Buy a sim rig without a seat when you already own a good racing bucket that bolts on from below, or when you want to choose the seat yourself. Pick a matching seat when you start from scratch, because the bolt pattern, the seat slider and the seating height all need to fit the frame. That is why SIMGASM sells its rigs and seats separately: you choose the frame first and then the seat that suits your body and your driving style.
This guide helps you decide which route fits you, and what to check before you order.
Why do many sim rigs ship without a seat?
A seat is the most personal part of a rig, so a fixed bundle rarely suits everyone.
Every body is different
A tall driver with broad shoulders needs a different seat than a light driver who races formula cars. One fixed seat in a bundle forces a compromise. Selling the frame and seat separately lets you pick exactly what fits. A SIMGASM sim racing rig ships as a frame, with the wheel mount you choose at checkout.
You pay only for what you need
Many racers upgrade from a wheel stand or an older frame and already own a seat. They do not want to pay for a second one. When no bundle is forced on them, they reuse what they have and spend the budget on pedals or a stronger wheelbase.
SIMGASM | Club Aluminum Sim Racing Cockpit - Black
When does buying without a seat make sense?
Your own seat works well in some cases, but not in all of them.
You own a real racing bucket
A racing bucket with mounting points underneath bolts onto a rig with brackets or a slider. Measure the bolt pattern of your seat first and compare it with the brackets or slider you plan to use. Also check the seat width against the frame width. The Hobby and Club are 500 mm wide, the Sport and Pro 580 mm.
You want to reuse a car seat
A seat from a road car looks tempting, but it often sits too high and has no flat mounting points. It also carries heavy rails and sometimes airbag parts you do not need. Read why in our article on why a car seat does not fit well in a sim racing rig.
When should you add a matching seat?
A matching seat removes all guesswork about fit and mounting.
Bolt pattern and mounting
The SIMGASM Core Bucket Racing Seat has an integrated 360 x 385 mm bolt pattern underneath, designed for bottom mounting. It has a steel frame and pronounced side bolsters that hold you in place under braking and steering. Its backrest folds into a near vertical position for storage, which helps in a small room.
Seats are the heart of the comfort in any rig, and this short reel shows how a SIMGASM seat looks in a real setup.
A slider for quick adjustment
Combine the seat with the SIMGASM Dual Locking Seat Slider Set for fore and aft adjustment. A slider matters most when more people use the same rig, or when you switch between GT cars and formula cars. Our guide on what seat sliders do in a rig explains how they work.
SIMGASM | Sport Aluminum Sim Racing Cockpit - Green
Bucket, recline or Atlas: which seat suits you?
SIMGASM offers three seat families, each with its own purpose.
Core Bucket for a fixed driving position
The Core Bucket has a fixed backrest angle once locked for use. It suits racers who want the same position every session and like the support of a classic bucket.
Core Recline for adjustable comfort
The Core Recline lets you change the backrest angle. That helps when you share the rig, or when you also use it for long sessions and casual driving. Not sure between the two? Read our comparison of a bucket seat or reclining seat.
Atlas for the serious racer
The Atlas seats include patented designs developed around strength, ergonomics, comfort and visual personalization. Founder Johan Akkerman races on a Sport cockpit with the Formula Atlas seat himself. At Trak Racer he was responsible for the design of the TRX seat, so seat design is familiar ground. See all options in our sim racing seats collection.
What does a seat change in practice?
The seat decides how much of the car you feel through your body.
Support under braking and cornering
A good bucket keeps your hips and shoulders in place. You stop bracing yourself with your arms and legs, so your hands stay relaxed on the wheel and your foot stays precise on the brake. Johan, who won the DNRT BMW E30 Cup in 2023 and 2024, sees comfort and seating geometry as performance factors, not as cosmetic details.
Consistency over long sessions
In a one hour race, small pressure points turn into real pain. A seat that fits your body lets you stay focused until the last lap. Every SIMGASM seat is tested as part of a complete simulator, together with the frame, wheel and pedals.
SIMGASM | Pro Aluminum Sim Racing Cockpit - White
Questions and answers about buying a sim rig and seat
These short answers help you make the final choice.
Does a SIMGASM rig include a seat?
No. The Hobby, Club, Sport and Pro ship without a seat. You add a Core or Atlas seat and a slider separately.
Can I mount my own racing seat on a SIMGASM rig?
Yes, as long as it has mounting points underneath and fits the frame width. Check the bolt pattern against the slider or brackets first.
Do I need a seat slider?
It is not required, but it makes adjustment much easier. With a slider you move the seat back and forth in seconds.
Which seat folds for storage?
The Core Bucket Racing Seat folds its backrest into a compact near vertical position for storage. It is not a reclining comfort adjustment.
Want to learn more? The SIMGASM experts are happy to help.
