The Fanatec ClubSport V3 pedals are some of the most popular pedals on the sim racing market. This is in no doubt in large part thanks to them being made by one of the biggest brands in the game, but the pedals stand alone as an excellent choice for sim racers at various experience levels.
In this review, I’ll discuss why I believe that popularity is warranted, while also going through the pros and cons of the V3s in more detail.
Pros & Cons Of The Fanatec ClubSport V3 Pedals
| PROS | CONS |
| Solid Fanatec build quality | You need the brake performance kit to get the most out of them |
| Console compatible 3-pedal set | The dampers also come at an additional cost |
| Ideal for beginners through to more advanced sim racers | The sensors can show some deterioration after a few years of use |
| Reasonably priced for what you get | |
| Vibration motors for enhanced immersion |
The Design Of The V3 Pedals
I love the design of the V3 pedals. They look well made (because they are) and the black CNC-machined aluminum finish ensures they fit right in to any sim racing setup. While I haven’t used the inverted pedals myself, they do definitely take things up a notch (but they cost a pretty penny more than the standard ones).
For me, inverted pedals are not a must, so I’m very happy with the design of the standard ones. However, I definitely prefer the metal pedal faces to the hard plastic ones (both are included). Some plastic is fine in places when it comes to sim racing gear, and I don’t doubt that some people will prefer the minimalist nature and D shape of these faces, but for me the metal ones are the only ones that do the rest of these pedals justice!
Note: The metal faces are the ones on the pedals in almost all of the images in this review, with the D-shaped ones pictured below
Adjustability
You get a long throttle pedal face, which may not be to everyone’s preferences, but I personally don’t mind it (and it allows for easier heel toe if that’s your thing). As for the adjustability of the pedal faces, you get enough, and no more or less than you’d expect from a mid-range set.
As for adjustability on the travel, position, and performance of the pedals, these are definitely a step up from the likes of the CSL Elite V2s. You can move the pedals side to side, and adjust the feel of the gas and clutch using the included extra springs.
The Extra Accessories
The brake performance kit is probably a must for most sim racers, as without it you don’t get quite enough adjustability in the most important pedal (other than adjusting the stiffness and travel). You can adjust the brake stiffness without any tools though, which is a very nice feature that’s ultra-beginner friendly.
I don’t think you need the hydraulic-style dampers, but that will largely come down to personal preference. What I do think is interesting about these accessories though is the fact that they essentially serve as upgrades for the V3s, meaning you can start out stock and upgrade them as you start needing more from them. This can make them a pretty cost-effective set of pedals in the long run.
The Vibration Motors
One of the key features of these pedals is their vibration motors, which can help simulate things like ABS on the brake pedal and traction control on the throttle. Now these feel great, and they definitely add some additional immersion, but they’re not as much of a game changer as I thought they might be. Having used them, I know I could definitely live without them, but they are nice to have anyway.
It’s pretty cool to be able to get better feel for when you’re locking up for example, and given the only other pedals on the market with this kind of functionality cost about 6x the price of these per pedal (I’m looking at you Simucube Active Pedal!), this is some excellent functionality at this price point, as simple as it may be.
Mounting The V3s
Another thing to note on their design is that they are quite small compared to the likes of the Heusinkveld Sprints. The pedals also sit quite close together. This can take some getting used to, but given you’re more likely to upgrade to these pedals from cheaper sets like Logitech or Thrustmaster pedals, it shouldn’t be an issue for most. Their smaller size also makes mounting them to smaller rigs a lot easier too.
On the mounting front, it’s fairly standard. You mount them via bolt holes on the base, and that’s another thing that makes these pedals an attractive choice – they come with a baseplate (of sorts). You can’t mount them separately, which shouldn’t be an issue for most racers, but some will prefer pedals they can mount individually.
