DIY Maintenance: Lubricating RED eTap AXS (12-speed) Rear Derailleur Pulleys

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Maintaining your SRAM RED eTap AXS 12-speed rear derailleur is a key step in ensuring smooth shifting performance and long-lasting durability. One crucial maintenance task is lubricating the rear derailleur pulleys. Proper lubrication helps reduce friction, prevent wear, and ensures that your bike shifts cleanly. In this guide, we’ll walk you through the steps required to lubricate the rear derailleur pulleys, covering everything from preparation to troubleshooting common issues.

Tools Required

  • Torque wrench
  • 2.5mm and 3mm hex keys
  • Lubricant (preferably bicycle-specific grease or oil)
  • Clean rags or paper towels
  • Degreaser (optional)
  • Brush or toothbrush (optional)
  • Gloves (optional for a cleaner job)

Step 1: Preparing the Bike for Maintenance

Before beginning any maintenance tasks, it’s essential to prepare your bike properly. Here’s how to get started:

  1. Place your bike on a stable workstand to ensure it doesn’t tip over while you work.
  2. Shift the bike into the smallest cog and the smallest chainring to relieve tension on the drivetrain.
  3. If necessary, remove the rear wheel to give yourself better access to the derailleur and pulleys.

Step 2: Removing the Rear Derailleur

To lubricate the pulleys effectively, you’ll need to remove the rear derailleur from the bike. Here’s how to do it:

  1. Use a 3mm hex key to remove the derailleur hanger bolt that secures the derailleur to the frame.
  2. Gently slide the derailleur off the hanger and carefully remove the chain from the derailleur’s jockey wheels.

Removing the derailleur isn’t strictly necessary if you have access to it in place, but it provides better visibility and makes the lubrication process easier.

Step 3: Cleaning the Pulleys

Before lubricating, it’s essential to clean the pulleys to remove any dirt, grime, or old lubricant. Clean pulleys help ensure better performance and longevity.

  1. Use a degreaser to clean the pulleys, or if you don’t have degreaser, you can use a rag to wipe off the visible dirt. If necessary, apply a small amount of degreaser and let it sit for a moment.
  2. Use a brush or toothbrush to gently scrub the teeth of the pulleys to dislodge any debris.
  3. Wipe the pulleys clean with a rag or paper towel to remove any remaining degreaser and dirt.

Step 4: Lubricating the Pulleys

Once your pulleys are clean, it’s time to apply lubrication. Proper lubrication minimizes wear and ensures smooth, efficient shifting.

  1. Apply a small amount of lubricant to the teeth of the jockey wheels (the pulleys that guide the chain). Be careful not to over-lubricate, as excess grease or oil can attract dirt.
  2. Rotate the pulleys by hand to spread the lubricant evenly across the teeth and axle.
  3. If necessary, apply a light coat of lubricant to the axle area to keep the pulley bearings running smoothly.
  4. Wipe away any excess lubricant with a clean rag.

When choosing a lubricant, it’s essential to use one that is designed specifically for bicycle components. For the RED eTap AXS derailleur, light bicycle-specific oil or grease is ideal.

Step 5: Reinstalling the Rear Derailleur

Once the pulleys are lubricated, you can reattach the rear derailleur.

  1. Carefully slide the derailleur back onto the derailleur hanger.
  2. Tighten the derailleur hanger bolt using a 3mm hex key. Be sure to torque it to the manufacturer’s recommended specification to avoid damaging the derailleur hanger.
  3. Reinstall the chain onto the derailleur pulleys. Ensure the chain is seated properly in the jockey wheels.

Step 6: Testing the Rear Derailleur

After reassembling the derailleur, it’s crucial to test the system to ensure everything is functioning correctly. Here’s how to perform a quick test:

  1. Shift through the gears while rotating the pedals by hand to ensure smooth shifting. The derailleur should move freely, and the chain should transition cleanly between cogs.
  2. Check for any signs of excessive friction or skipping, which could indicate a problem with the lubrication or derailleur alignment.
  3. If you notice any skipping or poor shifting performance, double-check the installation of the derailleur and make sure the pulleys are properly lubricated.

Troubleshooting Common Issues

After lubricating the pulleys, you may encounter some common issues that can affect shifting performance. Here’s how to address them:

1. Skipping Gears

If the bike skips gears after lubrication, it could indicate that the derailleur hanger is misaligned or the derailleur is not properly adjusted. Check the alignment of the derailleur hanger and recheck the derailleur settings, ensuring it is properly indexed.

2. Noisy Pulleys

If the pulleys are still making noise after lubrication, it may mean that excess lubricant was applied or that debris is still present on the pulleys. Wipe off excess lubricant and clean the pulleys thoroughly.

3. Difficulty Shifting

If shifting becomes difficult, it could be a sign that the derailleur’s limit screws are improperly adjusted, or that the chain is too dry. Lubricate the chain if necessary and check the limit screws on the derailleur to ensure proper range.

Customization and Optimization for Better Performance

Lubricating the pulleys of your RED eTap AXS (12-speed) rear derailleur is just one part of the maintenance process. To optimize your bike’s performance, you can also focus on adjusting the derailleur for precise shifting.

  1. Limit Screw Adjustments: Ensure that the upper and lower limit screws are properly adjusted. This helps the derailleur stay within the range of the cassette and prevents the chain from falling off.
  2. B-Screw Tension: Adjust the B-screw to optimize the distance between the derailleur’s jockey wheels and the cassette. This fine-tuning can improve shifting accuracy and reduce noise.
  3. Chain Length: Check your chain length to ensure it is not too long or too short. A properly sized chain contributes to smooth shifting performance.

Conclusion

Lubricating the rear derailleur pulleys of your SRAM RED eTap AXS (12-speed) drivetrain is an essential task for maintaining optimal performance. Regularly lubricating the pulleys helps reduce friction, prevent premature wear, and ensures that your bike shifts smoothly. By following this guide, you can keep your rear derailleur in top condition, improve your riding experience, and extend the lifespan of your drivetrain components.