Probably the most under-appreciated part of the bike.
Does anyone know anything about these? My current jockey wheels are fucked and I want new ones. What about ceramic bearings? What are good brands? What should I be looking for? Or is it just a silly bike part and brand choice doesn’t matter–get the cheapest one?
My advice would be to get the same ones (same year, model #, brand) that you rode into poker chips, in order to avoid any compatibility problems. Make sure you install the new ones the correct way, sometimes the upper and lower pulleys are different and/or turn in a specific way (like tires).
I made the upgrade once to dura-ace jockey wheels only because the shop didn’t have anything else in stock. Can’t say that I noticed any difference, other than the fact that it is sealed better and less likely to have dirt build-up inside it.
Ceramic bearings are generally a waste of time in cycling (doubly so in the jockeys). Well bedded in cup-cone types offer the lowest resistance, but everything on bikes now is standardized towards sealed cartridge bearings because they are so much more reliable, easier to work with, and seal out crap better.
You should not buy the cheapest jockey wheel possible, you should buy an inexpensive set that has sealed bearings. Especially since jockeys tend to pick up a ton of drivetrain gunk. I find having a lower sealed jockey cuts down a little on derailleur servicing. However they can seize up in really nasty winter weather and you’re probably better with the roller-type in that case.
Lots of bling alloy jockey wheel options on ebay. I got a set a while back, they work fine for me.