Tried searching for it but 'compact crank' is too much a generic term.

Anyways, my current drive train is Dura Ace 7800. I would like to swap the 53/39 with a compact, because next year I'll be getting older and the darn 15%+ hills I love so much will not be getting any shallower.

The current Dura Ace compact is expensive as hell. What the **** is there that makes it worthy of the price tag?

The Ultegra is half the price tag. Besides the fact that it doesn't say 'Dura Ace' on it, why is this so?

And of course, for that kind of money, what else should I look at?

Your expertise on this would be greatly appreciated. Thanks in advance.

sorry i dont have any experience

Go for the Ultegra 50/34 unless you are brand conscious. you know you will need a compact FD as well.
You could keep your current setup buy an XT rear derailluer, MTB cassette, and new chain to get the gearing. Maybe that is a suggestion you could use when you get older still. Good luck.

I wasn't aware that the FD would not work. Is it that different?

The compact should work fine for quite a while. All else fails I can fall back to my tourer that has a triple

With a readjustment *should* work fine.

Try a SRAM force compact. Will work just fine with Shimano and give you better service.

I use a current 105 double FD with my Truvativ 50/34 compact and it works just fine. At 59, I also need the gearing stretch on the local hills.

The Ultegra line is (IMHO) the best bang for the buck. The step up from 105 is not that much, but the step up to Dura Ace is substantial. Ultegra doesn't have the Dura Ace branding, and is probably heavier, but when the crank arms are spinning and the fact that I could shed some lbs, neither of these are big factors. Some of my ride buddies have DA and kick my butt, but I I know they'd do the same on Ultegra or even 105s.

Some of my friends even "cheat" with the cassette. They have DA everything, except the cassette. I guess they figure no one can really spot a DA or Ultegra cassette, so why spend twice the price for a wear item if no one (except the rider) will know?

Of course, I'm an Ultegra road guy and an XT mountain guy.

Also, a few friends have SRAM Force components (their middle of the line in the Rival-Force-Red group) and seem to be a good alternative to Shimano. I'd definitely consider SRAM for my next purchase. BTW, I do use SRAM chains and cassettes with my otherwise Ultegra group.

PS: Earlier this yearI bought a new Ultegra compact crankset (in OEM packaging) for $99 because it was last year's model. If you don't mind the "old" look, that's another cost savings on a quality product.

Yes, I helped a friend swap from standard to compact crank (the one I got for $99, see above) and used the old FD. Had to lower it and fiddle a bit, but works fine.