Jockey wheels; Bearing or not?

[Milzy]

Nah.. you simply have to have a set of these.... bargain at an RRP of only £379.99

View attachment 520502

Guaranteed to increase riding speed, reduce effort, and make you irresistible to the opposite sex*







* not actually a guarantee.

Can save you about 4 watts. Nice.

 

[rogerzilla]

Having used both, I'd stick to the plain bushings.

 

[Ajax Bay]

Where’s the benefit?

You said it wasn't 'worth getting the wallet out' to buy jockey wheels with bearings (as opposed to bushings). I merely sought to point out that prices were comparable.
£9 - https://www.chainreactioncycles.com/shimano-rd-5800-105-11-speed-jockey-wheels/rp-prod194165

Having used both, I'd stick to the plain bushings.

Why? Add some value.

 

[Kryton521]

Well I went for a bit of "Bling" and brought the Hope 11 tooth jockey wheels in blue. Weren't much more than the standard and they're blue!

 

[Fab Foodie]

You said it wasn't 'worth getting the wallet out' to buy jockey wheels with bearings (as opposed to bushings). I merely sought to point out that prices were comparable.
£9 - https://www.chainreactioncycles.com/shimano-rd-5800-105-11-speed-jockey-wheels/rp-prod194165

Why? Add some value.

I guess we have different concepts of value :-)
My DA jockey wheels have been running sweetly since 2004 on minimal maintenance, doubt bearings would have done so well.

 

[Ajax Bay]

'Add value' request was addressed to @rogerzilla
I was just saying that the two sets cost much the same. I'd also surmise that your "DA jockey wheels have been running sweetly since 2004" with a low annual mileage.

 

[Fab Foodie]

'Add value' request was addressed to @rogerzilla
I was just saying that the two sets cost much the same. I'd also surmise that your "DA jockey wheels have been running sweetly since 2004" with a low annual mileage.

Oh I’ve no idea how far, but a fair amount in all weathers most weeks of the year. A very conservative calc would give me 20k miles.

 

[Ajax Bay]

My ninjas needed replacing (see image; includes relatively new one for comparison). I suspect that they were the originals (ie with the 105 RD) so had about 20,000km on them (Jan 18)
Replaced with basic sealed roller bearing ones (£10 the pair from my LBS).

The basic sealed roller bearing ones I fitted two years ago have done 22000km. They are still "running sweetly" and are not yet ready for ninja weapon duties.

 

[Noodle Legs]

Just had my mech apart on my cube attempt which is my winter bike. It’s a 105 10 speed with a triple on the front but it’s knocking on a bit now. The jockey wheels are of the bush and shim type rather than a bearing. Gave them a good clean and a tot of grease and they’re as free as a bird!
Sadly the rear mech is quite worn (There’s some play in the cage when I move it by hand) so can’t quite get the indexing right with it. Another project once I’ve got enough pennies after paying for di2 to be installed on my Domane.....

 

[fossyant]

I guess we have different concepts of value :-)
My DA jockey wheels have been running sweetly since 2004 on minimal maintenance, doubt bearings would have done so well.

DA were ceramic bushings. Same here with my 7402 mech from about 1990. Perfect.