GXL V2 + Simucube 2 Pro Bundle: What to Expect from a Direct Drive Setup

Quick answer

The GXL V2 + Simucube 2 Pro Bundle pairs a GSI formula-style wheel with a Simucube 2 Pro wheelbase, so you get a direct drive setup in one purchase instead of sourcing the wheel and base separately. Expect strong, detailed force feedback and a screenless wheel layout that keeps your eyes on the screen. If you want the shortest path to a direct drive sim racing bundle, this is the one to compare everything else against.

A direct drive wheelbase changes how a sim feels more than almost any other upgrade: the wheel reacts to the tires, curbs, and weight transfer instead of filtering them through a belt or gear drive. The GXL V2 + Simucube 2 Pro Bundle puts that experience together in a single box, which removes the usual guesswork about whether a wheel and base will work as a pair.

This FAQ answers the questions that come up before and after buying the bundle: what the GXL V2 actually is, how it differs from other GSI wheels, what you need on your rig, and where the setup can grow. The answers are short on purpose so you can jump to the one you need.

What is included in the GXL V2 + Simucube 2 Pro Bundle?

The bundle combines the GXL V2 wheel with a Simucube 2 Pro wheelbase. The GXL V2 is the second wheel in the GSI lineup, and this version keeps the same number of inputs and features as the FPE V2 while presenting them in a screenless silhouette. That means you get the button and control layout of a higher-tier GSI wheel without an integrated display.

The Simucube 2 wheelbase side of the bundle is built around durability: Simucube 2 wheelbases use high-grade hardware throughout so you are not worrying about the base breaking or shutting down mid-race. Together, the two parts form a direct drive sim racing bundle that covers the core of a serious rig.

• The GXL V2 is screenless, so your telemetry and dash live on your monitor or a separate display.
• The bundle is a wheel-plus-base pairing, not a full rig; you still supply the cockpit, pedals, and mounting hardware.

How does the GXL V2 differ from the FPE V2 and other GSI wheels?

The GXL V2 shares its input count and feature set with the FPE V2 but drops the screen. If you already know you will run a monitor-based dash or a separate display, the screenless design removes a component you would not use. If you prefer an integrated screen on the wheel itself, the FPE V2 is the closer match.

For buyers coming from an entry-level wheel, the more useful comparison is the X-29. The X-29 is GSI's entry-level sim racing wheel and is positioned around price-to-performance, while the GXL V2 sits higher in the range with a formula-style, screenless layout. The right pick depends on whether you want the lowest-cost way into the GSI ecosystem or the input layout of the FPE V2 without the screen.

• Choose the GXL V2 if you want FPE V2-level inputs without paying for a screen.
• Choose the X-29 if budget is the deciding factor and you want GSI construction at the entry level.

What should I expect from a direct drive setup day to day?

Direct drive means the wheel rim is driven directly by the motor, so force feedback arrives with less mechanical filtering. In practice you feel more of what the tires are doing: small corrections under braking, curb strikes, and the moment grip starts to go away. That detail is useful, but it also means a poorly mounted rig will move around more than it did with a belt-driven base.

The Simucube 2 Pro side of the bundle is designed for long-term use, with high-grade hardware across the manufacturing so you are not worrying about the base failing mid-race. Treat the first few sessions as a calibration period: start with lower force feedback strength, confirm nothing flexes or rattles, then raise the strength as your rig and your arms adjust.

• Start with reduced force feedback strength and increase it once your mounting is solid.
• Check your rig for flex before chasing higher torque settings.

What do I need on my rig before the bundle arrives?

You need a cockpit or wheel stand that can hold a direct drive wheelbase without flex, plus pedals and a display. The bundle covers the wheel and base, so plan the rest of the rig around those two parts. If you are building from scratch, it is worth deciding on your seating position and pedal plate before you mount the wheelbase, because moving the base later usually means redoing cable routing.

The GXL V2 uses the same input count and features as the FPE V2, so your button mapping plan does not change based on which of those two wheels you choose. Set aside time for a first mapping session in your sim of choice, then save that profile so you are not rebuilding it every time you change cars.

