Moza 21

Our rating : 9.8/10

If we go back 2 and a half years, maybe even a little more, Chinese sim-racing peripherals manufacturer Moza Racing was virtually unknown to racers the world over. Coming from nowhere and directly proposing 2 top-of-the-range Direct Drive bases (R16 and R21) doesn’t look like much, even if your products are excellent. Who do you think would risk a tidy sum on a brand-new sim-racing device from a manufacturer nobody knows? The correct answer is: not many.

Except that Moza was determined to conquer the hearts, and setups too, of sim-racing racers, and it did, I must say. Fast-forward to early 2024, and the Chinese manufacturer’s catalog includes 6 Direct Drive bases, 6 steering wheels, 3 cranksets and numerous other sim-racing accessories. As far as I’m concerned, it’s not bad, especially when you consider that Moza was an unknown in the game some 3 years ago.

Among the bases sold by the Chinese manufacturer, we have the R21 its top-of-the-range model with 21 nm of maximum torque. And which competitors in the sim-racing market is this base aimed at? Fanatec of course! With the launch of the CSL DD at a reasonable price, it has to be said that the German sim-racing giant has put a target on its back, and everyone wants to take its place. Can the R21 compete with a Podium DD1 or DD2? That’s what we’re going to find out.

Main and technical characteristics of the base

• Direct Drive engine develops 21 nm of maximum torque
• All-aluminum alloy construction
• 18-bit encoder
• QR derived from car racing
• Compatible with Pit House and many peripherals from the Moza catalog
• Integrated protection system that shuts down the engine when you take your hands off the wheel

Design

Not surprisingly, at least for those unfamiliar with Moza’s products, the R21 resembles the R16. This is a very characteristic feature of Moza bases: they’re all more or less identical, depending on the range of course.

The result is a sleek design with edgy, drawn lines. Moza calls it “Supercar design”, and I have to say it really is. The base features numerous right angles, just like in a racing car. The dress is glossy black, with a few logos here and there. Overall, it’s beautiful, but I know it won’t please everyone. In any case, design is a subjective element, so…

Customized assembly

The R21 is mounted in three different ways: from the bottom using 4 M6 screws, from the sides, also using M6 screws, and also from the front using a kit sold separately by Moza. This base is more or less compatible with all cockpits available on the market, as long as you buy from a manufacturer known and reputed for offering good, or even very good, chassis.

And for those wondering whether it’s possible to mount the R21 on a stand or steering wheel support, don’t even think about it, because the base puts out 21 nm of torque, and that’s enough to blow the whole thing apart. The same applies to furniture.

Manufacturing and finishing

Since the R21 is THE Moza Racing’s top-of-the-range base, we’re treated to the very best in the business. On the menu: aluminum alloy throughout. This keeps the weight of the beast relatively low (it weighs almost 9 kg on the scales) and optimizes cooling of the motor and electronics, since aluminum is a good conductor of heat.

The finish is exemplary. We have a base that has no manufacturing defects, and I can confirm this after a thorough inspection of the entire peripheral. All parts are machined to millimetre precision, thus avoiding any misalignment in assembly.

Getting to know the base

The base isn’t all that big when you consider that the engine develops 21 nm of torque. The R21 measures 33 x 17 x 13 cm and weighs around 9 kg. It’s quite heavy, but assembly of this base is relatively easy if you opt for bottom mounting. If you’re planning to mount the base laterally or frontally, I’d advise you to enlist the help of a friend or relative, just in case.

All connections are on the rear, with a QR on the front. The latter is quite simply one of the best currently available on the market, just like the Simagic one, which it bears a striking resemblance to (for the record, it’s practically the same).

Sensations during play

I’d now like to turn to the feel of this Moza Racing R21 base. First of all, you need to go through Pit House (the software used to set up Moza’s peripherals) to fine-tune the baseplate, as the default configuration transmits too much information to the rider, with blurring as well.

Once you’ve fine-tuned the settings, you’ll immediately notice that the 21 nm of torque are there, especially if you turn up the power to over 75%. But frankly, it’s worth it, especially for seasoned drivers looking for a base that can provide all the details of a race.

Between changes in trajectory, loss of grip, shocks and collisions, the feel of the asphalt under your tires and all the rest, this base is ultra communicative, whether it’s for the finest details like the debris that can be found on the track, or the blows you receive when you hit a wall at over 100 km/h on the side of the car. It’s pure bliss, especially for the pros.

However, not everything is rosy with the R21. Well, yes, it is, but not when you come from a much less powerful base. If your old setup included a base developing less than 12 nm, I’d advise you to set the power of the R21 to a range between 30 and 50%, and for a good while. Any value above 50% will require considerable effort on your part to turn the wheel.

Compatibility

The R21 is compatible only with the PC platform, as are virtually all Moza Racing bases except the R3. This choice is justifiable for the simple reason that only computers (PCs) are capable of extracting maximum performance from this database.

As far as sim-racing titles are concerned, you have all those on PC, namely AC, ACC, iRacing and all the rest. The list goes on and on, and you won’t have so many problems with this base. However, you’ll need to spend some time on Pit House to find your settings.

Value for money

At Moza Racing’s authorized distributor in France, the R21 can be exchanged for €1,099 incl. VAT, which isn’t half bad. Its price has been revised downwards, as it was €200 more when first released.

For €1,100, I think it offers very good value for money, with build quality that is simply exemplary. I have to admit that there aren’t many people in front of an R21, except one. Fanatec Podium DD1 which costs €1,000, or a Simagic Alpha Ultimate 23 nm, which costs €1149.

My verdict

With the release of the R21, Moza had pulled off a masterstroke with its top-of-the-range base, going on to compete with the industry’s tenors in their own segment. But with a launch price of €1,300, the R21 was frankly not very well positioned in terms of price, and fortunately Moza has rectified the situation by lowering the price by €200.

If you’re looking for one of the best bases available on the market, the R21 is definitely worth considering, even with its rather limited ecosystem compared to the competition. The engine is a joy to use on the track, and Pit House allows fine-tuning for the most demanding riders.

Taking into account the hours spent with this base, I can recommend it without the slightest hesitation. Moza is on a very good path to making a name for itself and a share of the sim-racing market, and I can’t wait to see what the company has in store for 2024.