Asetek Sim Racing — My Real-World Hands-On Experience (and What My Friends Think Too)
I’ve spent countless hours behind different sim racing setups — from DIY aluminum rigs to high-end, turnkey systems. But the one that caught my attention most recently is Asetek Sim Racing. Known for precision engineering and Scandinavian design, Asetek has brought something fresh to the market: a combination of realistic feel, modular design, and premium build quality that actually lives up to its hype. In this article, I’ll share my hands-on experience, what my friends and family thought when they tried it, and whether it’s worth your money in 2025. Don’t forget to follow sim racing cockpits for more news and reviews.
What Makes Asetek Sim Racing Stand Out
Asetek is known for its liquid cooling systems in the PC world — but their sim racing division takes that same engineering precision and applies it to wheelbases, pedals, and cockpits. Everything about their gear feels engineered rather than just manufactured. The tolerances are tight, the feedback feels organic, and nothing rattles or flexes under heavy load. Their signature “Invicta” and “Forte” series pedals are what first got me hooked.
1) Asetek Invicta Pedals — The Most Realistic Brake Feel I’ve Tried
Why I like it: The hydraulic system on the Invicta pedals feels eerily similar to a real car’s brake pedal. It gives progressive resistance, not the spongy “rubber block” feeling many cheaper pedals suffer from. Every millimeter of travel is predictable, and after a few laps, my muscle memory adjusted beautifully.
What my testers said:
Friend: “I could finally trail brake properly — the modulation is unreal.”
Sister: “They look industrial but feel surprisingly comfortable, even barefoot.”
Brother: “After switching from my Logitech pedals, this felt like jumping into a race car.”
2) Asetek Forte Pedals — Balanced Performance for Mid-Budget Racers
Why I like it: The Forte line borrows heavily from Invicta’s design but swaps out the hydraulic cylinder for a mechanical pressure cell. It’s easier to maintain and slightly lighter, yet still delivers a controlled, high-end feel. Perfect if you want near-pro performance without the hydraulic complexity.
What my testers said:
Neighbor: “Solid and smooth. I couldn’t tell it wasn’t hydraulic until you told me.”
Father: “I prefer this one — less maintenance, same realism.”
The Asetek Wheel Bases — Where Power Meets Control
The Invicta Direct Drive Wheel Base impressed me immediately. The force feedback is raw but refined — you feel micro details like curb textures and tire slip without harsh jolts. Compared to my old Simucube 2 Sport, Asetek’s FFB feels more progressive and controllable in long corners.
My take: The 27 Nm torque model is a monster, but even their 18 Nm version (the Forte) is more than enough for most racers. Their software, “RaceHub,” deserves praise — clean UI, detailed adjustments, and firmware updates that actually improve performance rather than complicate things.
What my testers said:
Friend: “The wheel felt alive — every bump was crisp but not overwhelming.”
Brother: “It’s powerful but precise. No dead zones, no overshoot.”
Sister: “I’m not even a racer, but this made me feel like one.”
Asetek Sim Racing Cockpit — Clean, Modern, and Built Like a Tank
The Asetek cockpit design follows the same philosophy: minimal flex, maximum stability. Their rigs are built from aluminum extrusion with a black anodized finish that resists fingerprints. It looks professional enough for a studio but strong enough to handle a 27 Nm direct drive motor without budging.
Why I like it: Cable management is excellent, everything bolts together with precision, and adjustments (like pedal plate angle or seat position) can be done in minutes. It’s clearly built by engineers who race.
What my testers said:
Neighbor: “Finally a rig that doesn’t creak when I slam the brakes.”
Father: “Looks elegant — like a high-end Scandinavian chair, but for racing.”
Software & Ecosystem — The RaceHub Advantage
Unlike many brands that rely on clunky configuration tools, Asetek’s RaceHub software is clean, visual, and effective. You can tune pedal curves, brake pressure, wheel force feedback, and even RGB accent lighting — all in real time. Updates are frequent, and my personal setup has improved noticeably with firmware refinements.
My tip: Spend time fine-tuning RaceHub — once dialed in, your inputs feel more natural than almost any other system I’ve used.
How It Compares to Other Brands
Compared to Fanatec, Asetek feels more premium in materials but with fewer product variations. Against Simucube, it’s more user-friendly and modern-looking, though Simucube still wins for raw configurability. For newcomers, Asetek’s modular system (pedals, base, cockpit) is simpler to expand without worrying about ecosystem lock-ins.
Buying Advice — Which Asetek Product Should You Start With?
If you’re starting out: Go for the Forte pedals and pair them with a mid-range cockpit like GT Omega or Trak Racer. Add the Forte wheelbase later when budget allows.
If you’re experienced or upgrading: The Invicta bundle (wheelbase + pedals) delivers uncompromising performance. Pair it with an Asetek or Sim-Lab cockpit for rigidity and aesthetics.
Personal Setup — My Asetek Configuration
I currently run an Asetek Invicta Wheel Base with Invicta pedals mounted on a Sim-Lab GT1 Evo cockpit, paired with a curved 49” ultrawide display. It’s the most “connected to the car” feeling I’ve ever had. The throttle modulation feels like I can sense tire slip, and braking is second nature after long stints in GT3 sims.
Final Verdict — Should You Buy Asetek Sim Racing Gear?
If you value build quality, realism, and simplicity, Asetek deserves to be on your shortlist. It’s not the cheapest system, but it feels worth every dollar when you’re chasing tenths in ACC or iRacing. My sister calls it “the luxury car of sim racing gear,” and honestly, I agree.
My summary:
✔ Pro-level feedback and feel
✔ Exceptional build quality and design
✔ Clean and reliable software (RaceHub)
✘ Premium pricing (but justified)
✘ Slightly limited accessory ecosystem (for now)
Whether you’re upgrading from entry-level gear or going full professional, Asetek brings a sense of precision and confidence that’s rare in sim racing hardware. I’ve tested dozens of systems — and Asetek is one of the few that makes me feel like I’m really there, every single lap.