Fanatec RennSport Wheel Stand V2, reviews and pics on Page 6

[12thgear]

I sold my V2 yesterday but can tell you they've changed the upright height adjustment from the knob to an Allen key, people would be less likely to bash their knee on it now. You can choose between 90 and 110 degree angle too, this is done via the knob on the base, either screw the knob in the left or right side.

I guess that technically makes the currently shipping RWS v3 or v2.5, because my stand also uses the clamp with the allen head bolts to adjust height.

From what you're describing the angle adjustment is done via an additional collar on the base, is that correct? So it's not infinitely adjustable. The upshot is it sounds like this still keeps everything locked down tight and the metal isn't compromised from having lots of holes in one location.

 

[Bscary]

so basically, the biggest update/upgrade is no knob....sounds like the vertical adjustment is not too adjustable.

 

[Gunstar]

so basically, the biggest update/upgrade is no knob....sounds like the vertical adjustment is not too adjustable.

I think the adjustment is still there, they just replaced an ill-placed knob with a hex-bolt, and now the angle adjustment uses a hex bolt. I think the big V2 improvement is mostly including the pedal stop and the shifter plate..? Since I don't have a V1 to compare to, that's about the limits of my knowledge. Pix tomorrow!

 

[12thgear]

so basically, the biggest update/upgrade is no knob....sounds like the vertical adjustment is not too adjustable.

With both V1 and the current one the vertical adjustment locks in place with a clamp. It's extremely adjustable.

 

[Bscary]

With both V1 and the current one the vertical adjustment locks in place with a clamp. It's extremely adjustable.

i meant angle or i guess horizontal. i should have been clearer but i think everyone gets it being that the topic was differences between the 2 versions?

 

[Spyder-Si]

i meant angle or i guess horizontal. i should have been clearer but i think everyone gets it being that the topic was differences between the 2 versions?

Yes, you're right. On the V1 the upright is locked with the knob pin thing (technical term!) and on the V2 they've drilled an additional hole on the left side so you can lock it at 110 degrees. For the couple of hours I actually ran with it I found the 110 degrees really good for my low chair as I'm 6'3 and need the pedals a fair distance away!

Adjusting the actual height of the wheel is probably more fiddly now as they've done away with the knob on the column, but there's the benefit of less chance of injuring a knee.

 

[Bscary]

fiddly? less sturdy than the V1? in your opinion, was it worth it to add that angle adjustment? i think its nice that they added the pedal stop and shifter plate.

 

[sonac]

He meant to say that it's not as practical, because you have to use an allen key instead of the knob. But IMO it's well worth it, because that knob probably could get in the way or injure your knee.

 

[Bscary]

He meant to say that it's not as practical, because you have to use an allen key instead of the knob. But IMO it's well worth it, because that knob probably could get in the way or injure your knee.

thought he meant constantly needing to adjust. also, thought the "Fanatec Wheel Fans" you have in your sig was for a cooling system ....they do run hot after a while.

 

[Spagetti69]

Your knob could injure your knee.

Wish I had that problem.

 

[Spyder-Si]

Your knob could injure your knee.

Wish I had that problem.

Lol!

@bscary : Sonacs right, I meant it's less practical, no less sturdy though. Once you've set the correct height it's not as if you'd be adjusting it much unless you're sharing the stand with somebody that's a lot taller or shorter.

 

[Gunstar]

Whoooooooooooooooooo! Out for delivery!

 

[us_matrix]

V2

I have been using V2 for about 7 hours in last few days. Do you guys have issue of the vertical pole being loose after driving it for a while. It seems like that the knob screw does not secure the 90 or 110 degree holes tightly. I tried hand tight the knob screw very hard but no help.

 

[rise888]

V2

I have been using V2 for about 7 hours in last few days. Do you guys have issue of the vertical pole being loose after driving it for a while. It seems like that the knob screw does not secure the 90 or 110 degree holes tightly. I tried hand tight the knob screw very hard but no help.

I have the same issue in my V1 as well. It's always a little loose no matter how much I tighten it. There is a little 'play' in the steering column if I give the wheel any front/back motion, but when driving I don't notice it moving since I'm only turning it left/right.

 

[original poster]

Anyone in the UK/Europe had theirs shipped yet?

 

[Gunstar]

Got my stand today.

So as far as I can tell, the three differences on the V2 besides the extra included parts (shifter plate and pedal stopper) are the extra neck angle adjust, the new clamp on the neck, and the hex bolts for the wheel angle. The 110 degree angle is pretty cool, but it really puts the unit on the edge of off balance, so I used the 90 degree angle... for now. The neck clamp works great, looks good and didn't hit my knee at all. The hex bolts on the wheel angle adjustment are fine as well, although that part was a hassle to assemble... more on that in a sec.

