Asetek Initium Pedal Modular Upgrades Review

TweakTown Rating: 93%

Our Verdict

Asetek makes upgrading the Initium pedals easy - it's just a matter of deciding what upgrades are right for you.

Pros

• Easy installation process
• Only add what you need
• No additional software to configure
• Make a significant difference over standard pedals

Cons

• Can get costly (hydraulic upgrade in particular)

Should you buy it?

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Introduction, Specifications, and Pricing

A while back, I checked out the all-new Asetek Initium Bundle 1, a package that included a steering wheel, wheelbase, and pedals for quite a reasonable price.

In that review, I praised Asetek for the quality of their pedals, as, out of the box, they were one of the best, if not the best, entry-level two-pedal set available. Being fast around a track isn't all about the throttle, with braking playing a crucial role in keeping the speed high and lap times low, so today we are looking at some tweaks you can make to the Initium pedal set.

One of the main attractions of the Asetek Initium line-up is the modularity and ability to upgrade several aspects. Hence, as you develop and hone your skills, you can add to the experience with more immersion and potentially faster lap times. With the Initium series aimed primarily at beginners, this approach allows you to invest in these upgrades as your wallet and skill level allow. While some people will be more than happy with the Initium in its barest form, it's great to see this approach to a pedal setup.

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Today I am covering many upgrades: Initium Throttle Upgrade, Initium Clutch Upgrade to add the third pedal, plus an Initium Clutch Upgrade kit. Then for braking, I have both the Initium Load Cell Brake Upgrade and Initium Hydraulic Brake Upgrade. That's a lot of upgrades then. Let's break down pricing then, as listed at the time of writing, on the Asetek website:

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• Initium Throttle Upgrade Kit - $119
• Initium Clutch Pedal Upgrade Kit - $39
• Initium Clutch Upgrade Kit - $119
• Initium Load Cell Upgrade Kit - $119
• Initium Hydraulic Brake Upgrade Kit - $329

Upgrading your Initium pedal set can get a little pricey, depending on the options chosen, to add more to the overall experience. We have quite a bit to cover and give my thoughts on today: is it worth going down the upgrade route, or taking the buy once, cry once approach with an alternative? I will go through the unboxing of each first, to show you exactly what you get, and why Asetek is providing these upgrade routes, and then I will swap and change out all the elements, before giving you my verdict on them all.

Unboxing the Asetek Initium Throttle Upgrade Kit

Packaging for all the upgrades is quite similar. Each features full-color print with an image of the upgrade in question highlighted to the front. The side and back of each provide information on the key aspects of the upgrade, and I will focus purely on the front and side that show the box contents. Each upgrade is also well packaged internally, with open-cell foam used to protect each part, and includes an installation manual and warranty information. Right, onto the first one to check out.

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First we have the throttle upgrade; it's one of the simplest upgrades we have here today. Asetek has released this to allow additional, adjustable tension on the pedal. The ability to modulate the throttle better, with more precise control, is a key element when trying to lay down the traction in a smooth and more connected way. The original throttle wasn't bad for an entry-level set, but I am sure we will notice the difference when using this kit.

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Showing off the contents, everything important for this installation is made from metal and feels sturdy, precise, and fairly premium. Asetek includes all the mounting hardware required, so we are good to get this installed.

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Question #1

What components are included in the Throttle Upgrade Kit and how is throttle tension adjusted?

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Question #2

What does the Clutch Upgrade Kit add compared to the basic Clutch Pedal Upgrade Kit, and how is the bite point adjusted?

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Question #3

What wiring and mounting changes are needed to install the Load Cell Upgrade on the Initium pedals?

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Question #4

What maximum load can the Initium load cell handle according to Asetek, and are additional elastomers available?

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If you saw my initial review of the Initium Bundle, then you know that the pedals can be set up in two ways; the important thing to note here is that for all these upgrades, the pedals need to be in Cockpit Mode, indicated on the plastic plate under the pedals.

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Installation of the rear housing took no time at all, with the four supplied bolts used to secure this into place from underneath.

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The throttle rod is adjustable using the two orange thumb screws to provide more or less tension on either of the two springs that Asetek includes in the package. There is no sensor to install, relying on the original Hall sensor to detect the throttle position.

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Slotting the rod into the rear housing, the front then attaches to the throttle pedal using a clevis pin and clasp. I think all in, from opening the box, this took me around 5 minutes to install, and is such a simple process to complete. Straight away, the Initium Pedals look better, more upmarket and premium, with a splash more of that signature Asetek orange for the adjustment knobs.

