Let’s go with our first review of an Asetek product. Let’s see how these Asetek Forte pedals are as they mark their mid-range debut.
Asetek is a brand known for its computer components. Until about a year ago this seemed to remain so, but suddenly we had the first news of their developments in simracing hardware. The arrival of the Asetek Invicta pedals in the first place, and these Asetek Forte afterwards, carry us to think that good hardware will keep coming from Denmark, where the company’s headquarter is and where they are trying to fill the market with a whole ecosystem for the most demanding users.
Getting down to business, these Asetek Forte pedals are the inaugural product in the line of products called by the same name. Forte is Asetek’s mid range line, while Invicta is on top. We have been testing during this summer the Asetek Forte pedals, which with its price and what they offer are placed in the same segment as the HE Sprint pedals or competing with our local representation like DC Simracing and BJ Simracing with their triple pedal kit.
Package and presentation
Companies that have been in the market for a long time, even if it is in another sector, know well and have the issue of packaging and presentation well in hand. We are offered a well-protected product, with its perfectly finished packaging and offering us a completely recyclable content that Asetek prides itself on. There is not much to remark other than that.
It’s right; it protects and we like it.
First sight
If there is one thing that characterizes these pedals at first glimpse, are effectively two. The first is that they are only two pedals, so we are going to walk with certain limitations when it comes to making certain driving operations. As I understand that this is obvious, otherwise we would have bought the clutch that is sold separately (Asetek Clutch), let’s go to the second point, which is the one that can not be seen in the pictures: the weight.
The pedals are made of aluminum, leaving the prevailing norm of steel in these ranges, which makes them much lighter than others. We are talking about less than 3 kilograms. It is noticeable when taking it out of the box, when maneuvering with them and even when we are fixing them to the cockpit. The truth is that it is appreciated and its black anodized finish only enhances the impression of a quality product.
A highlight for some is the LED strip on the part where the feet rest. It can be customized from the Asetek RaceHub app and can display a full range of colors. To be honest, I haven’t play with it to look at what can be done, as I don’t see my feet when I drive.
Tools and customization
The pedal kit comes with a tool box with the necessary elements for installation. It is recommended to fix the four points of the base of the kit to the cockpit. In the same box you will also find the connection cables to the PC and elastomers and springs to replace the default ones. In the online instruction booklet it is indicated that the compounds mounted, both in the brake and throttle, are the medium ones. These means are those that from Asetek have found suitable for almost all users, so we will test with these without modifying anything, waiting to see what the manufacturer want to show as a generic contact for the overall user.
As for height adjustments of the plates, we have the usual three holes where we can anchor at various heights. Unscrew and screw in with the Allen keys provided. Not rocket science.
The pedals can also be adjusted by angle. Unhook the arm and use the front wheel of each pedal for this purpose. Full instructions with illustrations are in the manual which you can download from the product website.
The hardness of the pedals, in addition to the included elastomers, can be done by adjusting the preload of each of the two pedals. Also with the instructions in the manual by adjusting the adjuster available on the back of the pedal.
And finally also mention that the throttle travel is adjustable in extension.
Compatibility
The pedals make use of the Direct Input interface, so any PC game should be configurable without too much trouble. You have USB C and USB A cables to connect directly to PC. It is possible that USB C is for connecting to the future Asetek Direct Drive base, although we will see in the coming months.
Mounting
As we said, it is advisable to use the four screws at the points indicated in the manual. However, one of them is directly under the throttle arm, so you have to disassemble it temporarily to be able to adjust that screw.
As I don’t have a pedal tray on my cockpit I can’t comment if the pattern matches or not with the different cockpit manufacturers, it’s something you will have to look for each case.
The connection of the USB cable in my case has been a little difficult, because it does not enter smoothly, but you have to make a pressure that at times feels dangerous.
Throttle
With the default spring that comes has a completely linear travel, with a clear and tangible end that ensures that we know at all times if we are applying it correctly and how much we have left to reach 100%. It is a pedal that manufacturers approach in the same way only adjusting what they consider to be the different hardnesses. In this case we have extra spring in case we need it harder.
To clarify that the pedal has a sensor hall with 16 bits of resolution.
Brake
For any simracer this is where the difference should be made and where all the development and marketing of a product like this goes. Asetek asserts that the brake of these Asetek Forte provides hydraulic sensations without having such properties and that we will feel two clearly differentiated stages. First we have a very short stage that consists of a path with little resistance in which it tries to emulate the approach of the brake caliper to the disc. It is a very short but measurable route, in my case I have used it as a dead zone to be able to rest my foot on the pedal without activating the brake on the sim. This is done through the RaceHub application, as many other tasks like setting curves or others.
Second place we find out what they consider “pressing against the wall”. The brake pedal literally becomes just that, with a feeling of zero or practically 0 travel where we are pressing against an immovable object. I seem to recall that so far this is the first brake pedal that has given me this feeling of 0 movement, and yet there is an even harder elastomer in the case in case anyone feels it is not enough. The load cell on which the force is applied is able to measure 180Kg.
Fortunately the brake stop can be adjusted in the app as well as other parameters, which ensures that you don’t have to load your knees or twin after pressing hard for several hours. This will have to be configured to the driver’s taste, because it is difficult to manage that amount of pressure configured by default. There is also the issue of adapting it to the car we are driving and to the necessary feeling to avoid blocking wheels. This depends on simulation and FFB, more noticeable in some than others.
Speaking purely of efficiency on track, we can conclude that with practice they are at a very good level. Without going into comparisons with other brands, we can say that with elastomers are perhaps the best we have had in our hands. One of the brightest points is that Asetek also ensures that its technology does not deform or overuse over time, which is one of the weaknesses of using this kind of elements.
Final thoughts
It is a great set of pedals, according to its price, which is not as low as it seems to be only two. We are offered one of the best proposals of pedals with elastomers so far, promising us that there will be no wear or deformation with use, and it is made with impeccable pedals in aluminum with black and orange finishes with the icing of the LED strip.
At the level of sensations have very clear characteristics, with a linear throttle with a medium hardness and with a clear and appreciable end. The brake consists of two stages, approach of the caliper to the disc and direct pressure with the disc. The second is directly like pressing against a wall, bringing up that muscle memory that works more regularly than the position memory.
Asetek Forte is the first product of the mid-line of the Danish Asetek and makes it clear that they are going bold in this simRacing market. In the absence of testing the Asetek Invicta and the clutch, they leave a very good taste of what they can offer in the future. An option to consider if you don’t need a third pedal that can be purchased separately: Asetek Clutch .
You can buy them on their website by clicking on the banners on the sides or on the footer, or at the distributor Simufy for 499 euros, where you can have a 2% discount using the code: SFYOPTF7ZMR98
You can buy it on Asetek official website (5% OFF using this coupon: SIMRACER.ES)
