What is a direct drive wheel?Ī direct drive wheel is a sim racing wheel where the wheel itself is directly mounted onto the motor via a quick-release hub. So much so that I found a modification for the Fanatec hub, called the Z-Ring, that fixes this problem. ![]() ![]() In particular, the stiffness of the Fanatec hubs bothers me when I compare them to the Simucube SQR hub. My Simucube Formula Sport wheel is wireless, which is only supported by the Simucube 2. As I own several Fanatec wheels, they’re only compatible with Fanatec wheelbases. Hub compatibility might be an issue, too. By comparison, we’ve found it difficult in the past to get support for lesser-known / smaller manufacturers, although some smaller manufacturers have better customer service out of the whole lot. They’ve sold enough volume to iron out the problems. That’s because they’re not, particularly niche and offer good support. Mainstream equipment providers like Fanatec and Simucube are well-developed and ultra-reliable. But if something stops working just before qualifying, it can be frustrating. If you’re quite technically inclined (perhaps you build your own OSW wheels or you’re just interested in the software and technology), then occasional problems aren’t a big deal. Factors that are important to the typical sim racerĬritically, I want my DD wheel to work! If you’ve spent enough time in the sim, you’ll know that from time to time, things can go wrong. I can honestly say that the strengths and weaknesses in each product are more driven by external factors like the hub, wheel compatibility, driver software, and tuning menu intuitiveness. I’ve compared (extensively) the Simplicity SW20 vs the Fanatec DD2 vs the Simucube 2 Pro (the DD2 and SC2 I own). You could waste more time lusting after a “better” wheel which would be time better spent on your own technique and tuning setup. You could be singularly unimpressed by a wheel because it wasn’t set up by the owner correctly. You could waste a lot of time trying to decide in fact. So, there’s no such thing as a “best” DD wheel for sim racing. This is a fluid thing, software and drivers are updated all the time. Much of the development in the wheel technology is actually in the drivers and onboard DSP algorithms – the technology that interprets the output from the simulation package into force feedback, and the inputs coming from the driver’s actions. If you want to skip straight to the wheels, use the links directly below. That’s not to say those different manufacturers have their own characteristics, but they’re such subtle differences that few of even the most professional and particular drivers would actually be bothered by them. The truth is that with the force feedback properly set up, there is rarely any significant difference between wheels that would fundamentally affect your enjoyment or performance in the simulator. If you ask for a recommendation in the majority of the forums, you will end up with a bit of a competition amongst owners to declare their wheel the best. What direct drive wheel is best for sim racers?īefore I get started, I’d like to tackle the default discussion among sim racers. Today, we’re taking a deep dive into the subject of all-things direct drive sim racing wheels. With that being said there are plenty of options to get into the direct drive universe: Our “daily driver” is the Simucube 2 Pro, which remains priced at the top of the range. Skip to the wheelbases in the list below (in approximate order of budget) or read on to learn more about how direct drive wheels actually work. What are the best-rated direct-drive wheels for sim racing? ![]() So, what’s on the market, and what’s the best direct drive wheel for your level of skill, budget, and experience? So now we’re a few years on from the very first wheel intended for sim racing, direct drive wheels are getting cheaper in 2023, with Fanatec’s CSL DD and Moza’s R5 being, price-wise, extremely accessible. High-end direct drive wheels intended for sim racing were once priced upwards of £1000 for a complete kit, but times have definitely changed, particularly in the last year. Featured image: Still the king of direct-drive wheels, the Simucube 2 Pro
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