Jockey wheels

Question

Bicycle derailleurs have two small wheels on the chain tension cage. They are normally called "jockey wheels" in the bicycle world. In my experience, wheels performing a similar function in other types of machinery are usually called "idler wheels" or "tension wheels".

Am I correct about the usage in general engineering? If so, why a different term for the bicycle industry? Is the term "jockey wheel" used in other industries?
Perhaps I should consult "The Dancing Chain"!
AW

Usenet · Accepted Answer

[nq:1]Bicycle derailleurs have two small wheels on the chain tension cage. They are normally called "jockey wheels" in the bicycle ... for the bicycle industry? Is the term "jockey wheel" used in other industries? Perhaps I should consult "The Dancing Chain"![/nq]
Not to worry. In bicycling, many terms are odd and even mis-applied. This is probably beyond repair because people love their jargon and don't relinquish it freely. Take rims, for instance. There are rims with eyelets, ones with sockets and eyelets and plain drilled rims. Just the same, we hear of "double eyelets" a design hard to visualize. Rear wheels don't have a left and right side, but rather "drive-side" and "non-drive-side".
Jobst Brandt

Usenet · Answer

[nq:1]Bicycle derailleurs have two small wheels on the chain tension cage. They are normally called "jockey wheels" in the bicycle ... engineering? If so, why a different term for the bicycle industry? Is the term "jockey wheel" used in other industries?[/nq]
They're apparently also used on trailers the small wheel attached to the front of a trailer to allow it to be moved around by hand. See for a picture.

Google hits for "jockey wheels" seem to be about evenly divided between bicycles and trailers.
There's also a linear accelerator in the Netherlands that has them, though it's not clear what their function is.

Ray Heindl
(remove the X to reply)

Usenet · Answer

[nq:1]There's also a linear accelerator in the Netherlands that has them, though it's not clear what their function is. [/nq]
I don't know what a linear accelerator is, but it sure sounds cool. What is it?
Lots of things sound cool lately. Learning C++, teacher introduced the "destructor", and I was rather impressed with that term.

Rick Onanian

Usenet · Answer

[nq:2]There's also a linear accelerator in the Netherlands that has them, though it's not clear what their function is. [/nq]
[nq:1]I don't know what a linear accelerator is, but it sure sounds cool. What is it?[/nq]
Type the phrase into the box provided by MWCD10 at www.m-w.com and you'll find out.

Skitt (in Hayward, California)
www.geocities.com/opus731/

Usenet · Answer

[nq:1]Lots of things sound cool lately. Learning C++, teacher introduced the "destructor", and I was rather impressed with that term.[/nq]
If you're learning C++, you'll be even more impressed once you get to the definition of "friend".

Peter Moylan (Email Removed) http://eepjm.newcastle.edu.au (OS/2 and eCS information and software)

Usenet · Answer

[nq:1]Bicycle derailleurs have two small wheels on the chain tension cage. They are normally called "jockey wheels" in the bicycle ... the bicycle industry? Is the term "jockey wheel" used in other industries? Perhaps I should consult "The Dancing Chain"! AW[/nq]
How about: They are called jockey wheels because that's what they do move and jockey the chain over to the next gear wheel, up or down, when the lever on the handlbars is moved?
As for other industries, I don't know.
Cheers, Sage

Jockey wheels

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