Sim-Lab XP1 Pedals Review — Precision Engineering for Sim Racers
Today we’ll take a deep dive into the Sim-Lab XP1 pedals — a premium pedal set from a company best known for its high-quality aluminum sim-rigs.
Sim-Lab has been expanding steadily into the turn-key sim-racing market, aiming to provide everything from cockpit to controls under one brand. The XP1 pedals, launched in 2024, represent a major milestone in that journey.
🧰 Design & First Impressions
The moment you unbox the XP1 pedals, it’s clear that design and materials were a top priority.
Sim-Lab opted for a modern grey and black color palette, complemented by brass-orange accents. The standard edition even includes the brand’s signature Sim-Lab blue knobs.
Rounded shapes on the CNC-machined aluminum pedal arms give these pedals a sleek yet industrial look, perfectly balancing elegance and functionality.
Under the hood:
- Hall sensors for the throttle and clutch
- A 16-bit 200 kg load cell for the brake
- Capable of handling up to 100 kg of applied force
Each pedal weighs nearly 2 kg, giving a solid, grounded feel. While there’s no exotic magnetics or hydraulics involved, the choice of Teflon, brass, and aluminum ensures durability and smooth motion.
Build quality? Simply outstanding. Every movement feels engineered with precision — these pedals ooze quality from top to bottom.
⚙️ Adjustability & Setup
Sim-Lab made adjustability the spearhead feature of the XP1s. Despite the heavy-duty construction, tool-free adjustments can be done in minutes — a huge plus for tuners and tinkerers alike.
Here’s what you can configure:
🧭 Pedal Positioning
You can fine-tune the pedal faces in multiple ways:
- Move upwards for an extra centimeter of height
- Tilt them in three different angles for ideal comfort
- Adjust inclination by loosening rear bolts and sliding the brackets
Because the XP1s don’t come with a pedal plate, spacing is entirely up to your rig. This makes them highly modular — but note that you’ll need a heel rest for proper ergonomics.
Sim-Lab offers an optional pedal plate and heel rest (€90), which we strongly recommend if your rig doesn’t include one.
🧩 Configuration Options
This is where the XP1 truly shines. The customization depth is remarkable.
🚀 Throttle & Clutch Adjustments
Each pedal has three adjustment points:
- Travel distance – Adjusted with a front wheel.
- Spring tension – Turn the knob to stiffen or soften feel; optional extra springs included.
- Lever angle – By lowering the connecting arms, you can further tweak stiffness and travel.
🛑 Brake Pedal Masterpiece
The brake pedal is the star of the show — Sim-Lab’s pièce de résistance.
You get:
- Dual springs for pre-load
- Dual elastomers for load resistance
- Full adjustability for travel, stiffness, and compression feel
- Optional spacers to replace the pre-load assembly
This system allows you to mimic the feel of different car types — from light-travel Formula cars to progressive GT or road car pedals.
And yes — all of it without a single tool.
💻 Software — Sim-Lab Racing Director
Sim-Lab’s new Racing Director software complements the hardware perfectly.
It’s clean, modern, and intuitive, with all the essentials clearly laid out:
- Calibration wizard
- Dead-zone adjustments
- Curves for throttle/brake response
- Instant pedal detection and feedback
Everything just works — no manuals required. It’s one of the most user-friendly pedal software packages currently available.
🏎️ Driving Impressions
Once configured, the XP1 pedals deliver a feel that is fluid, precise, and confidence-inspiring.
The accelerator feels light yet linear, giving excellent modulation.
The brake — the heart of any sim pedal set — is simply outstanding. With the right setup, it’s easy to match real-car muscle memory, especially in ACC or iRacing.
The clutch, while solid, is the one weak link. It lacks a defined biting point, something noticeable for drivers who use manual transmissions often or play simulators like BeamNG.drive.
Aside from that, the pedal faces are very grippy, ensuring your feet stay locked in during heavy braking.
A note of caution: the heel position can press into the travel adjustment screws — another reason why a heel rest is highly recommended.
💻 Compatibility & Connectivity
At the time of writing, the XP1 pedals are PC-only.
They connect via RJ11 cables to the control box, and from there to your PC using USB-C.
A small but welcome detail: Sim-Lab includes different cable lengths to help keep wiring neat — a thoughtful touch for those of us with complex rigs.
💰 Price & Availability
💵 Price:
- Standard set (Throttle + Brake): €500
- Promotional price: €400 (limited time)
🛒 Availability:
- Europe: Direct from Sim-Lab’s official website
- USA: Distributed via MicroCenter
🔧 Optional Add-ons:
- Clutch pedal
- Pedal plate & heel plate
- Foot support
The only major omission at this stage is haptic feedback support, which may come in future updates or versions.
🌟 Verdict — Engineering Excellence for Every Sim Racer
The Sim-Lab XP1 pedals are, without exaggeration, one of the most configurable pedal sets on the market today.
From adjustability to feel, they deliver a premium, tailored driving experience that rivals far more expensive systems.
✅ Pros
- Best-in-class adjustability
- Exceptional brake pedal tuning
- Premium build and materials
- Smooth, tool-free setup
- Clean and intuitive software
❌ Cons
- Clutch lacks realistic biting point
- No pedal plate included
- Limited console compatibility (PC only)
💬 Final Thoughts:
Sim-Lab’s first pedal set is a massive success. Every detail — from the modular design to the refined motion — reflects the brand’s precision engineering heritage.
If you’re looking for high-end performance pedals that you can fine-tune to your exact driving style, the XP1s are absolutely worth considering.
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