Fanatec ClubSport Pedals V3: a real step up in a sim racing setup

The Fanatec ClubSport Pedals V3 is clearly positioned as a mid/high-range crankset, designed for simracers who want to move up from "basic gear" to something serious without falling into the extreme high-end of customization. On paper, it promises precise braking thanks to the load cell, a sturdy metal construction and plenty of adjustability to suit different riding styles.

This crankset attracts a lot of attention because it's often presented as the "serious" entry point into pressure braking rather than racing braking. The idea is to get closer to the feel of a real sports car: you brake with your leg, not your ankle. That's what I've been focusing on, concentrating on braking precision, throttle progressiveness, clutch ease and behavior over long sessions.

My angle is simple: do these ClubSport V3s justify the investment compared to a basic crankset, and do they hold their own against more recent, sometimes higher-end or hydraulic sim racing cranksets? And above all, do they really help you ride cleaner, more consistently, with fewer braking errors?

Design and manufacturing

Taking the ClubSport Pedals V3 out of their packaging, the overall impression is immediately that of a serious product. Everything is virtually full metal: frame, pedal arms, chainrings. Visually, it exudes rigidity and consistency of design. The finish is clean, with cleanly machined parts, well-controlled edges and an overall look that's very "sim racing" without going overboard.

The pedals have a real density to the touch. When you touch them, nothing sounds hollow, and movements are firm, with no parasitic play. You quickly get the impression of a compact block, capable of withstanding very heavy braking without flinching. This is an important point: you feel that the load cell is there for you to push hard, and the chassis follows without twisting. Mounted on a rigid cockpit, the whole package really feels like a serious piece of equipment.

What's surprising is the level of finish for a product in this price segment. We're not talking about handcrafted or full-hydraulic cranksets, but we're getting close in terms of physical presence. Small details such as stops, spring management and integrated vibration on brake and throttle give the impression of a well-thought-out product for intensive use.

There are, however, a few less flattering points. The throttle and clutch sensors are precise, but their mechanical feel is simpler than that found on cranksets designed for pure competition. Some secondary plastic parts and visible cables may detract from the "indestructible tank" feel. And compared to more recent cranksets, with even more mounting options or total pedal modularity, the V3 seems a little more classic in its architecture.

Overall, compared to an entry-level crankset in plastic or light metal, we're in another world. Compared with competing load cell cranksets, the ClubSport V3 remains very credible in terms of rigidity and finish. You get the feeling that this is a product built to last.

Settings, customization and compatibility

ClubSport Pedals V3 offer a good level of mechanical adjustment. You can adjust the pedals' lateral position, height, angle and hardness, especially on the brake. The load cell can be adjusted for sensitivity, and the elastomer elements supplied allow you to play with progressivity: harder, shorter, or on the contrary, a little more progressive braking. This is where the crankset really comes into its own, as you can adapt the resistance to your riding position and leg strength.

The throttle is fluid, fairly progressive and tension-adjustable. You can obtain a light feel for more "comfortable" use, or a little firmer for greater precision when re-accelerating. The clutch has a marked slippage point feel, which helps with starts and downshifts on manual cars. It's not the most realistic clutch on the market, but it gets the job done with a consistent feel.

On the software side, via the Fanatec driver on the PC, you can calibrate the pedals quite finely: deadzones, response curves, inversion if required. The interface is clear, sometimes a little austere, but you'll soon find your way around. The learning curve takes a little time, especially to adjust the optimum brake pressure. It often takes a few sessions to find your ideal setting between physical hardness and sensor sensitivity.

In terms of compatibility, ClubSport Pedals V3 work very well on PC, either directly via USB or via a Fanatec base. On consoles, the easiest way is to use them plugged into a compatible Fanatec base, integrated into the console ecosystem. This is where the pedals really come into their own: bases, steering wheels, shifters, everything communicates properly, and vibration management (ABS, slippage, locking) is better exploited.

In terms of upgradeability, this is clearly a crankset that can remain in a setup for a long time. It can act as the first "real" serious crankset, and won't be the weak link even if you upgrade the base or cockpit. It's a solution that holds up well for intensive use, without the need to immediately switch to a much more expensive full-hydraulic crankset.

Sensations in play

The heart of the matter is how it feels on the track, and here the ClubSport Pedals V3 brings a real leap forward compared to an original crankset. What changes everything, of course, is the load cell brake. We brake by pressure, not by stroke. In concrete terms, the brain adapts quickly: anchor the heel, push with the leg, and the brake dose becomes much easier to repeat from one lap to the next.

When you enter a bend, you immediately feel the difference. You can aim for a very constant brake pressure percentage, which improves braking stability, especially on cars without ABS or very sensitive to mass transfer. You lock the wheels less, or rather, you lock them in a more controlled way. You know at what level of force you're stalling, and you're able to settle into it. You understand much better what the car is doing under braking.

