Cube Controls GT-X2 Review: Is This Stylish Steering Wheel Worth Its Price?

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When I was at SFE (Sim Formula Europe) for the first time the then newly introduced Cube Controls GT-X2 saw and was able to test it, I was initially sceptical. The steering wheel initially left little impression on me. However, now that I have had the opportunity to test it extensively, I am curious to see if that feeling has changed.

With the option to choose between a 30 cm or 32 cm steering wheel diameter, the GT-X2 offers a customised experience that will appeal to any racer. The steering wheel plate is made of a carbon fibre-reinforced polymer, available in four colours, which not only offers aesthetic variety but also promises solid durability.

With the advanced functionality of a 5-inch touchscreen, backlit buttons, and a multitude of switches and encoders, the GT-X2 presents itself as a technological powerhouse. In this review, we examine whether this steering wheel delivers on its promises and dive deep into the performance and features of the Cube Controls GT-X2! Are you ready for a long but substantive ride? Then read on quickly!

Cube Controls GT-X2: A Bridge between Simulation and Motorsport

A fun fact is that the Cube Controls GT-X2 shares its roots with real motorsport and is a bridge between sim racing and real motorsport. Indeed, the GT-X2 was designed specifically for J.A.S Racing's Honda Civic FL5 TCR cars competing in the TCR World Championship. The GT-X2's design captures the essence of these race cars with its robust construction and advanced technological integrations. This not only shows the aesthetic connections to motorsport, but also translates real racing functionality into the world of sim racing. Super cool!

Unboxing of the Cube Controls GT-X2 Steering Wheel

Upon unboxing the Cube Controls GT-X2 steering wheel, you are immediately struck by the care and attention that has gone into its presentation. You notice from everything that Cube Controls has put a lot of thought into the design of the packaging. The box has a sturdy and futuristic design, which immediately makes it look like a premium product. When you open the box of the Cube Controls GT-X2 steering wheel, you will find the following items carefully packed:

1. GT-X2 Steering wheel
   The central component of your purchase, beautifully finished and ready to take your sim racing experience to the next level.
2. Q-CONN USB cable
   A high-quality USB cable with a sturdy and reliable connection, essential for connecting the steering wheel to your setup.
3. Stickers 3.0 Sheets
   Een stickervel met Cube Controls-logo’s om je stuurwiel of rig te personaliseren.
4. Tool set
   A handy set of tools that includes everything you need for montage and maintenance:
   • Torx screwdriver (red)
   • Philips screwdriver (black)
   • TX10 Allen spanner
   • TX20 Allen spanner
   • TX25 Allen spanner
   • Nylon tweezers
5. Fixing material
   The box contains various bolts and nuts for montage:
   • 3x M5x10 hex bolts
   • 3x M5x16 hex bolts
   • 3x M5x10 TORX bolts
   • 3x M5 nuts

Cube Controls GT-X2

The Cube Controls GT-X2 steering wheel is a masterpiece of technology and design, designed for sim racer looking for style, ultimate control and personalisation. This steering wheel combines innovative features with robust construction, resulting in an unparalleled driving experience. We now delve deeper into all the key aspects of this steering wheel to get a better understanding of what makes the Cube Controls GT-X2 so unique.

Price of the Cube Controls GT-X2

De Cube Controls GT-X2 is onmiskenbaar een luxe product met een premium prijskaartje. Voor de basisuitvoering met de zwarte HUB betaal je – op moment van schrijven – zo’n € 1.753 inclusief btw. Daarbij ‘profiteer’ je van free shipping when you buy directly from Cube Controls order. This version comes with a black finish.

Wil je een andere kleur, zoals blauw, groen of rood, dan betaal je iets meer. De prijs voor de blauwe, groene en rode varianten is € 1.771. Daarnaast is er de optie om het stuur met de extra grote GT-X2 grip van 32 cm te voorzien, wat nog eens € 109 bovenop de huidige prijs betekent. En dat is alles samen…. veel geld!

Excellent ergonomics

The ergonomics of the Cube Controls GTX2 handlebars delivers one of the best experiences I have ever tested. The attention to detail in the design is evident in the way the grips sit in the hand. The material not only feels soft and comfortable, but also provides the right amount of grip, making prolonged races less tiring on the hands. The contours of the handlebars are designed to perfectly fit the natural shape of the hand, resulting in an intuitive and relaxed riding experience. This allows for hours of racing without discomfort, making the GTX2 an excellent choice for serious sim racers.

