Light Octalink alternative?

benkoostra said:

Does anyone know if a lighter after-market Octalink BB is available, or am I stuck with Shimano?

You are stuck with the Big S. It is my understanding that their refusal to license the Octalink technology is what led to the development of ISIS, which anyone could make. S did allow some to make cranks to fit Octalink, but I don't think anyone else made Octalink BBs except them.

benkoostra said:

Does anyone know if a lighter after-market Octalink BB is available, or am I stuck with Shimano?

I think you/we are stuck ... but, I never thought they were that heavy!

You can get a EITHER a Dura Ace OR an XTR bottom bracket -- the OLDer DA bottom brackets were a few grams lighter than the sealed DA bottom brackets (I've never seen a sealed double DA BB, but I presume they exist. I have seen the sealed triple DA BB ...).

FWIW. I have used the 112.5mm XTR with an Ultegra triple (steel frame) ... that's gotta be a little lighter than the 118mm Ultegra/105, or even DA, cartridge BB ... the 112.5mm spindle might work with frames with wider stays.

FWIW2. I know someone who replaces the loose roller & ball bearings in the older DA BB with cartridge bearings ... but, I don't know where he gets them; and, I haven't seen (spoken to) him in over a year.

Thanks for all the info. I ask because I'm thinking of getting a new crankset for my road bike. Maybe the '04 Ultegra or D/A. Or maybe a Campy thing of the same era. Everything aluminum is being blown out for the new fangled plastic parts.😄