3 Simucube Wheel Bases Compared: Sport vs Pro vs Ultimate

Simucube are a premium brand in the sim racing space, offering many products that are a step above the likes of Logitech and Thrustmaster. If you’re looking to buy one of the best wheel bases on the sim racing market, you may be wondering what the differences are between the Sport, Pro and Ultimate.

The Simucube 2 Sport is the brand’s entry-level wheel base, but it’s still an incredible direct drive option that offers 17 Nm of peak torque. The Pro is a step up for a slightly higher price, offering 25 Nm. The Ultimate is one of the best wheel bases on the market, designed for competitive racers.

As always, different features mean different things to everybody, with budget, experience level and compatibility all coming into play. Below, we go through each of Simucube’s wheel bases in more detail so that you can pick the right one for your setup.

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Simucube Sport vs Pro vs Ultimate

1. Simucube 2 Sport

Max Torque: 17 Nm | Slew Rate: 4.8 Nm/ms | Weight: 8 kg / 17.6 lbs | Power Supply: 280W

The Simucube 2 Sport is the cheapest wheel base in the Simucube range, although it’s still priced around the same level as Fanatec’s DD1 wheel base. While it may not be Simucube’s top offering, it is still a high-end level product, capable of producing 17 Nm of peak torque. It’s the ideal choice for those looking for their first ultra-powerful direct drive wheel base.

High Build Quality

As with all Simucube products, the Sport wheel base is built to the highest quality, manufactured from solid precision machined metal. It has a relatively simple design, and like the Pro and Ultimate wheel bases we’ll discuss soon it is passively cooled, so there are no fans inside the unit but nor is there much in the way of fins on the outside of the wheel base.

Instead, it’s a sleek box-like design, which is much smaller than its competitor in the DD1 from Fanatec. This means it may be a more suitable choice for those with limited space or weight capacity on their rig. However, all Simucube wheel bases can only be front mounted, so you will need a sturdy bracket or mount adaptor to connect it to your rig.

The Internals

The smoothness of the wheel base’s force feedback (which we’ll discuss in more detail below) is a result of the brushless motor inside the system, which is to be expected when dealing with sim racing wheel bases of this quality.

As is the case with all Simucube wheel bases, you can connect your wheels using the traditional method of USB connection, or via a wireless connection, should your wheel allow it. Wired vs wireless will really come down to personal preference and what you own, but it should be noted that you are unlikely to experience any button input latency with Simucube wheel bases.

Performance

The most noticeable difference between the Sport wheel base and the other two Simucube offerings is the lower peak torque level. The Sport wheel base can provide up to 17 Nm of torque, which isn’t much compared to the 32 Nm provided by the Ultimate wheel base. However, compared to entry-level direct drive bases such as the Fanatec CSL DD’s maximum of 5 Nm, 17 Nm is very high.

17 Nm of torque will more often than not be above and beyond what many sim racers will require from their wheel base anyway. Unless you’re racing at the highest levels of sim racing, 17 Nm will still feel strong enough, as well as capable of giving you an adequate arm workout in the process!

Note: If you already or plan to do a lot of racing with torque levels of 10-15+ Nm, we would suggest considering the 25 Nm Pro wheel base instead, just to give you more headroom to avoid clipping (more on that below).

Slew Rate Differences

It’s also worth mentioning the lower 4.8 Nm/ms slew rate of the Sport wheel base compared to the 8 Nm/ms of the Pro. This is basically a measure of how quickly the torque levels can change and therefore how responsive the wheel base can feel. Realistically, a beginner is unlikely to notice small changes here.

Plus, many sim racers also opt to turn down the slew rate on their wheel base as too high a level can make it feel unnaturally snappy. This is going to come down to personal preference and experience, and so it’s worth noting that 4.8 Nm/ms will definitely be enough for beginners, but more experienced racers might pay a bit more attention to these differences. 

But it’s not just the strength of Simucube’s wheel bases that make them so impressive (and numbers aren’t everything), as it is also the extremely high quality of the force feedback that they provide. The brushless motor used inside the system provides smooth and consistent force feedback, with Simucube’s focus being on providing a low-latency, ultra-realistic experience.

Wheel Compatibility

Simucube also use a different quick release system to many of the other sim racing brands. This is understandable, due to the amount of force that Simucube’s systems have to offer. It does mean that you will require an adaptor to use wheels from third party brands such as Fanatec or Thrustmaster. This is nothing new, as most wheel bases have their own proprietary quick releases.

There are a few third party wheels from brands such as Ascher Racing and Cube Controls that often come with the SC2 SQR quick release, but some wheels won’t be able to work alongside the quick release system. As always, it’s best to do your own research to ensure everything you have or plan to buy will be compatible.