The assembly was pretty straight forward, except the wheel plate bracket didn't seem to completely line up with the neck and took some pretty forceful tweaking to finally get together and how I wanted it, finally I had to resort to a couple hammer taps. The legs didn't want to sit flat, and I needed to adjust them several times before it would rest perfectly on the floor. Besides those issues, assembly was pretty smooth, although I don't suggest following the directions to the letter, as going ahead would have made mounting the wheel plate much less stressful.

Once it was assembled and tweaked to my liking, playtesting began. The unit looks pretty good for what it is, with nice powdercoating and exposed aluminum on the base, and while there is movement you don't notice it in the heat of gameplay. It does it's job well.

I'm looking forward to getting my racing seats completed this week, and then I'll spend some real time getting the Rennsport stand dialed in and locked down into it's "race spec" form!

Pix to follow soonly.

 

[Gunstar]

Knob on the left for 110 degree, right for 90 degree.


Hex bolts on wheel angle adjustment.


Neck adjustment clamp.


Pedal stopper.


Shifter mounted.


Ready to race!


That's all folks!

 

[bibio]

Hi, Hex bolts(or Allen screws UK) & neck clamp, were already changed on V1 ie well at least on mine, received July 2010.
Easy guess that 110 degree wouldn't be as stable as 90 degree. For me 90 degree was OK anyway.
Take a picture of end of 110/ 90 degree locking screw end, that was one prob on V1, taper at end too shallow & not fitting well in hole in tube. When tightening tube will flex also. Be better prob, with 2 solid inserts for bolting on Ali legs, made just one peice & going through centre of tube ie so adjust screw hole/ now holes in this solid peice (also can make better detent holes). Bit more weight, cost, but should(maybe) be 1 or 2 less welds ? Thats if something like this or better, asn't been done.



Cheers BOB

 

[12thgear]

Congrats. Based on your description and photos, I consider my Wheel Stand to be a v1.5. The shifter plate and stopper were paid extras in my case, but I do have the new neck clamp. Mine lacks the second threaded collar on the bottom for 110 degree angle. As for the center of gravity feeling a bit precarious at 110 degrees, I think swapping the Logitech pedals for a set of ClubSports should solve that!

Got my stand today.

So as far as I can tell, the three differences on the V2 besides the extra included parts (shifter plate and pedal stopper) are the extra neck angle adjust, the new clamp on the neck, and the hex bolts for the wheel angle. The 110 degree angle is pretty cool, but it really puts the unit on the edge of off balance, so I used the 90 degree angle... for now. The neck clamp works great, looks good and didn't hit my knee at all. The hex bolts on the wheel angle adjustment are fine as well, although that part was a hassle to assemble... more on that in a sec.

 

[Zathra5_]

Gunstar, I notice that the wire coming out of your pedal set is pressing against the pedal stopper. You can solve that issue by flipping the pedal stopper the other way around. That's what I do with my G25 and it works fine.

 

[Gunstar]

Gunstar, I notice that the wire coming out of your pedal set is pressing against the pedal stopper. You can solve that issue by flipping the pedal stopper the other way around. That's what I do with my G25 and it works fine.

Thanks, good idea!

 

[Bscary]

Got my stand today.

So as far as I can tell, the three differences on the V2 besides the extra included parts (shifter plate and pedal stopper) are the extra neck angle adjust, the new clamp on the neck, and the hex bolts for the wheel angle. The 110 degree angle is pretty cool, but it really puts the unit on the edge of off balance, so I used the 90 degree angle... for now. The neck clamp works great, looks good and didn't hit my knee at all. The hex bolts on the wheel angle adjustment are fine as well, although that part was a hassle to assemble... more on that in a sec.

The assembly was pretty straight forward, except the wheel plate bracket didn't seem to completely line up with the neck and took some pretty forceful tweaking to finally get together and how I wanted it, finally I had to resort to a couple hammer taps. The legs didn't want to sit flat, and I needed to adjust them several times before it would rest perfectly on the floor. Besides those issues, assembly was pretty smooth, although I don't suggest following the directions to the letter, as going ahead would have made mounting the wheel plate much less stressful.

Once it was assembled and tweaked to my liking, playtesting began. The unit looks pretty good for what it is, with nice powdercoating and exposed aluminum on the base, and while there is movement you don't notice it in the heat of gameplay. It does it's job well.

I'm looking forward to getting my racing seats completed this week, and then I'll spend some real time getting the Rennsport stand dialed in and locked down into it's "race spec" form!

Pix to follow soonly.

you might be the first ive seen to mention any movement. im assuming you mean the entire unit not anything related to the construction which seems to be rock solid? is it due to FFB or is it you? also wanted to ask, is there a better way to hide the cable on the fanatec stand? it would look much better. not just you, seems everyone does this and i always wonder. i have yet to see a different solution. im still using my $25 stand and still not sure this will be that much better.

