Sim-racing fans will certainly be familiar with the major players in this discipline, such as Fanatec for example. The German manufacturer of sim-racing peripherals has been active in the field for some twenty years, and has offered us some excellent products during that time.

Although we often associate Fanatec with premium peripherals, the German manufacturer actually offers 3 product ranges to satisfy the needs of all sim-racers. We have the CSL range, aimed primarily at novice or amateur racers on a limited budget who still want quality products. We have the ClubSport products, which represent the mid-range for fan/semi-pros riders. And finally, the Podium range for riders aiming for the top of the rankings.

Of course, the higher the range, the higher the price. But you have to start somewhere, and Fanatec knows this very well. To build a sim-racing setup, you need a base, a steering wheel and, above all, a pedalboard. For those on a budget, Fanatec has designed the CSL Elite Pedalsan entry-level pedalboard designed to satisfy the needs of all beginner racers. In what follows, I’m going to introduce you to this device, tell you about its features, strengths and weaknesses, and give you my opinion on it.

Main features and technical specifications of the crankset

• Aluminum construction
• 2 good-sized pedals
• RJ12 and USB connection (sold separately)
• Compatible with all Fanatec bases and platforms
• Horizontally adjustable pedals
• Spring-loaded pedal for resistance, but a Load Cell kit (sold separately) can be fitted to the brake pedal.
• Dimensions: 47 cm x 31 cm x 18 cm (L x W x H)
• Use of potentiometers with 12-bit resolution

Fanatec CSL Elite Pedals design

When you’ve got over 20 years’ experience in the game of sim-racing peripherals, and you’ve been chosen to equip the steering wheels of official BMW GTs, you know a thing or two about design, don’t you? Well, Fanatec does, with its CSL Elite Pedals. This pedalboard is simply minimalist and, above all, beautiful in black. It doesn’t get any simpler than this, I don’t think.

It has to be said that the CSL Elite Pedals takes some of the design cues from the ClubSport V3 (which you can discover here), but without the red accents found on this pedalboard’s big brother. However, both devices are beautiful and simple. The CSL Elite Pedals will certainly find takers among sim-racers looking for products that blend perfectly with any setup.

Customized assembly

When designing its products, Fanatec always aims for cockpits. And that’s why the CSL Elite Pedals come standard with mounting points that allow them to be installed on virtually any chassis available on the market.

But that doesn’t prevent this pedalboard from being used on the ground, thanks to the rubber pads underneath. These offer a good grip on most surfaces, but I’d recommend sticking the CSL Elite Pedals against a wall or heavy object to prevent accidental slipping.

Ah, another point. The CSL Elite Pedals come disassembled in the box, so you’ll have to assemble them before using them. This is a rather negative point, but I have to say that assembling Fanatec’s pedalboard didn’t take me very long, and it also allowed me to adjust the pedal spacing to suit my preferences. So, for me, it’s a blessing in disguise.

Manufacturing and finishing

Where Fanatec falls far short of the competition, namely Thrustmaster and Logitech, is in the build quality and finish of its products. Unlike the competition in this segment, the CSL Elite Pedals are made entirely of metal, aluminum to be precise. This choice of materials is a game-changer in every respect.

The build quality is simply outstanding, with a solid aluminum structure and a meticulously machined finish. What’s more, the crankset is actually made up of 3 parts: the frame and the 2 pedals that attach to it, which are also made of aluminum, by the way.

Having inspected it very closely, the CSL Elite Pedals are very well finished, with no sharp edges or imperfect parts. It’s a quality product, even if it’s part of Fanatec’s entry-level range. And this feeling of quality is even more accentuated when you see the price at which the CSL Elite Pedals are sold! But we’ll have to wait a little longer to find out.

Getting to know the pedals

Once you’ve opened the box, you’ll face a challenge: assembling the CSL Elite Pedals. Don’t worry, it’s very easy, and in my opinion, Fanatec has purposely shipped this pedalboard in pieces so that riders can adjust the spacing between the pedals themselves.

In the hands, the CSL Elite Pedals weighs less than the competition at 4.5 kg, despite being made entirely of aluminum. Thrustmaster should study the CSL Elite Pedals to learn a thing or two about manufacturing lightweight metal products.

Given its all-metal structure, the CSL Elite Pedals is very solid, even if the pedals are attached by screws. Honestly, it won’t budge a hair, even if you use it roughly or go into gruff mode during your sim-racing sessions. Once again, Fanatec has come up with a very solid and above all well-finished product, as we saw above.

Sensations during play

Let’s get to the heart of the matter: how does the CSL Elite Pedals feel underfoot? Frankly, it feels great, especially considering its very affordable price. It’s true that there’s a small dead zone on the pedals at the start of the stroke, but I don’t think this is a problem with the potentiometers, but rather with the design of the crankset. Fanatec has developed a system that allows the pedals to center themselves, and that’s why there’s no reading at the start of the stroke.

Apart from that, the CSL Elite Pedals feel very natural underfoot, with relatively real resistance. It’s not on the same level as a ClubSport V3, but the CSL Elite Pedals don’t come at the same price either. You’ll be able to dose acceleration and braking appropriately, and that’s already a lot for an aluminum crankset costing less than €60.

Fanatec CSL Elite Pedals compatibility

Fanatec obliges, and the CSL Elite Pedals are compatible with all the German manufacturer’s bases, from entry-level to the most premium, thanks to the RJ12 plug. For other ecosystems, Fanatec offers a USB kit (sold separately for €20), but for PC use only. So if you’re using a Thrustmaster base, for example, you’ll only be able to enjoy the CSL Elite Pedals on a PC.

As far as chassis are concerned, well, all cockpit manufacturers provide mounting points for CSL Elite Pedals, and the same goes for sim-racing titles. It has to be said that Fanatec is a major player in sim-racing, and not to provide compatibility for its products is a big mistake.

Value for money

For €59.95, you won’t find anything better at this price, especially with the level of feel offered by the CSL Elite Pedals. Even if it has its little flaws, these are easily forgivable when you consider the selling price, the build quality, the materials used and, above all, the sensations provided. As far as I’m concerned, the CSL Elite Pedals offer excellent value for money.

My verdict on Fanatec’s CSL Elite Pedals

Although Fanatec is often seen as a premium brand of sim-racing peripherals, it has proved to us that it is possible to offer a quality product, providing excellent sensations at a price that defies all competition. From memory, the only pedalboard that can stand up to the CSL Elite Pedals in terms of feel is Thrustmaster’sT3PA (which you can discover here), and it costs more than twice as much.

As far as I’m concerned, it’s simple: if you’re looking for an inexpensive pedalboard with good feel, the CSL Elite Pedals are the way to go, even if you have to pay the extra €20 for the USB kit.