Derailleur pulleys (also called jockey wheels or chainrings) are small but crucial components of the gearing system on your road bike, mountain bike, or gravel bike. They ensure that your chain moves smoothly and efficiently across the cogs. Although compact, they have a significant impact on the shifting performance, noise, and durability of your drivetrain.
What are derailleur pulleys?
Derailleur pulleys are located in the rear derailleur cage . The rear derailleur is attached to the bike's frame using a derailleur hanger . A derailleur cage usually contains two pulleys:
- Top wheel (guide wheel): ensures that the chain is guided accurately to the correct sprocket.
- Bottom wheel (tension wheel): keeps the chain under tension and ensures smooth chain movement.
These wheels rotate constantly as you pedal and must be able to withstand friction, dirt, and wear. Replacing or upgrading these wheels to ceramic derailleur pulleys can make a noticeable difference in performance and noise.
Why replace or upgrade your derailleur pulleys?
Although derailleur pulleys are small, they wear out relatively quickly, especially with intensive use or off-road conditions. Wear can lead to:
- Poor shifting or delay in shifting moment
- Increased noise from the drive
- More resistance while cycling
- Accelerated wear of chain and cassette
Replacing your derailleur pulleys regularly ensures a smooth-shifting and efficient bike. In addition, more and more cyclists are choosing to upgrade to high-quality or oversized pulleys for less friction and improved performance.
Types of derailleur wheels
There are different types of derailleur pulleys on the market, depending on material, bearing and design:
1. Standard derailleur wheels
These come with most bikes. Often made of plastic with steel ball bearings. Cheap and functional, but less durable than premium options.
2. Bearing: ball bearing vs. ceramic bearing
- Standard ball bearings: robust and affordable
- Ceramic bearings: extremely smooth running, durable and lighter – ideal for performance-oriented cyclists
3. Oversized derailleur wheels
Oversized wheels (e.g., 12, 13, or even 16 teeth) reduce chain friction, allowing you to pedal more efficiently. They're often part of an Oversized Pulley Wheel System (OSPW). They're popular with competitive cyclists.
4. Materials
- Plastic: light, affordable, but slightly less durable
- Aluminum: stiffer, more wear-resistant and often quieter
- Carbon: super light and high-end, especially in combination with ceramic bearings
Well-known brands of derailleur wheels
There are many brands that produce high-quality derailleur pulleys, both as replacement parts and upgrades:
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CeramicSpeed: Market leader in OSPW systems with ceramic bearings
- AbsoluteBLACK: Aerodynamic and lightweight, often used in competitions
- Bullet Bearings: Affordable Ceramic Alternatives
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Shimano & SRAM: Original replacement derailleur pulleys for their derailleurs
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BBB Cycling : Good value for money for recreational and sporty cyclists
- Hope & KCNC: Premium CNC-machined models
Choosing derailleur wheels: what should you pay attention to?
Before you buy new derailleur pulleys, consider the following points:
- Compatibility with your derailleur (Shimano, SRAM, Campagnolo, etc.)
- Number of teeth (size)
- Cage width / bolt diameter
- Bearing type (normal or ceramic)
- Riding style and conditions (recreational, competitive, gravel, MTB)
With upgrade systems such as OSPW, the installation complexity is also slightly higher and professional installation is sometimes recommended.
Buy derailleur wheels at CC5311
At CC5311, you'll find a wide range of derailleur pulleys for all types and styles of bikes. Whether you're looking for a standard replacement for your Shimano 105, a ceramic pulley for your SRAM Red groupset, or a complete OSPW system for maximum efficiency, we have it.
