Analysis by J. Rodríguez of a product provided by Fanatec.
It had been a long time since Fanatec last updated one of its most well-known accessories, the Handbrake V1.5, which was in urgent need of a revision due to the stiff competition in recent years. Now, it’s time to test its successor, the Fanatec Clubsport Handbrake V2 .
Presentation and Features
The packaging has a very refined appearance, which is evident as soon as you see the box. It’s entirely black, with the brand, model, and image highlighted in white on the front. Everything is made of cardboard, aiming to minimize plastic usage, except for two small bags containing screws and tools.
Inside the box, we find: a quick setup and usage guide, the handbrake base, the lever with the rubber grip protected, an adapter to attach it to the Fanatec shifter (as was possible with the previous Handbrake V1.5), and a small box containing the cable that connects to a Fanatec base, the screw to attach the base and the lever, screws for mounting it on an aluminum profile cockpit, screws for mounting it to the shifter, a ring-adapter to modify the handbrake travel, and the necessary tools for all these adjustments.
As you may have noticed, and this is a welcome change, it no longer requires a metal base to mount it on a metal profile cockpit as the previous V1.5 did. However, you will still need a USB adapter to use it on a PC without a Fanatec wheelbase. The adapter, Clubsport USB Adapter, is sold separately and costs €19.95 on Fanatec’s website.
Holding it in your hands, it feels solid, sturdy, and larger than the previous V1.5. The base is noticeably bulkier. The difference in quality and design is clear, favoring the V2. This V2 is entirely made of black aluminum, both the casing and the lever. At first glance, it’s clear that this accessory has evolved significantly. In terms of weight, the Handbrake V2’s base alone weighs 200g more than the entire V1.5. Adding the grip, the total weight exceeds 1,500 grams for the V2, compared to just under 950 grams for the V1.5.
The exterior differences aren’t the only thing noticeable. Inside, there are even more important changes. First, the sensor itself: we’re moving from a potentiometer to a load cell, which provides greater precision and durability. Connectivity has also improved, now entirely using RJ12, leaving behind the V1.5’s Jack connector, ensuring a more stable and durable output signal. However, you’ll still need the USB adapter if you want to use this device without a Fanatec wheelbase.
In addition to external and internal differences, there are also differences in terms of adjustments. This new handbrake offers many customization options to fine-tune its placement and activation, allowing you to set it up exactly as you like. We’ll explore this further in the next section.
Installation, Software, and Configuration
In terms of software configuration, it’s as simple as you might expect. The handbrake reflects the pressure percentage applied when pulling the lever, displayed on a single axis. In the simulator, you can set the point at which you reach 100%, and you’ll be ready to use this new gadget. It’s compatible with PC (with a base or USB adapter) as well as Xbox, PS4, and PlayStation 5 Pro if connected to a base compatible with these consoles.
When it comes to physical configuration, both in terms of placement and adjustments for travel, pressure, and lever inclination, the game changes. This new handbrake offers many small features that allow for customization of the activation feel and lever position.
Let’s start with the base placement. As mentioned earlier, the base can be directly attached to an aluminum profile cockpit without requiring an extra base with holes like the V1.5. It even has two slots: one at the back (about 4 cm) and one at the front (about 2 cm), making its mounting more flexible. This type of anchoring allows for vertical or horizontal positioning of the lever. It also includes an adapter to mount it on the side of the Fanatec shifter, as was possible with the V1.5, but with more flexible mounting options. Both cockpit and shifter mounting include all necessary screws. A table mount is promised soon.
Once the base is positioned where you want it, you need to attach the lever. You have three inclination positions and two orientation positions. This means that, with the base in a horizontal position, you can mount the lever vertically or horizontally, with three fixed inclination angles for both. For finer inclination adjustments, there’s a nut inside the base that allows small, precise changes.
Regarding the handbrake’s own activation, you can make several adjustments. The first is the travel length. Included in the tool bag is a small semi-circular adapter that can be placed in two positions, reducing the maximum travel from 80 mm to either 60 mm or 70 mm. The second adjustment is the hardness of the lever’s movement. Using an Allen key, you can turn a silver screw located in the central area to adjust the lever’s resistance.
For these tests, we initially opted for medium activation force and the longest travel.
Tests and Conclusions
Once everything was set up to our liking — from cockpit position to pressure, lever position, and inclination adjustments — we moved on to configuring the handbrake in Assetto Corsa.
Configuration in Assetto Corsa is very simple and fast. It’s recognized immediately, and mapping the movement of the lever in both the software and the simulator is consistent and free of fluctuations.
The grip of the rubber knob feels excellent — firm, with ribbing that prevents slipping. The entire assembly is solid, and pulling the lever doesn’t cause any side-to-side play, unlike the V1.5, which sometimes wobbled in certain situations due to its less rigid design.
We tested it on both rally tracks and drift events. While there is an adaptation period, as we trained our precision, our movements became more consistent. Since it uses a load cell and the force increases as we pull, it becomes easier to remember the precise amount of force needed for each turn or drift. The sensor accurately reflects every movement, and it’s perfectly mirrored in the simulator.
The conclusion is that if you’re looking for a well-built, high-quality handbrake — even if your simracing setup isn’t part of the Fanatec ecosystem (though you’ll need the USB adapter) — this is definitely an option to consider. Fanatec has done its homework, and it now has a model that rivals all the handbrakes that had clearly surpassed the V1.5, which had been on the market for so long.
Prices and Availability
As usual, Fanatec products are available on its website. Using this link, you can purchase the new Fanatec Clubsport Handbrake V2 , which is priced at €199.99 and has been available since December 2nd.
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