Test & review Fanatec CSL Elite Pedals V2: the new "mid-range" standard?

In a sim racing setup, the pedalboard often has more impact on lap times than a new steering wheel. The Fanatec CSL Elite Pedals V2 is just that: more serious than an entry-level crankset, but without falling into the craziness of high-end 100 % loadcell or hydraulic cranksets.

Fanatec promises a complete, plug-and-play pedalboard, with loadcell brake, adjustable, designed for both console gamers and PC simracer already invested in the ecosystem. The idea is simple: to offer a real jump in precision and feel, without requiring an oversized cockpit or hours of obscure settings.

For my part, I approached it from a very concrete angle: build quality, ease of adjustment, braking feel, consistency over long sessions, and above all, the pleasure/performance ratio compared with simpler potentiometer cranksets or more expensive models.

What I'm really interested in with this CSL Elite Pedals V2 is whether Fanatec finally offers a "pivot" pedalboard: the kind you buy for several years, without feeling the need to upgrade too quickly.

Design and manufacturing: a real leap forward in quality

Visually, the CSL Elite Pedals V2 immediately ticks the "serious" box. All metal, with a construction that exudes rigidity. The pedals exude a sense of density and solidity not found on entry-level plastic cranksets. You feel you can really get into them without hesitation.

The pedal arms and baseplate give a feeling of coherence: nothing seems to float, there's no visible play. When the brake is applied hard, the structure doesn't bend alarmingly. On a decent cockpit, or even on a well-fixed in-house chassis, the pedalboard keeps its line and doesn't give that "toy" feel you sometimes get on the cheapest kits.

To the touch, the surfaces are clean, with a rather sober finish. The pedals don't cut into the hands, and the edges are correctly worked, even if we're not at the level of machined finesse of full premium pedalboards. This is clearly a solid mid-range product, not a showpiece.

What's immediately surprising is the contrast with previous entry-level CSL pedalboards: we've gone from a "decent" product to something that looks like a real driving tool. You want to set it up properly to enjoy it.

As for minor disappointments, some parts still have a slightly "industrial" feel to their finish, with visible screws and cable routing still very functional, not ultra-careful. Compared with more high-end or DIY pedalboards that have been well crafted, it's obvious. But at this price, the base is really reassuring.

Settings, customization and compatibility

With a crankset, the question isn't just "how is it built?", but "can I make it to my liking without getting lost in the settings". The CSL Elite Pedals V2 does just that.

Mechanical adjustments cover the essentials: pedal position, distance, height and angle. You can adjust the hardness of the brake pedal via the elastomer elements and loadcell, and fine-tune the feel according to your riding style. Nothing crazy, but more than enough to go from a rather progressive brake to something firmer and more direct. This is where you start to feel the difference with a simple potentiometer brake.

Throttle and clutch travel remain classic, with fairly linear resistance. You can adapt the position to avoid twisting your ankle or crossing your legs on long sessions. It's not an "F1 engineer" crankset, but you don't feel stuck in a single configuration.

On the PC, you can use Fanatec software to adjust curves, dead zones and brake sensitivity. The learning curve is reasonable: you can drive almost straight out of the gearbox, then fine-tune as the sessions progress. More fastidious riders will appreciate being able to set the maximum brake force according to their cockpit and weight.

On the console side, the pedalboard behaves like an element of the Fanatec ecosystem, provided it is connected to a compatible base. The usual logic applies: ideal if you already have a Fanatec base, less obvious if you're on another ecosystem.

In terms of upgradeability, it's a serious entry point. You can start with this pedalboard in a semi-casual setup and keep it as you move upmarket on the base and steering wheel. It doesn't feel like a disposable purchase.

Fanatec CSL Elite Pedals V2: sensations in play

It's on the track that the CSL Elite Pedals V2 really comes into its own. The heart of the matter here is clearly braking. Switching to a loadcell brake changes the way you ride. You stop "looking for a pedal position", and start braking with force.

In practice, the brake offers a good build-up of resistance. You can feel the progression of pressure, and the point at which the tire begins to saturate becomes clearer. You understand much better what the car is doing under braking. Modulation at the start of a bend becomes more natural, and you dose the pressure with your leg rather than with the memory of the pedal stroke.

