The 6 Best Chinese Carbon Cranks

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Chinese carbon cranks have moved well past the copycat phase. Brands like Elilee, Cybrei, and Incolor are now engineering cranks from scratch. The more serious brands also conduct independent fatigue and stiffness testing. So, which models are worth considering? Below, you will find out.

Best Budget

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Best Overall

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Best for Demanding

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Elilee X310 (Best Overall)

The “OG” of Chinese carbon cranks…

The X310 is Elilee’s third generation and their most popular crank. The name reflects the weight target: the 24mm titanium version hits 305g bare, and a complete build with the EK01 power meter spider and a pair of 50/34T Shimano chainrings totals around 554g. This is about 150g less than the Shimano Dura-Ace R9200 crankset.

Stiffness is the headline claim. At 82–83 N/mm, this puts X310 among the stiffest carbon cranks available. They are also backed by EN14781 fatigue testing. For most road riders producing under 1,000W peak power, stiffness above ~50 N/mm becomes imperceptible in practice. I can’t feel the difference compared to Shimano Ultegra R8200 cranks. Where it matters is out-of-the-saddle sprinting and hard climbing efforts, where power transfer and feel are crucial. The 12% improvement over the X320 is measurable on paper; whether you feel it depends on how hard you’re riding.

Compatibility is flexible but requires planning. The 24mm titanium spindle works with any standard Shimano BB. The DUB aluminum spindle covers the full SRAM ecosystem. What is not included is a spider. Elilee sells their proprietary spider separately, and chainrings are on top of that. The Elilee EK01 power meter integrates seamlessly and replaces the spider, but its reputation is questionable. So, I recommend opting for the spider for now.

Or read my Elilee X310 review for more info.

Leese Carbon Cranks (Best Budget)

Budget AliExpress cranks with tons of available options…

The Leese sits at the other end of the price spectrum from the Elilee. But it offers a wide range of crank lengths and BCD standards, and it’s also available for 24 or 29mm spindles.

At around 366g, these cranks are heavier than most other options on this list, but the price gap is substantial. Customers value the wide range of options and finishes. They are definitely on my “I want to try this” list.

Overfast Aero Carbon Cranks (Best Aero)

The “boldest” and probably the most aero carbon cranks…

Designed primarily for drag reduction, the Overfast aero crank features a narrow, tapered arm cross-section and smooth surface transitions. Overfast claims these cranks save a few watts, depending on rider position, yet third-party data is not available.

I am honestly not the biggest fan of the shape, but if you want to stand out and are uncompromising, these are the right cranks to consider.

At 325g (165mm, titanium spindle), its weight is highly competitive, sitting right between the Elilee X310 and Incolor Skypivot. Its narrow 147mm Q-factor (DUB version) closely matches Shimano Ultegra, making it easy to maintain your stance width when upgrading from a factory groupset.

Remember, the spider is not included, and the crank lengths top out at 172mm, so if you need 172.5mm or 175mm crank lengths, look elsewhere.

Cybrei Carbon Crankset

Popular carbon cranks with one catch…

The Cybrei crankset stands apart by shipping as a complete system, but you can also buy cranks only. The only thing to remember is that the chainrings are not carbon (like Carbon-Ti), but only have a carbon-look wrap.

At 319g for the 165mm DUB arms, the Cybrei is highly competitive. Adding the 38g carbon spider and chainrings (135g) brings the complete setup to around 490g, making it lighter and less expensive than the Dura-Ace R9200 crankset.

Both spindle standards are well supported, and you can choose from plenty of crank lengths. Additionally, Xcadey power meter spiders are available as a direct add-on for a clean upgrade path.

For peace of mind, Cybrei publishes actual test figures: an 1800N fatigue load and a 5600N damage threshold. Both exceed EU EN14781 requirements, providing more documentation than most brands offer at this price level.

Incolor Skypivot

Lesser-known cranks that are worth consideration…

The Skypivot uses high-grade T1000 and M40 carbon in a reinforced, multi-directional layup. Crucially, the pedal thread inserts are molded directly into the arm during manufacturing rather than bonded afterward. This eliminates a common failure point in cheaper carbon cranks, where inserts can work loose under load.

At 172.5mm, the DUB version has an independently verified weight of 335g, which is more reliable than standard manufacturer spec sheets.

Of course, these cranks are also available in multiple crank lengths and with or without chainrings, and are compatible with spider power meters.

Lexon Carbon Cranks

Budget AliExpress cranks with tons of available options…

The 2026 R2S is Lexon’s current model, weighing 325g for 165mm arms (spider not included), 40g lighter than the 2025 R2. The reduction comes from a redesigned raw titanium spindle with updated geometry.

The 24mm titanium spindle fits all standard Shimano BBs: BSA threaded, PF86, PF30 with adapter, T47. Lexon claims 12% stiffer construction compared to the previous generation and publishes the same 1800N fatigue and 5600N damage test results that have become standard across Chinese carbon brands.

Chainring options include LEXON’s own EVO alloy rings and the RYET aero spider-and-chainring system for those building with aerodynamics in mind. Note that Lexon’s chainrings require their own specific bolts due to the thicker material.

My Verdict

Chinese carbon cranks have evolved from generic knockoffs into engineered, high-performance components that rival the industry’s biggest names. Brands like Elilee, Cybrei, and Incolor offer independent safety testing, exceptional stiffness, and massive weight savings.

Whether you choose the pro-tier Elilee X310, the aerodynamic Overfast, or the complete Cybrei system, these options deliver premium performance, often beating top-tier components like Shimano Dura-Ace or SRAM RED.

However, upgrading requires careful attention to compatibility. Verify your bottom bracket standard (24mm vs. 29mm DUB) and determine if you need to buy a separate spider or specific chainrings. Furthermore, while integrated power meters offer clean upgrade paths, make sure to budget for proprietary installation tools.

How to Choose a Chinese Road Carbon Crankset

Before you buy your first carbon crankset, I recommend reading the following guide to help you avoid common mistakes.

Step 1: Pick Your Spindle Standard First

Choose the one that matches your bottom bracket or the groupset you want to run.

Step 2: Understand the Spider Standards

Some cranks come with spider and chainrings included, some don’t. If you only buy cranks, you have to consider which chainrings you want to use. You will most likely choose among 110×4 BCD (mostly found on Shimano), direct-mount (SRAM), or Easton Standard.

• 110×4 BCD is a traditional, widely compatible bolted standard where the chainring attaches to the spider via 4 bolts arranged in a 110mm circle.
• Direct mount (SRAM 8-bolt) is a proprietary direct-mount interface that uses 8 small Torx screws to secure a chainring or power meter spider directly to the crank arm
• Easton Standard (Cinch) is a proprietary direct-mount system that uses a splined interface and a single threaded lockring to secure the chainring to the crank arm.

Step 3: Decide on Power Meter

The listed cranks are compatible with power meters. You can save time (and money) by buying a spider power meter right away. The power meter will then act as a spider (on the 110×4 BCD standard), so you don’t have to buy a dedicated spider to connect cranks with chainrings.

Given the questionable reputation of many Chinese power meters (with the exception of a few), I still recommend using pedal power meters instead. But there are options from brands like XCADEY or NextGa that might be good alternatives.

Chinese Carbon Cranks FAQ