Our Verdict
Pros
- Nice design with gold accents.
- Excellent build quality.
- Includes both 50 and 70mm bolt patterns.
- Upgradeable to include other Fanatec accessories.
Cons
- Expensive for a wheel hub.
- Adds 50mm to the wheel shaft length.
If you have a Fanatec wheel base and fancy using a third-party steering wheel or real-world wheel rim, the Podium Hub is the answer. This wheel hub contains all the electronics to enable a Fanatec wheel base to function while providing a platform to mount third-party steering wheels and wheel rims. It also has a few tricks up its sleeve if you fancy using other Fanatec accessories, such as the Advanced Paddle Module.
What is the Fanatec Podium Hub?
The Fanatec Podium Hub is essentially a wheel hub that bridges the gap between a Fanatec wheel base and a third-party steering wheel or wheel rim. All Fanatec wheel bases check for the electronics usually found inside a steering wheel before generating any force feedback. This means that if you try to bolt a wheel-side QR2 quick release to a wheel rim without using a Podium Hub, the Fanatec wheel base won’t function.
The Podium Hub contains all of the electronics that are usually present in a Fanatec steering wheel, allowing the wheel base to function normally. The face of the Podium Hub then features both a 50mm and 70mm PCD, allowing you to mount third-party and real-world steering wheels to the hub, letting you use them with your Fanatec wheel base.
If you are planning on staying within the Fanatec ecosystem, the Podium Hub can also be useful as it serves as the main hub for a modular system. You can attach various Fanatec modules such as the Advanced Paddle Module, Podium Button Module and more.
Fanatec Podium Hub Cost
Many brands have their own wheel hubs, each with different functionality and designs. They can cost as low as £60/$60, or stretch over £/$200 depending on brand. The Podium Hub sits towards the more expensive side, costing €149.95 or $149.95.
| Product | Price |
|---|---|
| Fanatec Podium Hub | €149.95 $149.95 |
This price is slightly expensive considering you aren’t getting any true functionality. Other wheel hubs that are priced over £/$100 normally include paddles, buttons or various other inputs. The Logitech RS Wheel Hub for example costs almost the same as the Fanatec Podium Module, but includes a complete set of inputs, as does the Asetek wheel hub.
MOZA Racing offer a similar quick release adapter, although MOZA’s design doesn’t include any modular functionality. However, MOZA’s QR Adapter costs under £/$60, and I would have liked the Fanatec Podium Hub to be closer to this price than over €/$100.
Do you need a Fanatec Podium Hub?
Deciding whether you need a Podium Hub comes down to your goal with your sim racing setup. Do you wish to keep using Fanatec steering wheels? Are you planning on adding some Fanatec modules, such as the Podium Button Module, or would you like to use third-party steering wheels with your Fanatec wheel base?
Depending on the answer to these questions will affect whether the Podium Hub is right for you. Below is a little matrix that covers a few key questions about whether you could benefit from the Fanatec Podium hub.
| Goal | Do you need the Podium Hub? |
|---|---|
| Plan on using Fanatec steering wheels | No |
| Plan on using third-party steering wheels | Yes |
| Plan on using real-world wheel rim | Yes |
| Plan on buying Fanatec button modules | Yes |
How to use the Fanatec Podium Hub
If you do choose to buy the Fanatec Podium Hub, it is worth considering how it can be used and implemented. On one side of the hub is the quick release. Fanatec used to ship the Podium Hub with the older QR1 quick release; however, you can now choose the newer QR2 quick release.
On the other side is a relatively flat surface that incorporates both a 70mm and 50mm PCD. These can be used to attach any wheel rim that fits these bolt patterns. You can also remove the interior section of the Podium Hub to accommodate a variety of Fanatec modules, and there is an integrated USB port that allows power and data to be sent to the additional modules.
The design of the Podium Hub
Carrying the Podium branding instantly positions this wheel hub in Fanatec’s premium product lineup. This is reflected in the design and construction with a very premium gold anodised aluminium monocoque.
When the hub is mounted to a quick release on one side and a steering wheel on the other, you can’t see much of it. The electronic arm sits inside the quick release, and your wheel rim will cover the Fanatec branding.
All that remains is that gold aluminium and this design is very striking and really looks great when mounted to your racing wheel.
When you inspect the Podium Hub before you fully construct your steering wheel, there are some neat design touches. There are slots for modules such as the ClubSport Button Cluster to fit into, and there is a protruding USB-C port that lets you easily connect various modules.
Compatibility: What you need to know
When choosing the Podium Hub it is worth considering whether it will truly help you achieve the goal you’re after, and that all comes down to compatibility. On the Fanatec side, the Podium Hub is compatible with all current Fanatec wheel bases. That includes the recently released ClubSport DD and DD+, through to older wheel bases such as the CSL DD, GT DD Pro and DD1/DD2.
You will need to ensure you choose the right quick release for your configuration. The Podium Hub is compatible with both the QR1 and QR2, so choosing one is completely dependent on your base-side quick release.
On the front side, there are 70mm and 50mm PCDs in a 6 and 3-hole pattern. These allow you to connect virtually any real-world wheel rim from brands, including SPARCO and MOMO. It is worth double checking fitment before buying a wheel rim, as you may need an adapter if it doesn’t have a matching bolt pattern.
If you own other sim racing steering wheels from third-party brands such as MOZA Racing, Asetek, Simucube or others, the only requirement will be an adapter from that specific brand. For example, I have a MOZA QR Adapter mounted to my Podium Hub which allows me to use any MOZA steering wheel with this Fanatec Podium Hub.
Most sim racing brands do have their own QR adapter, and most will utilise either a 50 or 70mm PCD, making them compatible with this Podium Hub.
You can also use the Podium Hub as a base for a variety of other Fanatec accessories. The following modules can be used with the Podium Hub;
- Podium Advanced Paddle Module
- ClubSport Magnetic Paddle Module
- Podium Button Module Endurance
- Podium Button Module Rally
- ClubSport Button Cluster Pack
Is the Fanatec Podium Hub worth buying?
Deciding on whether the Fanatec Podium Hub is right for you comes down to your desired steering wheel. If you do want to open up your sim racing ecosystem to include non-Fanatec wheels and wheel rims but still want to use your Fanatec wheel base, the Podium Hub is your best choice.
This hub may be on the pricier side compared to other QR adapters. However, it provides all the functionality required to create a truly custom sim racing wheel setup. The design and construction of this hub are excellent, making it a worthwhile investment that should last a long time.
It is also fairly future-proof, as you can swap out the quick release should Fanatec move away from the QR2 (let’s hope not!), and you can add modules at any time.
Frequently asked questions
The Fanatec Podium Hub is compatible with all current Fanatec wheel bases including the older CSL DD and GT DD Pro.
You can use either a 6x70mm or 3x50mm bolt pattern on the Fanatec Podium Hub. This will allow you to mount most third-party steering wheels and wheel rims.
The main reason for buying a Podium Hub is to mount third-party wheel rims and steering wheels from other sim racing brands.
Technical Specifications
Review written by Felix König