Overall, despite being the cheapest choice in Simucube’s wheel base range, the Sport performs to a higher level than most of its nearest competitors. Packed with power and immersive force feedback, it is an exciting wheel base that will last you a very long time.

PROS:

• High quality force feedback
• Excellent build quality
• Wireless connection works perfectly, without input lag

CONS:

• The lowest torque level of the three
• The Pro base is a better deal for a slightly higher price

2. Simucube 2 Pro

Max Torque: 25 Nm | Slew Rate: 8 Nm/ms | Weight: 11.1 kg / 24.4 lbs | Power Supply: 1 x 450W (R2) / 2 x 280W (R1)

The Simucube 2 Pro is high-end in every sense of the word, being excellently crafted and offering substantially more power than most wheel bases. It comes in only a little higher than the Sport in terms of price, but for the extra couple hundred dollars you get 8 more Nm of peak torque and a wheel base that will last your entire sim racing career.

Performance

With the Simucube 2 Pro offering 25 Nm of torque, you’re never going to feel as though you want more from the wheel base. The likelihood is that you won’t be running it to 100% of its potential torque levels, but the 25 Nm ceiling does offer more than enough headroom to prevent clipping when you do experience torque spikes, such as when you go over bumps on the track.

The information provided to you by the force feedback is excellent as you’d expect, providing some of the best immersion you’ll find without upgrading to a full motion rig. You’ll feel the subtle changes in your tire life and be able to correct oversteer before you end up off the track much better than you can with a non-direct drive wheel or even one of the cheaper DD options.

This force feedback can be further refined with every single setting you could want, and some you never knew you wanted, changeable with the Simucube True Drive Software. This is of course available with the Sport and Ultimate wheel bases too, and it’s a true asset in the sim racing world thanks to its versatility and ease of use when it comes to swapping out different profiles.

Build Quality & Mounting

Simucube never fall short in terms of build quality, which is ultimately the foundation for any top-quality sim racing product. The Pro wheel base is cased in strong, heavy precision machined metal, essential when you consider the amount of force it has to withstand. It features the signature Simucube quick release system, which is excellent in itself.

As with the Sport, you can only front mount this wheel base. This will raise the overall cost as you’ll need to buy a suitable mount to attach it to your rig. But there is no substitute for a solid wheel mount when you’re dealing with such high torque levels, so it’s definitely worth the additional investment.

Note: There are two versions of the Simucube 2 Pro out there, with the older R1 wheel base coming with two power supplies and the newer R2 version coming with one. This is worth bearing in mind, especially if you’re picking up one second hand.

Overall, the Simucube 2 Pro wheel base is an exceptional bit of kit, rivalling the very best offerings from Fanatec, as well as going in its own direction with wireless wheel compatibility and excellent tuning capabilities. Although it isn’t Simucube’s most premium offering, it is certainly up there with the very best wheel bases on the market.

PROS:

• Very high torque levels
• Offers excellent force feedback
• Wireless wheel compatibility

CONS:

• More expensive than the Sport

3. Simucube 2 Ultimate

Max Torque: 32 Nm | Slew Rate: 9.5 Nm/ms | Weight: 11.3 kg / 24.9 lbs | Power Supply: 1000W

Finally, we have a wheel base that sits firmly at the peak of sim racing hardware. Straight out of the box, you know the Simucube 2 Ultimate wheel base means business. Its black precision machined metal finish (with some powder coating this time around) looks great, and inside this casing is the hugely powerful motor that makes this the best choice for the most competitive sim racers.

Unbeatable Torque

Capable of providing 32 Nm of torque, this wheel base is no doubt one of the most powerful on the market. We should note from the start that clearly this is more than most sim racers will ever need. It’s a pricey wheel base designed for competitive and professional sim racers, so beginners and casual sim racers should probably opt for the Sport or Pro instead.

Performance

For the relatively extortionate price, and all the hope and promise that comes with big investments in sim racing gear, the Simucube 2 Ultimate wheel base does not disappoint. The force feedback isn’t just strong, but it is detailed, intuitive, and silky smooth.

The response time is instant and fluid, making the overall driving experience an absolute dream. You’ll know exactly where you’re going right and more importantly when it is going wrong, as the wheel base is super responsive and the high slew rate allows you to tune things to be as snappy as you need.

This will naturally make your responses to mistakes more natural, and while a better wheel base won’t instantly make you faster, with enough practice it can make the small differences that really count at the top levels of sim racing. Again, this wheel base is not designed for beginners and casual racers!

