Originally Posted by
tronnyjenkins
I stupidly bought a 6500 Ultegra crank thinking it would be square taper.
I've done a bit of research, but am hoping someone can confirm that for an Octalink double, the spindle length should be 109.5mm?
If they're really $45, maybe I should just sell the crank as it was less $ than that.
Bike info if needed:
1987 Bianchi Sport SX, English threaded 68mm BB.
Shimano only still makes one V1 Octalink BB (the 105 level 5500) to support old V1 Octalink cranksets. You cannot use the V2 Octalink.
Yes, they're sadly really $45 (they were $20 10 years ago).
There is a double and triple spindle length. The double is 109.5mm (5500). The triple is 118.5mm (5503).
I bought another vintage bike a couple years ago, same issue as you with 6500 crankset. I can say from experience, you'd be better off just selling your crankset and using that money, plus money you would've spent on the Octalink BB, to buy a newer Shimano crankset with 24mm spindle for same price...which will probably be better parts supported in the future, not to mention lighter, stiffer, etc.