Thinking of picking up one of these for my LHT build but I can't devine what BB should go with it?

Thanks!

It would be this guy right? Thanks for helping a n00b!

BB5500 or BB6500 will work. 109.5 spindle length for the double crank. 68mm english thread bottom bracket shell assumed for your frame. Might want to confirm this prior to ordering.

Yes. As long as the LHT chainstay is more narrow than the Crosscheck. I had the Dura Ace setup and the corners of the cranks barely cleared.

The BB5500 is for Hollowtech and the BB6500 is for Hollowtech II isn't it? ie: they wouldn't both work would they?

What is the difference between Hollowtech and Hollowtech II anyway? I looked around but couldn't turn anything up.

No, BB6500 and BB5500 are both cartridge-type Octalink bottom brackets and are part of the "Hollowtech" group. The cranks mate with the splines on the Octalink spindle.

"Hollowtech II" cranks and bottom brackets (BB5600 and BB6600) have the spindle as part of the drive-side crank arm and use an external bearing bottom brackets.

Good luck with finding a BB 6500. The BB 5500 is good enough.

Al -- has the 6500 been discontinued?

I'm running a Shimano 9-sp setup, been using a 6500 for >10,000 miles and need to run this bike at least 7-8,000 more miles. Should I buy a bottom bracket now, or will something be available when/if I need it?

I am curious about that too.. I am putting 9 speed FD/RD and cassette on my new bike and have been looking for cranks.. have found plenty of 6500 cranks but limited BB.. can i use 6600 instead? or will that eff it all up

ie
https://www.nashbar.com/profile.cfm?c...0Road%20Cranks
with
https://www.nashbar.com/profile.cfm?c...tom%20Brackets

What then is the difference between the 6500 and the 5500? I'm comfortable getting either, just curious!

Couple of grams heavier with the 5500 model. I guarantee you wouldn't be able to feel the difference. Both will work just fine and are fully compatible with your cranks. I snagged a couple off 5500's for my parts box from Nashbar dude to the decent price a few months back. Loads of 9 speed stuff is still available on eBay.

You can't use a 6600 in place of a 6500 as the designs are completely different. The 6500 is an Octalink and the 6600 is an external bearing type.

The 6500 appears to be out of production and you will have to find an NOS one in some bike shops inventory. The only 6500's I've seen advertised recently were Italian threaded so they must be left-overs.

The 5500 is a fine substitute and it should be available for quite some time.