Short answer: Even a direct drive base around 5 Nm can be a big step up from a traditional belt- or gear-driven base. Many drivers are happy with around 12 Nm and feel no need to upgrade, while others want more force. Professional drivers also use substantially stronger bases, rated at 25 Nm and above.
What is direct drive?
In a direct drive wheelbase, the motor drives the wheel directly, without belts or gears in between. This can provide a quicker response and make small changes in force feedback easier to feel.
How much torque should you choose?
Nm stands for newton-metres and describes how much turning force the motor can produce. You adjust how much force you want to use in the settings.
| TORQUE | WHAT DOES IT MEAN? |
|---|---|
| Around 5 Nm | Can be a clear upgrade from belt or gear drive, with a quicker response and clearer force feedback. |
| Around 12 Nm | More steering force and more room for force peaks. |
| 15–20 Nm and above | More force if you prefer heavy steering, use a larger wheel or want to reproduce stronger loads. |
Lando Norris, the 2025 Formula 1 World Champion, uses a wheelbase with a maximum torque of 26 Nm. James Baldwin won World’s Fastest Gamer in 2019, which led to an opportunity to race in GT3. He continues to race GT3 alongside sim racing, is part of the Mercedes F1 simulator programme and uses a 35 Nm Simucube 3 Ultimate in his own rig.
Compare like for like. Manufacturers may quote either short-term peak torque or torque the base can sustain for longer. Check which figure you are comparing.
What does more torque give you?
A stronger base can provide substantial resistance through a corner and still pull harder as the load increases. More Nm does not automatically mean better force feedback, though. How quickly and smoothly the motor responds matters too.
Clipping – when the force reaches its limit
When force feedback reaches its maximum level, different force peaks can feel equally strong. The differences between them are lost. This is called clipping.
Use the game's FFB meter if it has one. If the signal frequently hits its limit during normal driving, adjust the game's FFB strength. A stronger wheelbase cannot restore detail already lost in the game's signal.
The wheel affects how the base feels
Diameter
The smaller the wheel, the more force you feel in your hands at the same torque. A larger wheel needs more torque to produce the same steering force.
Weight
A heavy wheel takes more effort to accelerate and slow down, especially when much of its weight sits far from the centre. This can make rapid changes in force feedback feel more muted.
Read more in our sim racing wheel guide.
Mounting and connections
A flexible wheel mount moves with the base as you steer. A rigid mount and sturdy cockpit become particularly important at higher forces. Check that the mount fits the base and follow the manufacturer's instructions for bolt length.
A matching quick release does not always mean the wheel's buttons, paddles and display will work. Some wheels connect separately via USB; others communicate through the base. Check that the combination works on your PC, PlayStation or Xbox.
Getting started with settings
Start with a game profile
Use the manufacturer's recommended profile for your game and start with low force.
Adjust the strength
Drive a few laps in the same car. Adjust the resistance and check the game's FFB meter so the signal is not constantly hitting its limit.
Change one filter at a time
Too much damping or smoothing can make the feedback less distinct. Save the original profile so you can compare easily.
When someone tries your rig: reduce the force for an inexperienced driver. Keep any emergency stop within reach.
Sources: Boosted Media on steering force, Simucube documentation on clipping, James Baldwin’s equipment and Simucube 3 Ultimate specifications.
Not sure which wheelbase to choose?
Contact us and we will help you find one that suits your rig and budget. You can also compare our direct drive wheelbases.