For most sim racers in 2026, the sim rig comes first and the wheelbase second. A strong wheelbase on a weak base loses detail, flexes under force feedback and moves your brake pedal under load. A stiff frame, on the other hand, makes even a basic wheel and pedal set feel sharper and more consistent. The rig is also the part you keep the longest, while wheelbases get upgraded every few years.
There is one exception: if you already own a solid desk setup and only want to test whether sim racing is for you, a cheap wheel first is fine. Below you learn why the frame matters so much, how to split your budget, and when the order flips.
Why the frame comes before the wheel
The frame is the foundation for every part you add later, so it decides how good those parts feel.
Force feedback needs something solid to push against
A direct drive wheelbase delivers somewhere between 8 and 25 Nm of torque. That force goes into the wheel deck and then into the frame. If the deck bends, you lose the small details: tyre slip, curbs, the moment the rear starts to slide. On a stiff base, you feel those details clearly, even with a modest wheelbase. Read the direct drive torque guide to see which torque fits your level.
Your brake pedal needs a fixed point
Many experienced racers say pedals make you faster than the wheel. A load cell brake measures force, and you often push 50 to 70 kg or more. SIMGASM rates the pedal deck at 150 kg on the Hobby, 200 kg on the Club and 300 kg on the Sport and Pro. If the deck moves, your brake point moves too. Our article on pedal braking force explains these numbers.
SIMGASM | Sport Aluminum Sim Racing Cockpit - Red
How should you split your budget in 2026?
Think in steps, because a good setup is built over time and not in one purchase.
Step 1: a frame that grows with you
Buy a frame that handles the wheelbase you plan to own in two years, not only the one you own today. A budget aluminum sim rig such as the Hobby with its 40 × 40 mm profile is a solid start for belt wheels and light direct drive. The Club with 40 × 80 mm gives you more reserve for a stronger base. Since the frame is modular, you keep it when your hardware changes.
Step 2: pedals before a bigger wheelbase
Once the frame is in place, upgrade to load cell pedals. A consistent brake gives you more lap time than extra torque. Browse the pedals range when you are ready.
Step 3: the wheelbase
Now a stronger wheelbase pays off, because the frame and pedals are ready for it. Check the mount first: SIMGASM offers Bottom, Front, Side and Asetek Front mounts, so the wheel deck fits brands such as MOZA, Fanatec, SIMAGIC, Simucube, Asetek, Logitech and Thrustmaster. Compare options in the wheel bases collection.
SIMGASM | Club Aluminum Sim Racing Cockpit - Black
When is the wheelbase first the better choice?
In a few situations it makes sense to flip the order, and it is good to be honest about those.
If you only want to try sim racing, a simple wheel clamped to a desk is a cheap test. If you already own a stiff frame from an older setup, the wheelbase is the logical next step. And if your current wheel is broken, replace it first. In every other case, the frame brings the biggest jump in feel per euro spent. Not sure what a rig really is compared with a cockpit? Read sim rig vs cockpit.
What SIMGASM learned from years of testing
The order in which you buy hardware is something the SIMGASM team sees every week in support questions.
Founder Johan Akkerman started on a PlayStation controller in 2008, saved for a basic wheel, and later moved to a Logitech G25. Because commercial frames were expensive back then, he welded his own frame from used gas pipes. Later, at Trak Racer, he helped develop the TRX chassis. That path taught him that a solid base turns every upgrade into a real improvement. It is also why SIMGASM started development in January 2026 with the frames first and built the range around them from Wijk bij Duurstede.
SIMGASM | Hobby Aluminum Sim Racing Cockpit - Gold
One more practical tip: plan your seat early as well. SIMGASM frames come without a seat, so you combine the frame with a seat that fits your body. A seat bolted to the same frame keeps your hip position fixed, which helps your braking even more.
Questions and answers
Here are short answers to the questions beginners ask most.
Is a sim rig worth it with a cheap wheel?
Yes. A stiff frame removes flex and keeps the wheel and pedals in place, so even an entry wheel feels more precise.
Which comes first: pedals or wheelbase?
After the frame, pedals. A load cell brake improves consistency more than extra torque.
Does a SIMGASM frame fit my future wheelbase?
Most likely. The wheel deck uses Bottom, Front, Side or Asetek Front mounts. Check the live compatibility table on the product page before you order.
Which frame for a 15 Nm wheelbase?
Look at the Club for a moderate setup, or the Sport with its 40 × 120 mm profile and 300 kg braking load for a heavy setup with load cell pedals.
Want to learn more? The SIMGASM experts are happy to help.
