Fanatec Podium Hub

Our rating : 9.8/10

On the sim-racing market, Fanatec is one of the world’s leading manufacturers, with an extensive product catalog. The German manufacturer offers steering wheels, chainstays, cranksets, shifters, handbrakes and a whole host of accessories for sim-racing. It’s truly comprehensive, and a paradise for any rider with a little experience in the game.

With over twenty years’ experience, the Fanatec brand has conquered the worldwide sim-racing market with 3 distinct product ranges: the CSL (entry-level), the ClubSport (mid-range) and the Podium (the top of the range). Any racer in the world is sure to find a sim-racing peripheral to his taste in one of these 3 ranges, and Fanatec is banking on it.

However, high-end sim-racing, with very premium peripherals, is a rather restricted field where few brands are evolving. We have Fanatec of course, but also Simagic, Simucube and then some. This is quite normal in my opinion, as there aren’t many racers willing to pay a small fortune for a sim-racing setup.

In the catalog Podium of Fanatec, we have several products. These include flywheels, button modules, bases and a hub. For the latter sim-racing device, it’s the Podium Hub a supercharged QR. In what follows, I’m going to introduce you to it, tell you about its strengths and its only weakness, which is frankly justifiable, and give you my opinion on it.

Main and technical characteristics of the hub

• Full aluminum structure
• Compatible with PC and Playstation
• Allows attachment of wheels from other manufacturers in 60×70 mm format and 3×50 mm screws
• Supports Podium modules for palettes and buttons, in addition to other modules
• Heavy-duty metal Quick Release with bearing
• Integrated USB socket

Design

Visit Podium Hub is a sim-racing device with 2 parts: the QR1 metal at the bottom, attached to a gold-colored hexagonal monocoque structure. By the way, the QR is black, and it’s the ClubSport bolted to the Hub structure.

Design-wise, it’s beautiful, but the choice of color isn’t optimal in my opinion. As far as I’m concerned, I’d have preferred an all-black piece, for an elegant design that would go with any setup. This is a bit flashy, especially with the color combination.

Colors aside, the Podium Hub is still a fine piece of engineering. It’s all metal, except for the core, which is plastic, along with the electronics.

Customized assembly

Visit Podium Hub is designed to accommodate various modules from the Fanatec range, such as the Podium module of buttons and paddles, as well as being attached to the wheels of the German manufacturer of sim-racing peripherals.

Peripheral mounting is via screws on the sides, and also using direct connections for paddles and USB for other elements. This is a truly complete product that can accommodate many other sim-racing peripherals from Fanatec’s range.

However, Fanatec did not develop this Podium Hub not only to serve as a base for its products, but also to enable other brands of shuttlecocks to be used with its bases. Any flywheel available on the market in 60×70 mm format and with 3×50 mm screws is compatible with the Podium HubThis leaves you with a wide range of premium sim-racing peripherals. Fitting the flywheels is very simple: align the wheel, fit the screws and tighten them, align the QR with the Fanatec base, pull on the ring, put the whole thing in place, release the ring and you’re done.

Manufacturing and finishing

Fanatec and the Podium range oblige, the Podium Hub is made entirely of sturdy aluminum for its structure. Of course, there are some plastic parts, but you can’t do otherwise when electronic parts are involved. Ah yes, the Podium Hub has a plastic core that houses all the product’s electronics, and you can see a printed circuit board with chips on it, which looks great by the way, USB connections and so on.

The finish of the Podium Hub is exemplary in every way. Whether it’s the golden hexagonal monocoque structure, the black QR at the bottom or the plastic core, everything is perfect, down to the smallest detail. The parts are machined to perfection, without burrs or manufacturing defects. All Podium Hub fit together perfectly, with no gaps or protruding parts. Once again, Fanatec has produced a superbly finished product worthy of the premium brand.

Getting started with the hub

Visit Podium Hub is pretty light, weighing in at just over 500g, which is excellent considering its all-metal structure. As a result, you won’t feel much of a difference if you use it on one wheel; its weight won’t penalize your sim-racing experience.

Size-wise, it’s a bit large, given that the Podium Hub is made up of 2 parts: a monocoque containing the electronics, and the QR at the bottom. But then, it doesn’t get in the way at all when sim-racing, even if its size is rather large. In any case, once attached to the steering wheel and base, this hub won’t be noticeable at all.

Sensations during play

Once on track on a Fanatec setup, the Podium Hub proves to be an excellent asset, especially if you’re planning to do GT3, endurance and other control-intensive racing sessions. This hub perfectly accommodates Fanatec’s button module, with all the controls you need for any race on Asseto Corsa or iRacingor any other simu, to be honest.

For the QR1, it’s the one Fanatec offers in metal, so you won’t have any play, disconnection or blind spots with it. This is only to be expected, given the price of the Podium HubI’ll come back to this in a few lines. Since this hub is rather light, it won’t impact at all on the sensations transmitted by the base you’re using.

Installation of the peripherals is pretty easy, with only screws as hardware. What’s more, this hub is very solid, having no movement or anything. It’s just a great premium product for pro racers.

Compatibility

Visit Podium Hub is only compatible with Playstation and PC, strangely enough as is the Podium DD2. Fanatec, at least indirectly, advises you to use this hub with its high-end base in order to get the best out of it, and that makes a bit of sense at the same time.

As for the German manufacturer’s other products, you’ll find virtually every entry in the catalog, from flywheels and bases to accessories and modules. Over the years, Fanatec has developed a comprehensive, highly compatible product portfolio.

As for other brands of handwheels, you can attach all those in 60×70 mm format and with 3×50 mm screws, giving you a wide choice.

Value for money

Visit Podium Hub costs close to €200 for the QR1 and the monocoque. Already, the QR alone is €100, which leaves the monocoque at the same price, and that’s excellent as far as I’m concerned. At this price, you’ve got the German manufacturer’s best QR, a hub that will host all the products from Fanatecin addition to other brands, offering excellent value for money.

My verdict

So, the Podium Hub is clearly the perfect tool for pro racers looking for something extra for their setups, whether in terms of peripherals, non-Fanatec wheels or a solid QR.

Between its outstanding build quality, attention to detail and broad compatibility with other Fanatec and non-Fanatec products, the Podium Hub is a must-have for sim-racing pros. For amateurs, I can’t see them buying such a product, especially as the bill will most certainly be high with what you’re going to attach to this hub (button and paddle modules, steering wheels, etc.). If you’re a pro racer and have the means and, above all, the need for such a peripheral, this hub is just perfect, and I recommend it.