Pulley wheels
#1
Senior Member
Thread Starter
Pulley wheels
I'm going to replace my Chorus 10sp pulley wheels after 20 years of use. Other than just buying another set of Campy wheels, what brands/types should I look at? I see some super expensive ceramic ones, but also cheap ceramic and sealed bearing ones. The original Campy pulleys don't have bearings, just a bushing. Does it really matter?
#2
Senior Member
Join Date: Apr 2009
Location: New Rochelle, NY
Posts: 39,657
Bikes: too many bikes from 1967 10s (5x2)Frejus to a Sumitomo Ti/Chorus aluminum 10s (10x2), plus one non-susp mtn bike I use as my commuter
Liked 3,490 Times
in
1,916 Posts
Given the loads and speeds involved, bronze bushing pulleys are more than adequate. I've yet to see any that wore out before the chain ate them up.
Your 20 years experience means that out.
If you want to try something else, be sure to mat the width.
Your 20 years experience means that out.
If you want to try something else, be sure to mat the width.
__________________
FB
Chain-L site
An ounce of diagnosis is worth a pound of cure.
Just because I'm tired of arguing, doesn't mean you're right.
“One accurate measurement is worth a thousand expert opinions” - Adm Grace Murray Hopper - USN
WARNING, I'm from New York. Thin skinned people should maintain safe distance.
FB
Chain-L site
An ounce of diagnosis is worth a pound of cure.
Just because I'm tired of arguing, doesn't mean you're right.
“One accurate measurement is worth a thousand expert opinions” - Adm Grace Murray Hopper - USN
WARNING, I'm from New York. Thin skinned people should maintain safe distance.
Likes For FBinNY:
#3
Senior Member
Join Date: Apr 2009
Location: New Rochelle, NY
Posts: 39,657
Bikes: too many bikes from 1967 10s (5x2)Frejus to a Sumitomo Ti/Chorus aluminum 10s (10x2), plus one non-susp mtn bike I use as my commuter
Liked 3,490 Times
in
1,916 Posts
Given the loads and speeds involved, bronze bushing pulleys are more than adequate. I've yet to see any that wore out before the chain ate them up.
Your 20 years experience means that out.
If you want to try something else, be sure to match the width.
Also note that Campy used the same pulley top and bottom, whereas many made for Shimano had upper pulleys with sideways float.
Your 20 years experience means that out.
If you want to try something else, be sure to match the width.
Also note that Campy used the same pulley top and bottom, whereas many made for Shimano had upper pulleys with sideways float.
__________________
FB
Chain-L site
An ounce of diagnosis is worth a pound of cure.
Just because I'm tired of arguing, doesn't mean you're right.
“One accurate measurement is worth a thousand expert opinions” - Adm Grace Murray Hopper - USN
WARNING, I'm from New York. Thin skinned people should maintain safe distance.
FB
Chain-L site
An ounce of diagnosis is worth a pound of cure.
Just because I'm tired of arguing, doesn't mean you're right.
“One accurate measurement is worth a thousand expert opinions” - Adm Grace Murray Hopper - USN
WARNING, I'm from New York. Thin skinned people should maintain safe distance.
Likes For FBinNY:
#4
Wheelman
Join Date: Aug 2021
Location: Putney, London UK
Posts: 1,025
Bikes: 1982 Holdsworth Avanti (531), 1961 Holdsworth Cyclone
Liked 851 Times
in
419 Posts
I replaced the jockey wheels on some SunTour Cyclone that were 40 years old with sealed bearing ones.
I've done over 500 miles on them and no problems.
They also make a 9-11 speed version: https://www.amazon.co.uk/BBB-Jockey-...R8A/ref=sr_1_4
For the price I'd say worth a try.
I've done over 500 miles on them and no problems.
They also make a 9-11 speed version: https://www.amazon.co.uk/BBB-Jockey-...R8A/ref=sr_1_4
For the price I'd say worth a try.
#5
Senior Member
Join Date: Feb 2012
Location: Rochester, NY
Posts: 18,344
Bikes: Stewart S&S coupled sport tourer, Stewart Sunday light, Stewart Commuting, Stewart Touring, Co Motion Tandem, Stewart 3-Spd, Stewart Track, Fuji Finest, Mongoose Tomac ATB, GT Bravado ATB, JCP Folder, Stewart 650B ATB
Liked 4,188 Times
in
2,471 Posts
The Campy (and Shimano) guide pulleys have a free floating lateral play designed into them (to better align with a cog after a shift, this free play absorbs minor tolerance and adjustment "offnesses"). Most of the cartridge bearing pulleys I've seen don't. Whether this difference makes a difference when actually riding will depend on a bunch of factors like how worn the rest of the system is and how close to the intended did the manufacturer make the specific parts on the bike (what are the actual tolerance drifts and do they add up or cancel out).
