Correct jockey wheels for my old XT rear mech?

unixnerd
unixnerd Posts: 2,864
edited January 2011 in MTB workshop & tech
The jockey wheels on my rear mech are in need of replacement. It's a '97 XT Deore 8 speed and looks like this pic but with a long cage:
http://www.flickr.com/photos/drboxer/33 ... /lightbox/

I serviced it when I bought the bike, I didn't notice a difference between the top and bottom wheels (maybe my mind is forgetful) but some adverts offer me two indentical parts and some say they're different. It's too old to be on Shimano's website.

I'm guessing the main difference (other than 10/11 teeth) between different yet similar looking Shimano jockey wheels is the width?

Am I OK getting two cheapo identical generic 10 tooth jockey wheels? Wouldn't mind spending a bit more for something hard wearing if I could figure out what parts are compatible.
http://www.strathspey.co.uk - Quality Binoculars at a Sensible Price.
Specialized Roubaix SL3 Expert 2012, Cannondale CAAD5,
Marin Mount Vision (1997), Edinburgh Country tourer, 3 cats!

Comments

  • nicklouse
    nicklouse Posts: 50,675
    the top one is the G pulley if staying with shimano cogs.

    others any set will do. keep the same number of teeth and you will keep the same range for the mech.
    "Do not follow where the path may lead, Go instead where there is no path, and Leave a Trail."
    Parktools :?:SheldonBrown
  • camy151
    camy151 Posts: 32
    I have just bought BBB rollerboys pulleys for my 8 speed xt. Both jockey wheels have 10 teeth, although they are marked top and bottom. I think the top wheel has some float built into the set up where the bottom wheel is rigid.
  • .blitz
    .blitz Posts: 6,197
    ^^ this

    They have interchangeable inserts to fit virtually any mech. I replaced the ceramic-g-pulley-something-or-other-wheels on a '96 XT mech with Rollerboys and they work fine.
  • unixnerd
    unixnerd Posts: 2,864
    Thanks, just bought some BBBs and a new chain to be safe :-)
    http://www.strathspey.co.uk - Quality Binoculars at a Sensible Price.
    Specialized Roubaix SL3 Expert 2012, Cannondale CAAD5,
    Marin Mount Vision (1997), Edinburgh Country tourer, 3 cats!