The entry-level direct drive market is one of the busiest corners of sim racing right now, and into that space comes the Asetek Initium range. We’ve spent extensive time hands-on testing this new range to see how it stacks up against the many alternatives already available.

Marketed under the Asetek Racing sub-brand, the Initium lineup consists of a 5.5 Nm direct drive wheelbase (upgradable to 8 Nm), a 300mm round  steering wheel, and a two-pedal set that can be expanded with clutch, throttle, and brake upgrades .

Asetek has made upgradeability a central part of the Initium story, aiming to give beginners a clear path forward without forcing them to buy into high-end hardware on day one. In this detailed review, we’ll cover build quality, installation, software, driving feel, and long-term value to see if the Initium really deserves a place in your sim racing setup.

VALUE

A competitive entry point with smart upgrade paths.

When it comes to value, the Asetek Initium range makes a strong case as either a first step into direct drive or an upgrade from belt- and gear-driven sets like the Logitech G29/G923 or Thrustmaster T300. The three-piece kit (wheelbase, 300 mm round wheel, and two-pedal set) comes in at $599 USD, while each part can be bought separately: $349 for the base, $149 for the wheel, and $119 for the pedals. A full cockpit bundle is available at $1,049 USD, and an 8 Nm upgrade power supply will be offered for $89 USD (not yet available at the time of testing).

The pedals are the real highlight for value. At $119, they stand up even as a standalone purchase, and the upgrade path makes sense:

• Clutch add-on for $39
• Throttle upgrade kit for $119
• Load-cell brake kit for $119
• T.H.O.R.P. 2 hydraulic brake for $329

That ladder means you can start with the basic set, then gradually improve feel and precision without replacing the entire unit. Although, you might not need to! Pair that with the 8 Nm PSU upgrade down the line, and the Initium system offers a rare degree of flexibility in this price bracket.

For those who already own decent pedals or have their eyes on a different brand pedal set, the base on its own is still one of the tidier ways to step into direct drive at around the $350 mark, putting it right up against other budget DD options in 2025.

Build Quality

Solid construction with some smart compromises

The Initium wheelbase feels like a well-considered package for its class. Its cast-aluminium shell is capped front and rear with plastic panels, with Asetek’s familiar quick-release mounted to the nose. A nice touch is the redesigned front cap, which shields the pogo pins that carry USB power and data to the wheel — handy if you want to run third-party rims that draw only modest power, without cables dangling across your lap. Mounting is handled underneath with Asetek’s standard bolt pattern, and while there’s no native front-mount, an adaptor can solve that. A steel desk clamp is included, and in practice, the desk usually moves before the clamp does. Around the back you’ll find power, USB-C to PC, five USB-A passthroughs, and a small momentary switch for power and safe-mode. Inside, the 14-bit encoder (16,384 counts/rev) sits on the lower side compared with some rivals — we’ll touch on how that plays out once we get to the driving experience.

The steering wheel continues this theme: solid where it matters, but unashamedly budget-focused. The shell integrates the quick-release, so can not be switched to other brand quick releases, and the damped paddle shifters do their job without fuss. They are quiet in operation but lack the snap of some similarly priced rivals, and can rattle slightly if you let them spring back. Buttons are basic but provide solid tactile feedback in line with what you’d expect from a wheel at this price point.

The pedals are where Asetek’s design smarts shine through. Constructed from glass-reinforced plastic, they balance affordability with a clever geometry that lets you flip the internal plate to change pedal angle — something especially useful when switching between couch, desk, or rig setups. The brake is position-based but engineered like a two-stage unit: a softer main spring with a stiffer “cap” spring creates a clear threshold for accurately hitting your braking point and modulating around it. Hall sensors measure pedal travel at the base, ensuring a consistent signal even beyond that threshold, which explains why they feel so much more predictable than typical entry-level position brakes. The only real limitation is the sharp jump between the soft and hard springs, leaving little granularity in adjustment without moving up the upgrade ladder.

Overall, the Initium hardware doesn’t feel as premium as more expensive options, but it’s not trying to. What you get instead is a complete system built solidly enough for daily use, providing everything you need to have fun and drive fast, with thoughtful touches and upgrade paths that match its entry-level pricing.

Software and Tuning

Straightforward setup with familiar Asetek tools.

The Initium range runs on the same RaceHub software that Asetek uses for its higher-end SimSports gear. That’s a good thing, because it means you get a clean and intuitive interface rather than a stripped-back utility aimed only at beginners. Setting up the wheelbase was simple: connect via USB-C, install RaceHub, and everything was recognised immediately.

From there, the options are exactly what you’d expect — force feedback strength, damping, inertia, slew rate, etc. — all adjustable with informative tool tips and a basic or advanced mode to suit your preference.  It’s not the most exhaustive tuning suite in the market, but strikes a sensible balance: enough control to dial in the feel you want without overwhelming newcomers with endless sliders. Profiles can be saved and swapped easily, making it quick to switch between settings for different sims.

