Wednesday, June 6, 2018

Shimano Dura-Ace 9000 vs R9100: Crankset

With the new Dura-Ace R9100 crankset, it retains the iconic 4 arm design that was first introduced in Dura-Ace 9000. When the 4 arm design was first introduced in 2013, I did not really like it as I still preferred the 5 arm design. However, over these few years the design has become much more common, even in other brands such as FSA or Campagnolo. I have now gotten used to seeing this design and it now looks fine.

On the Canyon Endurace, I have decided to change the groupset from Ultegra 6870 hydraulic Di2 to the latest Dura-Ace R9170 hydraulic Di2 groupset. With that, all the components will be changed, in order to maintain a full Dura-Ace groupset.

As highlighted in another post, the new Dura-Ace R9100 has some distinctive features that is new. However, it is mostly similar to the previous Dura-Ace 9000 crankset. Let's take a closer look and make a comparison between these two cranksets.

Dura-Ace 9000 crankset, with the silver and black anodized series colour.

New Dura-Ace R9100 crankset is mostly black, fading out to grey at the edges of the chainring.

Dura-Ace 9000 chainring is 50/34T, with a silver outer ring ending in the silver coloured teeth.

New chainring is light grey in colour, ending with the teeth that is also grey in colour. The colour on the teeth will quickly wear off and reveal the silver material colour once it is used.

Inner chainring on 9000 crankset is quite ordinary, and the outer chainring also does not have many shifting ramps even though the shifting performance is good.

Inner chainring on new R9100 crankset looks very similar to the 9000 chainring

Previous generation 9000 right crank arm (170mm) is 306 grams

New R9100 right crankarm (165mm) is slightly lighter at 303 grams. It is much chunkier but also slightly shorter in length.

Comparing the chainrings side by side. Both are 50/34T chainrings.

Slightly different positioning of the shifting ramps and pins

9000 series Hollowglide 50T outer chainring is 102 grams

New R9100 series Hollowglide 50T outer chainring is 100 grams

I wondered if the old chainring can fit onto the new crankarm, but found that it will not fit due to the different 4 arm profile. Rather interesting appearance though.

Old crankarm has sharper edges at the back of the crankarm

New crankarm has chamfering at the back of the crankarm to minimize any sharp edges

9000 series left crankarm (170mm) is 176 grams inclusive of the crank arm fixing bolt

New R9100 series left crankarm weighs 175 grams, almost the same even though it is slightly shorter.

Right side crankarm plus chainrings on the 9000 series weighs 440 grams

New R9100 setup is slightly lighter at 434 grams

Full Dura-Ace 9000 crankset (50/34T, 170mm length) is 615 grams

New Dura-Ace R9100 crankset (50/34T, 165mm length) is 610 grams

The new crankset is very slightly lighter in weight, probably due to the shorter 165mm length. However, the stiffness is reportedly improved on the right side due to the chunky 4 arm design that minimizes any flex. For me, I will not be able to produce that much power to induce any flex, so it probably does not make a difference to me.

In summary, the R9100 crankset is more of an incremental improvement on the already excellent 9000 crankset. With the stiffer right crankarm, the stiffness is improved while the weight is maintained. All other aspects are mostly unchanged as far as I can see. The new all black colour should be able to better match most bike frames, as compared to the 9000 series colour which did not match some bike frames in terms of colour.

28 comments:

  1. Can 9100 chainring fit 9000 crankset?

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. It might fit, but I cannot confirm it as I did not compare it the other way (R9100 chain ring on 9000 crankset).

      Delete
  2. Is DA9000 crank better than Ultegra R8000 crank in terms of performance?

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. In terms of shifting performance? Hard to say, as they all need to achieve the same level of shifting performance. Shifting performance is also affected by other factors, such as usage of compatible/correct chain and front derailleur, plus correct setup and tuning (very important!).

      Delete
  3. Can I change 9000 Chainset to 9100 Chainset and cycle with 9000 components elsewhere on bike, ie will it shift ok

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. There will be no problem since both are road 11 speed cranksets by Shimano.

      Delete
  4. Can I use a 9100 68mm/70mm bottom bracket on my 9000 crankset.

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. No issue, both are 11 speed road crankset from Shimano.

      Delete
  5. Hello.

    Do you have a clue if you can mix the left arm 9000 to the right arm of 9100?

    Thanks!

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. I think it is usable as the spline pattern is the same. Not sure why you would want to do that though.

      Delete
  6. I have the same question; Can I fit a 9100 left arm to a 9000 crankset? The reason I would want to do that is to buy a 9100 left arm with stages power meter as 9000 is very hard to find

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Yeah it would probably fit. I would actually get a brand new R9100 set, both left and right side, with the power meter on the left crank arm.
      Then the 9000 crankset can be moved to another bike.

      Delete
  7. can i fit a 9100 derailleur on my fc 9000 group set

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Should be ok since both are 11 speed road components.

      Delete
  8. I want to out a left crank power meter on my duraace 9000. An I just use a DA 9100 left crank power meter? (Stages or 4iii most likely)

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Great news! So the q-factor of the 9000 left hand crank is identical to the 9100 then, right? Intending to do the same: Dura Ace 9100 stages power meter on Dura Ace 9000 group set. Cheers

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    2. Both have a Q factor of 146 mm.

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    3. I'm thinking of doing the same thing - in your post you say that the 9100 cranks seem shorter than the 9000. Wouldn't they create a slightly uneven pedal stroke if so?

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    4. Of course you need to choose the same crank arm length on both left and right side, regardless which series you mix and match. The crank arms come in different lengths.

      Delete
  9. hi, i notice that my r9100 grey chainring teeth color had worn out to shiny silver after doing a couple DC has only about less than 500 miles on it fully maintained and lube , as you mentioned above it does wear out after use but i notice my friends r9100 chainring which is few years older and has more mileage hasn't worn out.

    did i get lemon coating ?

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. From my experience, your friend's chainring still looks black because there is dirt on it. Try taking a wet tissue and cleaning the teeth of your friend's chainring teeth, you will likely see the silver colour on the teeth.

      Delete
  10. Can I use DA 9000 inner chainring with 9100 cranks?

    ReplyDelete
  11. hi there, my crank is r9170 and im looking to get a bigger chainring. can i get the r9100 52 teeth but combining it with r9000 42 teeth?

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. You have to use the same series and correct combination. Better jot mix 9000 and R9100 series as the shifting points may be different.
      Also, have to use the correct combination, such as 53/39, 50/34. Cannot mix and match or shifting will be bad.

      Delete
  12. I have fc-9000 cranck arms and not find the 9000 outer chainrings in my country, the 9100 chainrings can be used in 9000 arms?

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. The arm shape is different, so it might not fit.

      Delete

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