Simucube 2 Sport vs Pro: Which One Should You Buy?

Simucube are known for their exceptional sim racing wheel bases that offer users high torque levels and detailed and refined force feedback. With not much to separate them in terms of price, it can leave many wondering which is the better option out of the Simucube 2 Sport and the Pro wheel base.

The Simucube 2 Pro is the more complete wheel base when compared to the Sport, providing users with higher torque levels and a higher slew rate. It also offers a more defined force feedback experience, giving users a higher level of detail about their car and the track that they are racing on.

The Simucube 2 Pro is the more expensive option of the two, with many feeling that they don’t need the high amount of torque that it offers. In this article we will further dissect the two wheel bases, discussing in detail their differences and similarities.

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Simucube 2 Sport vs Pro Spec Comparison

Features	Simucube 2 Sport	Simucube 2 Pro
Max Torque	17 Nm	25 Nm
Slew Rate	4.8 Nm/ms	8 Nm/ms
Weight	8 kg / 17.6 lbs	11.1 kg / 24.4 lbs
Size (mm)	130 x 130 x 250	130 x 130 x 270
Power Supply	280W	2 x 280W (R1) 1 x 450W (R2)
Wireless Wheel Support	Yes	Yes
Compatibility	PC	PC

Torque & Slew Rate

Both wheel bases are packing some serious power, with torque levels way above what you see in beginner direct drive wheel bases. While 17 Nm may be the lower of the two, it is still enough for most sim racers. However, there is an argument that, even though you might not use the full 17 Nm of torque all the time, the 25 Nm from the Pro wheel base is still a better deal.

This is because having more torque available will minimize the chance of clipping, which is when the game is trying to output a force too high for the wheel base to handle. Having a higher level of torque will also be ideal if you race cars that don’t have power steering such as IndyCars or classic cars. However, many race cars do have power steering and generally don’t require more than 12 Nm of torque to feel realistic.

There is also a fairly big difference in the slew rates provided by both wheel bases, with the Pro having almost double the rate of the Sport. This means the Pro will be able to generate more force at a faster rate, something we will go into further later on in the article. Slew rates are important with strong wheel bases, but higher isn’t always better (again, see the later section all about slew rates for more info).

Size & Weight

Aesthetically, both of these wheel bases look very similar. They are incredibly well built, using CNC-machined metal parts and top-end motors inside the system. They aren’t too dissimilar in terms of size either, with the Pro being 20 mm longer than the Sport. However, they do differ quite substantially in terms of weight, which can prove to be an important factor.

The Simucube 2 Pro is a heavy wheel base that will need to be mounted in a strong rig. If not mounted correctly you can risk damaging the structure of your rig and the peripherals attached to it, not to mention putting your own safety at risk. You’ll still need sturdy mounting with the Sport too, due to the amount of force it generates when turning the wheel.

Both wheel bases will require extra care and effort when setting them up. It is vital that you install the emergency stop button provided in the box just in case the strength becomes too much to handle and therefore dangerous. These wheel bases are serious pieces of equipment that should not be underestimated!

I recommend placing your emergency stop button somewhere you can easily reach it. Having it within touching distance of one of your legs allows you to quickly press it if things go wrong.

Power Supply

It has always been a bit easier to set up the Sport wheel base as it only requires one power supply, taking up minimal space around your rig and minimizing the number of outlets you require. The R1 version of the Pro came with 2 power supplies, meaning you needed an extra power outlet in order to use this. Thankfully, the updated version only needs one power supply, and therefore just the one power outlet.

Bear this in mind if buying second hand, as some sellers may be offering an R1 rather than an R2 wheel base

Wireless Wheel Support & Compatibility

All Simucube wheel bases come with wireless wheel support, which allows you to reduce the number of wires in your setup, while offering you an experience free from input lag or frequency issues. The option for traditional USB connection to your PC is still there of course, so don’t worry if you don’t have a wireless wheel.

Simucube wheel bases are not compatible with either PlayStation or Xbox and can only be used with PC.

Summary: The Simucube 2 Sport and Pro wheel bases are similar in many ways, with the Pro offering more torque, a higher slew rate, and being a bit larger and heavier than the Sport.