 

[Gunstar]

There is definite forward/back wiggle in the base of the neck, as well as the shifter mount has a little bit of flex.

The whole unit will tilt towards you more easily than you might expect as well, it needs more counter-weight at the end of the legs. I wouldn't leave it standing around a 2 year old or anything. But it's not just going to fall over. It doesn't slide around in gameplay tho, thanks to it's rubber feet/stoppers, even on laminate flooring.

You can't run the wires down the inside of the neck without serious serious modification, so securing them to the sides and under the pedals really seems like the only solution besides just letting them hang on out.

I'll say this. Functionally, the Rennsport Wheelstand works. It's not necessarily better in terms of just holding the wheel up than what I had the G27 secured to before (an old computer desk/cart on casters) but it sure looks better, and is easier to pick up and put away, or drop in front of my PC for some Daytona USA.

It's worth the $$ I spent on it, although it surprises me that no one has managed to do something like this for significantly less. But hey, a semi-portable racing setup is worth something I'd wager.

 

[dwogs]

I remember seeing a tip online somewhere on how to make the stand rock solid. They said to tighten everything, shake the stand really good, retighten everything, and repeat until there is no wiggle. Maybe try that if you haven't already.

 

[Bscary]

oh ok....ive seen that moement youre talking about explained. i thought you meant the entire unit shifts druing gameplay. youre right, its amazing no one has been able to offer something cheaper but it is very nice looking and the fact that you can fold it up is cool too.

 

[dawei213]

Oh dang, some people have already gotten some initial reviews and pictures as well. I think Gunstar did a great job on summarizing the product. I feel pretty much had nearly the same experience but only had a small issue with attaching the steering wheel plate to the neck (just wiggled the hex screw in) and my base seems pretty flat (then again I had it on carpet instead of a hard flat surface). I'll go ahead and give my thoughts on the product.

Build quality: The build quality and material use is definitely top notch. From the powdered coated vertical neck, black steering and shifter plates, aluminum brushed base and rubber ends, Fanatec did not skip out on the quality of the material. The precision of the cuts, the holes in the plates and

Assembly: Assembly of the stand was pretty easy. Though the chart at first can be a bit confusing as they are numbered 1 thru X, it doesn't mean you'll be going 1 thru X as the last few steps will differ depending on the steering wheel that you have, either Fanatec or Logitech's. I too also had a slight issue with installing the steering mount plate to the neck of the stand, however a little wiggle here and there and I was able to screw the bolt in. Everything assembled with relative easy and gave me confidence in the product once fully assembled.

Assembled Product: The stand itself weighs about 20 pounds and the G27 also almost the same. The total weigh of the two product is about 40 pounds give or take a few. So it's quite hefty. That said, when playing, the unit as a whole does not slide or move around at all. It's extremely sturdy and take the abusive I've given it so far. However I have not tested it while thrashing in drift mode, but I feel it should be heavy enough to stay put.

I have also noticed the same forward and backward movement of the vertical pole that's attached to the base. And what Bibio explained about makes sense. If you were screwing into a solid piece within the base instead of a shallow hole, then I don't think we would see this movement issue. But like Gunstar, I don't notice it once I start playing.
The only thing I don't like about the entire unit is the placement of the shifter plate or more specifically, the placement of the shifter using the shifter plate. I feel the shifter is a bit far back to my liking. I personally would have like it forward closer to the wheel. I might actually try to make a piece which will attach the the current shifter plate and attach the g27 shifter to that new plate so it sits closer to the steering wheel.

Once I was done playing/testing, I was able to just place all the wires on the pedal base and just move the entire unit somewhere else. Although I wanted to folded it up for easier storage, I have not done so. One was it was getting late and I was getting lazy, but it was also due to another reason. Just like previous version, and as stated elsewhere and by other members, although you can lower the neck down and place it between the gas/brake pedal of the pedal base, I would not advise it. You can see it push down on the plastic base of the pedals and with enough force, I can see it cracking it. This is with the pedals nearly the end of the alunimun legs as well.

Overall, for it's price when compared to the competition, $129 is a great price for the RSWS V2 and with it, you will get good craftsmenship made with great materials and above all a great racing stand. 4.5 / 5 stars from me.

 

[Gunstar]

As for the center of gravity feeling a bit precarious at 110 degrees, I think swapping the Logitech pedals for a set of ClubSports should solve that!

I see what you did there... and I LIKE it!!

 

[original poster]

Mine has been shipped to the UK!

 

[Batey]

I ordered the wheel stand in EU 17/12-2010, my status has changed to delivered but I havent received any email about shipping. Poor me!

 

[sonac]

I'm sure you will. Status changes to delivered before they are shipping it out I think.