Finally, as it is technically part of the design of the pedals, it’s worth mentioning that these pedals are compatible with console as well as PC. This makes them arguably the best set of sim racing pedals available to console players, which I think is a point often overlooked with these. If you’re on Xbox or PlayStation, these are likely going to be the ceiling in terms of sheer performance and functionality at the moment.
Out of 10, I’d give the design of the ClubSport V3 pedals an 8.
What About Build Quality?
Build quality is always high with Fanatec products, and the V3s are no exception. They’re made from CNC-machined aluminum, and they both look and feel solid. You’re not going to break these pedals even under heavy use, and they’re going to be able to put up with a lot of abuse.
There’s not much plastic in sight other than for the D-shaped faces if you decide to use them, but even that is high quality plastic. You can see the exposed springs at the back which will leave them susceptible to dust gathering around them, but that’s something typical of lots of pedal sets out there. One area they do suffer in however is the sensors, and over time they can show signs of wear.
This isn’t so much a problem for the load cell brake (more on that in the next section), but the throttle and the clutch pedals can begin to falter after a few years of heavy use. I haven’t experienced this myself, but I’ve heard enough from other users to know it’s a real issue. It may be related to dust getting into the sensors, so regular cleaning might be enough to keep them in working order. However, it’s definitely something to keep in mind.
In terms of build quality, these get a 7 from me, only because there do seem to be some common sensor issues after extended periods of use that we just don’t typically see with the likes of the Heusinkveld Sprints.
How The Fanatec ClubSport V3 Pedals Perform
Next up let’s discuss the performance of these pedals. They’re clearly designed to be able to perform at a fairly high level. They feature a 90 kg load cell brake, with Hall effect sensors on the clutch and accelerator pedals. You definitely don’t need a load cell on all three pedals, but it is another way the ClubSport V3s fall short when compared to the Heusinkveld Sprints.
The Gas & Clutch
The Hall effect sensors are accurate enough (although this can deteriorate over time as I mentioned above). With in-game and Fanalab settings you can tweak them to behave to your liking as well, so you’ll have no trouble here. The throttle feels fine, nothing special, and the same goes for the clutch.
I don’t personally use it much, but those that prefer to drive a manual in their sims will probably find it to be good enough, if a little light. Other pedal sets, like MOZA’s CRPs, arguably feature better clutch pedals, but for me it’s just not that important (see the end of this article for more on this).
It does have a degressive mechanism that does a reasonable job of simulating the different stages of a real clutch, which you won’t find on cheaper sets. The throttle pedal is also quite light, so this might not be the best set for those that prefer a really stiff accelerator. In contrast, the brake pedal is quite stiff. It doesn’t offer that much travel, but you can definitely still modulate very well, and I adapted to it fairly quickly.
The Brake
Without the brake performance kit, you can adjust it a fair amount both physically and using software/your game of choice, and it still feels like a fairly high end brake. However, with the performance kit things are definitely just taken to a higher level, both in terms of adjustability and overall feel.
It’s definitely on the stiff side as standard, which may not appeal to everyone, but you can adjust it to be fairly soft as well if that’s what you prefer. You can do this via a simple tool-free screw section on the back of the brake pedal, as I mentioned earlier on.
I’d give them an 8 out of 10 in the performance department. They’re not the best pedals I’ve ever tried, but they are definitely up there and, considering their price, they perform brilliantly.
Are The V3 Pedals Good Value For Money?
The all-important question for many sim racers (including me) is how much value you’re getting for your money. With the price of the ClubSport V3 pedals being under $500 (for the non-inverted set anyway), I believe they offer excellent value for money.
They’re not quite MOZA level of price to performance ratio, but they do feature Fanatec’s staple high level of build quality, along with some great functionality (like the vibration motors) and superb in-game feel. On top of that, they’re console compatible, which makes these pedals accessible to an often forgotten about section of the market.
Overall, I’d give the V3s a 9 out of 10 in terms of value for money. They outperform every pedal set below their price point, and they can keep up with many others that cost a lot more too.
