Choosing a drivetrain-and-brake kit for a road or race bike usually starts with a single question: do you need a complete groupset or just the missing piece? The four Shimano Ultegra options here span both sides of that decision. At one end is a full 11-speed ULTEGRA 6800 gruppo with rim brakes, shifters, derailleurs, and drivetrain parts. At the other is a new FC-R8000 crankset that replaces only the crank arms and chainrings. In between are two used group sets that mix generations and component tiers. Understanding what each package actually includes and what you'll need to add is the key to spending the right amount.
Quick Take
If you're building or rebuilding an 11-speed rim-brake bike and want the most complete single-box answer, the ULTEGRA 6800 groupset at USD 417.95 gives you shifters, front and rear derailleurs, brakes, cassette, chain, and cables, though not the bottom bracket. For a 2x10 setup with carbon cranks, the Ultegra 6700 group at USD 375.00 covers the main drivetrain and brake parts with some cosmetic wear. The 9-speed Ultegra 6500/105 5500 mix at USD 165.00 is the least expensive of the four, but it's an older kit with a 105 front derailleur and 105 brakeset. If all you need is a new crankset, the FC-R8000 at USD 158.99 is the only brand-new part here.
Listed Price Comparison
| Product | Listed Price | Price Bar |
|---|---|---|
| Shimano ULTEGRA 6800 11 Speed rim brake mechanical groupset 170mm 50/34T, 11-28t | USD 417.95 | |
| Shimano Ultegra 6700 2x10 Speed Group Set, FSA Carbon Crank, BB30, 172.5, 50/34T | USD 375.00 | |
| Shimano Ultegra 6500/105 5500 9s Bicycle Groupset Components | USD 165.00 | |
| Shimano Ultegra FC-R8000 11-Speed Crankset 172.5mm 52-36T HOLLOWTECH II Road | USD 158.99 |
The listed prices stretch from USD 158.99 for the FC-R8000 crankset to USD 417.95 for the full 6800 groupset, a spread of USD 258.96.
Decision Matrix
| Product | Use Case | Included Drivetrain & Brake Parts | Condition |
|---|---|---|---|
| ULTEGRA 6800 groupset | Full 11-speed rim-brake road, racing, or gravel build | Brake set, cables, cassette, chain, crankset, front and rear derailleurs, shifters | Used |
| Ultegra 6700 group set | 2x10 road, racing, cyclocross, gravel, or TT/triathlon build | Brake set, cassette, chain, crankset, front and rear derailleurs, shifters | Used with cosmetic wear |
| Ultegra 6500/105 5500 9s | 9-speed road setup | Brake set, cassette, crankset, front and rear derailleurs, shifters | Used |
| FC-R8000 crankset | 11-speed road crankset replacement or upgrade | Crankset with 172.5mm arms and 52-36T chainrings | New |
Product Notes
#### Shimano ULTEGRA 6800 11 Speed rim brake mechanical groupset 170mm 50/34T, 11-28t
This is the most complete set in the comparison, and the listed price of USD 417.95 reflects that. It includes brake set, cables, cassette, chain, crankset, front and rear derailleurs, and shifters matched for an 11-speed rim-brake bike. The compatibility list covers gravel, racing, and road bikes, so it's a flexible starting point for a drop-bar build. In the description, it's marked as used with low mileage and working well together. The main limitation is the missing bottom bracket, which you'll need to source separately. The crankset is a 170mm 50/34T compact, and the cassette is 11-28t.
#### Shimano Ultegra 6700 2x10 Speed Group Set, FSA Carbon Crank, BB30, 172.5, 50/34T
For a 2x10 drivetrain, this USD 375.00 group set comes with front and rear derailleurs, crankset, brake set, cassette, chain, and shifters. Its listed compatibility is wider than the others: road, racing, cyclocross, gravel, and time trial/triathlon bikes. The crankset is an FSA SL-K carbon unit with BB30, paired with 172.5mm arms and 50/34T chainrings, and the cassette is 12-28. New shifter hoods are mentioned in the description. The trade-offs are cosmetic and mechanical: the front derailleur has the most visible wear, and the right shifter's face-plate screw tab is broken, though the plate snaps in place.
#### Shimano Ultegra 6500/105 5500 9s Bicycle Groupset Components
At USD 165.00, this is the least expensive listed option, but it's also the oldest and most mixed. The set includes Ultegra shifters, an Ultegra 53/39T 175mm crankset, an Ultegra rear derailleur, a 105 front derailleur, a 105 brakeset, and a 12-23T cassette. It's described as used and in good condition with normal wear from age. The practical limitation is that the listed contents don't include a chain or cables, so those are separate purchases. If you're specifically after a 9-speed build with a classic Ultegra/105 component mix, this gives you most of what you need at a less expensive price.
#### Shimano Ultegra FC-R8000 11-Speed Crankset 172.5mm 52-36T HOLLOWTECH II Road
The only new item here is also the least expensive at USD 158.99. It's a crankset only, not a groupset: 172.5mm crankarms, 52-36T semi-compact chainrings, and Hollowtech II bottom bracket shell type. The listed compatibility is road bikes, and the description ties it to Shimano 11-speed road. This makes the most sense when you already have shifters, derailleurs, and brakes and simply need a fresh Ultegra crankset. The limitation is clear: no other drivetrain parts are included, so it won't complete a build by itself. It is listed as new, which sets it apart from the used gruppo sets in this guide.
Final Recommendation by Use Case
If you want a complete 11-speed rim-brake setup without sourcing many separate parts, the ULTEGRA 6800 groupset at USD 417.95 is the one to consider, provided you have a bottom bracket. If your frame and components are built around 2x10 and you appreciate a carbon crankset, the Ultegra 6700 group at USD 375.00 is a strong fit for road, cyclocross, gravel, and TT/triathlon. For a less expensive 9-speed route, the Ultegra 6500/105 5500 mix at USD 165.00 covers the main groupset pieces, though chain and cables are separate. If you already have the rest of an 11-speed drivetrain and only need the crankset, the new FC-R8000 at USD 158.99 is the straightforward choice.
