How to Build a Sim Racing Setup with $100 (FULL GUIDE)
Getting into sim racing does not have to be expensive. In this guide I break down exactly how you can build a real force feedback racing setup for around one…
This is the Conspit Max01, the company’s newest high-end sim racing wheel designed to deliver maximum sensation, functionality, and full compatibility across a wide range of wheelbases. The unit I have here is a prototype, but Conspit confirmed that only small refinements separate it from the final production model. There is a lot to cover with this wheel, so let’s get straight into the review.
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There should be no debate about the Max01’s visual presence. This wheel looks premium the moment you see it. It uses a single-piece aluminum alloy housing paired with a five millimeter thick real carbon fiber front plate. The wheel lights up beautifully thanks to backlit buttons, bright RGB shift indicators, and a fully SimHub compatible touch display. Together, these elements make the Max01 feel alive once powered on, and it easily stands next to much higher priced flagship models.
Beyond its appearance, the wheel is stacked with functionality. You get ten buttons, four thumb encoders, two multi-position joysticks, four rotary encoders, and two extra rear buttons. Combined with Conspit’s software features, the wheel offers more flexibility than expected. For example, one of the lower encoders can be assigned to modify the position combinations of the two upper ones, unlocking more inputs from the same controls. Everything is positioned within a 310 mm diameter, giving the wheel a realistic size and strong ergonomics.
Out on track, the ergonomics of the Conspit Max01 shine immediately. All inputs are at close reach and never feel like they require you to stretch or reposition your hands unnaturally. The central rotary encoders offer ideal resistance, giving clean and deliberate feedback. The thumb encoders are also standout components. They use an open-style design, allowing you to use your thumb from the front or your index finger from the back, and the resistance perfectly balances ease of movement with intentional precision.
The multi-position joysticks offer both directional control and push functionality, which is especially useful in sims that require extensive menu navigation. The ten backlit buttons are fully customizable in SimHub, come with a sticker sheet for labeling, and have a sharp, responsive click. They do feel a little plasticky, which is perhaps the only real nitpick considering the price range. A metal button design with light transparency, similar to what some higher-end wheels use, would elevate the tactile feel. Even so, the lighting is excellent and the usability is strong.
While the Max01 is not cheap at around 850 dollars, it enters the market in a competitive and logical price bracket. When you compare it to alternatives like the Asetek Invicta wheels starting at around 1,250 dollars, or premium options from Ascher Racing and GSI, the Conspit Max01 delivers very similar functionality for significantly less money.
This pricing makes the Max01 one of the strongest value propositions in the upper range of the sim racing wheel market. Even against well-known competitors like Moza or Simagic, the Max01 holds its own thanks to its combination of build quality, inputs, lighting features, and display integration.
One of the most notable strengths of the Max01 is its compatibility. Using Conspit’s QR adapter, the wheel can be plugged directly into your PC regardless of the wheelbase you use. This means you can run the Max01 at full functionality on nearly any popular wheelbase with a compatible quick release adapter. That is a huge advantage and places Conspit alongside other modern brands moving toward true universal compatibility.
Conspit’s own quick release mechanism, designed for the Ares wheelbase, is also excellent. It looks great, locks firmly with the base, and allows you to swap wheels in seconds. Paired with the wheel’s rigid aluminum housing, the result is a flex-free driving experience that stays solid even under heavy use.
The four inch touch display is fully SimHub compatible and a major highlight of the Max01. The resolution is sharp, the response time is fast, and the screen size feels just right for a GT style wheel. Every dashboard layout can be customized, swapped, or edited, and the preset Conspit dashboard was one of my favorites. Switching layouts by touch is quick and smooth, and the interface supports all the telemetry data you would expect.
The RGB shift lights and button backlighting are also customizable through SimHub, allowing you to create a completely personalized look.
The paddle module includes magnetic carbon fiber shifters and clutch paddles. The main paddles feel great, offering a crisp, tactile click without being overly loud. The clutch paddles, however, are the area where the Max01 shows its weakest point. They have very little resistance, and while they look good and sit in a comfortable position, modulating precise inputs can be difficult due to how lightly they move.
A stiffer clutch mechanism would be a welcome improvement here, especially for sim racers who rely heavily on manual clutch starts.
Paired with the Ares wheelbase, the Max01 delivers a very detailed and immersive driving experience. The wheel is not small, but it is surprisingly lightweight for its construction. That low rotational mass helps transmit small vibrations, bumps, road texture, and curb details without any noticeable dampening or delay. Every small change in surface feel and force feedback texture comes through cleanly.
The handles themselves have the right thickness and shape for long sessions. The prototype version I tested uses a stiffer material, but Conspit confirmed the production handles will be softer and grippier, which should be a substantial improvement. Even with the prototype grips, the comfort level is already good, and the wheel inspires confidence under load.
After several weeks of testing the Conspit Max01, I have been genuinely impressed. The wheel looks fantastic, feels highly immersive, and offers the kind of functionality that you typically only see in products much more expensive. The ergonomics are excellent, the performance is strong, and the compatibility across multiple ecosystems makes it especially appealing.
There are small areas for refinement, such as the clutch paddles and the plastic feel of the buttons, but none of these detract significantly from the overall package. If anything, they show how close Conspit already is to competing directly with the best established brands in the high-end market.
If Conspit eventually expands this level of design into more affordable segments, I think they will quickly become a mainstream name in sim racing. But even now, at the higher end, the Max01 is a serious wheel with serious potential, and it is absolutely a competitive option for anyone looking for a premium upgrade.