Fanatec ClubSport V3 Pedals Specs Overview
| Spec | Value |
| Pedals | 3 |
| Main Material | CNC-machined aluminum |
| Mechanism | Load cell brake |
| Braking Force | 90 kg / 198 lbs |
| Weight | 7.94 kg / 17.5 lbs |
| Compatibility | PC / PlayStation / Xbox |
| Connection | RJ12 or USB |
Who Should Buy The Fanatec ClubSport V3 Pedals?
They’re a bit above what a beginner will need, but if you have the budget and want to get serious about sim racing, there is no reason these shouldn’t be your first set of pedals. They’re also used by many pro sim racers, and they can 100% hold their own at the top levels of competitive sim racing.
However, they’re definitely best for those with a reasonable amount of sim racing experience that are looking for a step up from their potentiometer/Hall effect pedals, or even to upgrade over the likes of the Thrustmaster T-LCMs (see below).
Fanatec ClubSport V3 Accessories
Before I mention a few alternatives to the V3s, it’s worth mentioning the accessories that are available for them. Starting with the brake performance kit, this is a fairly cheap upgrade that will add a new level of feel and adjustability to your pedals. I tried them with and without this upgrade, and while definitely not essential, it can enhance your experience quite substantially given the reasonably low price point.
As for the damper kit, as I alluded to earlier this is largely going to come down to personal preference. The damper does emulate how a hydraulic pedal might feel, but it’s not going to replicate the real thing as well as something like the Asetek Invicta pedals.
But that’s not what everyone is looking for anyway, so these are definitely not a must have. If you are thinking of adding one (and you already have the brake performance kit), I’d recommend adding it to the throttle pedal for some extra feel, as the brake is already excellent, and with the added performance kit elastomers, it shouldn’t need the damper as well.
Alternatives To The Fanatec ClubSport V3 Pedals
MOZA CRP Pedals
The MOZA CRP pedals are the new kid on the block’s most obvious attempt at rivalling Fanatec’s V3 pedals. They are more expensive, and they’re only compatible with PC (unlike the console compatible V3s), but they’re feature rich and very well made.
They come with a solid load cell brake that is highly adjustable (both physically and through MOZA’s Pit House app), and you also get a 3-stage clutch pedal. This isn’t going to be important for all sim racers, but if you do prioritize clutch feel, these could be a winner over the ClubSport V3s.
Thrustmaster T-LCM Pedals
The Thrustmaster T-LCM pedals are an excellent choice for console sim racers that don’t quite have the budget for the V3s yet (or those that already have Thrustmaster equipment). They’re more plastic heavy than the V3s, and they do offer a cheaper feel overall. But for beginners, this is one of the best pedal sets on the market.
They were one of the first pedal sets I had, and I used them on PS4 specifically. I’d recommend these over the V3s if you’re an absolute beginner that isn’t quite sure how serious you’re going to get with sim racing. The V3s could very well serve as an upgrade over these pedals too.
Heusinkveld Sprint Pedals
Finally, another similar set to the V3s is the Sprint set from Heusinkveld. These are some of the most popular pedals on the market, and for PC sim racers they offer an excellent balance between price and performance. They’re a step below the Ultimate+ pedals, but a step above the Fanatec V3s in terms of overall feel and quality.
However, they are a fair bit more expensive, especially if you want a 3-pedal set. They’re an ideal upgrade for those with a decent budget, but they’re slightly less beginner friendly than the ClubSport V3s. These could be the ones to go for after the V3s, although if you want much more than what they have to offer, perhaps it’s worth checking out the Ultimate+ pedals or other brands entirely.
Final Thoughts
The Fanatec ClubSport V3 pedals are very impressive, and for the price, it’s hard to find better value for money. They are well built, have a nice range of features, and are highly adjustable too. If you’re a beginner with a decent budget or if you’re looking to upgrade from your first or second pedal set, the ClubSport V3s are definitely worth considering.
