Why a Direct Drive System is important for Sim Racing
In sim racing, direct-drive steering mechanisms are the pinnacle of steering feedback. Direct-drive systems remove gear systems that sound elastic and spongy and combine them with crisp, sharp feedback and instant car inputs.
This way you will get a 100% realistic feeling of how your sim racing car handles on track!
Why a Direct Drive System is better?
Most traditional sim racing wheelbases have lash, which is a transient but slight relaxing and tensioning of the belt. Direct Drive wheel motors do not have a lash. Because there is no lash in a DD wheel, you may increase the steering weight without sacrificing input. As a result, given enough time, you can fine-tune the steering to get any desired level of performance.
It's a good idea to look at what makes a sim racing wheelbase good to understand why direct drive may be superior. Understanding the nuances of different systems is crucial, and the wheel base guide for 2023 can provide valuable insights into selecting the right direct drive wheel base for your sim racing setup.
Precision
The simulation program has made sure that all of the wheel movement is how it should be. The system has minimal latency and no mechanical play. Because a direct drive wheel can give input at a faster rate, you'll feel more confident in your ability to respond swiftly to slides and unexpected events.
Once you've gotten acclimated to the forces associated with a DD sim wheel, you'll probably feel more confident, make fewer errors, and finally reach a sweet spot where you love driving to the limit. Test your reaction time by pushing yourself to the limit on the track. Each track detail, vibration and bump are delivered instantly with clarity that allows the driver to make quick effective adjustments in the race seat.
Catch slides before they happen thanks to the digital signal processing and high slew rate knowing that as you develop in the simulator, you are also developing your driving ability as a professional driver would.
Our Top 10 Wheel Bases
| Characteristic | Thrustmaster TS-PC/TS-XW/T-GT II | Moza Racing R9 | Simagic Alpha Mini | Moza R12 | Simagic Alpha | Moza Racing R16 | Asetek Forte | Moza Racing R21 | Simucube 2 Pro | Asetek Invicta |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Peak Torque | 6 Nm | 9 Nm | 10 Nm | 12 Nm | 15 Nm | 16 Nm | 18 Nm | 21 Nm | 25 Nm | 27 Nm |
| Rotational Limit | 900°-1080° | ∞ | ~1500° | ∞ | ~1500° | ∞ | ∞ | ∞ | 2160° | ∞ |
| Wheel Rim Incl. | ❌ | ❌ | ❌ | ❌ | ❌ | ❌ | ❌ | ❌ | ❌ | ❌ |
| Manufacturer | Thrustmaster | Moza Racing | Simagic | Moza Racing | Simagic | Moza Racing | Asetek | Moza Racing | Simucube | Asetek |
| PC | ✅ | ✅ | ✅ | ✅ | ✅ | ✅ | ✅ | ✅ | ✅ | ✅ |
| Xbox | ✅ | ❌ | ❌ | ❌ | ❌ | ❌ | ❌ | ❌ | ❌ | ❌ |
| PS | ✅ | ❌ | ❌ | ❌ | ❌ | ❌ | ❌ | ❌ | ❌ | ❌ |
We have a detailed wheel base/direct drive guide, which includes a comparison of ~95% of the wheel bases on the market. Beyond that, we also have a detailed cockpit buyer's guide, pedal guide and a complete beginner's guide, all of which we regularly update.
Why buy your Sim Racing Wheelbase or Direct Drive System from Simplace?
It is not just that we as Simplace are equipped with professional sim racing wheelbases and direct drive systems from the best brands in the world. Simplace takes sim racing very seriously, that's why we only use the best gear in this area and have the best customer service to help you out when you have any questions related to our racing hardware.
If you're new to direct drive systems and seeking a cost-effective entry point, consider the best entry-level direct drives under $500, offering a balance between affordability and high-performance steering.
Our range of sim racing wheelbases and direct drive systems extends from the excellent entry-level, through high-quality offerings from Simucube, Simagic and Moza. These brands want to offer high-quality products. They want to bring a racing experience as you have never had before.
Keep in mind only a select few wheel bases work on console. For Xbox enthusiasts looking to elevate their racing game experience, exploring the best Xbox wheels for racing games can be a game-changer, especially those incorporating direct drive technology for more realistic feedback.
With a good sim racing wheelbase or direct drive system, racing becomes even more realistic and much more fun!
For a comprehensive sim racing experience, consider the sim racing bundles which often include high-quality direct drive wheelbases among other essential components. And note that a stable and ergonomic setup is essential, which is why exploring sim racing cockpits designed to complement and support direct drive systems can significantly improve your racing performance.