Sim-racing fans don’t need an introduction to Fanatec and its peripherals. The brand has over 20 years’ experience in sim-racing and is so dominant that BMW entrusted it with the task of developing the steering wheels for its GT cars. And that, my friends, says a lot about the sim-racing peripherals manufacturer.

The German brand’s approach to sim-racing products is one of customization: any racer can create his own sim-racing setup with the peripherals he wishes to use. The Fanatec ecosystem is highly compatible and, above all, rich in products.

Long an undisputed fan of the German brand, I’ve always loved running with its products. It’s just that Fanatec thinks of everything when it comes to sim-racing, and that’s what I love about this brand. Between base, wheel and crankset, everything is configurable to work perfectly on your setup. In what follows, I’m going to introduce you to the ClubSport V3a Load Cell crankset that’s been on the podium of sim-racing peripherals for a long time now, with not a shadow of a competitor on the horizon. I’m going to tell you about its features, strengths and weaknesses, and give you my opinion on it.

Main features and technical specifications of the crankset

• Load Cell crankset for brakes
• Full metal structure
• 3 high-quality pedals
• Compatible with all platforms
• Max. brake pressure 90 kg
• Vibration on brake and gas pedal pedals
• RJ12 connection for Fanatec bases, and USB for other ecosystems
• 12-bit magnetic sensors

Fanatec Clubsport v3 design

I don’t know about you, but I’ve got a soft spot for metal peripherals. This material gives all products a very premium feel, and the ClubSport V3 is no exception. It’s simply stunning, with its black color and red accents.

The structure is made of steel with a brushed aluminum support, and it’s simply sublime. On the pedals, the pads are adjustable on two axes to accommodate the maximum number of riders. The design is very industrial, as you’d find inside a racing car. From the very first contact with the ClubSport V3, you can feel that this is a quality product, and above all, a premium one. What’s more, the beast is quite heavy, weighing in at nearly 8 kg.

Customized assembly

Fanatec ‘s ClubSport V3 is a rather premium crankset, even though it’s part of the ClubSport range. Nevertheless, it has been designed for use on a cockpit and on the ground.

For a standard configuration, there are pads underneath to keep the ClubSport V3 in place, whatever the surface it’s placed on. These are really high-quality rubber pads, and this crankset won’t move a muscle. For sim-racers with cockpits, the German manufacturer has provided screw slots, enabling you to attach the crankset directly to the chassis.

Manufacturing and finishing

So when it comes to manufacture and finish, it’s worthy of BMW, Mercedes or Audi. In a word: perfection. The ClubSport V3 is a very well-designed device for its price. The use of steel for the overall structure and brushed aluminum for certain parts make the ClubSport V3 a true masterpiece, in every respect.

The metal parts are machined to millimetre precision, with no burrs or sharp edges. It’s clear that Fanatec has mastered the art of manufacturing metal sim-racing peripherals, and the ClubSport V3 is living proof, if I may say so.

The beast weighs in at 8 kg, which is rather heavy. But that brings its share of solidity and resistance to the vagaries of sim-racer life. The ClubSport V3 is a product designed to last a long, long time.

Getting to know the pedals

As soon as you take it out of the box, you’ll feel the weight. 8 kilos is a lot, but it’s a blessing in disguise. Since the ClubSport V3 is made entirely of metal (steel and aluminum), the device doesn’t move a muscle when you’re using it, and I love that.

All 3 pedals feature 2-axis pad adjustment to accommodate sim-racer preferences. Fanatec offers additional springs for the gas pedal and clutch pedals, in case you’re not satisfied with the ones already fitted.

The accelerator pedal is rather soft and offers limited resistance. The clutch pedal is degressive when pressed. This means that the pedal will be hard at first, then, after a certain point, will become lighter. The brake is Load Cell, and is the opposite of the clutch pedal. The harder you press on the brake, the harder the pedal becomes, transmitting the force exerted by your foot to the game. And it’s just perfect!

For connection to the base, you have an RJ12 cable that plugs directly into Fanatec peripherals (bases), and a USB cable for the rest of the platforms. The ClubSport V3 ‘s electronics unit is located below the footrest, so cables (RJ12 or USB) can be brought out from virtually any side, which is a big plus when it comes to handling a pedalboard, as it doesn’t restrict installations against walls or other surfaces.

Sensations during play

Let’s get down to business! How does the ClubSport V3 feel? In a nutshell, it’s a teleporter straight out of Star Trek, sending you straight into the cockpit of a racing car.

For a start, it’s ultra-realistic, especially the sliding clutch and Load Cell brake. It’s simple: it’s exactly like being in a car, and I really love it. The clutch pedal is hard at first, conveying the behavior of a real clutch, and then becomes softer as the stroke increases.

For the gas pedal, it’s a standard pedal with a very soft spring, coupled with vibrations. I have to admit that the vibrations are excellent, but few games support them, which is a real shame. The brake is ultra-realistic, and light years ahead of a spring and potentiometer pedal. Light years. The harder you brake, the greater the resistance, adding even more realism. And there’s one element that pushes immersion and realism to the extreme: the vibration when the ABS activates! It’s thrilling to feel the pedal vibrate as a real car would when the ABS is activated. It’s simply magnificent, and I weigh my words carefully. The ClubSport V3 is a well of pure, unadulterated sensations, and you’ll never tire of this device.

Fanatec Clubsport v3 compatibility

As a Fanatec product, ClubSport V3 is compatible with all the German manufacturer’s bases, leaving you with a very wide range of sim-racing peripherals. Platform-wise, it’s the same story: ClubSport V3 will run on Playstation, Xbox and PC, provided you have a base compatible with the platform in question. Here again, you have a wide choice of products.

As far as sim-racing titles are concerned, ClubSport V3 will be natively supported by virtually all those currently available. However, you should be aware that the vibration functionality (brake and gas pedal pedals) will not work with all sim-racing titles, which is a real shame.

Value for money

At €399.95 on the Fanatec website, the ClubSport V3 is the cheapest Load Cell pedalboard on the market today. Some might say its price is rather high, but I can assure you that the ClubSport V3 offers excellent value for money, and you won’t find anything better on the market at this price.

It’s simple: the ClubSport V3 is made entirely of metal, features magnetic sensors, a Load Cell on the brake, a regressive clutch pedal and a unique design. What more could you want?

My verdict on Fanatec’s Clubsport v3

I loved my hours with the ClubSport V3, and in my opinion, it’s the best Load Cell crankset you can get for under €400. Although it has its shortcomings, Fanatec’s pedalboard has dominated its segment for many years, and that’s not likely to change any time soon.

If you’re a fan of sim-racing or want to improve your racing skills, I can only recommend ClubSport V3. But if you’re not convinced (although I doubt it), you can take a look at my review of the 4 Best Cranksets for Sim Racing in 2025.