Overall, the Simucube 2 Ultimate wheel base is a real eye-opener in terms of what is achievable with sim racing hardware. It is strong but adaptable, hard as nails but nuanced with its highly detailed force feedback, and most importantly, fun to use!

PROS:

• Has all the power you could ever need
• Superbly detailed force feedback
• Unrivaled build quality

CONS:

• Requires seriously stable mounting
• Very expensive
• Beyond what most sim racers will need

Summary Of The Best Simucube Wheel Bases

Wheel Base	Best For
Simucube 2 Sport	Sim racers looking for their first direct drive wheel base, or an upgrade over their entry-level one
Simucube 2 Pro	Anyone looking for a quality direct drive wheel base that has the potential to last their whole sim racing career
Simucube 2 Ultimate	Professional and competitive sim racers looking for the best wheel base on the market

How To Choose The Right Simucube Wheel Base

Choosing the right Simucube wheel base for you is easy once you know what to look for. Unlike a lot of other brands, the wheel bases in Simucube’s range are very similar to each other, at least in looks and broad features. The main differences are in their prices, torque levels, slew rates, and overall dimensions.

Simucube Wheel Base Specifications

	Simucube 2 Sport	Simucube 2 Pro	Simucube 2 Ultimate
Max Torque	17 Nm	25 Nm	32 Nm
Max Slew Rate	4.8 Nm/ms	8 Nm/ms	9.5 Nm/ms
Power Supply	280W	2 x 280W (R1) 1 x 450 W (R2)	1000W
Dimensions (mm)	130 x 130 x 250	130 x 130 x 270	115 x 115 x 310
Weight	8 kg / 17.6 lbs	11.1 kg / 24.4 lbs	11.3 kg / 24.9 lbs
Angle Sensor	22-bit	22-bit	24-bit

Price

The three wheel bases that Simucube have on offer are set at three distinct prices. The Sport model is the cheapest, the Ultimate is the most expensive and the Pro lies in between. All of these wheel bases are considered high-end products, meaning there is no truly cheap option with Simucube. This means absolute beginners might not be able to afford them, but the Sport and Pro aren’t far off Fanatec DD1/DD2 prices.

As with any piece of sim racing hardware, it is important that you prioritize features over price. It is worth investing in a product that you know will enhance your experience and last a long time, rather than going for the cheapest option. In Simucube’s case, one of the most important features is the difference in torque levels between the wheel bases.

Torque Levels

Torque levels are important when looking at direct drive wheel bases, as they determine the maximum amount of force feedback you have available to you. Having a decent level of torque can really enhance your experience, adding to the immersion and realism of your driving. But more isn’t always better, and the quality of the force feedback is also important.

The torque in all of Simucube’s wheel bases is high by most standards, with the lowest level being a maximum of 17 Nm provided by the Sport. This is well above the likes of the Fanatec CSL DD (5 Nm), the MOZA R9 (9 Nm) or the Logitech Pro (11 Nm). It’s more than enough for most sim racers, and definitely for beginners looking for their first direct drive wheel base.

If you race competitively, or just want the most realistic experience possible, then you may want to look towards the Pro and Ultimate wheel bases, capable of providing up to 25 Nm and 32 Nm of torque respectively. It cannot be understated that these are extremely powerful, and they can be dangerous if not handled properly (which is why emergency stop buttons are usually a good idea).

Note: We’ve already alluded to the high quality of the force feedback with all of Simucube’s wheel bases, and it goes without saying (even though we’ve said it anyway!) that this is important to consider alongside max torque levels.

Slew Rate

Slew rate is where things start to get a bit complicated. Each of the three wheel bases in Simucube’s range has a different torque slew rate, which is essentially the speed that torque can be delivered to the wheel and how fast it can change.

For example, the slew rate on the Sport is 4.8 Nm per millisecond, whereas the slew rate on the Ultimate is 9.5 Nm per millisecond, making the more expensive Ultimate model capable of providing more torque at a quicker rate. Slew rates become very noticeable once you get above a few Nm/ms. Many people turn this down in their settings as it can feel unnatural.

This unnatural feeling stems from the fact that force feedback in these wheel bases is ‘active’ while the steering wheels in real cars are ‘reactive.’ This means that the simulator you use won’t be able to mimic a lot of the damping that would be created by a real car’s tires and suspension, and so too high a slew rate can feel too snappy.

However, having more room to adjust this with the more expensive wheel bases may be important for many sim racers, but it’s important to note that it’s just one factor that differs between them. For example, when choosing between the Sport and the Pro, the slew rates are quite different, but we believe the differences in torque levels are the far more important thing to consider.

