An entry level aluminium sim racing cockpit is a fixed frame made from aluminium profiles that holds your wheelbase, pedals and seat in one position. It is the first real step up from a desk clamp or a folding wheel stand. A good example is a frame with a 40 × 40 mm main profile, a footprint of about 50 by 127 cm and support for direct drive wheelbases up to 16 Nm.
So what makes it "entry level", and what do you actually get? This guide explains the parts, the specs and the limits in plain words, so you know what to look for before you buy your first rig.
What does entry level mean for a sim rig?
Entry level does not mean weak or temporary. It means the frame is built for a specific hardware range and a smaller room. The main profile is thinner, the frame is lighter and the footprint is smaller than on a competition chassis.
Think of it like a car range. The base model has the same wheels, seats and steering as the top model. It simply has less reserve for extreme loads. For most first rigs, that reserve is not needed yet.
Aluminium profile versus steel tube
Many budget rigs and folding seats use steel tubes. Steel tubes are strong, but the mounting points are fixed. An aluminium profile has T slots along every side. You slide T nuts into those slots and bolt parts exactly where you want them. That makes it easy to move the pedal deck, the wheel mount or a shifter arm by a few centimetres.
This is the main reason people call an aluminium profile sim rig future proof. You keep the frame and add parts over the years.
SIMGASM | Hobby Aluminum Sim Racing Cockpit - Black
Which specs matter on a first aluminium rig?
Three numbers tell you most of the story. The first is the main profile size. A 40 × 40 mm profile is compact and light. A 40 × 80 mm profile is twice as deep and resists bending better. Our guide on which aluminium profile size a sim racing rig needs explains this difference in detail.
The second number is the torque rating. The SIMGASM Hobby frame is made for wheelbases up to and including 16 Nm. That covers most entry level and mid range direct drive bases on the market today.
The third number is the rated braking load at the pedal deck. On the Hobby frame this is 150 kg. That matters when you use load cell pedals, because a load cell brake asks for real leg force. A lower rating means the deck starts to move sooner under hard braking.
What comes in the box
A typical entry level cockpit ships as a frame kit. The Hobby kit contains the aluminium profiles, the chassis brackets, the wheel mount you pick at checkout, the assembly hardware and tools, white assembly gloves, an assembly guide and a side profile arm for a shifter or handbrake. The seat, the seat slider, the wheelbase and the pedals are sold separately. So you choose each part to fit your body and your hardware.
Who designs an entry level frame like this?
A cheap frame is easy to build. A cheap frame that still feels solid is not. SIMGASM founder Johan Akkerman started sim racing in 2008 with a PlayStation controller. Commercial frames were expensive then, so he welded his own first frame from used gas pipes and a scrapyard seat. That experience still shapes the Hobby range: it has to solve a real problem, stay affordable and last for years.
Johan later tested and helped develop the TRX chassis during his years at Trak Racer. SIMGASM product development started in January 2026, and the company was registered on 27 February 2026 in Wijk bij Duurstede, the Netherlands. Every product is tested as part of a complete simulator, not as a loose part on a bench.
SIMGASM | Hobby Aluminum Sim Racing Cockpit - Purple
How does an entry level rig feel on track?
The biggest change from a desk is consistency. Your seat, wheel and pedals stay at the same distance every session. You stop chasing a new driving position each time you sit down, so your braking points become easier to repeat.
On a well built 40 × 40 mm frame with a 5 to 12 Nm wheelbase, you feel the car through the wheel and not through a shaking desk. Under a hard load cell stop, a small amount of movement is normal on any compact frame. Tighten every bolt after the first week of use. Aluminium profiles settle a little once the frame has carried your weight a few times.
Is it worth it over a folding cockpit?
For most drivers, yes. A folding cockpit saves space, but the hinge points flex under direct drive torque. We compared both options in our article on the Next Level Racing RC foldable versus SIMGASM Hobby. The short version: a fixed aluminium frame keeps the wheel steady, while a folding frame wins only on storage.
SIMGASM | Hobby Aluminum Sim Racing Cockpit - Red
Choosing your first frame
Start with your hardware. Check the torque of your wheelbase and the type of pedals you use. Then measure your room and your body. If you race a few evenings per week, use up to 16 Nm and want a compact frame, the entry level aluminium sim rig range from SIMGASM Hobby is a logical first step. Racing more often, or planning a stronger wheelbase soon? Then compare the full sim racing cockpit range first.
Frequently asked questions
Is 40 × 40 mm aluminium profile strong enough for direct drive?
Yes, within its range. The SIMGASM Hobby frame with a 40 × 40 mm main profile is rated for wheelbases up to and including 16 Nm.
Does an entry level cockpit include a seat?
No. The Hobby frame kit does not include a seat, seat slider, wheelbase or pedals. You add those separately.
How long does assembly take?
Take your time and follow the steps in order. The Hobby kit includes tools, gloves and an assembly guide, and SIMGASM also has a step by step assembly video of about 18 minutes.
Which wheelbases fit the frame?
That depends on the wheel mount you choose. The bottom mount supports patterns from brands such as Logitech, Fanatec, MOZA, Thrustmaster, SIMAGIC, PXN, Simucube, Asetek and VRS. Always check the live compatibility selector on the product page.
Want to learn more? The SIMGASM experts are happy to help.