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User Reviews
A worthwhile investment
I had the ClubSport V2s before the V3s. I know they’re not cheap, but they are a worthwhile investment. They’re going to be better than Thrustmaster or Logitech pedals.
I really like the clutch mechanism on them.
On my V2s, the damper for the oil spring kept coming off. It kept unscrewing itself from the pedal, which was quite frustrating. And that’s probably a pro for the V3s, as they don’t have that. It’s just the damper and the load cell in one.
I don’t think you can go wrong with a set of ClubSports in all fairness. For the money, you get what you pay for and it’s a good solid set of pedals.
Pros and Cons
- Much better than Logitech/Thrustmaster pedals
- Great clutch mechanism
- You get what you pay for
- A bit pricey
Very happy with my inverted V3s
I was quite happy with them. Very durable. I had the brake performance mod as well. Sturdy brake, load cell, very customizable. I’m very happy with them. Had no issues at all. They’re very customizable, so you can customize it from car to car.
There are aftermarket kits to invert them, but I wouldn’t recommend doing so as there are many wires involved and it’s just risking damaging a very expensive bit of kit.
I would definitely recommend you get the brake performance mod. It’s really useful, and you’ve got plenty of adjustability. You get plenty of elastomers, so you can make it soft, medium, a bit harder, then hard and very hard. And you can customize it in a few minutes. You only need one Allen key, that’s it.
Pros and Cons
- Very durable
- Lots of adjustability
- Probably need the brake performance mod to get the most out of them
I couldn't adapt to them
I couldn’t adapt to them. I’ve heard many people say that they were really nice for them, but I just couldn’t adapt to them. Also, I didn’t like the travel, it was too short for me.
Also, the pedals are really small if you compare them to Heusinkveld or something like that. So I didn’t really like them.
But you can adjust them a lot by using the brake performance kit.
Pros and Cons
- Highly adjustable (if you have the brake performance kit)
- Hard to adapt to
- Travel too short
- Pedals are quite small
A solid set of pedals
*(James is part of the RAF eMotorsports team, and he uses these pedals as part of his team’s rigs at various events, where attendees can have a go on them)*
I suppose the issue with me, having used Heusinkvelds, is I find these to be not as good. But they are very robust. They’ve been hammered by a lot of people using them and they’re still exactly the same as they were when we first installed them.
As for the pedal adjustment, we’ve found there’s actually quite a lot there, so we can run it either really stiff or really soft, depending on the use case. People seem to be preferring it to be stiffer, so I think we’re going to change to set all of our rigs up the same.
On the throttle and clutch, there is some resistance there, which is quite helpful, because having that physical or tactile feedback there just lets you know that, “oh yeah, I should apply about this much pedal pressure,” and that’s one of the keys of pedals really, is how much you can feel through your feet.
The pedals are a little bit close to each other so I can sometimes double press on them, but otherwise they’re solid enough pedals. I wouldn’t be against recommending people using them.
Pros and Cons
- Very durable pedals
- Lots of adjustability
- Pedals are a bit close together
- Not as good as Heusinkvelds
Solid but lacking feel
*(Franek runs Sim Racing Dream in Kraków, Poland, which is a venue that caters to amateur and pro sim racers alike, offering multiple on-site sim racing setups to use)*
The brake is too soft. There is also no feeling in the clutch. Of course every car now has a semi-automatic or automatic gearbox, and you’ve usually got a clutch on your wheel, but when it comes driving manual cars with a normal clutch, the V3 clutch is just too soft, too linear.
They’re still good for the price and they’re impossible to break, they’re just a real piece of steel so you can’t break them. They’re really solid, but just in terms of performance, they could do better.
Pros and Cons
- Solid pedals
- Reasonable value for money
- Brake pedal is too soft
- Clutch lacks feel
- Overall rating is based on a combination of validated user reviews.
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- We have manually checked this reviewer's identity and cleared their review for publication.
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- How long the reviewer has been Sim Racing
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- Based on the materials used, and their durability.
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