Simucube’s new steering rim
The Tahko GT-21 high-end sim steering wheel is Simucube’s first foray into the sim racing wheel world and makes a bold statement about their intention to become a sim racing ecosystem rather than an individual sim racing component supplier. According to Simucube, months of R&D and a rigorous testing plan has delivered a very high quality and well manufactured wheel that has been pitched by the reviewers as a “wheel that will last a lifetime.
Ideal for the hardened GT racer
This 320mm wheel features an Alcantara finish, 12 momentary push buttons, a 7 way funky switch, a rotary encoder, Simucube Wireless wheel technology and Simucube’s excellent SQR quick release (wheel side) fitting. Weighing in at 2.1kg this wheel has a weight very much comparable to the Cube Controls GT wheels. It feels very solid and flex free in your hands and very clearly, Simucube have used high quality manufacturing processes and componentry to create this wheel.
Cutting edge look and feel
The Tahko features a CNC machined chassis with black anodising on the front and orange anodizing on the rear. A Simucube logo “triangle” is bolted on the front. The unit itself is an aggressive and unique design that will appeal to the sim racer who wants their gear to look a little different from the rest.
“No flex” built in
Around the back of the wheel, the shifter paddles are designed very simply and look well thought out. The “breakaway force” (the amount of force required to get the paddle to activate) feels about right from a driver’s perspective and as you would expect, very precise. There’s no flex or lateral play in the paddles – they feel stiff, well-built and professionally designed.
Introducing the Simucube button
Make small adjustments to the feel of your FFB (force feedback) while you’re in session using the new Simucube button on the rear. The Simucube button allows you to adjust FFB strength, Damping and the Simucube filter without directly accessing TrueDrive – a feature not unlike the Fanatec tuning button found on their wheels. This is “a unifying feature” from Simucube that we expect to see in all future Simucube device releases.
Wireless Wheel Technology and SQR hub pre-fitted
The Simucube Wireless Wheel Technology battery life is estimated at about 5 years but just in case you need to change the battery cell, it’s accessed via a panel on the rear of the wheel chassis.
The Tahko comes fitted with the wheel side SQR hub – meaning that the wheel is literally “plug and play”. As an ecosystem this makes the Simucube universe just as accessible to new drivers as the Fanatec world; a definite upside is not having to fit a QR hub to the wheel before you get started!
What’s included?
- Simucube Tahko GT-21 Steering Wheel
- Official Quick Start Guide
- Sticker set for the wheel
- Standard Lithium battery included
- SQR hub included
Installation and drivers
If you own the Simucube SQR hub on your Simucube 2 Sport, Pro or Ultimate, then installation is as simple as putting the ready-assembled wheel on the wheelbase, pairing the Wireless device in Truedrive and re-centering the wheel.
The Tahko GT-21 is designed to take the hassle out of matching a wheel and hub to your Simucube; by being “plug and play” much like Fanatec has been for many years. If you want to mount your Tahko via a different QR hub you will need a 6x70mm PCD wheel hub adapter to mount on the rear of the wheel chassis, upon which you can mount the QR system of your choice.
Q&A
Q: Can I mount this wheel on a non-Simucube wheelbase?
A: This unit is intended for Simucube only as it uses the Simucube Wireless Wheel technology. It has no USB port that would allow it to be come a game controller in Windows
Q: What wheelside hub do I need to mount this wheel?
A: If you have the wheelside SQR hub fitted, you are good to go. Otherwise buy an SQR hub here.
Q: What is the battery life?
A: Simucube estimate 5 years of sim racing use with the battery that is fitted in this wheel.
Q: Will there be a USB version of this wheel?
A: As this unit is intended for Simucube owners only, we think it unlikely a USB version will appear
Q: Can I use this with my Simucube 1?
A: Yes with the wireless expansion board you can use this wheel with a Simucube 1