105, the classic workhorse of the Shimano lineup, has been updated for 2011. The new 5700 compact crankset benefits from technologies originally introduced in Dura Ace 7900 and Ultegra 6700. It borrows heavily from the aesthetics of DA and Ultegra but is available in black or silver.
Once piece of tech that has not trickled-down is the outer chainring. Ultegra and Dura Ace get a hollow outer ring to save weight but the 105 big ring is solid. Special profiling on the back of the outer ring allow the...