• Confirm your cockpit or stand is rated for a direct drive wheelbase before mounting.
• Map and save your buttons once, then reuse the profile across cars.

Can I upgrade or expand the bundle later?

Yes, and this is where GSI's Interlock system matters. The Interlock Base Module is the flexible foundation of that system and is available with or without paddle shifters and clutches, so you can pair it with the rim of your choice. The optional LED Matrix can be added at any time, which keeps the setup open for future upgrades rather than locking you into one configuration.

If you would rather start with the modular core already paired to a rim, the Interlock Base Module + Simucube 2 Pro Bundle is the most straightforward way to begin with Interlock: you get the modular core with a GSI rim and the option to add paddle shifters, clutches, or the LED Matrix. Every piece is designed to work together, so the setup can grow over time instead of being replaced.

• Interlock parts are designed to combine, so additions do not force a full replacement.
• The LED Matrix is an add-on you can defer until you actually want it.

Is a direct drive starter bundle worth it over buying parts separately?

A direct drive starter bundle removes the compatibility question. When the wheel and base are sold as a pair, you are not checking bolt patterns, quick releases, or whether a given rim will communicate correctly with a given base. That is the main practical argument for the GXL V2 + Simucube 2 Pro Bundle over assembling the same class of gear piece by piece.

The tradeoff is flexibility. Buying separately lets you mix brands and pick each part for a specific reason, while a bundle commits you to one pairing. If your goal is to start driving sooner and you are comfortable with a screenless formula-style wheel, the bundle is the lower-risk route. If you already own a base or a rim you like, buy only the missing half.

• Bundles reduce compatibility risk; separate purchases increase choice.
• If you already own one half of the pairing, do not buy the bundle just for convenience.

Bundle readiness checklist

Mounting

Confirm your cockpit or wheel stand can hold a direct drive wheelbase without flex before the bundle arrives. Flex is the most common reason a direct drive setup feels worse than it should.

Display plan

Decide where your dash and telemetry will live, since the GXL V2 is screenless and does not include an integrated display. Monitor-based or separate display setups suit this wheel best.

Upgrade path

Note which Interlock additions you might want later, such as paddle shifters, clutches, or the LED Matrix, so you do not buy twice. Interlock parts are designed to work together, so plan additions before you need them.

Force feedback start point

Begin with reduced force feedback strength and raise it only after your mounting is confirmed solid. A calm first session prevents both rig damage and arm fatigue.

Bundle and ecosystem facts

• GXL V2 + Simucube 2 Pro Bundle: The GXL V2 is the second ever wheel in the GSI lineup and retains the same number of inputs and features as the FPE V2 in a sleek, screenless silhouette. You get the FPE V2 control layout without paying for an integrated screen, which suits drivers who already run a monitor-based dash.
• Simucube 2: Simucube 2 wheelbases are built to stand the test of time using high-grade hardware in all aspects of manufacturing, so you do not need to worry about the product breaking or shutting down mid-race. Durability is the main reason to pay for this class of wheelbase: fewer mid-race failures and less time spent troubleshooting hardware.
• Interlock Base Module: The Interlock Base Module is the heart of the system and is available with or without paddle shifters and clutches; the optional LED Matrix can be added at any time. You can buy the core now and add shifters, clutches, or the LED Matrix later instead of replacing the whole unit.
• GT 300 mm Wheel Rim: Every GSI wheel rim is engineered on a rigid alloy core for a stable platform and accurate force feedback response, and is compatible with the GSI Interlock system as well as sim racing button boxes using a 70mm PCD bolt pattern. If you later add a round rim for rally or road cars, the 70mm PCD compatibility keeps your options open across GSI and third-party button boxes.

The GXL V2 + Simucube 2 Pro Bundle is the straightforward answer if you want a direct drive sim racing bundle without compatibility guesswork: a screenless GXL V2 with FPE V2-level inputs on a Simucube 2 Pro base built for long service. Check your rig's rigidity, plan your display, and start with modest force feedback. If you already own a base or rim you like, buy only the half you are missing.