Our Verdict
Pros
- Supreme build quality
- Super smooth force feedback
- Wireless mode
- Widely compatible with 3rd party wheels
Cons
- Sport model not as powerful as competitors
What is the Simucube 2 Sport?
The Simucube 2 product range was developed to increase the immersion available from a direct drive wheel base, focusing on reducing the latency between software and hardware.
3 wheel bases make up the entire Simucube product lineup. The Simucube 2 Sport, Pro and Ultimate. As you move up the range from Sport to Ultimate, there is an increase in performance and price.
The Simucube 2 Sport is the baby direct drive wheel base in the lineup. However, there isn’t much “baby” here, as I personally think the Sport model offers everything a sim racer could ask for from a wheel base.
In this review, I’ll review all of the Simucube 2 Sport’s features. I’ll frequently compare elements to the other wheel bases in the Simucube lineup and to other direct-drive wheel bases, such as Fanatec’s mighty DD product range.
Simucube 2 Sport design & build quality
When you first look at the Simucube 2 Sport, you will immediately notice how much of a precision product it is. The entirety of the Simucube 2 Sport’s body is constructed from machined solid metal. All edges are nicely bevelled giving the whole wheel base a premium look and feel.
As a robotics company, it is no surprise to find robotic-grade sensors inside the wheel base. This, paired with the brushless motor, creates some of the smoothest force feedback I’ve felt from a direct-drive wheel base. I’ll talk about this more in the performance segment below.
Simucube offers all of its wheel bases with two connection options. You can use the tried-and-tested USB connection to connect your wheel rim, or you can connect wirelessly via Bluetooth. I tested the wireless connectivity briefly, and I can say there were no noticeable lag or latency issues.
Along with your Simucube 2 Sport, the box contains the Quick Release (SQR) and locking pin, both of which are needed to connect your wheel rim to the base. The SQR is built to handle the torque the SQR delivers. Simucube describes the SQR as being “virtually immortal.”
I have to say during all of my testing with it, I was mightily impressed by the Quick Release. There was zero flex or give when my wheel was locked into place with the pin mechanism.
Overall, you can tell that the Simucube 2 Sport is built to last.
Performance
The Simucube 2 Sport has been built to produce a mighty 17 Nm of sustainable torque. The Pro and Ultimate models produce stronger force feedback, at 25 Nm and 32 Nm, respectively.
While comparing the Sport to the other models, you may think that 17 Nm would pale in comparison to the other models. However, going above about 20 Nm of torque does lead you into excess torque territory. You would find it very hard to consistently complete a long race session using a wheel base outputting close to 30 Nm of torque.
Compared to other popular wheel bases, such as the Fanatec ClubSport, which produces up to 8 Nm, the 17 Nm of torque from the Simucube 2 Sport is a major upgrade.
As well as strength, the brushless motor inside the Simucube 2 Sport provides amazingly consistent force feedback. The thing that struck me the most during my playtesting was just how smooth the force feedback was.
Direct drive wheel bases are all about removing the gear or belt that acts as a transfer mechanism for delivering force feedback from the wheel base to the wheel itself. By removing this intermediary, you can first and foremost deliver more power into the wheel rim. And also improve the smoothness and detail of the force feedback.
Comparison with the Fanatec DD2
Having raced a lot with the Fanatec DD2, I can honestly say that the Simucube 2 Sport feels much smoother. It really is best in class. Other than the Pro and Ultimate Simucube 2 models. But even the Sport is a step up in terms of smoothness.
While the Sport does deliver enough strength and force feedback detail to use it regularly as our main wheel base. I would like to quickly touch on both the Pro and Ultimate models.
Along with the boost in torque power comes an improved slew rate. This is essentially responsible for how responsive the wheel base is. The faster the slew rate, the faster the wheel base can react to torque spikes.
Jumping from a Simucube 2 Sport to the Ultimate is certainly noticeable, in terms of responsiveness. However, the Sport model already delivers very impressive slew rate speeds. In a similar fashion to the max torque, the Simucube 2 Sport delivers a slew rate that is more than good enough.
True Drive
Setting up the Simucube 2 Sport is pretty much as easy as they come. Plug in the power supply, connect your wheel via the quick release, and connect the USB to your machine and you are ready to race.
Simucube wheel bases all come with the required True Drive software, which acts as the hub to update and tune your wheel base. Within this software, you can access multiple tuning options to configure your wheel base, as well as update your wheel’s firmware and drivers.
True Drive is fairly intuitive to use, giving you a plethora of customisation options. The software also includes a selection of preset profiles optimised for individual sim racing games. This allows you to load up an individual profile for whichever game you want to race in.
You can download True Drive for free from Simucube’s support website.
Compatibility
The Simucube 2 Sport and all of the other models in the Simucube lineup are compatible with the majority of Sim Racing wheel rims. Wheel rims from brands such as Cube Controls and Ascher Racing are all supported. However, some wheels, such as those from Fanatec, may require an adapter to fit the Simucube Quick Release.
The Simucube 2 Sport has a built-in wireless receiver, which allows you to connect wheels remotely without a USB connection. I tested this a little with a Cube Controls Formula Pro, and it worked well with barely any latency. After testing this feature, I found myself returning to a hardwired USB connection.
In terms of connecting other peripherals such as handbrakes and shifters, an accessory port is available. It is generally easier to manage your other peripherals separately. I run mine through a USB hub, which allows for reasonably tidy cable management.
You can use the Simucube 2 Sport wheel with the Simucube ActivePedal which is an incredible force feedback sim racing pedal.
Price
So, let’s talk about money. The Simucube 2 Sport is priced at just over €1000, with the Pro model jumping up by €200 and the Ultimate going for well over €2000.
When compared to other offerings, such as the Fanatec Podium DD1, which is possibly the most similar product to the Simucube 2 Sport. It fairs pretty well in terms of price, as the DD1 is currently priced at €1199.
With the Simucube 2 Sport providing slightly smoother force feedback than the DD1, this price tag offers good value for money.
Conclusion
The Simucube 2 product lineup really focuses on quality. The wheel base hardware itself is extremely well designed and built, and the quality of the force feedback is unrivalled within this price range.
The Sport model does surpass the quality of force feedback on offer from its nearest competitor, the Fanatec DD1. And it is also priced ever so slightly lower. Yes, the Fanatec has a great ecosystem, whereas the Simucube relies entirely on third-party wheel rims. But this reliance on third-party wheel rims could be both an advantage and disadvantage.
Ultimately, the Simucube 2 Sport delivers in every category, for a reasonable price. Meaning I would highly recommend considering it as your next direct drive wheel base.
Technical Specifications
Review written by Felix König
