The Wheel Stand Pro Deluxe V2 has been around for a while now and has so far proven itself as one of the more popular wheel & pedal mounting solutions so we thought it deserves a closer look.
After buying a wheel and pedal set, often, the first decision we have to make is where to mount everything. Most of us find a desk edge to mount the wheel to and throw the pedals underneath. It doesn't take long however to want to move to the couch where most of us have bigger screens and perhaps a console hooked up. Let's face it, given the chance we would all prefer to enjoy our racing games and sims from a full size racing cockpit! For many of us, however, this just isn't a possibility; racing cockpits or rigs are not only expensive but take up a large amount of space in your home. Aside from using your office desk in front of a PC monitor a wheel stand is the solution. We tested a Wheel Stand Pro Deluxe V2 with the Thrustmaster TX Racing Wheel Ferrari 458 Italia Edition to see how well it worked.
Assembly & installation
The wheel stand only took a few days to arrive here in the UK and was well packaged protecting the contents; a printed sleeved box with carry handle - unexpected with this type of product I thought. All contents were well packaged, all screws and fixings in a separate box along with glossy set-up instructions. The instructions covered all popular racing wheels such as Logitech, Fanatec & Thrustmaster wheels with links (via QR code) to Wheel Stand Pro's YouTube channel demonstrating each step in case you were unsure exactly how to put it all together. The Wheel Stand Pro Deluxe V2 we had was specifically for the TX, however judging by the amount of pre-drilled holes and spare hardware, it seems it's a one size fits most so great if you were planning on changing wheels down the line. All necessary tools were also included to install the wheel and pedals with. First impressions regarding build quality were very good; the stand is quite heavier than you might expect - constructed with high quality thick steel tubing, powder-coated black in parts with rubber sleeves to serve as feet.
Installing the wheel was really easy, just a few screws and bolts and the wheel was secured to the wheel deck, really solid! The shifter bracket is bolted to the wheel deck also making it very secure and sturdy. Next the shifter was installed, the bracket had pre-drilled holes allowing me to hard mount the shifter. Mounting the pedals was a little more fiddly, but still quite straight forward. Once the pedals were in place, they are secured by two metal bars, essentially pinning the pedals to the frame. Once installed the pedals weren't going anywhere, I couldn't move them no matter how hard I tried! After some quick cable management the installation was complete.
Setup & versatility
Obviously with this solution, you’ll need to find something to use as your seat; I used an IKEA recliner chair as it was cheap and has a fairly low and laid back seating position so emulating a racing position as best I could. You could just as well use an office chair or couch, which would do the job just as well.
The wheel stand can be adjusted in every which way to suit your preferred position, this is definitely one of the Wheel Stand Pro Deluxe V2 better features as it really gives you the opportunity to have the wheel exactly how you want it. The only thing that can’t be adjusted is the pedal angle. There are handy quick release handles, like what you would find on a bicycle wheel to adjust the neck, which raises and lowers the overall wheel height, and another at the base of the neck which adjusts the neck angle, bringing the wheel closer or moving it further away. This allows you to lower the wheel all the way down to the pedals, allowing the whole stand to be stored or transported easily. I found myself lowering the wheel when sitting down to play or getting up when finished; a really convenient feature. The wheel deck can also be adjusted via a bolt and nut underneath at the top of the stand neck, this adjusts the angle of the wheel, a feature that even some high-end cockpits lack.
Performance
After a few minutes adjusting the stand to suit my driving position I was ready to test. Looking at the stand, the first thing I thought would be a hindrance is the central upright tube, I imagined I would be forever banging my knees on it, however to my surprise after days of use I didn't notice it once! The wheel felt solid in my hands with very little movement. If I got a little rough with the wheel, when trying to save a spin for example, the wheel stand did start to wobble a little, but this is to be expected, considering the size of the stands footprint.
I expected the stand to move around slightly after a few heavy stomps on the brake pedal, but again I was pleasantly surprised to find it hadn't moved an inch. Due to the hefty steel tubing, the base of the wheel stand is quite heavy helping it remain in place, I tested he stand on a hard laminate floor and on carpet.
The gear shift bracket also works well, considering it’s attached to the wheel deck, it doesn't move around too much and is at a good height to use effectively.
I also mounted a set of Thrustmaster T3PA-Pro pedals to test the 3 pedal configuration as I was concerned the stand may rock from side to side when heel-toeing. Again, the stand impressed and stayed firm throughout!
Pricing & Conclusions
The Wheel Stand Pro Deluxe V2 is available online and currently retails at the following prices:
EUR €125
UK £99
US/CAN $179
With these prices in mind, the Wheel Stand Pro Deluxe V2 is great value for money and an all-round quality piece of kit. I can’t see many other wheel stand solutions beating the Wheel Stand Pro Deluxe V2 for versatility and performance. Added to that the convenience of being able to fold it up and store it out of the way just makes it even better.
If you’re looking for a simple and effective solution to mounting your wheel and pedals and wish to move your racing away from your desk and on to your couch, this stand is a no brainer!
