A sim racing setup is five things working together: a frame that does not move, a wheelbase, pedals, a seat and screens. Get the frame and the geometry right and every other part feels better. This guide walks through each piece in the order that matters.
1. The cockpit comes first
Everything bolts to it. A desk clamp or a light stand is fine for a gear or belt wheel, but a direct drive base pushes back hard enough to move a weak frame, and that movement erases the detail you paid for. Size the cockpit to your wheelbase torque: up to about 10 Nm a folding rig like the Fold-80, 14 to 20 Nm a 40 × 80 frame like the GT-80, up to 25 Nm the GT-120, above that the F-160. The cockpit guide explains why.
2. The wheelbase
Gear and belt bases are the entry point. Direct drive bases put the wheel straight on the motor shaft: faster, smoother, stronger. Check two numbers before you buy anything else: peak torque, which decides the cockpit, and the mounting pattern, which decides the wheel deck. Our fit check lists both for the common bases.
3. Pedals
Pedals are where lap time hides. A load-cell brake measures how hard you press rather than how far the pedal travels, which is how a real brake works. It needs a rigid pedal plate: if the plate flexes, the force you apply goes into bending metal instead of the sensor.
4. The seat
A fixed bucket seat holds you in place and gives the most precise feedback. A reclining seat is more comfortable for long sessions and flight sims. Most seats mount on side brackets spaced at 290 or 320 mm.
5. Screens
One screen, an ultrawide or three screens, the rule is the same: put the image as close as possible behind the wheel and set the field of view to match your real screen. Use the FOV calculator. With triple screens or a motion platform, a free-standing stand keeps the image still.
6. Set your position
- Seat first, then pedals: your leg should never be fully straight at full brake.
- Wheel next: wrists should rest on the rim with your shoulders against the seat.
- Screen last: center at eye height, just behind the wheel.
Three ways to start
| Level | Cockpit | Wheelbase |
|---|---|---|
| Starter | Fold-80 | Gear, belt or entry direct drive up to 10 Nm |
| Serious | GT-80 | Direct drive 14 to 20 Nm |
| No compromise | GT-120 or F-160 | Direct drive 21 Nm and up |