Otis Williams wrote:
I came across a used NR rear der. that has aftermarket red alloy jockey wheels. Are these a period trick upgrade, or junk? I have an early 70s Italvega Superlight. The Bike is pearlescent white with the only color accents being red bar tape and red saddle. I thought the red jockey wheels would be kind of cool as well. Any comments?
Up through the Record "steel" derailleur, Campy used an elegant ball-bearing jockey pulley, more-or-less like the Huret. Or course, the Huret was sheet stock with a plastic rim, while the Campy was machined steel. Smooth perimeter, developed "teeth" through wear. After Campy moved to plastic roller with (bronze?) thrust bearings, aftermarket units like Durham's Bullseye (and Suntour) came to market as an "improvement." I think that their death knell came from Shimano indexing, which requires a loose roller at the top, but I could be wrong.
Harvey "still harboring a few Righteous Rollers" Sachs mcLean va