Unboxing the Asetek Initium Clutch Pedal Upgrade Kit

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Our next upgrade goes slightly more in depth, as it involves adding a completely new pedal to the mix. Being the cheapest add-on overall, for $39, a clutch is always handy to have, even if you don't use it too often. If you want the full, three-pedal experience for off-road rally adventures, then it's probably a must-have bolt-on.

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Asetek includes the bottom metal and plastic cover plates used to determine the pedal mode and secure everything in place. Remember, when installing this, we need to be in Cockpit Mode so that we can add the clutch upgrade kit after I have spent some time testing the default clutch pedal. Glass fiber reinforced composite material is used for the main pedal construction; it's identical to the materials used throughout the main elements of the Initium pedal set, and is the same as used for the throttle. Here, you can see everything we get to install the pedal to the base.

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There isn't really anything to show for the installation process: slot the pedal into position with the torsion spring, mount the plastic and metal bottom plates, and secure using two screws. Asetek, so far, has made the upgrade process so easy, and keeping it simple gives peace of mind to those who think upgrading your sim rig can be overly complicated. Now, with the third pedal added, the Initium pedal set looks so much more complete.

Unboxing the Asetek Initium Clutch Upgrade Kit

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Next on the list is the clutch upgrade, which should add a more realistic feel to the pedal. The basis of the clutch upgrade kit is to add a bite point, rather than the pedal having a standard, linear feel to it, much like the throttle. Asetek wants to give you an authentic experience, where every gear change feels immersive and realistic.

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The rear frame of the clutch upgrade comes prebuilt and will slot into place behind the pedal, being secured from underneath with four bolts, just like the throttle upgrade kit. Again, the tension is adjustable via the thumb screws to give you the stiffness required.

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With the back frame installed, I inserted the rod and spring, and then used the clevis pin to attach it to the pedal body. I then decided to test it out with my hand to get an initial feel for the strength, only to find that it snapped into the down position and wouldn't return to its resting position. For the life of me, I couldn't figure out what I had done wrong; did I perhaps install the rear frame the wrong way round? I consulted the manual, the images on the packaging, and found I had indeed installed it the correct way around. Then, it hit me. I hadn't moved the orange stopper on the pedal base to the Cockpit Mode position. By not sliding this over, it meant the pedal could travel farther than intended; it moved past the bite point position and locked itself in place. Feeling like an idiot, I manually released the pedal, slid it over the orange stopper, and all is well; no damage caused, and the pedal operates as it should!

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As I have mentioned, the thumbscrews on the rod can adjust tension to suit your needs, and it will be a case-by-case basis to get it feeling right for yourself. One thing to note is that by installing some of these upgrades, you will need to allow for extra room behind the pedal set when the pedals are actuated, and the rods are pushed out towards the rear, both on the throttle and clutch.

Our pedal set is looking more and more upmarket now. I will have a few races to see how this improves our new clutch pedal, and then let's add some more, shall we?

Unboxing the Asetek Initium Load Cell Upgrade Kit

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As with everything so far, packaging remains consistent and displays what is included with this upgrade kit. Asetek is using their two-stage Mechanical Load Cell Powered Cylinder (M.L.C.P.C) technology with this upgrade, providing the same stopping power and experience as found in more premium Asetek pedal sets.

Asetek explains their braking system in great detail, as I wrote about in the Asetek Forte S-Series Racing Simulator Bundle Review, so I won't copy and paste that here; you can go back and read up on this if you so wish. The aim with a load cell is to convert force into braking strength, not how far you push the pedal, but how hard.

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Once again, adjustability is possible with the load cell upgrade, and additional elastomer kits are available separately via the Asetek website. Showing the working parts, you can see the rod, with preload adjustment thumbscrews, and the orange elastomer that is included with the kit. The elastomer sits within the housing that contains the load cell, and the complete assembly feels very robust to withstand the forces involved. The Asetek Initum pedals can withstand loads of up to 140Kg from the load cell, and Asetek says that this load cell is capable of more, but 140Kg is going to be more than enough for most racers out there.

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Given the forces involved with this upgrade, a metal plate is included that attaches to the bottom of the pedal base, providing the rear attachment point for the load cell. Included within the box is all the mounting hardware and wiring connection for the load cell.

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The first part of the installation process is fitting the wiring. This connects underneath the pedal base to the original PCB, then routes through cutouts on the underside of the base. With this in place, the metal mounting plate can be installed; rather than bolting from underneath like the throttle and clutch, the bolts are inserted from the top.

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Slotting in the brake module, this is secured using a sleeved bolt and nut to the back, with the wiring then connected to the load cell. Once again, a clevis pin is used to attach the front of the brake rod.