Cube Controls excels in terms of ergonomics and handles, which simply feel outstanding. Something I have already noticed with the Cube Controls F-Core experienced. This is very impressive to say the least!

Colour options and aesthetic design

When designing the Cube Controls GTX2, great attention was paid to both functionality and aesthetics. One of the key aesthetic elements of the GT-X2 is the choice of four different colour options for the front panel. Namely, you can choose from black, white, green and red.

At least the choice of colour makes the GT-X2 visually appealing, so there is always a colour to suit you. Although I was not initially very keen on these coloured panels, I must now honestly admit that I think it looks nice and stylish.

The ability to customise the colour of both the steering wheel and illuminated buttons via SimHub software completes the picture, offering extensive options for personalisation.

This allows you to not only enjoy the GT-X2's technological advantages and performance, but also visually personalise your sim racing experience. This makes the Cube Controls GTX2 an excellent choice if you want to integrate both functionality and style into your setup.

Innovative design elements

Although the GT-X2's design may not initially appeal to everyone due to its unique colour choices and style, it offers well een super onderscheidende en stijlvolle look. Mijn eerste gedachten was ook ‘Aij, bah….. dit vind ik niet mooi’. But now, after several months of using this wheel intensively, I have completely changed my mind and find the GT-X2 one of the nicer racing wheels.

The combination of a 5-inch touchscreen with bright LED indicators makes the wheel not only functional, but also an aesthetic highlight. The ability to customise LED profiles via SimHub software allows you to fully customise your steering wheel. So in terms of creativity and options, this steering wheel is definitely not lacking!

Materials and construction

The Cube Controls GT-X2 stands out for its use of innovative materials that contribute to a unique driving experience. The steering wheel is made of carbon fibre-reinforced polymers (PA66 and CF30), a choice that not only offers durability but also contributes to improved force feedback (FFB) communication. The specific choice of materials allows the GT-X2 to transmit higher frequencies and finer details from the steering wheel to you as a sim racer. This is a feature often lacking in steering wheels with an aluminium chassis. OK, this may be a plus, but unfortunately the steering wheel is and always will feel like it is made entirely of plastic. And for a steering wheel in this price category, that aftertaste is quite a drawback.

Interchangeable handles

A unique feature of the Cube Controls GT-X2 is the ability to choose between 300 mm or 320 mm diameter grips. This interchangeability gives you the flexibility to adapt the steering wheel to your personal preference and racing style. The 300 mm size is ideal for those who prefer a more compact setup, allowing for faster and more direct input. On the other hand, the 320 mm option offers a more traditional racing feel and is particularly suitable for long-distance racing where comfort and precision are essential.

The grips can be easily replaced, allowing you to quickly switch between the two sizes without hassle. This flexibility is a rare advantage and underlines Cube Controls' commitment to providing a customised experience. By offering the option to adjust the size of the grips, each racer can achieve his or her optimal comfort and control. While I personally prefer the 300 mm grips, I find the option that you have the ability to swap relatively easily very interesting.

Weight and Balance

Het gewicht van een sim racing stuurwiel is vaak een cruciale factor die de algehele prestatie en het comfort van de gebruiker beïnvloedt. Bij de Cube Controls GTX2 is dit aspect zorgvuldig overwogen om ervoor te zorgen dat het stuurwiel een optimale balans biedt tussen robuustheid en behendigheid. Het totale gewicht van de GT-X2 bedraagt ongeveer 1408 gram, wat ik persoonlijk erg prettig vind. Dit zorgt ervoor dat het stuurwiel – voor mij – in de perfecte sweet spot zit qua gewicht en comfort. Het stuurwiel biedt stevige controle zonder dat het vermoeiend wordt tijdens langere racesessies.

The GTX2's weight distribution is designed to keep the centre of gravity low, giving you a stable and controlled riding experience. Weight is evenly distributed across the steering wheel plate and grips, which optimises balance during fast steering movements and reduces the risk of fatigue.

The choice of carbon fibre-reinforced polymers contributes to the GT-X2's light weight without compromising structural integrity. This material not only ensures durability, but also has a positive impact on the handlebar's responsiveness. This combination of lightness and strength makes the Cube Controls GT-X2 particularly suitable for beginners and experienced sim racers alike.

