When we talk about sim racing rigs, there are many components to ponder over, some are spoken of more than others, but every part holds its importance and functionality. A sim pedal plate is also an essential part of the sim racing rig but is often confused with the pedals.
Simply put, the pedal plate is the base plate on top of which the pedals are mounted. This article will go over the top 3 picks of the best sim pedal plates.
Sim Pedals Sprint Baseplate
Suppose you’re using the Sim Pedals Sprit by Heusinkveld and prefer to mount the pedals on a sim racing baseplate instead of directly mounting them onto the rig. In that case, the Sim Pedals Sprint Baseplate is a feasible option for you.
If you mount these pedals onto the rig directly, it will create a flex which is not favorable because these pedals generate a force of up to 65 kgs. But with the Sim Pedals Sprint Baseplate, you will get a robust platform for mounting pedals in adjustable positions. The baseplate also comes with a heel plate that can be adjusted according to height. The packaging also included two brackets for securing the baseplate to an underlying frame.
Pedal Plate Features
You can adjust the pedals however you want in this sim racing baseplate, thanks to the mounting points. The mounting points are in the form of slots that allow you to make lateral adjustments to each pedal. The clutch and throttle have slots of 24 mm, while the brake has a lateral slot of 29 mm.
The pedals can also self-adjust themselves when installed in the slots. Each pedal can move approximately 12.5 mm forwards and backward.
Heel Plate Features
The height adjustability of the heel plate makes it a convenient component of the sim pedal plate. The default position of the heel plate has zero elevation. But if you prefer your heel plate to be elevated, you can use spacers that come with the package to raise it to your comfort level.20 mm and 40mm spacers are available for adjusting the heel plate.
Compatibility
The baseplate can only be used with the Heusinkveld’s Sim Pedals Sprint. However, you can use the brackets with different pedal sets, including T3PA pro, T3PA, and TM. The brackets have six mounting holes so that you can install them easily onto rigs or aluminum profiles. But they cannot be installed directly onto the floor or a wheel stand.
Sim Pedals Ultimate+ Baseplate
The Sim Pedals Ultimate+ Baseplate is another product by Heusinkveld. They are compatible with the Sim Pedals Ultimate+. Since the pedals generate a force of up to 140 kgs, you need a sturdy platform for installing the pedals safely to avoid flex. Standard rigs aren’t equipped to handle such heavy loads.
The Sim Pedals Ultimate+ Baseplate is the perfect solution for preventing flex and enjoying sim racing to the max.
The package comes with the main baseplate used to mount the pedals. It is approximately 10 mm thick and ensures zero flex even when maximum load is applied. The package also includes brackets. The brackets create ground clearance for nuts and bolts for the pedals. It also leaves optimum mounting space for pedal controllers.
The sim racing baseplate is available in two different colors. They are black and silver. The black baseplate has a powder coat that’s finely structured. On the other hand, the silver plate comes with bead-blasted aluminum.
Mounting Options
The Sim Pedals Ultimate+ Baseplate offers multiple mounting options, including straight and parallel brackets, based on the type of rig you have. Regardless of which bracket type you prefer, you’ll get both with the baseplate.
Rigs with exclusive pedal mounting plates inclined towards the seat can benefit from the angled brackets. The angled brackets have an angle of 15 degrees. Once installed, the default angle of the baseplate is offset, resulting in a horizontal mounting platform for pedals.
Moreover, if your rig already has an angled pedal deck, the angled brackets will elevate the pedal position further. This significantly improves the comfort level for players and creates a more natural driving position.
Compatibility
The Sim Pedals Ultimate+ Baseplate can be used with Sim Pedals Pro, Ultimate+, and non-plus versions. But you can’t use this baseplate with Sim Pedals Sprint or Sim Pedals Racecentre.
Pedal Slider Baseplate
The Sim Lab Pedal Slider Baseplate is another great find for sim pedal plates. It comes with a baseplate and spacers. The spacers allow you to offset the baseplate from the countersunk screws and the seat slider. But the seat slider is an optional component that isn’t included in the standard package. You can choose to add the seat slider if you want.
Similarly, the package includes mounting material and spacers for the heel plate. However, the heel plate itself isn’t included. It is again an optional component that you can include if you want. Of course, this also means increased cost. But on the bright side, if you already have a separate heel plate or seat slider, you won’t need to spend money on these items needlessly.
The package also comes with nuts and bolts for mounting the pedals.
Adjustability
Adjusting the pedals relative to the seat is a quick and straightforward process. The Pedal Slider Baseplate offers flexibility when it comes to making adjustments. The baseplate without the seat slider provides a firm heel-rest for players and a solid pedal mount. Of course, it will entirely be your choice; if you want the added comfort of a heel rest, you can add the heel plate and seat slider.
The good thing is that the baseplate is enough to provide maximum support without flex as it is 12 mm thick.
Compatibility
Unlike the previous two baseplates, the Sim Lab baseplate allows you to use it with pedal sets and rigs from other brands. The baseplate is compatible with P1, P1-X, GT1 rigs within the Sim Lab rigs (the older version). It is worth mentioning that this baseplate cannot be used with the GT1-EVO rig models before the 2020 version. The ones with a steel pedal deck can be used with the Pedal Slider Baseplate.
The sim racing baseplate can also be used with Fantec Elite and V3 pedals, Heatsinked Sprint, Ultimate, and Pro pedal sets; the Thrustmaster TCP and T3PA pedals are also compatible.
Conclusion
These were the top three picks of the best sim racing baseplates. The sim pedal plate is an extra part that you can skip, but with the heavy loads generated by pedals, it is better to get a pedal plate rather than installing the pedals directly onto the rig to avoid flex. The heel plate is another component that usually comes with baseplates to give players maximum comfort.
The next time you have trouble selecting the right sim pedal plate for your rig, you can choose from the three plates discussed above.