Size & Weight

The Sport wheel base is both smaller and lighter than the other two options, making it more of a natural fit into compact and less sturdy sim rigs. One of the main characteristics of the Pro and Ultimate wheel bases is their immense weight that will prove to be dangerous if mounted on a rig that isn’t built to support it.

It is important to make sure your setup will be able to hold this weight, otherwise you risk causing irreparable damage to your equipment and the floor beneath it. Even the Sport is a hefty 8 kg (17.6 lbs), so no matter which one you get it’s a weighty piece of kit!

KEY POINTS

• If you’re looking for your first direct drive wheel base, go for the Sport or the Pro

• If you want a truly future-proof option with more peak torque headroom, the extra couple hundred dollars for the Pro is likely well worth it

• If you’re a competitive sim racer with the budget for it, the Ultimate is the best available

A Note On Simucube’s True Drive Software

Simucube’s True Drive Software allows you to set up and use your Simucube products with a great deal of customization options. It is required that users download the software, otherwise they will not be able to use their Simucube equipment, as it is not as simple as just plugging it in and playing. The software manages a range of things, including wheel connection and force feedback.

The True Drive interface is fairly user friendly, so you won’t have to spend hours setting everything up before you drive. There’s an abundance of presets made by the community that will save you even more time. You can set up different profiles, allowing you to switch configurations depending on the game you’re playing, rather than having to manually change it each time.

There are pre-set online profiles that are usable in various sim racing games. This means that if you mainly use iRacing, you will be able to select a ready-made setup to use that has been pre-configured for that specific game.

The True Drive software is a big selling point for Simucube, as it hasn’t been made overly complicated and will let you tune your products to a very specific level. Its simplicity allows users to get the most out of their hardware, whether they know the finer details they want to change, or whether they would prefer to use a cloud-based preset and get racing almost instantly.

3 Great Wheel Rims To Use With Your Simucube Wheel Base

1. Ascher Racing F64 V3

The Ascher Racing F64 V3 is a formula style wheel, ergonomically designed for ultimate comfort during use. It features rubber grips, which make it both comfortable and easy to hold when the wheel base is fighting against you. Its aluminum body ensures there is no danger of flex under pressure, making it durable and long lasting.

It has incredible functionality, with 64 programmable inputs spread across an abundance of buttons and switches, all placed within comfortable reach. This will allow you to make all the mid-race inputs you could ever need to do, without having to take your eyes off the track ahead.

The buttons provide a nice positive click when pressed, which is both satisfying and reassuring, as you won’t find yourself accidentally activating your pit limiter or altering your brake bias. Not all the action is taking place on the front of the wheel though, with magnetic paddles on the rear of the wheel offering satisfying shifts.

Overall, this formula wheel has everything you need to perform at your best in open-wheel races. It also has the added bonus of looking great, meaning that your setup will both look and feel highly realistic.

2. Cube Controls GT Sport

The Cube Controls GT Sport wheel is a reliable and stylish wheel, perfectly optimized for comfort and performance. There are both USB connected and wireless versions of this wheel. The wireless edition has a duration of 40 hours of use, meaning it will last throughout the longest sessions. The wheel’s shape makes it versatile, with its primary function being GT racing.

It features a carbon fiber front plate, with a great selection of buttons and rotary dials you can map to whatever you need. With a diameter of 320 mm, it is perfectly sized and very versatile.

3. Simucube Tahko GT-21 Wireless Wheel

If you want to stay within the Simucube ecosystem, the Tahko GT-21 wireless wheel may be the one for you. Directly translated from Finnish as ‘grindstone,’ the Tahko is built to be a robust, durable sim racing wheel that rivals many others on the market at a similar price point.

The wheel is comfortable to use and will work well for a multitude of racing styles. Its wireless feature is long lasting, and plays into the hands of anyone who own a Simucube wheel base. Its aesthetics may not suit every taste, but its functionality makes it a safe bet for anyone who wants a versatile sim racing wheel that pairs perfectly with a Simucube wheel base.

The wheel is primarily made of steel and features a suede fabric grip, which provides users with both comfort and good grip levels. It fits into the diameter sweet spot, measuring 320 mm. Overall, it will be a reliable wheel to have in your arsenal, and one that will work effectively with your Simucube wheel base’s wireless functionality.

Final Thoughts

Simucube have undoubtedly produced one of the most impressive wheel base ranges in sim racing. All three choices are high-end, offering impressive levels of torque and incredibly detailed force feedback. The Simucube 2 Ultimate is the pick of the bunch and is unrivalled in its field, but the Sport and Pro models also occupy a place towards the top level of sim racing wheel bases.

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