Fanatec ClubSport Pedals V3

We get info from various sources online, and used the V3 pedals for many years ourselves.
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You probably came here with one question: Is this the last set of pedals I’ll ever buy?
This product delivers a very impressive stability, durability, and preciseness that puts it at the top of the sim racing hardware market. What is remarkable about this marvel is you can definitely adjust the realistic feeling of the pressure-sensitive brake pedal without using any tools.

And more, How cool is this? A vibration motor is installed on the throttle and brake pedals, with this set you can feel for example the tires locking and slipping.

Yet, we are in 2023, and the competition is stronger than ever. So, you might wonder if the V3, which dates back to 2015, is still the best option available in terms of price/quality. Hopefully, this article will give you a clear overview and help you in your decision.

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The Buyer’s Guide and Review

Last modified: July 2023.

Product Overview
Product Type	Pedals
Model	Clubsport V3
Serie	ClubSport
Pedals	Included
Editorial Rating	9.1
Ready For	PC / Playstation Ready / Xbox One Ready.
Product Page	ClubSport Pedals V3

Fanatec Clubsport V3 Video (Official)

Fanatec Club Sport Pedals V3 Review (By The Sim Racing Garage)

Brief Design Overview

Every gamer knows that pedals are a very important part when it comes to sim racing, on my initial look I was really impressed with the fit and finish of this product.

The attention to detail makes it look like art and in turn make the owners want to show their rig off to friends and family and really appreciate the beauty of it; besides, you get a lot of extras with the V3’s, an extra set of Tilton like pedal pads with extenders are included.

Those extenders also work with the flat pedal faces and also get an extra set of stiffer springs for the throttle and clutch this piece is something absolutely worthy of trying.

Overall, the pedals set is very robust and has a super strong look. It can be easily fixed with bolts to most sim racing cockpits , or with cable ties to other wheel stands or seats – personally for instance I’ve used it for many months with a Playseat Challenge.

One thing that surprised us over the years of using it is the durability: the v3 we purchased in 2018 is still basically in the same condition as when it was brand new. This is true for many Fanatec products but we found it in our own personal experience in this case. And, it is also confimed in how well this set of pedals keep its value: you can just check your favourite second hand marketplace to these bad boys don’t lose their value that fast out of the box. 

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What Are Load Cell Pedals?

Load Cell Pedals are enhanced to your regular pedals, they increase the strength of the braking signal received by the game on the pressure applied to the pedal, rather than the distance the pedal travels when you press it. They can definitely increase your realistic sim racing experiences. In the Clubsport V3, Load Cell is included in the form of a 90 KG adjustable Load Cell delivering a realistic and strong pressure

Basic Specifications

• The entire assembly is made from CNC machined aluminium and there is no denying that this is a gorgeous piece of gear that looks racy before they’re even hooked up.
• The wide aluminum heelrest acts as the central docking station for the three individual pedal units. (Yes, it’s entirely made of aluminum too).
• The high-resolution pedals include 12-bit resolution and have a pressure-sensitive brake with a 90-kilogram load cell sensor.
• There are also two metal rods with plastic spacers included in the LC to prevent any side-to-side movement of the pedals,
• The bump stops for the gas and clutch pedals can be rotated to give you different travel options, you actually feel the power of these pedals
• It features the option to plug directly into a Fanatec CSL/CSW Wheel Base, or to use as a stand-alone USB device.

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Features

PROS	CONS
High level of precision and consistency	Pedal set is quite heavy so you might face some challenge to fix it if you don’t have a proper rig or don’t put it on the floor
The load cell allows you to modulate brake input via pressure	Firmware configuration is not super straight forward but Fanatec is improving it constantly
Easily adjustable tensioner on the load cell brake pedal.	Right configuration can be tricky – you might need the Brake performance kit if you want to modulate your braking with more precision
Highest quality materials and service. Packaging is quite nice and high-quality as well!
The brake pedal. It uses a load cell and actually feels somewhat like a real car brake

Performing feature

With amazing strength and resolution, I’d describe its performing quality as quite solid, a necessary accessory for making your Fanatec gaming experience unforgettable.

These third generations Fanatec ClubSport pedals come with a Turning points of brake and clutch on top side like in real cars, High-resolution pedals with magnetic and contactless sensors on gas and clutch for a long life and maximum performance.

