Today, the sim-racing market is filled with brands we all know quite well. Simagic, Fanatec, Thrustmaster and Logitech are global players in the world of racing simulation. There are also names like Moza RacingAsetek and Simucube, who have been on the market for ten years. In truth, this also applies to Simagic, but that’s not the point.

These brands have a proven track record in sim-racing, thanks to their comprehensive and, above all, high-quality product catalogs. Fanatec for example, offers the most comprehensive catalog, with over 40 wheels in all categories. That’s more than you need for sim-racing, whatever your level of driving.

But there are players who want to break into the global market, including little-known Chinese brands. Just like the world of smartphones, sim-racing is slowly beginning to appeal to Chinese manufacturers who want a share of the market.

Today, we’re tackling the SimNet brand, which is very young in the industry, and to see what it’s worth, its SP Pro crankset is on our setup. In what follows, we’ll talk about its design, settings, construction and, above all, what it has to offer the competition in terms of feel.

Main features and technical specifications of the crankset

• All-metal construction (steel and aluminum)
• Available in several configurations, with 2 or 3 pedals
• Haptic feedback available on every pedal with multiple motors
• 12-bit resolution
• Load cell brake for forces up to 100 kg
• Gas pedal and clutch with spring and damper
• Numerous pedal settings
• Several elastomers available in the box
• Control box for connecting all pedalboard accessories, as well as a connection to a Fanatec base.
• PC-compatible via USB cable

SP Pro crankset design

The SimNet SP Pro is your standard sim-racing pedalboard. It comes in 2 or 3 pedal versions, with the latter made from metal parts that are linked together. The design of this crankset is reminiscent of the industrial world, with its many pedal components and the solid black covering the entire device.

It’s sober, minimalist, with only the brand logo in white on the front footrest. If you opt for the haptic motors, these are in electric blue, and that’s a little out of the sober realm. All in all, the SP Pro is a handsome peripheral, which will go wonderfully well with any sim-racing setup.

Customized assembly

The SP Pro is a very modern pedalboard in the sense that it’s made up of independent pedals. This means you have a number of different mounting options, including fixing each pedal directly to your chassis, or using the brand’s plate to mount just one element.

As this is a crankset that can withstand up to 100 kg of force with its Load Cell, its use directly on the floor is to be avoided, even if you intend to block it against a wall. You’ll inevitably need a cockpit to mount it securely so that nothing moves.

This assembly operation is easy to perform on its own, and all the hardware is supplied with the SP Pro.

Manufacturing and finishing

SimNet has used nothing but metal for its LC pedalboard, and more specifically steel and aluminum. As a result, all the parts making up this peripheral are of the highest quality. The various components are superbly cut using CNC machines, and the parts used to attach them are of the highest quality.

Aside from a somewhat hasty finish on the paintwork, I didn’t notice anything out of the ordinary. The SP Pro is a very inexpensive crankset if you don’t buy it with a lot of options, and in terms of build quality and finish, it does much better than brands that have been on the market for a long time.

Bottom bracket adjustment

I really like SimNet’s approach to pedaling, especially when it comes to settings. Since each pedal is independent, you can mount them exactly where you want them on your chassis.

Each pedal allows you to adjust the damper, spring resistance or LC, inclination, spacing, pedal plate, end stop and so on. The same goes for the software, which is advanced, easy to use and, above all, functional. Curve, smoothing, dead zone, vibration intensity, calibration, etc., you’re sure to find what you’re looking for, even if you’re very demanding when it comes to sim-racing. Quite frankly, my hat’s off to the SimNet team when it comes to setting up their pedalboard.

Sensations during play

As far as the SP Pro’s feel is concerned, there’s one area I’d like to see improved, and that’s the spring and damper axles. These are attached directly to the pedals, without a bearing in the middle. As a result, if you squeeze too hard, you’ll introduce extra resistance, which will distort the pedal feel.

Apart from that, I thoroughly enjoyed my time with this crankset. Each pedal is surprisingly well calibrated in factory configuration, and more experienced riders will only need to make a few adjustments to find a good feel.

Speaking of feel, the throttle and clutch pedals are superb, linear and adapt perfectly to your preferences via hardware and software settings. Just don’t tinker too much with the damper position, as this could alter the sensitivity of the pedal, and therefore the feel.

Let’s move on to the brakes. With a Load Cell weighing up to 100 kg, the SP Pro takes on the competition on its own turf. The LC is a 2-stage design, with a spring part and an elastomer part. The former is very linear and takes care of the initial pedal stroke, providing good resistance. Once the elastomers come into play – and there are 3 of them in all, swappable too – the stroke hardens and then locks.

The feel is clean underfoot, with a good LC engagement zone. It’s not like on pedalboards where you hit a wall directly once the elastomers compress. On the SP Pro, you’ve got the leeway of a real pedal, and frankly, I love it.

SP Pro compatibility

SimNet’s SP Pro is compatible with the PC platform only via a USB connection. You have a control box that allows you to connect all the pedals to it, as well as the haptic motors.

But where I was surprised is that you can connect a Fanatec DD base to the case, and then to the PC. It works pretty well, apart from the adjustment part via the steering wheel, but it’s great, especially as the SP Pro is positioned opposite a ClubSport V3.

Value for money

The SP Pro is a pedalboard offering superb value for money. It starts at €250 for the 2-pedal version alone, rising to €650 for the 3-pedal version with haptic feedback, stand and footrest.

So, if you set it up right, you can get a pedalboard for around €300, and a quality one at that.

My verdict

If you’re not afraid of Chinese brands of sim-racing peripherals, at least those that aren’t very well known in France, then SimNet with its SP Pro is definitely worth considering.

The feel is great, the build quality is solid, and the settings galore will let you enjoy this crankset. It’s not the best in its class, that’s for sure, especially when you notice a few flaws in the finish, but it’s not the most expensive either. And if feel comes before looks – and you’re not really going to see it once you’ve got it on your setup anyway – then go for SimNet’s SP Pro without thinking too hard.