This Guy FIXED My Biggest Fanatec Wheel Complaint!

[@pineapplegrips1989]

Hi Will, (video timeline) 14:50 The real leather option is available on the 310mm version (in a round about way). We use Asetek’s grips so it is possible to buy our Asetek grip option in any of the 18 materials we sell which includes NAPA leather). I will look at adding this to the pull down menus so customers can see its possible if the really want to go for non-rubber (caveat is this will take the 310 kit from an in stock item to joining the grip building queue as it involves hand building of the grips of course) Hope this all makes sense, regards Pete

[@boostedmedia]

Thanks for the clarification. Will pin this comment :)

[@DrAlanQuan]

Great video! The lighting and photography is really on point, and the transition between the different sizes was really pleasing to watch. Regarding the grip sizes, I know a lot of people complain that the 270mm grips are too small but with my own grip modification package, a significant number of buyers opt for the 270mm option rather than the larger 280, 290 or 310mm designs which was really surprising to me! There are people who actually prefer the smaller size. I do agree, 290mm is the sweet spot for this rim Also about your broken grip and the service you received from Peter - I trust that he would look after any customer in the same way. My interactions with Peter have been overwhelmingly positive and I believe he will do what he can to look after his customers.

[@jjlee196]

Love seeing vids on smaller companies doing stuff to improve gear and add life to all that awesome sim gear out there. We are definitely spoiled with all these constant new sim peripherals, but reviews like this make me slow down a bit and think, "maybe I don't need another wheel. My old ones need love."

[@pineapplegrips1989]

@@jjlee196 Thanks for the kind words ablut my small business. One of our strap lines is indeed “Re-Inventing YOUR wheel” 😁, buy new, buy new, it doesn’t have to always be that way, we just give you another option.

[@MrDaviddannunzio]

Just installed my 290 with leather grips and wow! This has taken the Formula V2 from my least used to my most used wheel. Great upgrade- love it!!🎉

[@graemacinnis1202]

These really are stellar. I had relegated my V2 to display only because it was just too uncomfortable to use on a regular basis. I found myself using my McLaren wheel instead. I had originally gone with Peter's best chunky grips, and it was a marked improvement. When the 290 mm kit became available, I jumped on it immediately. Massive transformation. It became my go to wheel. When the 310 became an option, I found the layout exactly what I was looking for. Let me tell you, this turned the V2 into a serious high quality wheel. I use it almost exclusively. The fit and finish from Pineapple Grips is amazing, and Peter does and amazing job with the instructions and any other questions you have. if you're going with the 310, I would make the encoder extensions and extended paddles a must. I'm 6'3" and have huge hands and I still needed them to make it comfortable without switching my hand position. It isn't cheap, but it's on factory level quality. I couldn't say buying the wheel to add the upgrade is very practical on a cost basis, but if you already have one and are looking to elevate it's comfort and performance, this is a no brainer. Glad to see a high profile channel do a comprehensive review to spread the word.

[@John-fy6dw]

I just got the 290 kit with the chunky grips in the leather absolutely wonderful. Glad that I got it before this video came out and pushed the wait queue to probably twice as long. very nice to see Will confirming my suspicions about the 310 being just that little bit too big to access the buttons easily without breaking your grip. Also wanted to know that this came with repair post to fix the little bottom panel on the back.

[@BenjaminBauckham]

In regards to support from Peter, he was excellent, we had a bit of a shipping mishap where my order got mixed up with another and Peter was super quick to get onto it and get things sorted so nothing but praise from me there! I ordered the 290mm with chunky grips and I cannot express how much of a gamechanger they've been for me, before I could barely drive for an hour without getting strain particularly in my left hand as well as blisters that would form below my ring and pinkie finger (which seem semi-permanent at the moment) Now I could drive indefinitely with no aches and pains which is absolutely huge from me. Couldn't recommend enough if someone has similar experiences with the factory size 😁

[@Frank_Steven_Groen]

The 270mm steering wheel is perfect for an 8Nm wheel base for which it was designed. But also a lot of +7k iRacing drivers still use it on Fanatec’s stronger wheel bases. I still have it on my 8 Nm wheel base, the only issue for me was that the grips aren’t thick enough, but the chunky grips from pineapplegrips solved that issue. I might get the kit for the 290mm wheel when I get a stronger wheel base. I race in VR solely so having all buttons on almost exact the same position is a plus, and I don’t need RGB back light on a wheel that I don’t see, in VR the steering wheel always matches with the car 😊

[@redonsundays]

i have no idea why Fanatec doesn't have a 'mid-tier' GT wheel. its seems to be the most popular wheel type and yet I see little to no discourse about the glaring hole in their lineup. it honestly drove me away from Fanatec in favor of Simagic, when I almost certainly would have gone to them otherwise.