In the trail braking phase, when you gradually release the brake as you enter the bend, the pedal really helps. The feedback from the play, combined with the consistency of the pedal, makes it possible to fine-tune the transition between braking and the start of support. You lose less of the front end, and it's easier to avoid understeer caused by braking too long or too hard.

The integrated vibrations on the brake pedal are useful when properly configured in the software. You can feel wheel lock or ABS signals more clearly. It's not necessarily essential, but on certain simulations, it adds an extra layer of information without being gimmicky. It helps you to react a little earlier to limit braking.

On the throttle, progressiveness is pleasant. The pedal provides a precise dose of re-acceleration, especially when exiting slow bends. Where a basic pedal can feel all-or-nothing, the V3s offer finer traction control. On powerful cars, this is appreciable: you catch up better on loss of grip, modulating the throttle rather than responding too abruptly. On vibratory surfaces, you retain good stability when re-accelerating, as long as the cockpit itself doesn't move.

As for the clutch, it's just right for grid-type starts or vintage cars. The grip point is easy to identify, which facilitates starts without excessive slippage. It's not the element that most changes the experience, but it doesn't spoil anything.

Over long sessions, it's the physical comfort that stands out. Brake hardness can be set quite high, but even so, repeatability is there. You don't spend your time looking for the braking point "on the run". Muscle memory does the job, and you settle on a pressure force. You gain in consistency from lap to lap. Legs tire a little more than with a soft crankset, but on the other hand, you struggle less with lack of precision.

Compared to an entry-level or mid-range crankset without load cell, the difference is clear in terms of control and confidence. You dare to brake later because you know you'll be able to modulate without losing everything. Compared with even more high-end cranksets, especially hydraulic ones, the V3s lag a little behind in terms of the sheer realism of mechanical feel, especially in terms of the finesse of micro-variations in pressure. But in their category, they offer an excellent compromise between precision, comfort and ease of use.

In rapid corrections, when you need to react to oversteer or a sudden stop, the pedal unit follows without a care. You can lift your foot off the brake or slightly cut the throttle in a precise, almost instinctive manner. This is where the V3 really changes the experience: the car becomes more legible, more predictable, and you concentrate more on the trajectory than on fighting the material.

Who's it for? What we like / What we don't like

Fanatec ClubSport Pedals V3 are aimed primarily at intermediate to advanced PC or console simracers who want to take a serious step forward, without going into the very high-end of craftsmanship. It's a good choice for someone who already has a reasonably rigid cockpit, a decent base (what you'll find in mid-range or accessible direct drive) and who feels that his current pedals limit his performance, especially under braking.

What I appreciate most is the overall consistency of the product. The load cell brake offers a big gain in control and consistency. The metal construction gives a real sense of confidence: you dare to press hard without fear of breaking anything. And the range of mechanical and software settings means you can adjust the crankset to suit your riding style, whether you're a GT, single-seater or rally driver. You get the feeling you're investing in a central element of the setup, not just a simple accessory.

Still, there are limits. First, the price clearly places the V3s in the "investment" category for a simracer. We're several notches above an entry-level crankset, and this cost may seem high if the rest of the setup isn't yet homogeneous. Secondly, although very good, brake feel remains a notch below high-end hydraulic cranksets for those seeking absolute realism in terms of pedal travel and internal feel. Finally, optimum installation requires a rigid cockpit and a minimum of time for adjustments: on a simple steering wheel/pedal support, you lose some of the product's appeal.

For a complete beginner, this is not necessarily the first purchase to make. But for a motivated beginner or an already committed player, it's a very relevant upgrade. In terms of perceived value, the performance/lifetime/upgradeability ratio is solid: you pay a lot, but you keep it for a long time. It's a structuring investment for the setup, especially if the aim is to make real progress in driving.

Verdict

The Fanatec ClubSport Pedals V3 are clearly one of those elements that transform a sim racing setup. You go from a slightly "fuzzy" feel on the brake pedal to structured, reproducible braking, much closer to what is possible with a real pressure system. This is often where the greatest gains in consistency and confidence are made.

In today's market, I'd place the V3 at the top end of the mid-range, or even at the entry level of the premium segment. It's not the ultimate crankset for purists who want full hydraulics with absolute realism, but it's a very solid, highly accomplished base that will suit the majority of demanding simracers. Its main advantage is that it's powerful enough to accompany a gradual move upmarket on the rest of the equipment.

I'd recommend it above all to players who ride regularly, take part in championships or are looking to gain a few tenths per lap by stabilizing their braking. For a more casual, relaxation-oriented setup, it may be a little oversized, especially if the rest of the equipment is basic.

If you're looking to take braking to the next level, to gain in consistency and control without going for ultra-exotic equipment, this product can clearly make the difference in your setup.