on the thread to stop them loosening?
I lubricate and wipe mine over when cleaning the chain and cassette, and make sure there's no buildup of crud. That's about it really.
I lubricate and wipe mine over when cleaning the chain and cassette, and make sure there's no buildup of crud. That's about it really.
summerdays
Cycling in the sun
- Location
- Bristol
I've not taken mine apart very often, probably a once a year task. Inbetween times I clean off the muck when I'm cleaning the chain.
jefmcg
Guru
Flash back discussion with mechanic at Evans, Canary Wharf: "... and your jockey wheels are worn" "no, they're new" "who replaced them?" "me"
Pause while I expected him to explain how I'd incorrectly fitted them and caused excessive wear or something, but no. Silence. He'd just been lying to me to increase the repair cost.
(this was when I'd bought my bike in after a collision. Item he didn't mention : bent rim so the front wheel would rotate. I took my bicycle away from him)
Pause while I expected him to explain how I'd incorrectly fitted them and caused excessive wear or something, but no. Silence. He'd just been lying to me to increase the repair cost.
(this was when I'd bought my bike in after a collision. Item he didn't mention : bent rim so the front wheel would rotate. I took my bicycle away from him)
subaqua
What’s the point
- Location
- Leytonstone
[QUOTE 4667123, member: 45"]I replace them when the teeth get sharp. Other than that I wipe the crud off the teeth with a baby wipe when they need it, and take them out and clean them up when I feel like it.[/QUOTE]
Planet killer
Same here. When I clean and lube chain ( every fecking day at moment) wheels get crud cleaned off and a drop of oil as close to bolt as possible.
I can't see point of changing wheels as a new RD is only a few quid dearer than Hope jockey wheels and the old one can be kept for repairs when some scrote trashes it while chained up
Planet killer
Same here. When I clean and lube chain ( every fecking day at moment) wheels get crud cleaned off and a drop of oil as close to bolt as possible.
I can't see point of changing wheels as a new RD is only a few quid dearer than Hope jockey wheels and the old one can be kept for repairs when some scrote trashes it while chained up
I like Skol
A Minging Manc...
- Location
- Sunny Ashton-under-Lyne
[QUOTE 4667270, member: 9609"]The jockey wheels have roller bearings ?
with the chain off can you flick them and watch them spin effortlessly, I know traditional jockey wheels sap next to no energy and seem to last indefinitely but I would like frictionless bearings that just spin.[/QUOTE]
Sealed means drag, you can't escape that. Open bearings will be almost friction free but will soon get full of crap and require frequent servicing to replace lost lube.
with the chain off can you flick them and watch them spin effortlessly, I know traditional jockey wheels sap next to no energy and seem to last indefinitely but I would like frictionless bearings that just spin.[/QUOTE]
Sealed means drag, you can't escape that. Open bearings will be almost friction free but will soon get full of crap and require frequent servicing to replace lost lube.
Ajax Bay
Guru
- Location
- East Devon
[QUOTE 4667282, member: 9609"]my bike aint pretty but it is beautifully oiled and lubed up at all times[/QUOTE]
Please don't ask him about the chains
Please don't ask him about the chains
