I am riding an Evox LE (Semi-Recumbent) in Ottawa, Ontario, Canada and I am hearing a lot of noise from the single chain idler on the return portion of the chain. The idler is riding on a post that is mounted on a hanger from the frame. There is no bearing there, only a bushing and I would like to find a suitable replacement that has sealed bearings. The current idler has about an inch (2.5 cm) of shaft to accomodated the side to side chain movement on the 8-speed cassette. Has anyone got some advice concerning the following questions?
Is it necessary to allow that much play for the idler to travel side to side?
Should I use a modified roller-blade/skateboard wheel with a groove cut out for the chain?
Should I get a sealed bearing derailleur idler with teeth and use that?
Is there a company that could supply an idler with sealed bearings?
The same bike is also branded as a Mikado Quetzal LE. Here is a link to the specs.
Is it necessary to allow that much play for the idler to travel side to side?
too little side-side play will result in high angles at the chain/derailleur/chainring/cluster. Wedgies do ok with high angles, but not the extreme inner-outer or outer-inner.
Quoted message said:
Should I use a modified roller-blade/skateboard wheel with a groove cut out for the chain?
That's a fair approximation of what other idler wheels look like. And probably how they start their life. There are not enough bents to warrant a special production run just for us (sadly).
Quoted message said:
Should I get a sealed bearing derailleur idler with teeth and use that?
They are a smaller diameter than the idler wheels, and without enough tension on the chain it may hop off easily - long chains do have lots of play on bumpy surfaces.
Quoted message said:
Is there a company that could supply an idler with sealed bearings?