[@robertcarr4172]

Can we talk about those rim transitions? holy hell.... But also please know that it was absolutely unnecessary

[@boostedmedia]

Haha. Glad someone noticed. ;)

[@JSmith73]

Yup they were awesome. ❤ Noticed before reading the comments. 😂

[@herlegz6969]

Got all the formula wheels, McLaren, BMW, v2.5x and 3D printed Dr Quans wheel mod grips for 2.5x and this is the way. Personalized custom size. Just need retrofit LED RGB button upgrades/mod from fanatec ASAP!

[@Gizfreek]

Good improvement, in the meantime Fanatec announced and kinda released a new rim for their Podium Hub and Endurance Button Module with 318mm diameter.

[@jeremymartinez6024]

The Le Mans one?

[@Gizfreek]

almost, Spa24h

[@Miguel-th3wx]

yeah but it costs 600 bucks in total lol

[@tekenator]

13:56 That editing! Great job!

[@boostedmedia]

Thanks! Tom had some fun with this one :)

[@fastforward7670]

I really wonder what’s so hard for Fanatec coming out with an improved McLaren GT3 wheel on Clubsport-level. Customers have been asking this for years.

[@boostedmedia]

Apparently their development resources were reassigned to redeveloping existing products due to the chip shortages, which is why there’s not been many new products the last few years.

[@fastforward7670]

@@boostedmediaYes, have been hearing this as well. Meanwhile Simagic, Moza, Ascher and who not do push out completely new designs. So at this point I assume Fanatec is not good in managing their supply chains as R&D has always been top notch.

[@Arkkis27]

While that ofc would be great, they currently have much bigger problems than widening their product range.

[@RelaxSimmer]

@@boostedmedia They won't even bother implementing bumpstop adjustment slider in their software because they don't have "Resources" but it's been on a TODO feature list for 3 years now which is awesome ...

[@wavyvibesradio]

Would love to see a 720s wheel from fanatec

[@eazyasyoulike]

I bought a Leoxz XGT wheel with their QR2- 295mm diameter, costs more than the Fanatec Formula wheels, but is quality.

[@Wyd4]

I love these mods, but being in Australia, between the mod cost and the shipping and the price of the GT Neo wheel, I couldn't justify the cost. Now I have an F1 wheel and a GT wheel. That being said, these mods look fantastic and I am glad someone is offering it

[@rakimaje8433]

I actually own a V2.5 and McLaren GT3 upgraded with clubsport shifters. Due to the quality of the Mclaren, sometimes I use the V2.5 to experience the better quality again. Also I race in my living room and V2.5 is less 'annoying' for my wife in the room. This mod is very interesting, the more if you already own a V2.5. I truely believe 290mm is the sweet spot for a wheel to use for different types. So I consider buying ...

[@pjmack75]

This might sound silly to some but that flag on the larger wheel should be the other way around. Upside down flags are a sign of distress.

[@markcollacott]

I am very tempted. I get on with my V2, but always wanted it to be a little wider. I think 290mm would be perfect but £130 is too steep for me. Plus I don't think I could order it without the decent 3D printed handles. Those stock ones have an awful finish to them. Definitely not paying £60 extra for a couple pieces of plastic. Nice idea though. Impressive video again Will. Love the transitions between the wheel sizes. Really illustrates the difference in hand positions well...

[@regibson23]

It's insane that Fanatec hasn't just done this themselves.

[@renef9606]

Thanks for your amazing honesty and accurate reviews. Great job.!!!

[@AlexeiWatson]

Been looking for a v2.5 but they really need to let you select QR2 included with wheel price. It's just not worth the price they're asking once you make it compatible with a qr2 base.

[@mvpittman]

I jumped into sim racing with used Fanatec equipment. I like that there are options to upgraded the huge volume of used equipment out there. But, the reason I got used equipment was to not spend money. I don't think the cost of these add-ons is unjustified. I just think that Fanatec seems to have just left a lot of money on the table by not providing these kind of options on their current equipment. Since they go through the whole effort to lock you into their ecosystem, they might as well come out with a new rim size that isn't entry-level. I suppose there's the step-up to the ClubSport/Podium hub + rim, but where's the thumb encoders on those options? I wear XL gloves, have a DD2 and a F1 ESports v2, McLaren GT3 v2, and a Formula v2 and definitely find the Formula Style rims too small. I *could* buy this, or I could just get a hub and move into the upgrade path Fanatec designed, or move into the third-party wheel system. Hubs are expensive too. Sigh... what's more money in an expensive hobby, right? Is there still that insanely long wait time? I understand there isn't a farm churning out these parts, and that it is a small business. I'd probably pay *more* if I could just order it and have it inside of a week. Overall , an excellent review, as always. Those transitions were definitely on point, and good to hear from Dr. Alan Quan up top who has a solution for those with access to a 3D Printer. Y'all make me want to start making videos.