The other aspect of aftermarket pulleys is the material they are so often made of, Aluminum and not a plastic. Often the noise of the chain running over the pulley is increased. Andy
The other aspect of aftermarket pulleys is the material they are so often made of, Aluminum and not a plastic. Often the noise of the chain running over the pulley is increased. Andy
__________________
AndrewRStewart
AndrewRStewart
Likes For Andrew R Stewart:
#6
Full Member
Join Date: Oct 2023
Posts: 446
Bikes: '00 LS Vortex/Chorus 12/Campag Zondas, '98 LS Classic/Chorus 10/Rolf Vector Pros
Liked 375 Times
in
216 Posts
Given the loads and speeds involved, bronze bushing pulleys are more than adequate. I've yet to see any that wore out before the chain ate them up.
Your 20 years experience means that out.
If you want to try something else, be sure to match the width.
Also note that Campy used the same pulley top and bottom, whereas many made for Shimano had upper pulleys with sideways float.
Your 20 years experience means that out.
If you want to try something else, be sure to match the width.
Also note that Campy used the same pulley top and bottom, whereas many made for Shimano had upper pulleys with sideways float.
#7
Senior Member
Join Date: Dec 2020
Location: Wake Forest, NC
Posts: 6,371
Bikes: 1989 Cinelli Supercorsa
Liked 3,325 Times
in
2,001 Posts
In my experience, aluminum pulley wheels do not exacerbate noise at all, and the fact that the top pulley does not "free float" does not affect index shifting to any noticeable degree on my DA 7700 system.
#8
Senior Member
#9
Full Member
Join Date: Oct 2023
Posts: 446
Bikes: '00 LS Vortex/Chorus 12/Campag Zondas, '98 LS Classic/Chorus 10/Rolf Vector Pros
Liked 375 Times
in
216 Posts
I have no comment or insight wrt your table legs
#10
Senior Member
Join Date: Oct 2013
Location: Mich
Posts: 7,873
Bikes: RSO E-tire dropper fixie brifter
Liked 3,307 Times
in
2,098 Posts
idler & pulley material is likely going to be the thing to consider if operating noise is of concern. alloy/metals will likely drive with a noticeable noise, & impact chain wear over a composite/poly material.
__________________
-YMMV
-YMMV
#11
Senior Member
Join Date: Oct 2013
Location: Mich
Posts: 7,873
Bikes: RSO E-tire dropper fixie brifter
Liked 3,307 Times
in
2,098 Posts
underwear isn't "numbered" (unless you do do the #2 in them) , yet some folks might [after initial use] turn them around, inside out & then around for the 4x use.
__________________
-YMMV
-YMMV
#12
Senior Member
Join Date: Apr 2009
Location: New Rochelle, NY
Posts: 39,657
Bikes: too many bikes from 1967 10s (5x2)Frejus to a Sumitomo Ti/Chorus aluminum 10s (10x2), plus one non-susp mtn bike I use as my commuter
Liked 3,490 Times
in
1,916 Posts
Sorry, I my Campy familiarity is a bit dated. I stand corrected.
__________________
FB
Chain-L site
An ounce of diagnosis is worth a pound of cure.
Just because I'm tired of arguing, doesn't mean you're right.
“One accurate measurement is worth a thousand expert opinions” - Adm Grace Murray Hopper - USN
WARNING, I'm from New York. Thin skinned people should maintain safe distance.
FB
Chain-L site
An ounce of diagnosis is worth a pound of cure.
Just because I'm tired of arguing, doesn't mean you're right.
“One accurate measurement is worth a thousand expert opinions” - Adm Grace Murray Hopper - USN
WARNING, I'm from New York. Thin skinned people should maintain safe distance.
Likes For FBinNY:
#13
Sometimes the pulleys may appear identical but some companies have pulleys that have slightly different teeth profiles. The upper may have a fuller profile to better 'grip' the chain, and the lower a beveled shape to allow for the varying approach angle of the chain.
Likes For KCT1986:
#14
Senior Member
Thread Starter
This discussion has convinced me to just get Campy replacements instead of the 3rd party ones. I thought about getting the BBB ones mentioned above, but that was the UK Amazon with prices in GBP plus shipping and the US site was almost as much as Campy. I'm ordering those and a new Veloce 13-29 cassette. I already have a new KMC chain in the package so what I plan on doing is putting a new chain on, but using the old chain when I go back to the trainer in the fall. No sense in wearing out a chain indoors, plus the cassette is old on the trainer at this point. On top of that it is an Ultegra cassette respaced for Campy and if it impacted wear I'll eliminate that. I'm not that concerned but why not.
