Originally Posted by
Point
Lighter? A Shimano 600 crank from 20 years ago weighs about 600 grams - add in 300 grams for a square taper BB and the weight isn't that far off a modern crank - a new Ultegra double and BB combo weighs 960 grams. As for stiffer, the small amount of torsional bending in the spindle isn't worth mentioning, and the external cups don't do a thing for lateral deflection anyway.
Your facts are wrong. The 6800 Ultegra double crank weighs 668g without BB cups and bearings. They weigh 76 g. Total 744g or 1/3 lb less than the old crank you reference. If you switch to SRAM Red with oversize spindle, the total has been shaved at least another 100g or more. Advances have been made, albeit with some compromises. Way of the world.