[@mvpittman]

Also... "where da fuq is dem screens mang?" They could just sell a base-mounted VoCore with Fanatec branding, or buy that dude's design that just mounts one on the F1 ESports wheel or the McLaren wheel. Easy money.

[@church493]

Actually small diameter i consider as pro of original fanatec formula wheel. Small diameter & light weight = better feedback. Even more so, on weaker wheelbases. What i hate in originals though - too easy to misturn thumb rotary encoders, not being able to put all three fingers on grip below spoke side by side, and no option to get alternative trimed grips by fanatec themselves (only offering same type replacements as warranty replace, even if some of other formula varieties have also other color alcantara or leather trimmed same shape grips).

[@h.k.7768]

The price of the steering wheel is already too high compared to Moza KS or Simagic GT Neo.

[@SMSmotorsports]

love my gt neo

[@001sander2]

True. Fanatec's marketing budget is expensive and the customer pays for that.

[@John-Wack_DK]

You pay for what you get, fanatec has always bern innthe high end of the different wheel companies. Where TM is abit cheaper and Moza and simmagic, and so on is more focused on budget. Fanatec is just higher quality (not that the others are bad) thats the beauty about choices. I love fanatec, but also others. Its up to the people buying into sim racing that can make a purchase from their budget and likings.

[@herlegz6969]

Buying Porsche, Mercedes, McLaren quality and engineering is worth it for many reasons, exactly like Fanatec.

[@h.k.7768]

@@herlegz6969 you wanna say that wheel has a better quality than the GT Neo?

[@virtualapex83]

When comparisons to the price and build work required by the end user the Pokornyi F1 Pro build is in the same price range by the time you add the cost of a Fanatec or SRS hub, but you get a 4.5 in display and Simhub compatibility. In fairness though, the F1 Pro would need a usb cable connection.

[@black7rc720]

0:40 Beautiful transition 👌

[@Lenduya]

Can't wait for the SimMagic HPR's. Especially their iRacing setup, which is finnicky last time I checked.

[@boostedmedia]

Working on it. In the meantime there's heaps of other great videos from other content creators sharing their setups. Well worth checking out. Such a great time for SIm Racing content at the moment.

[@loophole3526]

I got the 310 kit about 2 months ago and it transformed my experience with the F1 v2.5. It’s a little pricey but in my mind worth it.

[@haaake]

You should check out the Leoxz XGT Pro. Really excellent wheel that retains all of the Fanatec functionality

[@JSmith73]

Nice, this would be a great upgrade for me F1 2020 Special Edition. Converting it to QR2 and Podium Shifters first, then we'll see!

[@Magic_Kamikaze]

I ordered the 29 cm option for my podium f1 wheel, which i don´t use at the moment as it is too small - i´m driving gt classes or cup cars. If i manage the build without breaking the wheel, there is a good chance that this wheel will become my daily driver.

[@GMCRaptor]

Wake up Fanatec, give us options. Good vid Will.

[@andre6746]

Hi, speaking of the Formula V2.5 wheel. I have DD GT Extreme, was working wondering which quick release that I need to be able to use the V2.5 wheel?? Please help, love the wheel but, I don’t see a direct answer to my research.

[@ph3tamine]

Great video! love my V2.5 now that its got the 310 mod installed, much better

[@Holyfans247]

I have a problem where the buttons malfunction when my V2.5x is shaken vigorously. Do you think disassembling the wheel and reattaching the connector firmly would solve it?

[@Sigman99]

Hello i got my gt dd pro a few weeks ago and when turning left and right fast its making a bit of a rubbing sound is that something you have experinced on your gt dd pro yet to have heard from fanatec regarding the issue

[@minipaintingforyou]

Great review, thank you very much. Do you know of a mod that reliably makes the original thumb encoders less sensitive? I mapped them with TC and brake balance, they shift around when barely touching them 😅

[@leyterispap6775]

I dont know if someone can help me but i was trying to order the CSL bundle from Fanatec and i ' m located at EU Greece , in the shipping options i can select my country and when i press next it notifies me that the country i selected is not eligible for shipping . Quite confusing.

