Simucube Tahko GT-21 Wireless Wheel: my opinion after use

In the segment of high-end steering wheels for Direct Drive bases, the Simucube Tahko GT-21 Wireless Wheel is clearly a serious player. It's a steering wheel designed to accompany powerful bases, without vibrating or flexing, while remaining versatile enough for GT, touring or rallying.

Above all, it promises two things: perfect integration with the cable-free Simucube ecosystem, and a "pro" feel in the hand, with quick access to all the settings you need for racing. It's a steering wheel for those who want to go one step further in terms of feel and ergonomics, without falling into the trap of ultra-specific steering wheels (F1 only, for example).

My angle here is simple: does this Tahko GT-21 really add to precision, ease of use and confidence compared to "simpler" or more mainstream steering wheels? And above all, does it justify its price in a performance-oriented setup?

Design and manufacture of the Simucube Tahko GT-21

In hand, the Tahko GT-21 immediately exudes seriousness. The steering wheel's body is made of metal, with a marked sense of compactness and rigidity. Nothing moves, nothing squeaks, even when abused on a loaded Direct Drive base. The wheel doesn't flex when pulled hard: you can feel that the structure has been designed to handle torque.

The grips are covered with a textured rubber/silicone-type material, rather than leather or alcantara. This is a conscious choice: the grip is very good, even with slightly clammy hands, and maintenance is simpler than with a fabric covering. The shape of the grips is pleasant, with a slightly thick profile that fills the hand. They feel like a solid "block", with no hollows or play.

Buttons are well aligned, with a clean click that's neither too hard nor too soft. It's closer to a "pro instrument" feel than a simple game controller. The rotary encoders and impulse selectors also give a high-end feel, although some will appreciate an even more pronounced notch for on-the-fly adjustments.

The gearshift paddles are metallic and firm, with an unmistakable click. You can feel every shift, and there's never any doubt about activation. This may come as a surprise if you come from softer, quieter paddles, but in dynamic driving, this crisp response really makes sense.

What may be slightly disappointing is the absence of the visual "wow" effects seen on some very show-oriented steering wheels: no integrated screen, no aggressive RGB, no flashy design. The Tahko GT-21 is more utilitarian, more "work tool" than showcase. Compared to some of our competitors' highly-designed wheels, this one looks more sober, almost austere, but also more coherent for long sessions.

Settings, customization and compatibility

The Tahko GT-21 is designed to integrate perfectly with the Simucube ecosystem, in particular via its native wireless solution. Pairing with a Simucube base is simple and stable: no coiled cable, no connector to deal with, just attach the steering wheel to the quick release and you're ready to go. In practice, it's extremely comfortable in everyday use.

As far as settings are concerned, the main attraction lies in the combination of steering wheel and Simucube software. The Tahko's buttons, encoders and switches provide easy access to crucial functions: adjusting engine braking, TC, ABS, changing maps, navigating in-game menus and more. You can quickly set up a logical layout by car type, then forget about it. Everything falls into place without a second thought.

The learning curve remains reasonable. There are plenty of controls available, but their distribution is fairly intuitive. More occasional drivers will need a little time to memorize which buttons they've assigned to what, but nothing to get stuck into. For those used to simulators such as ACC, iRacing or rFactor, the organization quickly makes sense.

In terms of compatibility, the Tahko GT-21 is clearly aimed primarily at the PC. Simucube's proprietary wireless connectivity is designed for the brand's bases, and it's in this context that the product really comes into its own. On consoles, use depends very much on the base and the system used: this is not a wheel designed primarily for plug-and-play on consumer platforms.

At ecosystem level, the Tahko GT-21 fits perfectly into a complete Simucube setup with Direct Drive base, high-end crankset, sequential shifter and handbrake. It plays the role of a versatile GT wheel, one that is usually left assembled for the majority of disciplines. For someone building a long-lasting setup, it's clearly a durable part rather than a simple entry point to be quickly replaced.

Simucube Tahko GT-21: sensations in play

On the track, the Tahko GT-21 lets the Direct Drive base express itself, which is exactly what you'd expect from a steering wheel of this level. The first thing that strikes you is the absence of parasitic flex. When you attack a long, fast bend, the steering wheel remains perfectly rigid, the forces passing directly from the virtual tires to your hands. There's no torsion to confuse the force feedback, no play in the grips: all you feel is the basic physics of the game.

The precision of the feedback is excellent. On a GT3/technical track combo, micro-variations in grip are easy to read: slight lightening of the front end on entry, regaining grip at the chord point, controlled slippage on re-acceleration. The wheel acts as a very faithful "sensor", without dampening or exaggerating the signals. You immediately understand what the car is doing.