The pedals also integrate neatly into RaceHub. Out of the box they’re recognised as a separate USB device, but calibration is straightforward, and the Hall sensors ensure a reliable signal without the spiking or drift that’s common on potentiometer-based entry sets.

One limitation worth noting is that console users will need the upcoming Xbox-licensed wheel to unlock compatibility — for now, the Initium is strictly PC-focused. On PC, however, RaceHub delivers a seamless experience, and anyone familiar with Asetek’s higher-end hardware will feel right at home.

Driving Experience

Capable and consistent, with limits.

Force Feedback (Wheelbase)

Once on track, the Initium’s 5.5 Nm base proves capable of providing everything you need to drive fast and feel connected to the car. The motor is smooth in operation with no cogging or harsh notchiness to pull you out of the experience.

Where it falls short is in the finer details. The major forces — weight transfer, curb strikes, and understeer — come through cleanly, but the smallest surface textures and micro-slips don’t translate with the same clarity as on higher-end wheelbases with more dynamic range. There’s also a faint underlying fuzziness if you pay attention. The most likely explanation is the 14-bit encoder (16,384 counts per revolution), which sits on the low side compared with the 22- or 23-bit sensors found in more expensive hardware. It doesn’t make the base unusable — far from it — but it does cap the ultimate resolution of the signal.

For newcomers stepping up from belt or gear-driven wheels, this won’t be a deal-breaker. The leap in strength, smoothness, and consistency is still dramatic. More experienced sim racers, however, will notice that missing layer of definition and may find themselves looking to upgrade as they get more serious about Sim Racing.

Steering Wheel

The Initium 300mm round wheel does its job without overreaching. It is as versatile as they come, and feels natural across a variety of cars, with grips that are comfortable enough for long stints. The buttons are basic but responsive, with a solid click that gives confidence when mapped to in-race functions.  It is also great to have RGB Backlighting on a wheel at this price point for visual feedback in-game.

The weak point is the paddle shifters. They’re damped to be quiet in operation, but they lack the snap and precision you’d get from the best budget rivals. If you let them spring back, they can rattle slightly, which undercuts the otherwise solid feel of the wheel. It’s not a deal-breaker — they work reliably and won’t get in the way of casual driving — but more demanding racers might want more.

Overall, the wheel provides a serviceable experience that matches the entry-level positioning of the Initium range. For some, the solid construction and smart ergonomic choices will be overshadowed by the visual appearance, which in my personal opinion is outright ugly.

Pedals

The Initium pedals are where this range really stands out. Both throttle and brake use Hall sensors, and inputs are smooth and consistent without the spiking or drift you sometimes get from cheap potentiometer-based sets. The throttle feels predictable, and while it doesn’t offer the same level of mechanical resistance or adjustability as more expensive kits, it’s very effective for building muscle memory, encouraging good technique, and keeping laps consistent.

The brake is the clever bit. Despite being a position-based system, it’s engineered to behave more like a two-stage, pressure-based design. The main spring provides initial travel, then a stiffer cap spring kicks in to create a clear threshold you can lean on. This makes it much easier to hit and modulate around a braking point compared to typical entry-level pedals, where you can be left guessing how hard you’re pressing. The Hall sensor placement means that even when the mechanical travel runs out, the signal continues to register beyond that threshold, so slamming the pedal reads higher than just leaning on it.

That said, the stock setup has its limitations. The included soft and hard spring options leave a big jump between the two, with little granularity in between. For some, that will be fine; for others, it will highlight the need to climb the upgrade ladder sooner rather than later. Still, the consistency and control these pedals offer out of the box surpass any other set I’ve tried at this price.

CONCLUSIONS

The Initium range marks Asetek’s first serious move into the entry-level sim racing market, and for a debut it lands well. The wheelbase offers great detail and consistency, but its lower resolution 14-bit encoder does seem to limit overall smoothness very slightly compared to rivals like the PXN VD6 or MOZA R5. It’s a base that delivers what most newcomers need to drive fast, but more experienced racers may want for more strength.

The steering wheel is the most compromised part of the range. It’s functional, comfortable, and even includes RGB backlighting for visual feedback, but the shifters fall behind the best budget rivals. For many, that won’t be a deal-breaker, but it’s general appearance might be for some.

The pedals are the standout. At $119, they set a new benchmark for entry-level feel and consistency, even challenging some more expensive load-cell options thanks to their clever two-stage design. The upgrade ladder — from clutch and load-cell kits through to a full hydraulic conversion — makes them the most future-proof part of the Initium ecosystem.

As a bundle, Initium makes sense for someone stepping up from a Logitech G29/G923 or Thrustmaster T300, offering a dramatic leap in strength and control without a huge price tag. The ecosystem, however, is still young, and when you compare it to Fanatec, Simagic or MOZA’s more established catalogues, the lack of wheel options and add-ons is worth considering.

If you’re a newcomer who wants a system you can grow with, the Initium range is an easy recommendation. If you already own quality pedals or want maximum force feedback fidelity, you may be better served by looking at the competition. Either way, Asetek has planted a strong flag in the entry-level DD space.