[@darrylhe]

would a fanatec DD+ be a good upgrade from a CSL Elite, i already have fanatec csl pedals and shifter.

[@catnipherb]

I'm happy with my Esport F1 wheel which is 270 or 280 mm wide. I absolutely love it. Especially if I'm a small person with narrow shoulders. It doesn't make sense for small people to hold steering wheels wider than 290 mm in my opinion. I hope Pineapple Grip will make a shorter modification for Sim Magic's GT Neo. At the moment the Neo is too wide for my liking. So I won't upgrade to Sim Magic until then. Same goes for Asetek (F1 wheel is 290 mm) in case I change my mind and buy their's instead of Magic's.

[@racer14glr91]

I sold my Formula Carbon V2. Mainly due to the size. Although this kit might have made me keep it. I mostly drive GT style cars

[@phippsa3]

Great idea but unfortunately just makes these wheels far too expensive overall for what they are

[@davidcupra4913]

New podium gt3 is coming 318mm. I was lucky to get 72/100 at spa. But a normal version is coming soon.

[@RK-io2os]

😂😂😂😂😂

[@davidcupra4913]

@@RK-io2os???

[@serfwallace]

The price for the custom grip isn't justified at all, for almost 200€ you might as well upgrade your wheel completely.

[@pineapplegrips1989]

its a kit not just a grip set.

[@JSmith73]

It would extend (pun intended) the enjoyment of my carbon fibre F1 2020 rim greatly; if I was to go through the pain of upgrading it, I'd certainly want something of high quality. Looks worth it for sure.

[@pineapplegrips1989]

@@JSmith73 i hear this a lot, with written and video instructions (now available due to this video) its so straight forward 👍 Regards, Pete

[@JSmith73]

@@pineapplegrips1989 I have pencilled in the upgrade in my queue of things, hope to put my order in in a few months' time!

[@ihababbas9863]

How can I find these wheels website? I didn’t find it in description box

[@boostedmedia]

It’s there in the description box. pineapplegrips.co.uk/shop

[@blue_birds]

please tell me, I have a cs dd+ base, will the CSL Elite Steering Wheel WRC or any other rally wheel work on it if you install qr2 on it?

[@boostedmedia]

Yes provided the wheel is QR2 compatible

[@internetcarson]

I'm waiting for someone to repackage the GT DD Pro wheels

[@Skyress-dj8iz]

are you guys gonna review the sim lab Mercedes f1 wheel??

[@TomTheSurgen1]

Hi Will, I am a V2.5 user on PS5, thanks to SIMGRID I’m in no rush to go PC. I have been racing acc on ps5 from day one of owning console. I have always wanted larger diameter and back lit buttons without spending £1500 on a BMW wheel when I don’t like BMWs. I will consider this mod, but I have a request. I have been giving serious thought to swapping out my DD Elite, v2.5 and V3 pedals for a complete SIMAGIC setup and running with one of the 3 popular emulator converters out there such as sigma cortex or brook Razaloution. The reviews out there of those converter boxes are crap quality by amateur KZbinrs and don’t inspire any confidence to buy or leave alone. Perhaps you could do a video on those converters with SIMAGIC and MOZA as the example setups as those are the most likely console people would swap out their fanatic for? For the sake of a £100 a converter box I think it would make a great video. There is certainly a lot of chatter in the FB groups for sim racing on console

[@boostedmedia]

I haven’t reviewed them because they’re unofficial and could be blocked at any stage by Sony/Microsoft. Don’t want to potentially encourage someone to buy something that could easily become a paperweight.

[@TomTheSurgen1]

@@boostedmedia ah ok, I see. Shame . Bored on fanatec being my only option

[@Tooter666]

Used to like fanatec. Till I opened my gt neo an realized I was over paying. Fanatec is stuck in the past

[@questionable_editz6767]

Hello mate, I’m wondering what pedals are the most realistic to road car pedals, or any that have good customisation so I can make them like road car pedals (mainly to practice for track driving). Love your content, thanks.

[@boostedmedia]

That's like asking how long is a piece of string. Most mid to high end pedals will be absolutely fine but some of my favourites are Fanatec CSL Elite V2 (best value pedals on the market IMO but hard to recommend with the current customer support issues), VRS, VNM and Heusinkveld Sprint. Heusinkveld Sprint are probably the most versatile if simulating a softer street car pedal out of the bunch.

