Sim Racing setup - Help

Colin_M · 21 Mar 2019 at 11:35

Hi guys, I notice there are a few of you here into sim racing so thought i’d ask your advice.

I’m going to be building a pc for this purpose over the next week and trying to decide what equipment to get.

Unfortunately it needs to be a desk based (Ikea Karlby/Alex) rather than purpose built sim rig and i’ll be using a single 34inch monitor along with VR eventually.

As it needs to be clamped to the desk I don’t think i’ll be able to go DD so looking to get the Fanatic ClubSport Wheel Base V2.5, ClubSport Pedals V3 and Formula V2 rim.

I’m going to be playing on a variety of sims such as Iracing, AC and ACC, Raceroom, Dirt Rally and F1 so would I be better with a two rims such as the Formula V2 and BMW GT2?
Similar to the above, am I best to get the shifter and handbrake?
Will the pedals be fine under the desk or will I need to build some kind platform to stop them moving around?
Is it worth getting the brake Performance and or damper kit for the pedals?

Many thanks

Colin_M · 21 Mar 2019 at 18:03

Thanks for all the responses. Unfortunately the room really is too small for a dedicated rig / wheel stand so It will need to be desk mounted which I understand is always going to be a compromise.

The pedals will be on carpet so hopefully will give enough support otherwise i'll mount onto some MDF to push up against the wall.

markoboyo11 said:
I've got the fanatec csl elite f1 kit with a load cell aswell, absolutely fantastic set up.

Got it mounted on a desk and the pedals wounded on a wooden board so they are pushed against the wall, all is rock solid.

Significant saving on what you are looking at and very little difference.

Thanks, that does look good however I'm keen to have a clutch.

MikeTheNative said:
I'd recommend a wheel stand pro if you don't want to bolt the wheel to a desk. You need to specify budget though.
To be honest the more expensive and more realistic you go the more you will not be able to get away with a desk and you will have to get a rig.

Budget is around £1500.

Colin_M · 21 Mar 2019 at 21:19

A sim rig would definitely fit and trust me it's tempting but I really need a desk as well and I cant fit both!

I think i'll just get the wheel and pedals to start and add a shifter and handbrake in the future.

Colin_M · 22 Mar 2019 at 10:22

barmyllama said:
A decent comprise is an Obutto Revolution. It can double as a desk and is probably more compact than a desk and chair.

I had one for a couple of years and it easily sat in a room that was only 8ft square.

https://flic.kr/p/Tw4hJm

Thanks barmyllama that looks great but It's going to be too much of a compromise for office work unfortunately. I'm going to be getting the Ikea Karlby worktop and Alex draws desk so It needs to be mounted to this with the ability to remove when not in use.

Colin_M · 22 Mar 2019 at 12:41

That's worrying. I'm hoping that the Karlby worktop will be sturdy enough with the v2.5 and mount.

For reference the room is 6'11" x 7'2" and needs to be used as a home office as well as standard gaming and sim racing. If it was bigger I'd absolutely get a dedicated rig but it's just not practical at the moment.

Colin_M · 24 Mar 2019 at 21:02

Thanks guys, I've given in and currently trying to work out if I can fit both a small desk and rig into the room

Colin_M · 24 Mar 2019 at 21:16

Yadda said:
What are you currently using?

Just a controller at the moment.

Colin_M · 24 Mar 2019 at 21:41

Yadda said:
Fair enough. I know how tempting it can be to go all-in, and if that's what you really want to do then fair enough, but honestly I think you'd have a ball with any half-decent setup like a G29 just clamped to a desk with your monitor positioned very close behind it. That's more than enough for you to get a really good taste of it. There's plenty of time afterwards to expand your setup as and when you feel you need to.

True. Looks like it's going to be a compromise either way. I think the wheel clamp will be fine and I can work something out for the pedals but it's the chair i'm most worried about. There doesn't appear to be anything with swivel or wheel locks available.

Colin_M · 14 Apr 2019 at 19:39

Update - I decided to jump straight in and went with the Fanatec V2.5, V3 pedals and Porsche 918 rim. I know I didn't need to start with this level of kit but really happy with it all so far and it's working surprisingly well with the desk.