The first rim (steering wheel) from Asetek has received a refresh, and much has changed since this company entered the highly competitive sim racing world just four years ago.
As with previous reviews, I tested this wheel using the Asetek Simsports Forte base, which I reviewed here, and now we take a look at this latest rim which is essentially a redesign of the first one they released.
Asetek’s first commercial rim was a curious choice, as the Formula variant tends to be more complex to define compared to a safer bet like a GT-style wheel. Let me explain—Formula wheels require careful consideration of button layout, form factor, and hand placement, which most companies hesitate to design until they’ve gathered feedback from users.
In my opinion, it would have made more sense to go for a 30–31 cm GT-style wheel with an almost round form factor, which is usable across all categories and not uncomfortable for use with formulas or oval racing. It’s a less risky option than going straight for a Formula rim, but visually it’s much more striking and always looks better in pictures.
In any case, Asetek now has enough feedback to know what to do for future launches, and we can expect a myriad of new products in the coming months. In this new variant of their original rim, we find some interesting details.
Packaging
It follows the same style as the brand’s other products—functional and only including the essentials to reduce waste and weight. This time, even the grips are omitted, allowing users to choose whichever suit them best.
Inside, you’ll find hundreds of stickers and the tool to apply them precisely over the numerous LED lights on the rim. Also worth noting: the paddles come disassembled, as they must be installed after attaching the grips you’ve either purchased separately or already own.
Build Quality
The rim is made from a composite of carbon, glass, and plastic, giving it a solid, high-quality look that’s rarely seen in sim racing gear. That said, for the curious—unlike the first version we reviewed, this one is no longer made in Denmark. Production has been moved to China.
The main update is the switch from plastic to aluminum for the buttons. This brings some slight aesthetic changes, like on the three main rotaries, but the rest remains similar to the previous version.
As you can see, the rim is quite modular, as shown by the customizable grips and button swaps. The possibilities for button mappings and combinations are practically endless.
The lighting, like on the base, is customizable via the RaceHub app and can be configured to show different statuses.
Technical Specifications
- 49 total programmable ARGB LEDs
- 15 aRGB RevLEDs
- 6 aRGB FlagLEDs
- 12 ARGB button LEDs
- 12 aRGB backlit rotary switch LEDs
- 12 push buttons, 2 two-way toggle switches, 2 seven-way funky switches
- 3 twelve-position rotary encoders, 6 thumb encoders
- 2 magnetic contactless shifters with optional upgradeable extra paddles
- Injection-molded carbon-reinforced composite chassis with laser-etched forged carbon frame
- 2 mm interwoven carbon fiber front plate
- Option to upgrade to XL grips
- Tool-free, zero-play Quick Release. Ensures stable data and power transfer without cables, batteries, or wireless signals.
Mounting
As shown in the images and discussed in our shows, the Quick Release is an evolution of the one introduced by Simucube in 2019. It retains the key features but offers a new approach.
Simucube’s Quick Release, while good, had an issue of “fusing” with its mount, making it extremely difficult to remove at times. Asetek clearly noticed and addressed this issue. There’s also an electrical contact and a large clamp for better grip and easier removal.
Attaching the rim to the base and removing it is straightforward—swapping rims takes under five seconds, and the software instantly detects the change.
Note that you must install the grips before attaching the paddles. This process takes more time than you might expect, especially if you’re trying not to scratch the black-painted magnets on the back of the paddles with the provided Allen key.
Here’s how to install the grips first:
And here’s how to install the paddles afterwards:
Software
There’s no better way to showcase the RaceHub software than with a video of one of the latest versions. As you’ll see, you can do just about anything with the LEDs, paddles, rotary encoders, and buttons. If anything’s missing, Asetek will likely add it later.
One thing I miss is a profile selector like the one on the base, to configure the rim differently for each game. I’m sure that feature will arrive eventually.
Here’s a summary of what you can do with the software:
- Full custom mapping of buttons, switches, encoders, and paddles
- Customizable rev lights
- Pitlane control and limiter
- Night mode
- LED startup sequence
- Automatic connection detection
- Clutch configuration
Usage
I like it, though it’s not perfect. On one hand, it’s clearly a high-quality rim with no corners cut. On the other hand, there are minor issues that feel like they slipped through testing—or maybe it’s just me…
For example, the temporary switches at the top, which activate diagonally following your finger’s direction, don’t really match the feel of the other buttons. They’re easy to hit during abrupt wheel movements (they’ve held up so far), and their rubber coating can catch on clothes or sleeves, triggering them by accident or even breaking them.
The grip design also doesn’t fully convince me. They’re not part of the structural rigidity and are interchangeable, but they end too early at the top, limiting hand placement to a 9-to-3 position, which not everyone maintains all the time. In tight corners, this affects grip and rotation.
The injected rubber on these LMP grips doesn’t have as much grip as the plastic ones on the Asetek Forte Formula , which amplifies the issue. It’s definitely a step up from Alcantara, but still lacks traction.
These are minor quirks that I normally wouldn’t notice unless they cause a problem. Overall, the rim feels extremely solid, and combined with the Quick Release, there’s zero play. All inputs are firm enough to prevent accidental presses and provide the crisp, precise activation any driver demands.
Driving Feel
Rims depend heavily on size. The smaller they are, the harder they are to turn—and the better they suit formula cars, where inputs need to be extremely precise. They also feel harsher at the same base strength.
In this case, the size is spot on—290 mm (294 mm with XL grips)—which allows for a wide variety of input options that never miss a beat. The paddles have a short but firm travel, and most importantly, are quieter than those on other rims. Most buttons are easily reachable without moving your hands, and the thumb rotaries are versatile and highly configurable.
As for the LED lighting—I can only speak from the video, since I use VR and don’t need it—but it looks customizable enough to be genuinely useful for those using monitors, adding a new dimension to this type of device.
Final Verdict
This redesign of the Asetek SimSports rim called the Asetek Formula Forte (alu) brings some great ideas and maintains the quality of its predecessor. The fact that all tactile elements are now aluminum is a quality upgrade, but not enough to pass up a good deal on the plastic model if it’s available.
Overall, I think it’s a very competent rim and continues Asetek’s philosophy of continuous improvement and user-friendliness, wrapped in the brand’s distinct Danish aesthetic.
You can access the products directly here:
- Resellers (use our links for a 3% or 5% discount)
- Asetek Forte Formula Pro (SimRaceWebshop)
- Asetek Forte Formula Button Box (Black Alu) (SimRaceWebshop)
- Asetek Forte Formula Button Box (Black Alu) (SimUltimate) with 5% Off
- Asetek Forte Formula Pro (SimUltimate) with 5% Off
- Asetek Formula Forte Alu (Simufy) with 3% Off
- Asetek Forte Formula Pro (Simufy) with 3% Off
- Available from their official website (5% discount with code SIMRACER.ES)
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