Front-end functionalities

The layout and design is smart and thoughtful. One of the most striking aspects of this wheel is undoubtedly the front: a carefully designed panel full of knobs, dials and switches that combine functionality with a premium look. The first thing you will notice about the front of the GT-X2 is its clear layout. The front of the Cube Controls GTX2 handlebar is equipped with an array of buttons, switches and encoders. All functionalities are placed symmetrically, making navigation during races intuitive and allowing all buttons to be ergonomically placed. Let's quickly discuss all functionalities in detail!

Full control at your fingertips

The Cube Controls GT-X2 has no less than 12 front pushbuttons, complemented by two 7-way funky switches and two toggle switches. This gives you full control of all buttons and functionalities at your fingertips.

Vooral de twee toggle switches springen er persoonlijk uit vind ik. De twee 7-way funcky switches bieden daarnaast multi-directionele input, waardoor ze ideaal zijn voor navigatie in menu’s of snelle toegang tot complexe functies. Zelf gebruik ik ze vaak om HUD-elementen of dashboards te wisselen om snel door menu’s te kunnen navigeren tijdens een race. In het begin zijn ze misschien wat overweldigend vanwege hun veelzijdigheid, maar met wat oefening worden ze al snel een tweede natuur!

RGB Illuminated Momentary Buttons and Anodised Aluminium Rotary Encoders

The RGB momentary buttons themselves have fine, clickable feedback and require just the right amount of force: not too much, but also not so little that you press them accidentally. As someone who appreciates precision, I find this a big plus. These illuminated buttons feel very good, can be adjusted to your liking and offer easy operation even in dimly lit environments. What I personally really like is that there is no over-load of buttons present. Everything feels so perfectly balanced which makes for an aesthetically beautiful-looking layout.

The anodised aluminium rotary encoders also feel solid, with a clear click at every turn. These rotary encoders are ideal for quickly adjusting brake balance or ABS while driving, for example. Responsiveness is great and these encoders feel qualitative and durable.

Indrukwekkend 5″ Touchscreen Display en RGB LED’s

The impressive 5-inch touchscreen display has a resolution of 854×480 pixels and offers real-time telemetry, and numerous dashboards are available via SimHub, such as Lovely Dashboard. The large display is particularly pleasant and allows you to easily track all telemetry data during races. This functionality is a considerable plus point of the GT-X2!

Rondom het display bevinden zich maar liefst 15 RGB RPM LED’s, die je ook kunt personaliseren via SimHub met profielen zoals die van Daniel Newman Racing. Aan zowel de linker- als rechterkant van het display vind je nog eens 3 LED’s die je kunt configureren als spotter of voor vlaggen. Handig!

Three Encoders and Innovative Toggle Switches

Three encoders are placed under the display for precise control while racing. These encoders also have a high-quality feel and are surrounded by LED lighting, making them light up nicely during use.Furthermore, two funky switches can be found at the top of the steering wheel. These innovative toggle switches, which are characteristic of Cube Controls steering wheels, add an extra dimension of interaction and customisability. The toggle switches light up when switched on or off. I love this functionality because it offers an authentic experience. Wonderful!

Rear functions

At the back of the Cube Controls GT-X2 are several carefully designed components that significantly enrich the user experience. Here I share my personal experience and the technical specifications of each of these components.

Powerful and Intuitive Magnetic Connector

Een van mijn favoriete kenmerken is de magnetische connector die zorgt voor een stabiele en betrouwbare verbinding tussen het stuur en je PC. De Q-CONN magnetische connector is specifiek ontwikkeld om tegemoet te komen aan de behoeften van sim racers. Dit systeem is super intuïtief te noemen en gemakkelijk in gebruik. Geen gedoe meer met connectoren waarbij je goed moet kijken hoe je ‘m aansluit en met een ring moet borgen. Gewoon plug-and-play!

With my Cube Controls F-Core, I was and am unfortunately less enthusiastic about this system, as the magnetic connector often comes loose. With the GT-X2, I have not experienced this at all. This probably has to do with both the position of the connector and the width of the steering wheel.

In fact, the F-Core is 1 centimetre less wide than the GT-X2. I mainly experienced problems with this system during sharp steering movements, such as exiting the pit box as well as crashes. Fortunately, I haven't had these problems with the GT-X2 (yet) and the system for this steering wheel seems a lot better integrated. In any case, the magnetic connector adds greatly to the appeal and functionality of the Cube Controls GT-X2!

