Wheelbases get the headlines, but your steering wheel rim is what you physically interact with for hours. The rim shape decides:
- how fast you can reach buttons,
- how stable your hands are in long corners,
- whether drifting/rally feels natural or awkward,
- how comfortable endurance stints are.
This guide helps you choose between formula-style wheels and round/GT wheels in an Asetek ecosystem, and how to mount everything cleanly on a SIMGASM cockpit.
Formula vs round/GT: the real difference
| Wheel type | Best for | Trade-off |
|---|---|---|
| Formula / GT-style (open top) | GT3, prototypes, modern open wheel, endurance where buttons matter | Less natural for drifting/rally and big steering angles |
| Round wheel | Rally, drift, road cars, anything with big lock-to-lock steering | Harder to reach many buttons without shifting grip |
Two “safe” setups that work for most people
- One-wheel setup: a formula/GT wheel if you mostly drive GT3/prototypes. It’s efficient and compact.
- Two-wheel setup: a formula wheel for circuit racing + a round wheel for rally/drift/road cars.
On SIMGASM, a clean starting point is the Asetek La Prima Formula wheel or the Asetek Forte wheelbase + wheel bundle if you want an all-in-one package.
Where people go wrong: wheel choice without cockpit ergonomics
A rim can feel “too heavy” or “too twitchy” if your wheel is mounted too low/high or too far away. Before you blame the rim, fix the placement:
- Wheel center aimed at sternum
- Elbows slightly bent at full lock
- Wrists neutral (no extreme angle)
That’s easy on an adjustable profile rig like SIMGASM Sport rig or SIMGASM Pro rig.
Buttons, endurance and clean control zones
If you do endurance or drive multiple sims, a good control layout matters more than you expect. Consider keeping your “support controls” off the wheel:
- Mount a button box or stream deck on the universal peripheral deck.
- Add a keyboard swivel mount for setup changes without standing up.
When your controls are consistent, you make fewer mistakes under stress.
Wheel choice and rotation are connected. After you pick the rim, set your steering range using the Asetek rotation and soft lock guide.
Discipline recommendations (quick picks)
- GT3 / endurance: formula/GT wheel (fast button access, stable hands) + optional add-on controls on the rig.
- Rally: round wheel + a solid handbrake mount (use the universal peripheral deck as a stable accessory platform).
- Drift: round wheel and plenty of rotation; keep the wheel height comfortable so you can counter-steer fast without wrist strain.
Comfort tips for long sessions
- Gloves: reduce grip fatigue and help with consistent hand pressure.
- Rim diameter: larger wheels can feel calmer; smaller wheels can feel faster but more “busy”.
- Seat choice: the Core Recline seat is designed for comfort without losing a sporty driving feel.
Recommended SIMGASM build for Asetek wheels
- Rig: SIMGASM Sport rig (best balance), or SIMGASM Club rig (strong value)
- Wheel mount: SIMGASM Wheelmount base set or go front mount (SIMGASM Front Wheelmount + Asetek front wheelmount bracket)
- Seat: Core Recline seat for comfort
- Monitors: keep triples stable with Apex freestanding triple monitor stand
