cam117

I'm confused. Shimano appears to make two 10spd compact cranks, the R600 and the R700. At probikekit you can get the R600 for ~$100 and the R700 for around ~$200. I looked at the exploded schematics on Shimano's website and, although they are both Hollowtech 50/34, they have different part numbers for the chain rings. I have been unable to find any US sites on the web that even sell the R600 - so far looks like all UK.

Shimano's Website

Shimano R600:
Iconic Shimano cap-free design
2-pices crankset with integrated BB design
Anodized surface
Hyperdrive SG-X chainrings for best front shifting performance
Gearing: 50-34T

Shimano r700
Sounds like the inner chainring is the only real difference. I'm upgrading from a triple, so I have a long cage deraileur (FD-4503-F) up front. Is it worth anywhere near a hundred bucks to buy the r700 over the r600?

bdcheung

inner chainring and weight.

cam117

I'm even more confused now that I just found this on Shimano's website:

Increased line-up of Compact Cranks
21/09/2006
Nunspeet, The Netherlands
Shimano will add two compact cranksets to the range, following the introduction of FC-R700 last year. The new FC-R600 is a 10-speed compact crankset (50-34T). It has an integrated bottom bracket for increased rigidity and lightweight design. FC-4550 is a 9-speed compact crankset (50-34T) at Tiagra level, also with an integrated bottom bracket.

These compact cranksets feature a super smooth shifting performance, thanks to Shimano’s HYPERDRIVE technology. No need for another front derailleur or shifter. Just mount the crankset, adapt the chain length and you’re ready to go! FC-R600 is compatible with all Shimano’s 10-speed component groups while FC-4550 can be used with all 9-speed groups.

These compact cranksets will be available in three crank arm lengths: 165, 170 and 175mm. They feature a bolt circle diameter of 110mm.

botto 

i believe the differences are that the 700 is ultegra level and the 600 105 level.

nitropowered

The R700 has hollow arms. The R600 has solid arms.

SSRI

the r700 comes in 172.5

dtrain

How much more compatable, really, is the 4550 with a 9 speed set-up than a R600 or R700? Some searching of this site leads me to conclude that one of the '10 speed' cranks will work just fine with my 9 speed 105 components. In other words, how much difference is there between 9 and 10 speed chainrings?

ggg300

Hollowtech = hollow no?

ggg300

It should be backward compatible...



FSA is going to take a hit...

jamiewilson3

The R700 works great with the 9 speed setup. That is what I run and it shifts almost as well as the original Dura Ace 9 chainrings.

Gee3

I have the R600 and before I bought it I called Shimano and they said the only diff is the weight of the chainrings. Both use the hollowtech crank arms. And basically it's the 105 level crank, like mentioned earlier.

I installed it on my 9spd double w/ the Ultegra BB and I like it a lot. It's sweet and once I adjusted the FD and RD everything shifted fine.

So I figure once those wear out I can replace them with the R700 chainrings if I care about weight.

Crap: That's not on the reg PBK website under chainset! I had to do a search and it came up. I thought I got a good deal off of someone on craigslist! Crap! That is much cheaper with no shipping too! R600 PBK linkj

ggg300

105 rocks

cam117

So I guess the real question is whether or not the R700 warrant the $100 upcharge over the R600?

nitropowered

I've held both cranks in my hands and the R600 has solid arms. The Shimano Rep even told me so. Notice how in the EV of the R700, the crank arm is smooth. But in the EV of the R600, there is a groove, dip, machined section on the crank arm.

If you all don't believe me, cut one in half. I've actually cut a Dura Ace 7700 crank arm in half and indeed its hollow (Bike was ran over by a car and the arm was bent).

phoenity

Thanks for this thread as I was actually going to start the same one. I couldn't find much information regarding differences between the R600 and R700 except that it was Ultegra vs. 105 levels.

These will work well as I already have a 7800 crankset so the bottom bracket won't need to be swapped when I change cranks out for mountains or flats.


FYI, GVH Bikes has the R700 for $155

I'm currently waiting for Tom to come back from Europe so I can order.

ekimyel

I'm soooo confused! If I get this, do I need to buy a bottom bracket also or does this come with it? What does BC stand for when it refers to free BC Threaded Bearing Cups?
https://probikekit.com/display.php?code=M8888

Thanks...

indygreg

I am not sure why they do not just brand them as 105 and Ultegra. It will only help when they come out with a DA compact, which I assume they just have to.

DesFlurane

Shimano have come out with Ultegra SL compact.
I will be swapping my R700 for the SL, looks so sexy and slightly lighter as a bonus.

Psimet2001 

The R600 - R700 marketing was due to the fact that Shimano was not too sure if this compact thing was real or just a fad.... so they didn't set up compacts with the normal line designation.

The R700 was supposed to be between DA and Ultegra. I ride it and think it is more like Ultegra. The R600 weighs more and is more in line with the 105 group as mentioned. Is it worth the extra $100? Only you can answer that.

As for the whether or not you need a new BB....

You will need BB cups if you are not currently using a Shimano external BB. When I got my R700 from PBK they were running a special where they included the cups with the crank. Normally they do not come with the crank.

As for GVH selling an R700 for $155....I priced them out at the same price as PBK when I bought earlier this spring. They were sitting at $185. I have bought a crank from GVH before. I would highly recommend buying the R700 from them if that price is true.

ThinLine

Actually the FC-R700 is shimano's high grade line of components nudging sorta in between 105 and ultegra.
The number designations after the FD (Front Derailure) is the level reference. FD45xx is Tiagra, FD5xxx is 105, FD6xxx is ultegra, FD7xxx is high grade components and FD78xx is Dura ace.

I like campy stuff too!

dlew308

I couldn't find the R700 on GVH's website

14max

Very interesting. I bought the R600 crankset and brakeset thinking along those lines...

Psimet2001 

That's because you have to call. Tom is a good guy. I know most of us prefer not to talk to real people, but whattayagonnado?

dlew308

what? i have to pick up a phone? crap

save10

so no one has had problems running the R600 with a nine speed, right? right?