• Pressure-sensitive brake with custom-made 90 kg load cell sensor
• Adjustable brake stiffness and travel without tools
• 12bit resolution on all axis
• Alternative D-shape race plates in curved design
• Pedal extension to adjust the angle of the pedal plate and to change the angle of the whole pedal arm
• Brake sensitivity can be adjusted through the tuning menu of the wheel and during the race
• Vibration motor on throttle pedal indicates rear wheel spin and oversteer (control by games is possible via Fanatec Wheel SDK)
• Vibration motor on the brake pedal to simulate ABS and indicate locking tires (controlled by Fanatec wheels: Compatible to all games. Dynamic control by games is possible via Fanatec Wheel SDK)

The design of the gas pedal -Damper Kit assembled out-of-box at brake, optional damper kit for gas sold separately. The hydraulic dampening resistance can easily be adjusted with a knob

The gas pedal works just fine, its design allows quick exchange of the springs. It’s 12-bits of resolution, with anything above 10 is plenty, and it offers a bit of resistance via the non-upgradable internal spring, but nothing too remarkable, even with some settings, it feels fairly light in terms of pressure

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Construction

The construction is really solid, (Heavy metal) in most part, Packaged well.  definitely a beautiful looking piece of tech with Highest quality materials in the industry. In terms of construction if you come from a “standard” set of pedals like Thrustmaster you will notice by far the better feel and a huge step up in materials.

• Be careful installing the Tilton pedals as it’s a tight fit behind the pedal upright and you could pull the wires out of the vibration module.
• Overall the performance of the pedals cannot be faulted. And no matter how hard you stamp on the brake pedal there is no fear that it’s either going to be damaged or fail at any time.
• Totally made of long-lasting aluminium, it ensures great durability even when maintaining pedals clean is really hard, this material is really helpful while cleaning (good reasons for your mom).
• The pedals are quite attractive, in my opinion, and I like the design.

Adjustability

Adjustability is quite good, you will be able to move the brake pedal exactly where you want. You get vastly improved adjustability and ease of working on and modifying the pedals to your liking.

It’s super easy to add the extra springs or adjust the pedal stiffness and travel. Moving pedal faces around is quick and easy as well.

I really like the adjustability the extensions offer so I can angle my pedal faces just the way I like them. Not to mention when your kids or siblings come along and ask what does this knob do after you spent time setting it correctly.

Platforms & Compatibility

These set of pedals are compatible with all Fanatec Ecosystem, including the new Fanatec CSL Elite racing wheel ready-made for PS4.

Peripherals

Compatible with

PS5: Yes PS4: Yes PS3: No 

PC: Yes 

Xbox: Yes  Xbox Series X: Yes 

Note: This product becomes compatible with PlayStation 4 and PlayStation 5 systems when combined with a PlayStation-licensed Wheel Base.

This product becomes compatible with Xbox One and Xbox Series X|S systems when combined with an Xbox-licensed Steering Wheel.

Any Fanatec Wheel Base or Fanatec Racing Wheel with RJ12 Pedals connector. To connect Fanatec Wheels with PS/2 Pedal Socket, you need the additional PS/2 to RJ12 cable.

Compatible with: ClubSport Pedals V3 Brake Performance Kit >> (Review)

Compatible with: ClubSport Pedals V3 Damper Kit (throttle and brake pedal) >> ( Review)

Dedicated plug for the ClubSport Handbrake

Not compatible with: 

The pedals are not compatible with the ClubSport USB Adapter. Please use the included USB connector (PC only).

Platforms:

PC:

If you connect it to a Fanatec Wheel Base / Racing Wheel it will be compatible to all racing games. For that case, please check the compatibility details on the product page of the connected product.

It will work with any racing wheel, also of any other brand (Logitech, Thrustmaster, etc), if the pedals are connected to PC via USB and if the game supports a second controller.

E.g. these PC games support a second USB controller:

• iRacing
• Assetto Corsa
• Project Cars
• GTR 2
• Race 07
• rFactor
• Live for Speed
  …and many others

Consoles: This pedal set can be used on gaming consoles, if connected through a Fanatec Wheel Base / Racing Wheel. Please check the information on the product page of the Fanatec product through which they will be connected to the console. It will not work on consoles using the direct USB Connection or a ClubSport USB Adapter.

What’s included in the Clubsport v3 pedals box?

Our verdict

The design of this set allows adjusting the stiffness and travel of the brake pedal without using any tools, next to its power and strength turns this set the in one of most famous product in the sim racing industry.

Of course, there are much more expensive solutions, but the v3 has really few rivals when it comes to this price range. If you have an higher budget, and want to increase realism, you can also opt for the inverted ones – please make sure they are compatible with your rig as they need to be fixed on a stable cockpit to work.

Please also consider the brake performance kit to add more customisation to your breaking style.

Are v3 pedals a future proof purchase in 2023?
In the last couple of years there have been many new pedals coming into the market, such as the Moza pedals range for instance.

These Clubsport V3 beauties have been released many years ago (late 2015), but still they are at the top of their price-quality in their category in our opinion.
Over the years, they have hold their value quite good as well – you can just check on any second hand website yourself to get proof of that.ù

Will it be the same for the future? No one really knows, but by purchasing the Fanatec V3 you get a product with many years of production and assistance that will allow you to play (ops, simulate) for quite a long time. At least, that has been the case for us.

 Frequently Ask Questions (FAQ)

Alternatives: other pedals sets

• Fantec LC pedals
• Fanatec CSL elite pedals V2
• Moza racing pedals