Sim-racing setups are diverse and varied, adapting more or less to each motorsport discipline. However, these setups share many peripherals, notably bases and pedalboards, with differences focusing mainly on steering wheels and additional accessories and equipment.

When we say sim-racing, we often mean a racer who loves one discipline in particular, but who can practice several at the same time. But how can you race endurance and F1 with the same setup? Well, you need different steering wheels, specific to each discipline.

The charm of sim-racing, and especially of brands like Fanatec, is the vast choice of peripherals that allow complete customization of setups. With just one powerful base and a Load Cell pedalboard, you can swap wheels to go from an endurance race to a rally special, with chill sessions on Forza in between.

Speaking of setup customization, Fanatec is probably the king of the game, with a product catalog so vast that it’s easy to get lost. And I’m not even talking about its comprehensive, customizable and highly reliable ecosystem.

Among the products offered by the German sim-racing giant is the Podium Hub, which is a combo of Quick Release and hub combo to accommodate not only Fanatec flywheels, but also all those with 6x70mm or 3x50mm dimensions. In what follows, we’ll take a closer look at this product and I’ll give you my opinion on it.

Main and technical characteristics of the hub

• Monocoque aluminum construction
• On-board electronics in the core, enabling the addition of numerous peripherals from the Fanatec range
• Compatible with Fanatec flywheels, as well as those with 6×70 or 3×50 mm dimensions
• Supports all Podium modular peripherals such as the 6-pallet kit
• Integrated metal Quick Release
• Compatible with virtually all Fanatec bases and steering wheels, provided you have the right QR Base Side.

Design

The Podium Hub’s design isn’t all that complicated: you’ve got the metal QR1 coupled to a gold hub that includes a “core” for the electronics. The black QR1 is sober, while the gold hub is a little flashy.

The Podium Hub is built around a monocoque aluminum structure that looks great too, with a few design elements reminiscent of a product from the world of motor racing. All in all, it’s a good-looking piece, even if you won’t have it in front of your eyes that much once you’ve set it up.

Customized assembly

The Podium Hub can be mounted on all the steering wheels and bases currently offered by Fanatec. As far as bases are concerned, this hub is compatible with all those featuring the QR1 Base Side. As far as Fanatec wheels are concerned, the entire catalog comes into play – over 20 wheels.

However, the Podium Hub also offers compatibility with other brands’ steering wheels, as long as they are mounted on 6x70mm or 3x50mm brackets. In practical terms, this leaves you with a wide range of wheels from different brands, but the connection between the base and the steering wheel electronics will be via USB and not integrated directly into the hub.

Mounting this hub to a Fanatec base is very simple, thanks to the QR1: you pull on a ring, align the QR with the base, paying close attention to the connection pins, then release the ring once the steering wheel is in place. It’s simple, quick and easy to do, given that it’s a racing-inspired system.

Manufacturing and finishing

On this point, Fanatec has spoiled us: the Podium Hub is made from monocoque aluminum, giving it a very premium feel. Of course, there’s plastic, but this material is present on a few parts, notably the electronics cover.

In terms of build quality, it’s pure bliss, in every respect. This hub is simply perfect, with no manufacturing defects and attention to detail pushed to the limit. It’s just the perfect piece to add to your Fanatec setup, if you can afford it of course.

The finish is top-notch, with superbly machined parts. No paint spots, no sharp edges, no burrs; I didn’t notice a thing on this product, and that’s to be expected given that it’s part of Fanatec‘s Podium range.

Getting started with the hub

I don’t have much to say about handling the Podium Hub, since you’ll only be touching it to install it on your steering wheel or to remove it from the base.

Nevertheless, it’s easy to install the Podium Hub on all Fanatec flywheels thanks to the mounting screws, as well as those of other brands with mounting dimensions of 6x70mm or 3x50mm.

In terms of weight, the hub is light, weighing in at less than 600g, which shouldn’t impact at all on Asseto Corsa or iRacing. However, even though the Podium Hub is compatible with Fanatec’s CSL DD, it is intended for installation on Podium DD1 and DD2 bases.

Sensations during play

I’ll pass over the sensations provided by the Podium Hub. It’s worth noting that this hub is mainly intended for people with a powerful Fanatec base, notably the Podium DD1 and DD2, even though the Podium Hub is technically compatible with a CSL DD.

In any case, this hub is simply perfect, especially if you pair it with a Podium DD1/2, where it will showcase everything it does best: ensuring a solid connection between base and flywheel. The metal QR1 is simply one of the best you’ll find on the market, with virtually no play on the drive shaft once the flywheel is in place.

What’s more, thanks to the Podium Hub’s on-board core electronics, you can attach all the peripherals and accessories from the Podium range, including the paddle module, endurance module, etc., allowing you to greatly customize your setup.

Compatibility

So, on paper, the Podium Hub is compatible with all Fanatec bases, provided you have the right QR Base Side. However, given its price, it’s best to use it with bases from the Podium range, as this hub isn’t exactly inexpensive.

As far as flywheels are concerned, you’ve got all the Fanatec ones, from entry-level CSL wheels to Podium and ClubSport. But where Fanatec has set itself apart from the competition is that, with the Podium Hub, you have the option of attaching wheels from other brands, provided they are 6x70mm or 3x50mm.

As for platforms, Podium Hub is fully compatible with PC and partially with Playstation.

Value for money

I said earlier that the Podium Hub is a peripheral to be used mainly with Fanatec Podium bases because of its price, as this little gem costs no less than €150 on the German sim-racing peripherals manufacturer’s website.

Well, to be honest, it’s still a pretty expensive piece of equipment for a good proportion of riders. But if you factor in the fact that you’ve got the metal QR1, an ultra-strong aluminum monocoque and electronics that can accommodate several accessories from the Podium range, including the paddle module, the Podium Hub’s value for money isn’t all that bad. I’d even go so far as to say it’s pretty good, especially with the possibility of attaching wheels from other manufacturers of sim-racing peripherals.

My verdict on Fanatec’s Podium Hub

I think the Podium Hub is an excellent product from Fanatec, and will be very useful for those who own wheels from other brands and want to dive into the Fanatec ecosystem but haven’t managed to find what they’re looking for in terms of wheels in the German brand’s catalog.

Once again, the Podium Hub is a good product if you need it in your setup, and if you can afford it too.