Convenient On/Off Button & Extra Long Toggle Switches

Aan de rechterkant van de magnetische aansluiting vind je de aan/uit knop. Deze is strategisch geplaatst en – relatief – eenvoudig bereikbaar. De daadwerkelijke knop is redelijk diep geplaatst, waardoor je tijdens races niet per ongeluk het stuurwiel uit kan zetten.

On the back, as on the front, there are two (longer) toggle switches. These switches offer additional control options that, in all honesty, are super handy! For example, I use these toggle switches to flash the lights or change the brake balance. A great and valuable addition!

Precision Paddle Shifters

The Full Aluminium PRO Shifters are beautifully designed and visually appealing. Equipped with an advanced hall sensor for precision, the rear paddle shifters ensure that every shift is instant and reliable, with solid audible and tactile feedback. Personally, I would have preferred the shift force to be higher, as the current activation force is a bit too low for me. There is also a lack of damping on the shifters, which for me results in a clicking noise that I do not find pleasant. I have previously identified this noise as a drawback with the F-Core. Although this is my personal opinion, the shifters do indeed make a lot of noise, which can be disturbing for some.

Innovative Paddle Clutches

My experience with these clutches is very positive; they offer great power and wide travel, making for enjoyable use. The innovative paddle clutches on the back of the handlebars are remarkable for their adjustability and fantastic feel due to the relatively heavy spring. With a full aluminium construction, they offer durability and are easily adjustable in length via integrated screws. The clutches are equipped with hall sensor technology, ensuring precise and smooth operation, and support both single and dual mode settings. The ratios between slave and master clutch are configurable, allowing full personalisation.

Advantages and disadvantages of the GT-X2

The Cube Controls GT-X2 offers an excellent combination of advanced technology, aesthetic design and user-friendly features, but it also has some points of interest. Let's list the pros and cons of this premium steering wheel.

My Personal Experience

When I first saw the Cube Controls GT-X2, I initially had no intention of buying the steering wheel and was somewhat sceptical about its reviewen. But after several months of intensive use, I have to say that my experience very positive is.

Wat meteen opvalt is het grote display, dat fantastisch is en een geweldige toevoeging aan het stuur vormt. Niet te vergeten de toggle switches aan zowel de voor- als achterzijde, die het stuur een authentieke look-and-feel geven. Hoewel de groene variant niet mijn persoonlijke voorkeur heeft, moet ik toegeven dat deze er zeer stijlvol uitziet. Persoonlijk zou ik voor de zwarte versie gaan, die iets ‘veiliger’ en realistischer oogt.

Het ontwerp van het stuur is simplistisch, maar daarmee absoluut esthetisch aantrekkelijk. Het credo “Less = more” lijkt hier perfect van toepassing. De grips voelen geweldig aan en bieden precies de juiste hoeveelheid controle tijdens intense racesessies. Wat betreft ergonomie behoort dit stuurwiel tot de betere die ik heb ervaren. De overzichtelijke lay-out draagt bij aan een briljante gebruikservaring.

The handlebar's construction is both sturdy and reliable. Despite the shifters producing a less pleasant sound, as with the F-Core, it is not a deal-breaker for me. The overall performance and feel during use weigh more heavily for me. Weighing 1408g, this steering wheel is surprisingly light. While the use of high-quality and durable materials is positive, this sometimes makes it feel a little less luxurious, as if it is mainly made of plastic. As far as I am concerned, this doesn't quite coincide with the higher price tag attached to it.

While I never expected to become so positive about this wheel, I must now acknowledge that the Cube Controls GT-X2 is currently one of my favourite steering wheels. Despite finding the price tag higher than justified - in my opinion, an amount around €1200 would be more appropriate - I must honestly admit that I would love to add this wheel to my personal collection.

Conclusion Cube Controls GT-X2

In summary, the ergonomics and interchangeable handles of the Cube Controls GT-X2 take the steering wheel to unprecedented heights. The GT-X2 exudes style and elegance in every respect. Its carefully thought-out design, combined with the possibility of personalising the grips and a choice of multiple colours, offers an exceptionally comfortable and personalised riding experience, optimising both performance and riding pleasure. For the serious sim racer looking for a remarkably stylish and robust steering wheel with excellent ergonomics and functionality, the Cube Controls GT-X2 is the ultimate choice, even if it requires a significant investment.