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That is the next upgrade complete then, another really simple installation process that only took around 10 minutes. Now, it's time for more testing, and then onto the final upgrade kit.

Unboxing the Asetek Initium Hydraulic Brake Upgrade Kit

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The Asetek Initium Hydraulic Brake Upgrade Kit is our final upgrade to check out, and installation is very similar to that of the load cell kit. This is the most expensive upgrade that is available, adding the Asetek T.H.O.R.P II Invicta hydraulic braking system to the Initium brake, providing the most realistic and true-to-life braking experience.

Just like how Asetek goes into great detail about their M.L.C.P.C, they do the same here, so I will give this some more context, as taken from their website.

The T.H.O.R.P. (Twin Hydraulic Opposing Rapid Pistons) System is Asetek's hydraulic brake cylinder, which gives you the ultimate experience of driving a real racecar. The brake cylinder features an automotive-grade pressure sensor, which makes it the closest you will come to an authentic brake experience in sim racing. The functionality of the T.H.O.R.P. System is based on two stages - the soft stage and the hard stage - just like in a real race car.

The Soft Stage

Real race car: When you apply pressure on the pedal, it will move 10-20 mm (measured on the pedal plate), while you build up pressure, while the caliper pistons are traveling to and pushing the brake pads against the brake disc, and to compensate for the small amount of play in all the mechanical parts on the pedal system that is required for them not to seize up.

T.H.O.R.P. System: Since we do not have a brake disc, caliper, and brake pads in a simulator, we designed the slave cylinder to replicate their function. It compresses an elastomer, creating a realistic sensation that closely simulates the feel of a real race car's braking system. When full pedal travel is obtained, the slave cylinder will hit a mechanical stop, just like in a real race as described above. We supply different elastomers to mimic different feelings of the "soft stage", but the different elastomers will not change the pedal travel, only how much force is needed to fully depress the pedal and engage the hard stage.

The Hard Stage

Real race car: When hydraulic pressure is built up, the brake pads are squeezing the discs hard and all mechanical play is compensated. In this stage, your foot is basically pressing against a wall, because now your muscles are pressing directly against the hydraulic forces (the brake fluid). Since the fluid cannot be compressed, you will feel the pedal is hard.

When a racecar driver complains about a "long" or a "soft" pedal, it is typically because there is air in the system, and since air CAN be compressed, the pedal will feel soft and long. The mechanics then bleed the brakes for air, meaning there is only fluid left in the system, and the pedal is once again hard after passing the "soft stage".

T.H.O.R.P. System: When the slave system is mechanically locked, you have 100% the same feeling as in a racecar, when the brake pads are fully pressed against the brake disc, and your muscles are pressing directly against the hydraulic forces. This is NOT simulated; this is the same and identical feeling as in a racecar, and you can keep pressing the pedal up to a hydraulic pressure of 100 bar, which corresponds to 185 kg of pressure on the pedal plate - the same as a real F1 car!

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The all-metal construction feels very rugged; here you can see the wiring connector on the top, to the rear, with the ability to adjust the preload via the rod. At the back, the rear connection point features a bearing within the housing assembly.

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The wiring connection looks and feels a little more automotive compared to the load cell kit. Again, this is connected under the base and routed as before.

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The rear attachment has metal guides and spacers to ensure a robust, smooth, and strong connection to the pedal base. As with the load cell, elastomers can easily be changed out via the kit from Asetek.

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This final upgrade really does beef up the Initium pedals, and they now look nothing like how they originally started. With all the upgrade options covered, let's move on to software, and then my thoughts on the options available.

Installation & Software

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Just like the installation of the actual upgrade, the software side is just as easy to configure. I have Asetek's RaceHub software installed, V.4.4.7.

The way Asetek has implemented these upgrades means there is literally no change to what you need to set up, with simple pedal calibration and pedal curves able to be adjusted. When you think about it, half of the upgrades actually need no tinkering at all, being mechanical, while the clutch is automatically detected and appears in RaceHub. I love the simplicity here so that users can get on to what is important, the actual racing, while being able to tweak the pedals as required.

Kris' Sim Racing Test System Specifications

Final Thoughts

To cover my final thoughts, I will cover each upgrade separately for simplicity.

Initium Throttle Upgrade Kit - $119

While the standard throttle is perfectly fine for beginners, the additional adjustable tension gives a more responsive snap to the pedal when lifting off, while allowing you, with time and through muscle memory, to modulate the input so much better, given the increased resistance and feel. Getting traction down early is a must if you are chasing lap times, so it is a beneficial addition to the Initium pedal set. Given the price point, it might not be the first addition I would make, but it is certainly worth considering once you have covered more important aspects.