[@tkdmp5698]

If you want realism you probably have to look in a hydraulic one If you want roadcar you also want to make it soft

[@questionable_editz6767]

@@boostedmediathanks, helped me a lot👍

[@marcusbunce3406]

nice,, I'm liking the 290mm ;)

[@danielfowler899]

Thanks Will, this is very interesting! :)

[@FrijoleBlanco]

Pete is the GOAT. That is all.

[@chuck1739]

Hello,Where's the Sim racing you normally do on the tracks??? Are they gone forever? A lot of ppl.imcluding myself truly miss them! Back to the basics please. USA 313

[@boostedmedia]

Just been flat out lately. Will be another one ASAP.

[@drbrofessor7956]

I rly think this mod is to expensiv

[@boostedmedia]

Yep. He needs to figure out ways to scale production and make it cheaper or it'll be no time before there's cheap knockoffs on Alibaba for 1/4 of the price.

[@pineapplegrips1989]

To put things in perspective, these really are low volume production items, with lots of customisation options we offer. Scaling up to prices on par with fanatec sales volumes for example is not realistic. its like. comparing apples with eggs. Its a niche hobby, with a niche mod on an old wheel range. We offer them because Fanatec have failed to offer anything for many years (mclaren gt3 as the exception). The same with their grips which is where it all started for me. 7/8 years in Fanatecs replacement grip options were almost non existent, so i came up with the idea to offer alternatives. Just toclarify any confusion. As stated on our website, The 290 kit is aimed at formula/GT driving. The 310 kit is aimed at LMP style/endurance driving, its not really aimed at formula driving. With the 310 wheel we wanted to give customers a rubber grip solution so we designed it around asetek grips (incidentally if you was buying asetek replacement grips you are looking at around £100 upwards just for grips. Our entry level wider wheel kits start at £130. Cost is all about opinions at the end of the day which i totally get. Im not going to obviously go into margins, but they are extremely modest, trust me. I try to pride myself on good customer interaction and good quality products. Regards, Pete

[@mvpittman]

@@pineapplegrips1989 I get it. This is something Fanatec could have easily done itself and just sucked up money like a vacuum cleaner. Do you think it's just that they think it is not worth the effort (not that many folks are dissatisfied with the options available) or that they wanted to get folks to move into the hub + rim + button module setup (even more money!)? If the latter, they need thumb encoders, screens and 1st party solutions to these customized efforts. At least then the AliExpress knockoffs will have something good to copy

[@Barry.R]

Too bad Fanatec is going under

[@markcollacott]

They aren't. Going through tender for a new buyer. There are multiple parties interested apparently. They will survive

[@dianedee7248]

Sorry 2 more observations watching the end,why not incorporate the good fanatic grips instead of the shite 3d printed ones or $140 ones and jeez how much work to do the job

[@boostedmedia]

They don’t fit

[@dianedee7248]

@@boostedmedia I appreciate that will I mean why did they not design it so they do fit

[@BLITZKRIEG1]

because f1 children like small wheel s

[@robertcarr4172]

no ways... This is polishing a turd. fanatec should have made a better formula wheel a long time ago.

[@boostedmedia]

I don’t think it’s a fundamentally bad wheel. Just getting old. Totally agree they need to stop regurgitating the same design though. I was pretty harsh in my F1 bundle review recently.

[@markcollacott]

Well done for getting the whole idea!! Of course it is aimed at people already owning the wheel.

[@b2bb]

if only it wasn't for such a shitty company--but I am glad Pineapplegrips is getting they money over Fanatec

[@dianedee7248]

Biggest pile of shite I’ve ever seen,sorry I like the company and the fact the do the extra grips but come on $400au plus plus the purchase of the wheel for a wheel that u can’t reach funk switches etc(as it’s not made as standard) Get out of here

[@markcollacott]

The idea is aimed at people who already own the wheel but wish for a wider rim wheel. £130 or £500+ for a new wheel. Its a no brainer for some because the quality of the V2, V2.5 etc is actually very good.

[@1sedan18]

😮

[@anticommoncore4065]

I have the Formula F1 V2.5 and a Simagic GT NEO. Get the 300mm GT Neo, $308 USD with Maglink. Much cheaper option than this upgrade.

[@karpovichgaming6425]

Fanatec its Dead

[@boostedmedia]

A lot of people already have these wheels.

[@davidcupra4913]

It’s just been revived.

[@mvpittman]

@@boostedmedia this. Defo not buying a Formula rim to double it's price and mod it. But, second-hand or old rims might be a good opportunity instead of approaching $1000 on a nice rim with more stuff.