Simucube 2 Sport vs Pro Torque Difference

The high level of torque is one of the major selling points for Simucube wheel bases, as they offer some of the most powerful products around. The Simucube 2 Sport has a maximum torque output of 17 Nm, which is more than enough for beginners and many experienced sim racers. However, there are multiple advantages of opting for the 25 Nm torque of the Pro wheel base.

Having more torque means there is less chance of force feedback clipping if you have got the game’s FFB settings turned up high, resulting in the wheel base being unable to produce the forces the game is asking of it. The higher torque figure essentially gives you more head room to use higher feedback levels if you want to, without losing the detail at the higher end of the torque spectrum.

Your choice may come down to which type of racing you prefer. Cars with power steering generally require around 12 Nm of torque for ultimate realism, which will give you plenty of breathing room if your maximum level is 17 Nm. If you enjoy IndyCar or classic cars that don’t have power steering, the Pro may provide the torque levels you need for maximum realism.

It’s also worth noting that the price difference between the two wheel bases isn’t all that much, and so it may be worth opting for the Pro if you can afford it as it will prevent you wondering “what if” later down the line if you start wanting more torque. Obviously the price difference may be too much for you, but it’s definitely worth considering the future proof nature of the Pro.

Will More Torque Make You Faster?

The increase in torque between the Pro and Sport wheel bases is unlikely to make you drive faster. What it can do is give you more detailed information about the track and the state of your car, as well as add more immersion and realism to your experience. However, this is subjective, and too much torque can make the wheel difficult to manage and actually detract from the experience.

It is highly unlikely that you’ll need the full 25 Nm, or even the full 17 Nm provided by the Sport. Having the extra amount does remove any limitations you might encounter in terms of torque spikes and clipping, and for a relatively small increase in price you won’t ever feel as though you have outgrown the wheel base. This could end up saving you a lot of money in the long run.

Summary: While the Sport is cheaper, the large increase in torque for the small increase in price makes the Pro arguably a better long-term investment.

Simucube 2 Sport vs Pro Slew Rates Compared

Even though the Sport may be Simucube’s ‘cheapest’ offering, it is still a high-end product, leaving very few concrete differences to differentiate it from the Simucube 2 Pro. One of the differences comes in the form of its slew rate. The Sport wheel base has a slew rate of 4.8 Nm/ms, while the Pro has almost double this slew rate, with 8 Nm/ms.

Note: Slew rate is basically a measure of how fast the torque levels can change

Most users won’t utilize the full 8 Nm/ms slew rate as it will begin to feel overly responsive, removing some of the immersion. Despite this, having the option of a higher slew rate removes some of the limitations of the wheel, meaning you won’t ever feel as though you’re missing out on anything.

Changes in slew rate won’t be noticeable for most until you start increasing it beyond 1 or 2 Nm/ms. In truth, unless you get really hung up on the technical details of sim racing wheel bases or are very experienced with high levels of very detailed torque, it likely won’t matter, or you’ll know you want the Pro wheel base anyway.

Why Are Slew Rates Important?

When you are using equipment that generates as much strength as a Simucube wheel base, slew rates are an important factor. They determine the speed at which a wheel can change its torque output, measured in Newton meters per millisecond. Having the slew rate turned up too high can cause the forces to feel jolty and uncomfortable, detracting from the overall experience.

Having the slew rates too low will lower the responsiveness of the wheel base, which is why it is important to experiment a little and find the sweet spot that is right for you. Very few sim racers will max out their settings, even if, on the surface, it seems as though you aren’t extracting the wheel base’s full potential.

Of course, the Simucube 2 Pro has more potential to fulfill, as you’d expect with its increase in price compared with the Sport. However, it’s unlikely you’ll ever want to use the full 8 Nm/ms slew rate, with the 4.8 Nm/ms offered by the Sport likely to be enough. The more important figure is the higher torque level of the Pro.

Summary: Just because the Pro has a higher maximum slew rate, it doesn’t mean it’s automatically the better choice for you.

