Focus Paralane: Ultegra 12 Speed Crankset R8100

The final piece of the Focus Paralane Ultegra drivetrain modification, the Ultegra crankset! I wanted to transfer the Dura-Ace components from the Focus Paralane over to the Specialized Aethos, which is why I needed to get new components.

I had already installed the Ultegra Di2 rear and front derailleurs for Shimano road 12 speed, and to complete the look, I also ordered the Ultegra 12 speed crankset, FC-R8100. This will replace the Dura-Ace FC-R9200 crankset that is currently on the Focus Paralane.

Ultegra 12 speed crankset, FC-R8100. I prefer the clean smooth design of this crankset over the edgy design of the Dura-Ace crankset.

Ultegra crankset is available in 2 different chain ring sizes (52-36T and 50-34T), and a variety of crank arm lengths.

My preference is for the smaller 50-34T chain rings as I prefer lower gears for climbing rather than bigger gears for speed.

Clean and simple looking internal surface, with matte texture.

Same as on the Dura-Ace crankset, this new generation of 12 speed cranksets have a plastic plug inside the spindle to stop water ingress.

Left crank arm is hollow forged in one piece, while right (drive side) crank arm is made of two halves bonded together. This is different from R9100 where both sides have a bonded construction.

Right side R8100 with chain rings weigh 507 grams.

Without chain ring and chain ring bolts, the right crank arm weighs 354 grams. Slightly more than R9200 but substantially more than R9100.

Ultegra R8100 left crank arm weighs 193 grams, which is heavier than the Dura-Ace R9200 left crank arm!

Ultegra 50T chain ring is 114 grams.

Inner 34T chain ring is 33 grams

Weight of Ultegra FC-R8100 Crankset (50-34T, 165 mm)

Right crank arm: 354 grams

Left crank arm: 193 grams

Outer 50T chain ring: 114 grams

Inner 34T chain ring: 33 grams

4x chain ring bolts: 5 grams

Crank arm fixing bolt: 3 grams

Total crankset weight: 702 grams

The weight of the Ultegra FC-R8100 is only 20 grams more than Dura-Ace FC-R9200! This is a very small difference which makes it almost impossible to justify getting the Dura-Ace crankset when it is much more expensive than the Ultegra crankset.

Ultegra R8100 crankset installed! I really like the appearance of the Ultegra crankset with the smooth lines.

Ultegra/Dura-Ace hybrid drivetrain, with Ultegra crankset, RD, FD, and Dura-Ace cassette, chain and bottom bracket.

How it looks when used as an all-weather commuting bike. Wet components due to rain!

XTR MT900 140 mm rotor at the rear, with Dura-Ace R9270 brake caliper.

Dura-Ace R9270 shifters remain on the Focus Paralane instead of switching to Ultegra R8170, as it is too troublesome to transfer the shifters over to the Aethos.

For now at least, the modifications on the Focus Paralane is complete, after I swapped the rear derailleur, front derailleur and crankset from Dura-Ace to Ultegra. It just makes more sense to use Ultegra for the commuting bike, rather than the race-ready Dura-Ace. Even so, using Ultegra Di2 12 speed for a commuting bike is still a luxury as it performs so well.

Updated component specifications of the Focus Paralane. Only 6.9 kg without pedals or mudguards!

It is now even lighter than the previous setup, even though I changed from Dura-Ace to Ultegra crankset, rear derailleur and front derailleur which are slightly heavier. This is because I have also changed to the lighter Dura-Ace C36 wheelset which was originally on the Specialized Aethos. An all-weather commuting road bike doesn't get much lighter than this!