Initium Clutch Pedal Upgrade Kit - $39

For $39, it's a no-brainer to add this to your pedals; it's cheap and opens up manual gear-change racing for a more authentic experience where needed. For launching the car off the grid and transferring the power to the track, while linear and essentially the same as the throttle, is certainly one of the first upgrades I would make. For those who want an entry-level way into a three-pedal setup, it's one to go for.

Initium Clutch Upgrade Kit - $119

Despite being a little pricey, adding the bite point to the clutch pedal really does make it a significantly different experience. While not feeling quite the same as the Simagic P1000 clutch, and being aimed at new racers who will be using something like this for the first time, it adds a lot to the equation when it comes to the clutch system. This upgrade really does add to the immersion, while offering that indication of where the clutch bites, and getting you rolling down the road for faster starts. Just like the throttle upgrade, it wouldn't be the first on my list, but one to consider when you have more time on track and then can justify the upgrade.

Initium Load Cell Upgrade Kit - $119

This would be my first upgrade, as a load cell adds so much more precision and accuracy to your braking; it's the one that will truly help to cut your lap times. I don't think the price is too bad, given the build quality and the difference it will make. I remember when I first went from a potentiometer setup to a load cell, and while it initially needs some time to get used to, it's one of those where once you have tried it, you won't ever want to go back.

Being able to promote good technique and trail braking, without a long pedal, once the muscle memory is there, will help you to see consistency and improvement. The Asetek load cell brake pedal is a lot stiffer than what I am used to with Simagic, so be prepared to start putting some significant weight down on the pedal face. Load cells come highly recommended as the first, if only, upgrade you will make to a pedal set that can accommodate it. I did see more consistent lap times over the standard pedal; coming from a load cell, and going back to a linear pedal took some time to adjust, but when the load cell is fitted, it feels more natural to me, given the stiffer pedal and what I am more used to.

Initium Hydraulic Brake Upgrade Kit - $329

When an upgrade cost is over double that of the actual pedals you are using, then you start to question your decision-making a little. The Asetek Initium Hydraulic Brake Upgrade will provide the best immersion and realism you can get here, but it certainly doesn't come cheap. It will make it feel more like a race car, but now all of a sudden, with the initial investment in the Initium pedals, the cost starts to mount up. At the time of writing, the Initium pedals and the upgrade will set you back $448, while the Asetek Forte Brake & Throttle come in at $479. The Forte uses the load cell rather than the hydraulic setup, and while the hydraulic setup is the same as used on the Invicta pedal set ($829), this will be the upgrade for those who plan to keep their Initium pedals for a very long time and have the money to spend. Again, it's a really stiff pedal, and will take some time to get accustomed to for those going down this upgrade route; it's not an essential upgrade, and given the cost, the load cell will be better suited for most people.

In concluding then, if I was to start as a beginner with the Initium pedals, and say, over a period of 18 months or so, what would I do, from that perspective? I would start with the clutch pedal upgrade for sure, so I could get used to it and, for fun, mess around on a track or rally stage. From here, I would spend at least 6 months getting used to the Initium pedals as a whole, racing with AI, refining my race craft, and I wouldn't even be entering multiplayer events, making sure I was safe before jumping into online racing. When you do start with multiplayer, it's again about being consistent and safe, and once that is achieved, that's when I would go with the load cell, as it is truly what will make the biggest difference overall to your lap times and results.

Going forward from there is when I would look at the clutch and throttle upgrades, just to add that little bit more precision, and to maybe pull out that extra little bit of time, especially with throttle modulation. While the hydraulic add-on is the height of pedal luxury, I would really need to think long and hard about that. If I knew I was sticking with the Initium pedals for years to come, and to carry on my sim racing journey, then I would certainly consider it, but only if I had the money to spare; it's certainly not essential.

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Asetek has done a great job with the design, build quality, and execution of all aspects of the Initium pedal upgrade paths. They make the upgrade from entry-level to more competitive pedals an easy transition. While you won't potentially purchase them all, they are all viable options in their own right, and in the right circumstances, when you balance want versus need.

I would like Asetek to maybe offer a discount on their website, where if you buy multiple upgrades at once, you get a discount, to make some of them more attractive and worthwhile. I do think that only maybe, say, half of all Initium users will look at upgrades, with the load cell being the most attractive option, and a smaller number opting for some of the additional upgrades. Here, the key is having that option for those who aren't quite sure where their sim racing journey is going to take them, and giving them potential down the line. Anyone coming from perhaps Thrustmaster, Logitech, or other basic pedal sets will already feel like the standard Initium pedals are an upgrade. Then you can take it multiple steps further, either all-in-one go, or one at a time.