This is more an opinion question than repair/mechanical so I hope it is ok in this forum? I am building up a CAAD5 frame using Dura Ace 7700/7800/7801 stuff and have the dilemma of needing a compact crankset, which wasn't offered until D/A7900 which I do not really care for the styling of... any suggestions on a suitable alternative. I have a really nice 172.5 7700 crankset with new rings on it now (it came with the frameset), I have been riding compact for the past 5 or 6 years and do not want to change. Thanks

Ultegra, 105 and Tiagra all have compact cranks available and all use the same external bearing bottom bracket as the current Dura Ace. I know FSA, SRAM and other offer compact cranks but i'm spoiled by the shifting quality of Shimano cranks and chainrings.

I swapped in an ultegra 6750 compact on my DA(7800) equipped superlight. (I'm still not a fan of the 50-34 compact, but I do light touring, not racing)

Thanks everyone... I guess I am more looking for something fitting aesthetically with my current Dura Ace stuff: nice polish, "traditional" lines, etc. I just am not a fan of the 6800/7900 crankset styling. I am actually contemplating an alloy Campy crank-set as they look great, have a nice finish and come in compact. I just wanted to see what other options are out there which I may be over-looking. I don't race anymore so this build is as much form as it is function

For modern cranks, I really like the style of SRAM's Rival crankset. I recently bought a new pair on eBay for $144.

They come standard in black, though. Older silver/polished sets sometimes come up for sale.

The Rival is a nice crankset, and a good looking crank as well. Some of the online places are blowing them out for $120-130. As you said being black is the drawback in this case. If I could find some killer silver rings though I could work with it as my headset, saddle, bar wrap and seatpost are black and the rims are black as well so it could tie in. As far as that goes then, a carbon crank is feasible- I really like the SLK and carbon Campy. I'm just being a snob at this point lol...

Older Sugino crank sets with 110BCD ring spacing will do what you want, but you may have to buy the crankset, toss the existing rings and buy a new pair of compacts. Newer Sugino XD ( I think) compact doubles work just fine, they come with a 48/34 combo but accept an FSA 50 very nicely. I have two of the doubles and also a triple (RD?) that all work well with Shimano STI shifters.

Cool rccardr, I will check into the Sugino's- I think that might fill the bill for what I am looking for and is good to know they work well with STI. Thanks

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Keep in mind that the Suginos are square taper (not really a drawback) so you'll need to change the bottom bracket. Rival cranks are available in silver but are a bear to come by. There is still a part number in the Sram system. Want silver? Buy some black Rivals and strip 'em.

You can go with 48/38 gears on 7700 cranks. That is what I am using on one of my bikes.