Octalink chainset question

OneLessCar
OneLessCar Posts: 50
edited January 2010 in Workshop
Hi there,

I'm a newbie about to undertake my first bike build and am
working on a budget.

I was wondering what anyone has to say
on the Octalink chainsets as here:

http://www.chainreactioncycles.com/Models.aspx?ModelID=2647

Would this be a problem if I keep it 9 speed?
And thereby cutting the cost a bit.

Or is there something I'm not seeing yet?

Any comments are appreciated.
Cheers,
Michael

Comments

  • turnerjohn
    turnerjohn Posts: 1,069
    I had an old Ultegra one when they first came out. Shimano bottom brackets are long lasting and sealed well.
    One major point tho....road Octalink is NOT the same as mountainbike Octalink (different spine depths) (although for some reason the XTR Octalink was the same size as the road...Shimano and their infinate wisdom lol)....so basically this means you have to buy a Shimano BB to fit...which isn't super-cheap but will last. I can't think off the top of my head is any other manufacturers make Octalink BB...think Shimano are the only ones.
    Chainreaction do good deals on FSA chainsets...I'd ether go for an ISIS one..although BB dont generally last to well, or go for a MEGA EXO type with out-board BB...the bottom brackets normally come with the chainsets as well (check to be sure though). The MEGA EXO ones are far stiffer as well.
    Oh almost forgot....no probs with 9-10 speed chainring compatibity issues !
  • maddog 2
    maddog 2 Posts: 8,114
    John has it right. Just ensure you get a Shimano road octalink BB and you'll be fine (109.5mm for double, 118mm for triple)

    Good price.
    Facts are meaningless, you can use facts to prove anything that's remotely true! - Homer
  • k2rider
    k2rider Posts: 575
    sora and tiagra have a different octalink bb than the groupsets above them so that means there are 2 for road. dont make the same mistake i did and buy the tiagra one cos its cheaper.
    who cares?
  • John C.
    John C. Posts: 2,113
    I know you probably don't want a triple, but on the same site a tiagra triple and BB is less than a fiver more than your 105 double and BB due to the relative cost of the BB. How much longer will Shimano carry on making these octalink BBs ?
    http://www.ripon-loiterers.org.uk/

    Fail to prepare, prepare to fail
    Hills are just a matter of pace
  • Welsh Pirate
    Welsh Pirate Posts: 39
    I've got the Ultegra and the 105 versions of these chainsets on two of my bikes. In total I've done over 12,000 miles on them with no problems - they have both been fantastic chainsets.

    The 105 Octalink bottom bracket lasted approximately 5,000 miles, while the Dura Ace version lasted approximately 7,000 miles. As the 105 version is considerably cheaper, I'd go with it every time.

    Hope this helps.
  • OneLessCar
    OneLessCar Posts: 50
    Wow thanks for all your comments!
    Really appreciated.

    OK, so if I went for an Octalink, there is a risk
    that Shimano may not have a replacement BB
    when the time comes??

    Also no-ones mentioned any big advantages
    with the current hollowtech cranks. Is hollowtech
    newer technology and hence naturally better?

    Also am really afraid of buying a load of wrong
    components with compatability issues...

    My frame hasn't arrived yet and I'm
    itching to start!!
    Picked up a year 2000 Wilier Mortirolo race
    rep. The plan is to use it as my workhorse!! V excited.

    Ta.
  • k2rider
    k2rider Posts: 575
    im sure the octalink bb will be around for a while, if in doubt buy anothe rone now b4 the prices go up
    who cares?
  • salsarider79
    salsarider79 Posts: 828
    The new chainsets have the bearings which fit in cups outside the frame (Hence the name 'external bearing') rather than in cups inside the frame. The driveside crank arm (Both on Campag, Non drive side with Raceface) has a thick axle fitted to it, which is much stiffer. It is a much easier system to understand if you look at http://www.chainreactioncycles.com/Mode ... elID=35754. You can see the axle in the middle. This example is the new BB30 which has an even bigger axle but you need a specially designed frame to take the bearings.
    jedster wrote:
    Just off to contemplate my own mortality and inevitable descent into decrepedness.
    FCN 3 or 4 on road depending on clothing
    FCN 8 off road because I'm too old to go racing around.
  • OneLessCar
    OneLessCar Posts: 50
    Hey Salsa

    Are you serious that the hollowtech and external
    BB will only fit certain frames?

    I have a standard 68mm width BB shell and
    expected that it would take either Octalink
    or Hollowtech II...

    Just bought an ultegra hollowtech II on
    ebay, so a bit worried now....

    Can anyone else verify??

    Thanks,
    M
  • stokey1964
    stokey1964 Posts: 454
    Dont worry , it will fit

    Salsarider is talking about the new BB30 bottom brackets. There arent that many bikes that will take these yet. yours will fit fine

    Simon

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