Column: Adapting to Load Cell Pedals

After recently purchasing a set of Thrustmaster T-LCM pedals, Angus is learning to adapt to the new load cell tech. Here is his story so far and how he's getting on.

Image credit: Angus Martin

Before anything else, the first sim racing hardware upgrade must be pedals. At least that is what anyone on forums will tell you with load cell hardware bringing greater feel for improved consistency.

So with that in mind, I decided to trawl the classifieds last weekend and made an impulsive purchase. No, I didn't follow the entire community's - and my own - advice. Instead, I went ahead and got myself a full Thrustmaster bundle feature three wheels, the T818 Direct Drive base, TH8A shifter and yes, the T-LCM load cell pedals.

Surprise, surprise, the sudden switch led to an immediate drop-off in pace, sudden loss of feeling on the brakes and plenty of crashes. So I am back to square one in my sim racing journey, learning how to adapt to my setup. Here is how I'm getting along so far along with a few tips I have found to others having difficulty with load cell.


A new, yet already dusty set of Thrustmaster T-LCM load cell pedals. Thank you to the cat!

Adapting to Load Cell brakes​

As I say, it hasn't been long since I actually picked up the collection of second hand sim racing parts. On the way back from a family weekend, I took the opportunity to stop off and pick up the new gear on Sunday evening. Not one to waste time, it wasn't long before my old T3PA and T300RS had been chucked aside as a start to my girlfriend's rig and the new bits found their way onto my GT Omega stand.

Within a short hour, the PC was booting up, Le Mans Ultimate was loading and a Hypercar hidden away in the car list was unknowingly awaiting its doom. No, you're right. I probably picked the worst title to start off with new pedals. But it's my go-to right now, okay?

Setting up the SF1000 wheel's dials, knobs and switches may have delayed the inevitable, but come the first braking zone, I was well and truly in the gravel trap. An evening of trial and error ensued with lots of error. By the end of which, I was wondering if I had made a dramatic mistake.


Practicing brake feel in LMU is frustrating.

Always Google your problems​

Fortunately, it only took me a day or two to remember my own advice as I typed "T-LCM brake too hard" into Google. Straight away, results of countless others in my predicament appeared pointing me in the direction of the pedals' software, something you don't think of after jumping away from standard springs.

Here, after realising a USB connection was required, I managed to set a more appropriate braking force, somewhere in the region of 50-odd kg. No, that's not particularly impressive compared to the F1 drivers of the sim racing world running twice that. But with a desk chair and a less than effective seating position, it allows me to actually reach 100% whilst still avoiding lock-ups.

Now that I can hit a correct brake force, I am finding the pedals to be far more enjoyable. However, I do still struggle with the ultimate feel of where I am in the range. However, load cell pedals are all about the pressure rather than the travel. As such, there is always going to be a time of adaptation needed I feel until getting back to my usually send-y self. In fact, on my previous set, those around me will have noticed my late braking nature, especially in defence. One day, I will return as the last of the late brakers.

How did you find the transition from springs to load cell? Do you have any advice for Angus and others going through a similar journey? Let us know in the comments.