When braking hard on the line, stability is very good. The crankset doesn't move forward if the cockpit is properly secured, and above all, the feeling of constancy is good. From one lap to the next, the force required to reach the same braking level remains consistent. On long sessions, this is what really saves time and confidence.

When cornering, the transition from brake to go-around is smooth. Throttle resistance is moderate, easy to modulate, with a clear resting point. We're not talking about an ultra-elaborate pedal, but the precision is more than sufficient to manage traction on corner exits. In terms of fine control of slippage, there's a clear improvement on entry-level cranksets.

On vibrators, the contribution doesn't come from the crankset itself, but from the overall riding stability it allows. It's a real plus to be able to keep your braking well set up when going over a vibrator, without over-braking by mistake. You can keep the car under control instead of having to put up with it. That's where the loadcell really makes a difference.

For fast corrections, especially in GT or nervous single-seaters, the pedal unit follows without a struggle. You can quickly release or take up the brake with good precision, without wondering "how many % am I up to?". The brain/leg link becomes more direct, less polluted by mechanics.

Compared with a basic potentiometer crankset, the gain in confidence is clear. You lock the wheels less often at the wrong moment, you dare to brake later, and above all, you're more consistent. Compared with a very high-end crankset, you lose a little in finesse, ultimate progressiveness and advanced settings, but the base is sound. We're in that sweet spot where pleasure and performance go up a notch without entering "ultimate purist" territory.

In terms of comfort, the crankset is not overly tiring. The maximum brake force is adjustable, so you can adapt it to your legs and cockpit. On long runs, the consistency of the braking point helps a lot: less mental energy is required to "recalibrate" the foot for each lap. Immersion gains in credibility. You get the impression of being in a car that responds as expected, not in a game that changes the rules at every turn.

Who's it for? Strengths and limitations

The Fanatec CSL Elite Pedals V2 is clearly aimed at the motivated simracer, whether on PC or console, who already has a minimum of setup and wants to take a serious step up without tipping into the very high-end. If you're coming from an entry-level plastic pedalboard with a long-stroke brake, the difference is going to blow up in your face.

For a motivated beginner who already knows he wants to make serious progress, this is an excellent choice, provided he accepts a little time to get to grips with the loadcell brake. For an intermediate player, it's probably one of the most cost-effective upgrades available. For a rider already equipped with a top-of-the-range crankset, it's obviously of less interest.

Among the really appreciable points, I place the overall coherence of the crankset at the top: solid construction, exploitable loadcell brake, sufficient settings without getting lost in complexity. The performance/size ratio is good, and integration into the Fanatec ecosystem makes life easier, especially on the console. The braking experience takes a real leap forward, and lap times often follow suit.

As far as limitations are concerned, we feel that Fanatec has kept a step ahead of its more premium cranksets. The finish remains a notch below the very high-end references, and some demanding simracers may find the mechanical brake adjustment a little limited compared to more sophisticated systems. The clutch and gas pedal remain fairly classic, with no advanced technology. And for users outside the Fanatec ecosystem, compatibility may mean compromises or additional purchases.

In terms of investment, we're talking about a product that costs more than a simple entry-level pedalboard, but that's more than justified if you take sim racing seriously. The gain in control and racing consistency really gives you the feeling of paying for something concrete, not just a gadget.

Verdict: the "pivot" crankset to turn the corner

The Fanatec CSL Elite Pedals V2 brings a very distinct change to a sim racing setup, especially if you're coming from a single-potentiometer pedalboard. The loadcell brake, rigid metal construction and well-thought-out basic settings transform the way you manage corner entry and racing consistency. You can feel the crankset following you when you start to pick up the pace.

On the market, it's clearly positioned in the serious mid-range, with a pivotal position between the "first real pedalboard" and the hardcore enthusiast's gear. This is not a niche product, but one that can remain in a setup for several years without giving the impression of limiting performance.

I highly recommend it to intermediate simracers and ambitious beginners on both PC and console, especially if you're already in the Fanatec ecosystem or plan to stay there. For purists willing to invest a lot more, there are more extreme pedalboards, but the price isn't the same.

If you're looking for a solid, precise crankset with a real loadcell brake and a coherent performance/price ratio, this CSL Elite Pedals V2 can clearly make the difference in your setup.