Shimano Ultegra FC-6500

Price Paid:  $129.00 at Bicyclist retreat Eb

Favorite Ride:
Sunny Days Florida

Bike Setup:
Trek 2100 ZR9000 Frame
OCLV Carbon Front forks and Mainstays
Ultegra 6500 Groupset

Summary:
My 2005 Trek 2100 came with a Bontrager Race Triple Crankset and it had an integrated bottom bracket. Talking to the LBS sales guy and he told me that the integrated bottom bracket is better than the Splined bottom bracket. Looking back on that I beg to differ. The triple crankset that came with the bike looked hideous. For years I always wanted to upgrade my ugly crankset. Now listen to this all the components on my bike are nine speed. Its 2010 now and everything has gone to 10 speed components what is a cyclist to do. I had been looking on the internet for months at all kinds of cranksets. Some cranksets were carbon others were alluminum. Some range from $150.00 up to $500.00. I cam upon this review that said that the Shimano hallotech cranksets were the most rigid cranksets on the market to date. I was able to find an Ultegra 6500 crankset through Ebay, Brand New in Box for $129.00. When it arrived in the mail I could not believe how incredibly light it was even with the bottom bracket. The crank is as stiff as anything I had riddin before and it looks really great. It has a really nice shiney finish to it. After I purchased the crankset I went and purchased all the Ultegra 6500 components for my Bicycle. There are absolutely no creaks or tiks coming from my crankset of anykind when I ride my bike and I way 240lbs. Every thing from the Rear derailluer, cassette all the way up to the shifters is Ultegra 6500. I give the crankset 5 stars. It shifts incredibly smooth along with all the other Shimano Components. If your not willing to give up your nine speed yet look no further. By an Ultegra 6500 Crankset and the Ultegra bottom bracket and you can't go wrong. You will save a boat load of money so you can by a new wheel set. I hope this review has helped you. Happy Riding!

Strengths:
The Ultegra 6500 Crankset is very stiff
The Crankset is very light
The crankset is shiney and looks great

Weaknesses:
None that I can tell

Similar Products Used:
Shimano 105 crankset
Shimano Tiagra crankset
Cannondale crankset

Price Paid:  $175.00 at ebay

Favorite Ride:
Any road

Bike Setup:
Giant TCR2

Summary:
Replaced FSA's with this crank. I immediately noticed an increased stiffeness/positive response with this crank. Don't shift a lot here, but the shifting is really smooth. Installation very easy.

Strengths:
Stiff

Weaknesses:
None.

Similar Products Used:
FSA (can't remember type off-hand)

Price Paid:  $1300.00 at ebay

Favorite Ride:
Lemond Ti

Bike Setup:
Cannondale CAAD8
Ultegra

Summary:
Came with a 2002 Lemond Victoire. I have been riding these cranks for over 20,000 km in all kinds of weather conditions you would typically encounter in the Midwest without having any problem. I replaced the chain rings once and I'm still looking for an excuse to change the bottom bracket or to get rid of this beast altogether.

Strengths:
Stiff and durable.

Weaknesses:
New chain rings are almost as expensive as a complete new crank set.

Similar Products Used:
Dura Ace 7800, FSA

Price Paid:  $0.00 at traded

Favorite Ride:
BMB, or any other long distance ride

Bike Setup:
very high end. Dura ace, XTR, FSA, Brooks TI Swift... You name it I have used it!

Summary:
This is easily one of the most dependable cranksets for the money... I acquired these when a friend had me build her a bike. I bought these as part of a group, but she wanted a triple. (which she also paid for) I didn't exactly charge her for building the bike, since she was a friend, so she gave me the crankset in lieu of payment! Anyway, they are very solid, and so is the ultegra bottom bracket. the only thing that I would change, is the chain rings. The rings aren't exactly bad, but for some reason, the shifting felt more crisp? not exactly the word, but close enough...

Strengths:
durable.. these will last longer than your bike

Weaknesses:
matter of opinion regarding weight or chain rings.. Whatever.. these cranks are awesome..

Similar Products Used:
Dura ace, FSA Team Issue, SLK Mega Exo, Cannondale Coda

Price Paid:  $125.00 at eBay

Favorite Ride:
Gently rolling century

Bike Setup:
1. Orbea Urkiola alum + Carbon
2. Trek 5900

Summary:
Flexy but acceptable.

Strengths:
Rock-solid reliable. Teeth wearing much better than lower end Shimano

Weaknesses:
Chain rub because of flex on hard acceleration

Similar Products Used:
Shimano 105, Shimano 600