Cyclists Hub is supported by its readers. We may receive a commission if you buy products using our links.
All content on Cyclists Hub is written by humans, not robots. Learn More
During the opening stage of the 2025 Tour de France, sharp-eyed observers noted that a spare bike on one of the Bahrain Victorious team cars was fitted with ELILEE carbon cranks, most likely with the XXE X310. This is a notable moment, as the team’s main sponsor for drivetrain components remains Shimano, with all race bikes officially equipped with the Dura-Ace Di2 groupset.
Why the ELILEE Cranks?
I can only speculate, but my guess is that the ELILEE XXE X310 cranks offer distinct advantages over the standard Shimano Dura-Ace crankset, particularly in two key areas:
- Lower Weight: The X310 crank arms weigh approximately 310g, compared to about 554g for the Dura-Ace equivalent—a reduction of roughly 244g. Complete with spider and rings, the X310 setup can weigh as little as 520–530 grams, depending on configuration.
- Higher Stiffness: ELILEE’s in-house testing showed the X310 withstanding up to 420 kg in destruction tests, whereas most competitors, including Shimano, typically reach only 350–360 kg. This results in a best-in-class stiffness-to-weight ratio.
The X310 is available with a 24mm titanium spindle, ensuring compatibility with standard Shimano bottom brackets. This makes swapping cranks straightforward for teams experimenting with marginal gains.
Although these cranks were only seen on spare bikes—not the main race bikes—their use shows Bahrain Victorious is open to testing new performance upgrades, even outside their main sponsor’s lineup. Based on the available information, ELILEE and Bahrain Victorious don’t have a formal sponsorship. So it’s likely the team had to pay for the cranks themselves.
This is more good news for the Chinese cycling industry. Chinese brands are now getting tested more often at the highest level. In 2024, Winspace became the first Chinese brand to appear in a Grand Tour. However, the real breakthrough came this year, as Team Astana is now sponsored by XDS, one of the largest bicycle manufacturers in China.
ELILEE XXE X310 Crankset Specifications
Below are the technical specifications of the XXE X310 cranks.
ELILEE XXE X310 Specifications
- Weight: 310 grams (arms + spindle), about 520–535 grams with chainrings and power meter
- Spindle: 24mm titanium (fits Shimano) or DUB aluminum (fits SRAM)
- Crank Arm Lengths: 155, 160, 165, 167.5, 170, 172.5 mm
- Q Factor: 149 mm (DUB), 151.5 mm (24mm)
- Chainline: 44.5 mm (for 2x setups)
- Compatibility: Works with Shimano and SRAM bottom brackets, direct mount for chainrings
- Power Meter: Compatible with Sigeyi, Xcadey, Power2Max, SRM (only special SRM version)
