Replacing jockey wheels on a 8 speed Deore rear derailleur

[matt_twam_asi]

My touring bike desperately needs some drivetrain tlc starting with the jockey wheels, but I'm having trouble identifying which replacements would be appropriate. I think the rear derailleur is a Deore M591 or similar (pictures of the part look the same as the one on my bike), and the cage plate has a "Shimano Mega 9 drivetrain" sticker on it.

Any ideas gratefully accepted.

[RickH]

If they are the common 11 tooth ones, pretty much any 8/9 speed Shimano ones should work (such as these from Spa Cycles). Otherwise you(we) need to know how many teeth each jockey wheel has.

[Brucey]

My touring bike desperately needs some drivetrain tlc starting with the jockey wheels, but I'm having trouble identifying which replacements would be appropriate. I think the rear derailleur is a Deore M591 or similar (pictures of the part look the same as the one on my bike), and the cage plate has a "Shimano Mega 9 drivetrain" sticker on it.

Any ideas gratefully accepted.

although it works fine with 8s system, RD-M591 is really a 9s mech, so uses 11t pulleys. Pulleys from almost any other shimano 9s mech (and some 10s mechs) will fit. Shimano pulleys differ in seals/bearings/bushing materials and therefore durability, but they will include a 'centeron' top pulley, which you will or won't need depending on your maintenance schedule and state of wear of your rear mech. If the latter, tacx pulleys are worth considering. I quite like XT pulleys myself.

[matt_twam_asi]

Many thanks both, yes they are 11t. They the originals from when I bought the bike in 2008, so both top and bottom are in dire need of replacement.

[peterh11]

In 2017 I replaced the jockey wheels on a similar derailleur (I think the same model but anyway very similar) with some BBB Rollerboys ceramic jockey wheels - £15 from CRC. I've been pleased with them, and my memory is that they felt like an upgrade (maybe just not worn out!) That bike doesn't get used so much now but I've ridden a few thousand km with the new jockey wheels and been happy.

PeterH