For years, belt-driven wheels dominated the world of home simracing. They were the middle ground between the roughness of gear-driven systems and the once unreachable luxury of Direct Drive motors. But something has changed. Today, even simracers from a desk are experiencing the power, precision, and silence that used to belong only to professional setups.
Anyone who has used a belt-driven wheel knows what it means: wrist slaps, heat after long sessions, and a dampened sense of force. That experience, while fun, always left the impression that the car wasn’t truly “speaking.”
Switching to a Direct Drive wheel changes everything. The connection is direct between the motor and your hands; every bump, loss of traction, or poorly taken corner is felt with stunning precision. And what’s most surprising is that even entry-level models, with lower torque, already deliver realism that was unimaginable just a few years ago.
Not long ago, a Direct Drive wheel could cost more than an entire PC. Today, emerging brands have managed to lower the cost without sacrificing performance. With prices around $300, more and more racers are discovering that you don’t need a steel rig or a championship budget to enjoy realistic driving.
What’s fascinating is that many users claim that a “low-tier” DD wheel easily outperforms any belt-driven option not only because of its strength, but also its smooth turning, silent operation, and instant motor response. Even when mounted on a desk, the experience feels solid and controlled.
There’s a growing consensus: belt-driven wheels are living their final years as mainstream options. The advance of Direct Drive technology, along with lower costs and improved software, is pushing the market toward a new standard.
Just as load-cell brakes replaced potentiometers, Direct Drive is redefining the entry point for simracing. And once you make the leap, it’s hard to go back.
The difference isn’t only in specs or precision it’s in the feeling. Many describe their first time with a DD wheel as almost emotional: “I can’t hide this feeling… it’s so beautiful.”
That excitement reflects a deeper transformation: simracing is no longer just a technical hobby, but a way to feel motorsport from home with authenticity closer than ever before.
The end of belt-driven wheels doesn’t mark the end of an era, but the beginning of a new one one that’s more accessible, quieter, and more powerful. Direct Drive is no longer a luxury for the few; it’s the new starting point for those who seek a direct connection between their hands and the track.
See you on the track!
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