Shimano Ultegra BB-6500

Price Paid:  $0.00

Bike Setup:
Cervelo Soloist - to many custom bits to mention...

Summary:
Shimano bottom brackets are terrible! The ultegra SL bottom bracket and durace BB are the same BB. Pull the bearings out and compare the rolling resistance to a ceramic BB.

Strengths:
Strong

Weaknesses:
huge rolling resistance

Similar Products Used:
Enduro ceramic BB

Price Paid:  $0.00 at bought with bike

Favorite Ride:
rolling hills

Bike Setup:
cannondale cadd8
pro 6 degree stem 120mm
syncross steat post
ultegra rear derailleur,cranks,wide platform pedal

Summary:
l have used this bottom bracket with italian thread for about nine years.
How good was it? Never really notices it there during the hole time.
The bike was ridden down many dirt roads but not though much rain and it didnt need to be replaced during that hole period and is now in storage should l build another italian bottom bracket bike.

Strengths:
Not one problem what so ever.
Did its job even when l weighed 260 lbs.

Weaknesses:
Compared to newer ultegra external bearing bottom bracket it felt neither as stiff or smooth.
Apparently some people have a bad track record with these but after my experience
l dint see why.

Similar Products Used:
old square axel campag
shimano 600
new external bearing ultegra

Price Paid:  $29.00 at Nashbar

Favorite Ride:
Hunterdon County, NJ

Bike Setup:
1999 Litespeed Classic, Look LDS fork, Cinelli bar & stem, Turbomatic saddle, Dura Ace 9 speed group, hand built tubulars

Summary:
I bought this bottom bracket for use with my otherwise all Dura Ace 9 speed group. I was warned away from the Dura Ace Octalink bottom bracket by reports of poor durability in wet conditions. The Ultegra BB lasted about 5,000 miles before seizing up. I replaced it with same and so far so good after another 5,000 miles. Time will tell if these are really as bulletproof as some say. I bought spares just in case. They were cheap enough.

Strengths:
Mainenence free. Inexpensive. Good alternative to Dura Ace model.

Weaknesses:
Not as durable as some may say.

Similar Products Used:
Old-style Dura Ace 7400 ball-bearing bottom brackets.

Price Paid:  $0.00 at OEM

Favorite Ride:
In the SUN.

Bike Setup:
10,000+ mile ABUSED Ultegra BB.

Summary:
Took years and thousands of miles of SERIOUS ABUSE. And is still perfect.

Strengths:
Never dies.

Weaknesses:
Only shimano cranks work. The ritchey crap cranks wont stay on for their life.

Similar Products Used:
ISIS by truvative, FSA
Ulterga in other bikes.
CRAPPY ST truvative.

Price Paid:  $35.00 at eBay

Favorite Ride:
Anything flat

Bike Setup:
Custom Seven Alaris, Campy Chorus, FSA cranks (OCTALINK!), Proton wheels, Speedplay zero pedals.

Summary:
I was an early adopter of Octalink, and after riding several versions this is the best BB made. I eventually upgraded both of my bikes to FSA compact cranksets, and after finding out that ISIS was crap (not their fault, Shimano played their monopoly card here...shame on Shimano) shopped around to get both in Octalink.

Even though both bikes are now Campy, I have kept the Ultegra bottom bracket (gasp) and cranks because they are so solid and reliable. Sure, someday I will likely upgrade to the new outboard bearing bottom bracket, but in the meantime this is the top of the line in my opinion.

Don't waste your money on a D/A BB, because it is crap compared to this design. Put it on and ride it till it wears out. What more can you ask for?

Strengths:
Solid. Dependable. Durable. Quality.

Weaknesses:
None.

Similar Products Used:
Campy square taper, 105, Dura Ace.