ELILEE X310 vs X260 - X-NOVANTA Buyer Guide

If you’re choosing between the ELILEE X310 and X260, the X310 is where we’d start for most road bike upgrades. It costs less, offers two spindle standards and gives riders who need shorter cranks more choice.

The X260 is a more specialised purchase. Its integrated carbon spindle will appeal to anyone working towards a particular bike weight, provided a DUB setup suits the build.

Both sit within our ELILEE crankset and component range. Here’s how to decide which deserves a place on your bike.

ELILEE X310 vs X260 specifications

Check availability for your chosen length and spindle before ordering.

What does the extra money buy you?

The X260 costs £259 more than the X310 at the listed prices. Its carbon spindle is the main construction difference behind this comparison.

For an everyday road upgrade, we would find it difficult to justify that extra spend without a clear reason. The X310 already gives you carbon arms, a choice of spindle standards and plenty of crank lengths. Keeping £259 in the budget could help pay for the spider or power meter you actually want.

The X260 makes more sense when you’re planning a build around a weight target. You may already have chosen the frame and wheels, and now be working through the smaller components. In that situation, the crankset deserves a closer look.

Price the complete assembly before making the call. Include any chainrings, bottom bracket changes and fitting costs. The difference between two finished setups can look rather different from the difference between two crank prices.

View the ELILEE X310 and ELILEE X260 for current pricing.

Be careful with the weight comparison

The published figures need a little care. The X310’s approximately 310g includes its spindle, while the X260’s 255g figure is described as “crank arms”. Those labels do not confirm an exact like-for-like saving.

Before using either figure in your build spreadsheet, establish what is included and which crank length was weighed.

Then add the parts you intend to ride. A power meter spider and chainrings contribute to the finished weight, so comparing complete configurations will give you a more useful answer than comparing the crank arms alone.

Your bottom bracket may settle the decision

Find out what is fitted to your bike before choosing a spindle.

The X310 comes in a titanium 24mm version as well as aluminium DUB. That makes it worth investigating if you currently run a Shimano-compatible 24mm bottom bracket and would prefer to retain it.

The X260 uses DUB.

That does not mean every DUB crank installation is identical, or that any 24mm bottom bracket automatically works with the X310. Your frame’s shell dimensions and the required spacer arrangement still need checking.

If you’re unsure, send us your frame model and the exact bottom bracket fitted. A photograph can help identify the parts, but the model details are more useful when confirming compatibility.

Choose the crank length that suits your position

Crank length is a good reason to choose one model over the other.

The X310’s listed options start at 145mm, making it the relevant choice here for riders who need lengths below 160mm. The X260 extends to 175mm, which the standard X310 listing does not offer.

If a bike fit has established your preferred length, stick with that requirement while shopping. There is little value in buying an expensive crankset in the wrong size simply because it meets a weight target.

Considering a change? Speak to your fitter before ordering. It is better to make that decision with your riding position in mind than to work backwards from whichever crank happens to be available.

Check the spider and chainrings before buying

This is where a straightforward upgrade can become an unexpectedly expensive one.

Decide whether you want to retain your chainrings and whether power measurement is part of the plan. Then confirm the exact spider required for that combination.

The ELILEE carbon spider is listed specifically for the X310, with four-bolt and five-bolt 110 BCD options. Check the chainring pattern carefully before choosing a version.

If you want a spider-based power meter, choose it alongside the crankset. Confirm the precise fitment rather than assuming that every power meter from a particular brand uses the same interface.

Buying a standard spider now and replacing it with a power meter shortly afterwards can mean paying twice for the same role in the assembly.

Which would we choose?

For most riders replacing an existing road crankset, our recommendation is the X310. Its lower price leaves more room to finish the upgrade properly, and the spindle options give you more flexibility when working with an existing bike.

We would consider the X260 for a deliberate lightweight build where the carbon spindle is part of the appeal and the extra cost fits the budget. Confirm the complete assembly weight before paying a premium on that basis.

There is no need to spend more simply because one model sits higher in the range. Buy the crankset that fits your bike and the way you intend to build it.

Need help putting the parts together?

Email sales@offthefront.cc with your bike’s make and model, current bottom bracket and preferred crank length. Let us know which chainrings or power meter you want to use, too.

You can compare the available configurations on the X310 product page and X260 product page.