On vibrators, the steering wheel clearly reproduces texture and frequency, without turning each vibrator into a brutal tremor. With a well-tuned base, the Tahko lets you feel whether you're going a little too far up the sausages, staying right on the stop or cutting too much. The modulation is fine, distinguishing between flat and aggressive vibrators. This helps enormously when it comes to positioning the car to the centimetre.

In fast sequences or sliding out of turns, control in fast corrections is excellent. Thanks to the rigidity of the steering wheel and the shape of the grips, it's easy to catch a drift without fighting against the material itself. You can give the car a little more freedom, knowing that you have the necessary reactivity to catch it. On a conventional belt base, you often feel a slight "lag" or smoothness that erases return peaks: here, everything happens faster, more directly.

Over long sessions, comfort remains very good. The grips don't hurt, even when wearing gloves. Grip remains constant, and the coating doesn't slip with perspiration. The steering wheel's rigidity also means that you don't tire of compensating for a blur in steering: every effort applied has a clear result on the screen. You can ride for a long time without feeling like you're fighting against the material.

Compared with a simpler steering wheel or one mounted on a less powerful base, the difference lies mainly in the clarity of the information and the confidence you can place in what you feel. On a belt-driven base or entry-level steering wheel, certain signals are attenuated or mixed up. With the Tahko GT-21 on a good Simucube base, every event has a clear signature: the onset of understeer, loss of rear grip, slight wheel lock, deformation of a vibrator, and so on.

In the face of even more sophisticated steering wheels, such as ultra single-seater models with extreme magnetic paddles and on-board displays, the Tahko is a little more generalist, a little less "hardcore racing" in its staging. But when it comes to driving sensations, the base does most of the work, and the Tahko follows without flinching. What makes the difference here is consistency, robustness, and the fact that you can do everything with a single steering wheel without feeling limited.

Who's it for? What we like, what we don't like

The Simucube Tahko GT-21 is aimed primarily at intermediate to advanced simracers already equipped with (or seriously planning to install) a Direct Drive base, ideally a Simucube. Motivated beginners may be interested if they're building an ambitious setup straight away, but this isn't an introductory wheel "to see if you like it". This is clearly an investment product, aimed at users who know they'll be spending time on the virtual track.

What I appreciate most is the overall rigidity of the system. You can feel that the steering wheel is able to withstand the forces of the powerful underpinnings without flinching, which translates into a clean, crisp and very consistent feel, even in the most violent phases. Then there's the ergonomics of the controls: a lot of buttons and encoders, but well laid out, with easy access to the functions crucial to racing. Finally, Simucube's wireless integration is a real plus for everyday use: no cables, no complications, and imperceptible latency when playing. Just attach, roll and you're done.

On the other hand, we also need to look at the limitations in a clear-sighted way. The first is clearly the PC / Simucube ecosystem-oriented positioning: on consoles or with other bases, the interest becomes more debatable. The second is the very sober aesthetic approach: no on-board screen, no visual frills, which may frustrate those who like the "window F1 cockpit" look. The third is the price, which places the Tahko GT-21 in the premium category: you're paying for build quality and integration, but you need to be sure you're going to use it over the long term.

In terms of perceived value, for a user already committed to a serious Direct Drive setup, the investment makes sense: you gain in comfort, reliability and clean feedback, with a steering wheel that can remain at the center of the setup for years. For someone who is still hesitating between several platforms, or who mainly rides on an occasional basis, the purchase may seem over-inflated. It's a steering wheel that makes perfect sense in a mature simracing project, not in a simple beginner's test.

Verdict: the Tahko GT-21 in a sim racing setup

The Simucube Tahko GT-21 Wireless Wheel changes one thing above all else in a setup: the way the Direct Drive base can express itself, without compromise. It removes a potential weak link between base and hands, bringing rigidity, precision and truly race-oriented ergonomics. You get the feeling of having a reliable, consistent tool, ready for long, long hours of riding.

On the market, it's clearly positioned as a premium GT / multi-discipline oriented steering wheel, designed for high-end bases. It doesn't try to be the most spectacular or flashy, but rather the most coherent and robust in a Simucube environment. It's a pivotal product for anyone who wants a single main flywheel capable of taking everything seriously.

I clearly recommend it to PC simracers with a Direct Drive base, especially those who are already or want to switch to Simucube and are looking for an "all-purpose" steering wheel for GT, protos, touring and rallying. For console-only users, or those who change platforms frequently, there are more universal and perhaps more suitable solutions.

If you're looking for a wireless GT steering wheel that's rigid, efficient and designed to get the best out of a Direct Drive Simucube base, this product can clearly make the difference in your setup.