The RSeat RS1 is often described as the “bestseller” in the RSeat lineup. It’s a steel cockpit designed to feel complete out of the box, with a wheel deck and pedal area engineered for common wheel and pedal sets.
If you’re comparing an RS1 to an aluminium profile rig, the most important difference is how the wheel is mounted. Wheel decks can be great, but they behave differently than a front-mount or side-mount solution when torque, leverage, and heavy rims enter the chat.
Quick answer
- The RS1 can be a great choice if you want a steel rig that feels “finished” and you don’t mind living within the cockpit’s predefined adjustment ranges.
- If you want the most stable and future-proof steering feel (especially with direct drive), profile rigs with a purpose-built mount are usually the safer bet.
- For SIMGASM, start at SIMGASM Club for broad compatibility, then move to SIMGASM Sport or SIMGASM Pro if you want a cleaner, more adjustable front end.
Wheel deck vs front mount: why it changes steering feel
Wheel decks mount the wheelbase on a plate supported by brackets. That means the wheelbase is sitting “on top” of a structure. In contrast, a front mount bolts the wheelbase to a vertical plate that’s supported by the rig’s uprights, which often reduces the “lever” effect during high‑torque moments.
When a wheel deck is totally fine
- Belt-driven wheels and many entry-level direct drive wheelbases
- Lighter rims (GT style rims, not massive rally wheels)
- Drivers who don’t pull hard on the wheel under braking
When a front mount becomes a real upgrade
- Higher torque direct drive wheelbases (and especially heavy rims)
- Drivers who drive aggressively with lots of steering input under load
- Anyone chasing clean detail: less micro‑movement = more information from the wheel
A spec-style comparison checklist
| Question | RS1 style rig | Profile rig approach |
|---|---|---|
| Can I change wheel height and distance easily? | Usually yes, within the cockpit’s adjustment range. | Yes, and you can fine-tune in smaller steps. |
| Can I swap wheel mounting style later? | Sometimes, but depends on accessory ecosystem. | Yes: bottom mount → front mount → side mount is a bolt-on evolution. |
| Can I mount extra gear without drilling? | Depends on available add-ons. | Yes: T-slot hardware is essentially universal. |
| Can I build it clean? | Yes, but cable routing is often external. | Yes, and internal routing features make it even easier. |
How SIMGASM fits if you like the RS1 “ready-to-drive” idea
If what you want is an RS1-like “complete cockpit feel” but with a more open upgrade path, the SIMGASM approach is simple: pick the tier that matches your hardware, then choose the mount style that matches your wheelbase.
- Entry level to serious: SIMGASM Club + Wheel mount base set.
- Clean build priority: SIMGASM Sport for integrated cable routing and more room to position everything.
- Maximum headroom: SIMGASM Pro if you’re building once and keeping it for years.
Recommended SIMGASM mounting parts (to match common wheelbase ecosystems)
- Front wheel mount for front-mount capable wheelbases and maximum steering stability
- Bottom wheel mount for standard bottom-mount patterns
- Side wheel mount if you prefer side mounting solutions
Practical tip: treat mounting as a system
When you change wheel mounts, you often also change your ideal seat position and monitor placement. If you want a cockpit that stays comfortable and easy to live with, plan those three together:
- Wheel: mount type + height + tilt
- Seat: recline angle + lumbar support + slider range
- Screens: eye-point distance + VESA adjustability
Continue reading
- Direct drive torque explained: how much Nm do you really need
- Force feedback settings explained: tune your wheel without losing detail
- VESA mounting and monitor stands: patterns, alignment and stability
- Sim racing seat guide: bucket vs recline and how to fit it correctly
More RSeat guides
- RSeat C1 vs aluminium profile rigs: compact cockpits for direct drive
- RSeat N1 vs aluminium profile rigs: what makes a cockpit truly motion-ready
- RSeat Formula V2 vs profile rigs: building a real formula seating position
- RSeat wheel stand vs a budget aluminium cockpit: what to buy first
- RSeat TV stands vs SIMGASM Apex: triple monitor stability and VESA alignment