#15
Senior Member
Hm - I have no doubt that things that start out identical end up being different as a result of differential wear - those initially identical shoes would certainly take on "right" and "left" forms after some use. However, this doesn't explain why apparently identical pulleys would be specifically labeled "upper" and "lower" if their initial placement didn't matter, regardless of how they ultimately wore from use.
I have no comment or insight wrt your table legs
I have no comment or insight wrt your table legs
Likes For ScottCommutes:
#16
Senior Member
Thread Starter
I just bought the Campy pair on eBay and in looking at the photo the upper and lower pulleys ARE different. The lower pulley has deeper grooves to keep the chain aligned while the upper is shallower and lets the chain glide better for shifting. I doubt any of the others would have this specific setup and are more designed the Shimano way. I have 10sp and all of the Campy 10sp appear to use the same wheels. 11sp is totally different. The newer 9sp looks the same as the 10sp.
I'm hoping that between this, a new 13-29 cassette and a new KMC chain the shifting will be more precise. It just doesn't shift as well now as it once did. I'd get a Campy chain but I already have the KMC.
Campy jockey wheels - eBay
I'm hoping that between this, a new 13-29 cassette and a new KMC chain the shifting will be more precise. It just doesn't shift as well now as it once did. I'd get a Campy chain but I already have the KMC.
Campy jockey wheels - eBay
#17
Senior Member
I'm hoping that between this, a new 13-29 cassette and a new KMC chain the shifting will be more precise. It just doesn't shift as well now as it once did. I'd get a Campy chain but I already have the KMC.
Campy jockey wheels - eBay
Campy jockey wheels - eBay
Last edited by alcjphil; 05-21-24 at 09:01 AM.
#18
Senior Member
Join Date: Oct 2013
Location: Mich
Posts: 7,873
Bikes: RSO E-tire dropper fixie brifter
Liked 3,307 Times
in
2,098 Posts
I just bought the Campy pair on eBay and in looking at the photo the upper and lower pulleys ARE different. The lower pulley has deeper grooves to keep the chain aligned while the upper is shallower and lets the chain glide better for shifting. I doubt any of the others would have this specific setup and are more designed the Shimano way. I have 10sp and all of the Campy 10sp appear to use the same wheels. 11sp is totally different. The newer 9sp looks the same as the 10sp.
I'm hoping that between this, a new 13-29 cassette and a new KMC chain the shifting will be more precise. It just doesn't shift as well now as it once did. I'd get a Campy chain but I already have the KMC.
Campy jockey wheels - eBay
I'm hoping that between this, a new 13-29 cassette and a new KMC chain the shifting will be more precise. It just doesn't shift as well now as it once did. I'd get a Campy chain but I already have the KMC.
Campy jockey wheels - eBay
__________________
-YMMV
-YMMV
#19
Senior Member
Upper and lower includes the "play" in the upper pulley that is there on purpose. The questions is whether that design was in place on the original pulleys. My memory says it was (my 1998 Record had it) but I don't recall if the pulleys were labeled or you just "knew" that the pulley with play went on top. I assume that if Record was doing this, Chorus was too, but only the OP can tell us whether his pulleys are like this.
#20
Habitual User
Join Date: Jan 2020
Location: Altadena, CA
Posts: 8,631
Bikes: 2023 Niner RLT 9 RDO, 2022 Trek Supercaliber, 2018 Storck Fascenario.3 Platinum, 2003 Time VX Special Pro, 2001 Colnago VIP, 1999 Trek 9900 singlespeed, 1977 Nishiki ONP
Liked 8,964 Times
in
4,200 Posts
I have found the same with 3 of my bikes using JRC aluminum pulleys - Campag Record 11s, Shimano Ultegra 11s, and SRAM XX1 12s. I use them because I like the color.
__________________
Platypus gravelus.
Platypus gravelus.
#21
Senior Member
Join Date: Dec 2020
Location: Wake Forest, NC
Posts: 6,371
Bikes: 1989 Cinelli Supercorsa
Liked 3,325 Times
in
2,001 Posts
Likes For smd4:
#22
Habitual User
Join Date: Jan 2020
Location: Altadena, CA
Posts: 8,631
Bikes: 2023 Niner RLT 9 RDO, 2022 Trek Supercaliber, 2018 Storck Fascenario.3 Platinum, 2003 Time VX Special Pro, 2001 Colnago VIP, 1999 Trek 9900 singlespeed, 1977 Nishiki ONP
Liked 8,964 Times
in
4,200 Posts
I have an Omni Racer seatpost on my gravel bike that has been great. I had one of their Ultra-Lite stems, too, but they use a smaller than normal bolt size (M4) in an attempt to save weight. Two bolt heads snapped off when tightening to spec'd torque.
__________________
Platypus gravelus.
Platypus gravelus.