Morning,
I was just wondering if there was much difference between a
105 hollowtech II crankset
Or
Ultegra Chainset 6500 Octalink

Is one better than the other?

Thanks

different BB systems

octalink is shimanos ISIS equivalent system from about 10 years ago- its pretty much obsolete now and getting BBs in the future may get tough as its being phased out

105 hollowtech 2 stuff is new technology and likely to be supported much longer – as well as being stiffer and possibly lighter although i aint seen the latest figures for 105

Octalink is a PITA to get decent high level stuff for MTB, one of th reasons why I went to HT2. I suspect the same applies to road stuff.
Plenty of aftermarket BBs available as well for HT2.

So it would be worth spending a little extra for the 105 hollowtech 2?
The Octalink Is currently on the bike but it needs new chainrings.

Price wise there isn’t a great deal of difference between the 2 second hand.

Should be interesting changing my first BB.

If the BB is spinning smoothly keep it and replace the rings.

You will need to get the BB shell faced as well as changing the BB if you move from Octalink to HT2. And buy new tools as HT2 need a special spanner and an adapter nut (you will need different tools to remove the octalink from fitting the HT2).

Once you’ve made the switch HT2 is much better though.

its pretty much obsolete now and getting BBs in the future may get tough as its being phased out

Give it five years or so, and this statement may very well be true of HT2….

Why oh why oh why did they change from SqT? If it ain’t broke….

I’m assuming the ultegra stuff is fairly old? In which case a new 105 will probably have a higher, more up to date grade of metal being used. I’d say go for the 105.

I need to read up more on this as I’m not sure what BB shell facing is. New to all of this.

I would be getting new crankset including BB for the ht 2.

I don’t have tools but a mate dose for Octalink so buying my own tools won’t be a problem.

For a easy life icould just change the chainrings on the Octalink though…

I’ve never faced a bb for a HT2 on the last 4 or 5 bikes I’ve put them on. Never had a problem.
The double ended tool costs a few £ from CRC. Thats all you’ll need.

im with the change the rings crew –

I’d get the 105 and when the BB goes replace it with a Hope road BB 🙂 or indeed change the chainrings – depends on price 🙂

The difference is about £30

+ extra effort of changing the crankset + bb…..

I am leaning towards the HT2

I have just been reading up about shell facing. It seems that people have mixed opinions about whether this is worth doing or not.
If I was to do this, I might as well just get a bike shop fit the crankset.