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…
The Simnet SP Pro pedals are a new entry into the increasingly crowded load cell pedal market, and on paper they tick a lot of boxes. Full metal construction, strong load cell braking, optional haptic feedback, a highly adjustable heel plate, and native Fanatec compatibility at a price that undercuts many established brands.
What makes them interesting is not just the spec sheet, but the way they aim to slot into a gap that a lot of Fanatec users have felt for years. If you have ever wished for something like true “Podium-level” pedals to pair with your existing Fanatec base without spending a small fortune, these are very much positioned as that alternative.
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Made entirely from laser cut steel and finished in a black powder coat, the Simnet SP Pro pedals present themselves as a serious bit of hardware. The basic three pedal set starts at $260, which puts them in the same general tier as a lot of mid-range load cell options. Once you add the base plate and all three haptic motors, my configuration comes to $486.
At that point they are still noticeably cheaper than well known sets such as the Moza CRP2 pedals or other boutique three pedal kits, while offering a similar level of adjustability and overall performance. They also end up sitting well below higher priced options like the Conspit CPP or other premium hydraulic style solutions, yet on track the SP Pro feel much closer to that category than their price would suggest. Despite the visual similarities to other niche brands I have tested, this design is fully Simnet’s own, and it feels like a thoughtfully executed attempt to bring high end pedal characteristics into a more attainable price bracket.
The heel plate is one of the unexpected highlights. It does not look as refined as the more stylized offerings from larger brands, but the adjustability blows most competitors out of the water. You can independently adjust the tilt, height, and length of the heel plate, giving you far more control over your driving position than typical fixed designs.
Simnet also includes an RGB strip that wraps around the base plate, creating an underglow effect. At first glance it feels a bit DIY, especially compared to fully integrated lighting solutions on premium pedal sets. But once installed, the effect is genuinely cool and more functional than expected. Through SimHub, the lighting can reflect flags, pit lane limits, rev warnings, and more. The implementation is not perfect, but the idea itself adds a fun and surprisingly immersive touch.
The throttle behaves exactly as it should. Smooth, quiet, and consistent with long, adjustable travel. It was easy to modulate, and the included damper adds a subtle hydraulic-like resistance without making the pedal heavy or sluggish.
Adjustability is extensive. Pedal height, angle, preload, damper position, face placement, and overall travel can all be tuned. The throttle’s haptic motor is the Rumble Motor, capable of delivering strong vibrations up to 8500 RPM. You can configure it through SimHub to represent engine vibrations, wheel slip, speed cues, or anything else you prefer. Out of the box it offers a convincing feeling of acceleration and engine intensity that adds to overall immersion.
The clutch pedal behaves almost identically to what I experienced with some other independent high end pedal sets. There is a defined clutch bite point that you can completely reconfigure using the adjustable three stage clutch mechanism. My own setup had a subtle bite point that was easy to feel without being distracting.
The clutch uses its own haptic unit, called the “Cylindrical Pedal Tactile Transducer”. This is the one part of the system I was not a fan of. It creates a higher pitched noise than the other motors, and the feedback does not feel as refined or as clearly defined. Fortunately, this does not affect the pedal’s overall function, which is smooth, reliable, and consistent thanks to the hall effect sensors.
As always, the brake pedal is the real star of the show. The stock configuration provides a firm but not overly stiff feel, and there is a substantial amount of force required to reach full braking pressure. The pedal faces are flat and narrow, so I needed to wear shoes for comfort, but with shoes the consistency was excellent.
The level of adjustability on the SP Pro’s is very impressive. Preload, angle, travel, elastomers, springs, and damper tuning all give you full control over the brake feel. Simnet also offers a 20 dollar spring and spacer kit, and while I did not test it myself, it should help anyone who wants a softer and more progressive brake.
One standout feature is the Haptic Linear Motor mounted to the brake. This is easily the most useful of the three motors. When locking up or losing traction, you can physically feel it through the pedal. It does not replicate the realism of advanced active pedals, but for this price, the fact that you can get meaningful tactile braking feedback is extremely impressive. Many pedal sets far above this price do not offer anything similar.
All haptic functionality is controlled through SimHub, which means you can customize each motor to react to whatever you want. Lockups, ABS, RPM, traction loss, kerbs, engine speed, and more can be mapped to the throttle, brake, or clutch.
While the tactile systems are not as refined as dedicated external transducers, the fact that each pedal has its own independent motor gives you a level of granularity and immersion that is rare in this price range.
One of the biggest selling points of the SP Pro’s is their native Fanatec compatibility. An RJ12 cable is included, allowing you to plug the pedal set directly into any modern Fanatec wheelbase. And since Fanatec handles console authentication at the wheelbase level, these pedals will also carry that same console support when connected this way.
This is a huge win for Fanatec users who want more affordable or higher performing pedals without switching ecosystems. The only limitation is that haptics and RGB will not work on console since SimHub is not available there, but the core load cell performance works perfectly.
In many ways, this feels like the unofficial upgrade path that Fanatec never gave us. The community has been asking for something like Podium-grade pedals for years, and Simnet has essentially stepped in and filled the gap.
When you combine the build quality, adjustability, haptic features, load cell performance, and Fanatec compatibility, the Simnet SP Pro pedals deliver incredible value. They hit far above their price point and bring unique features that even well established brands often skip.
The only real concern is long-term reliability, simply because smaller manufacturers have had mixed track records in the past. My set has been flawless, but only time will tell how they hold up over the years. Even with that in mind, Simnet has delivered a pedal set that should absolutely catch the attention of the larger brands.
If you want high performance load cell pedals with advanced features, extensive tuning options, and console support through Fanatec, these are one of the strongest options in the budget to mid-range category right now.
