The Upshift 80x40 rig and the SIMGASM Club are both compact aluminium sim rigs built on profiles of the same size class. The Upshift Black Edition uses 80 x 40 mm profiles with a one piece steel wheel plate and a 5 mm steel pedal plate, and measures 120 x 58 x 68 cm. The SIMGASM Club uses a 40 x 80 mm main profile, measures 500 x 1350 x 620 mm and has a published rated braking load of 200 kg at the pedal deck. Pick the Upshift if you want plates that are drilled for many brands at once; pick the Club if you want four dedicated wheel mount options, many colours and liveries, and direct support from the maker.
Below you find the full comparison, point by point, so you choose with confidence.
How do the two frames compare?
On paper both rigs share the same base: a 40 series aluminium profile with an 80 mm deep side.
Same profile size, different names
Upshift calls its profile 80 x 40, SIMGASM calls it 40 x 80. Both describe a profile that is 40 mm wide and 80 mm deep. A deeper profile resists bending better than a square 40 x 40 profile, which is why both brands use it for rigs that handle direct drive wheelbases. Want to know what that size means in practice? Read our article on what a 40x80 aluminium profile means.
Size and footprint
The Upshift rig is 120 cm long, 58 cm wide and 68 cm high at the uprights. The SIMGASM Club is 1350 mm long, 500 mm wide and 620 mm high. So the Club is narrower but longer. In a narrow room or next to a desk, those 8 cm of width make a difference. In a short room, the extra length of the Club needs a check first.
SIMGASM | Club Aluminum Sim Racing Cockpit - Black
How do the wheel and pedal mounts differ?
This is where the two rigs follow a really different idea.
One plate for all brands
Upshift uses a thick one piece steel wheel plate, pre drilled for the major wheel brands, with height, distance and angle adjustment. The pedal plate is a single piece of 5 mm thick steel, also pre drilled. That keeps the build simple: you bolt the wheelbase and pedals straight onto the plates.
Four dedicated wheel mounts
SIMGASM lets you choose the wheel mount at checkout. The Bottom Mount covers supported patterns from Logitech, Fanatec, MOZA, Thrustmaster, SIMAGIC, PXN, Simucube, Asetek and VRS. The Front Mount suits supported Simucube and VRS bases, the Side Mount supported Fanatec, MOZA and SIMAGIC bases, and the Asetek Front Mount is made for supported Asetek models. Front and side mounts hold a direct drive base by its own mounting face, which keeps the wheel steady. For a deeper look, read our comparison of wheel deck, front mount and side mount.
Which rig handles direct drive and load cell pedals better?
Strong wheelbases and load cell pedals put real force on a frame.
Published load figures
SIMGASM publishes a rated braking load of 200 kg at the pedal deck for the Club. On the Upshift product page we found no rated braking load figure, only the description of a rock solid, zero flex frame. If you press hard on a load cell brake, a published number gives you something concrete to compare.
Room to grow
Both rigs build on the 40 series profile, so accessories with standard T nuts fit both. With SIMGASM you also have a clear upgrade path: the Sport (40 x 120 mm) and Pro (40 x 160 mm) both carry a rated braking load of 300 kg. Unsure between two SIMGASM models? Our article on Hobby or Club helps you choose.
SIMGASM | Club Aluminum Sim Racing Cockpit - Orange
What about colour, seat and support?
The frame is only part of the story; the buying experience counts too.
Colours and liveries
The Upshift rig in this comparison comes as a matte black anodised Black Edition. The Club is available in several colours and in race liveries. Print specialist Michal Nevrela, with more than fifteen years of experience in professional print techniques, turns colours, race numbers and complete liveries into physical SIMGASM products.
Seat options
Upshift offers the rig with no seat or with one of its own recline and bucket seats. SIMGASM sells the frame without a seat, and you add a Core or Atlas seat and a slider separately. Both routes let you keep a seat you already own.
Who stands behind the rig
SIMGASM B.V. is a compact Dutch company based in Wijk bij Duurstede, formally incorporated on 27 February 2026. Founder Johan Akkerman progressed from Global Business Developer to Chief Business Officer at Trak Racer and contributed to the TRX chassis there, before he designed the SIMGASM range himself. Every rig comes with a 2 year warranty and 30 day risk free returns.
Which rig should you pick?
Your wheelbase, your room and your taste decide the winner.
Choose the Upshift if
You want a black rig with one plate that fits almost any wheel and pedal set, and you live in the UK where Upshift is based. The wider frame also gives a little more room for broad seats.
Choose the SIMGASM Club if
You want a dedicated front or side mount for a direct drive base, a published braking load, a colour or livery that stands out and a clear path to the Sport or Pro later. Compare all models in our aluminium sim rig range.
SIMGASM | Sport Aluminum Sim Racing Cockpit - White
Questions and answers about Upshift and SIMGASM
These short answers sum up the comparison.
Is 80x40 the same as 40x80?
Yes. Both names describe a profile of 40 by 80 mm. Brands simply write the two numbers in a different order.
Which rig is narrower?
The SIMGASM Club is 500 mm wide, the Upshift rig 58 cm. The Club is longer, at 1350 mm against 120 cm.
Do both rigs come without a seat?
The Club always ships without a seat. Upshift offers its rig with or without one of its own seats.
Which one suits a strong direct drive wheel?
Both use 80 mm deep profiles. The Club adds dedicated front and side mounts and a published 200 kg braking load, and the Sport and Pro offer even more reserve.
Want to learn more? The SIMGASM experts are happy to help.
