Originally Posted by
cyccommute
Careful there. Hollowtech
II is not Octalink. The Octalink bottom bracket
was sold to use on Hollowtech cranks in a more conventional crank arm/bottom bracket system that is similar to but not the same as ISIS. Hollowtech is Shimano's way of making a crank arm that is hollow and lighter than conventionally forge cranks. Confusing, ain't it?
Pardon me - but I didn't infer it was Octalink or similar to same. I thought I answered the poster's question in emphasizing the stark difference between the Hollowtech II and Octalink design. But you are correct: Hollowtech II certainly is not Octalink!
The question has been hovering: Why was Hollowtech II designed? Was it to address the inadequacies of ISIS and Octalink? Was it to soak customers out of more money? Or was it truly an unprompted stroke of "genius?" Anywho - it's here and, IMHO, and it's a better system than the Octalink/ISIS.