Simucube 2 Sport vs Pro Driving Experience

If you buy either the Sport or Pro wheel base, you are going to be treated to a real high-end experience with next level realism and immersion. Both wheel bases provide detailed force feedback, well above the levels seen in mid-range direct drive systems. This is expected, considering the prices and the features they both offer.

Unlike making comparisons between two products from different brands at different price ranges, there isn’t much to separate these two wheel bases on first impression. As soon as you get onto the track, you’ll notice the high level of detail in the force feedback, with weight shifts occurring when you turn the wheel.

You’ll feel this detail with both the Pro and the Sport, but we all know the real judgement can only be made after a few laps around the track. This is where you’ll notice an ever so slight difference in the quality of the force feedback. The Pro wheel base offers a touch more detail in its force feedback. It won’t make you quicker, but it feels slightly more realistic.

Note: This is only going to be really noticeable if you compare them side by side realistically, and first-time direct drive users likely wouldn’t be able to tell them apart without pushing them to their torque limits.

The Sport’s Limitations

The on-track argument between the two wheel bases once again comes down to the torque levels on offer. 17 Nm is by all means a high level of torque for a direct drive wheel base to offer. However, it’s not just the maximum torque levels that make the difference.

The Pro’s 25 Nm torque gives it a higher dynamic range, meaning you’ll be able to feel more force feedback detail at a higher level of torque output. There’s also a minimal chance of FFB clipping when you have 25 Nm of torque, as it is unlikely you’ll want to drive with the settings up to their maximum, and even the hardest of knocks on the kerbs will feel realistic without causing clipping.

As the Sport and Pro wheel bases aren’t priced too far apart when you consider the overall price of both products, the difference in on-track performance makes the extra money you’ll have to spend on the Pro fairly justifiable. This way you won’t at any point be regretting not paying more if you feel you’ve outgrown the Sport wheel base. 

Summary: The driving experiences of the Sport and the Pro wheel bases are largely similar, with the latter offering more detail and of course a higher torque output.

Should You Buy The Simucube 2 Sport Or Pro?

Both of these wheel bases are towards the peak of sim racing, offering users a mind-blowing, realistic racing experience. If you decide to opt for the Sport, you won’t feel shortchanged at all, and you’ll get many years of extensive use out of it. However, for the higher torque and slew rates, and the slightly better force feedback, it’s hard to recommend anything other than the Simucube 2 Pro.

The increase in price is only marginal when you look at the overall costs of both wheel bases, making it a more sensible purchase in the long-term. There is no way of upping the torque or slew rates with a third-party adapter, meaning if you do feel you have outgrown the Sport wheel base, you will have to buy a whole new system.

Most sim racers, whether they’re beginners or experienced, won’t be racing with the settings at their highest. Despite this, having the option to increase the peak torque to 25 Nm will give you the peace of mind that you can race all sorts of cars with all sorts of setups without experiencing force feedback clipping.

Detailed Force Feedback

The Pro wheel base offers slightly more detail in the force feedback it provides as well. The feedback provided by the Sport is still far and above that offered by many of Simucube’s competitors, but it doesn’t offer the same level of high-torque detail as the Pro. It’s more of a case of not knowing what you’re missing with the Sport rather than feeling underwhelmed with what it offers.

The Pro wheel base lets you feel every detail of the track with extreme precision, meaning you’ll be able to feel the tires going over even the slightest of raised curbs, and the subtlest changes in their wear levels.

Out of the two products, the Pro is the most popular, which means there is plenty of community support out there for potential issues and help with setups should you need it. This popularity for a more expensive item can’t be a coincidence and is likely based around the fact that the two wheel bases aren’t priced that far apart.

Summary: We recommend opting for the Pro if you can afford it, but the Sport is still an incredible wheel base!

Final Thoughts

The Simucube 2 Sport and the Simucube 2 Pro are excellent wheel bases, and both would be a great addition to any sim racing setup. However, it’s the Pro that comes out on top when you compare the two, as it offers higher peak torque and slew rates for a small increase in price. Its force feedback is incredibly detailed and will offer you top level immersion and realism for years to come.

DISCOUNT: Remember, click any of the links above and use coupon code FLOW5 to get 5% off the purchase price