Cube Controls CSX-3 review: the carbon formula wheel that mounts on any base

Image: Cube Controls.

The CSX-3 wraps a 282 mm grip-to-grip formula rim in a 100% pure carbon-fiber faceplate over a CNC-machined and die-cast aluminum body, with a 4-inch telemetry screen in the center. It connects over its own USB through a magnetic Q-Conn coiled cable, so it plugs into the PC and runs on almost any wheelbase regardless of base brand. Magnetic switchless shifter paddles and dual analog clutches with a launch-control bite-point system round out one of the deepest input arrays on any wheel.

Type	Formula / open-wheel sim racing steering wheel
Rim	282 mm grip-to-grip, open-bottom formula shape (~45 mm max grip diameter); 100% carbon-fiber faceplate, aluminum body, soft-touch rubberized grips
Inputs	12 RGB push buttons, 2 toggles with status LEDs, 8 rotary encoders (4 front, 2 thumb, 2 grip), 2 funky switches, magnetic switchless shifter paddles (4 standard, 6 optional), dual analog clutch paddles with launch bite-point
Display	4-inch 800x480 full-color LCD touchscreen, driven by SimHub
Connectivity	Own USB via magnetic Q-Conn coiled cable (cross-brand); standard formula 3-bolt 70 mm / 1-inch QR fits Simucube, Fanatec, MOZA, Asetek, etc. (some need an adapter). Wireless variant offered for select bases. Native SimHub plugin.
Price	~$1,480 USD (wired, 4-paddle base; ~€1,335 from Cube Controls). Six- or eight-paddle, wireless, and Color Edition options cost more.
Best for	Serious open-wheel/formula racers who want a no-compromise carbon wheel with an onboard screen that mounts on almost any base

Who it’s for

A serious open-wheel driver who wants one no-compromise wheel that survives a wheelbase upgrade.

Buy it if:

• You race formula and want flagship build: a full carbon faceplate, aluminum chassis, and magnetic switchless paddles.
• You want an onboard 4-inch screen for telemetry instead of a separate dash.
• You change wheelbases or run more than one. The own-USB wired cable and standard formula QR mean the wheel carries over.
• You want a deep input count: 12 buttons, 8 encoders, two funky switches, and analog clutches in one rim.

Not the one if you mostly race GT and rally, where the round Cube Controls GT Pro V2 suits an upright seat better, or the price is out of range, where the MOZA FSR2 gives you a formula wheel and screen for ~$649.

Build and feel

Carbon over aluminum. The faceplate is 100% pure carbon fiber, mounted to a CNC-machined and die-cast aluminum body with CNC aluminum knobs. It feels rigid with no flex at the rim, and the soft-touch rubberized grips give a consistent hold under load. This is the build quality that justifies the price band, and it is the first thing you notice over a molded-plastic wheel.

Switchless paddles. The shifter paddles are magnetic and switchless, so there is no mechanical contact to wear and the throw is short with a clean break. The dual analog clutch paddles run a bite-point launch-control system: set the bite point, pull both, release one to the bite, and feed the second for a controlled start. The base ships with 4 paddles; a 6-paddle option adds a second pair for analog mapping.

The center screen. The 4-inch 800x480 touchscreen runs on SimHub over the wheel’s own USB, and Cube Controls supplies a dedicated plugin that maps the display, every button, dial, and the RGB shift LEDs without hand-editing config. You get live telemetry, gear, and flags on the rim instead of a separate dash unit.

Watch-outs

• Flagship pricing. Around $1,480 for the wired 4-paddle base, before you add the 6- or 8-paddle option, the wireless variant, or a Color Edition. This is among the most expensive wheels you can buy without going full bespoke.
• Recessed bezel. Reviewers note the screen’s recessed bezel can obstruct the top of the display in a more upright GT seating position. It is designed to be read from a reclined formula posture.
• Formula-only ergonomics. The compact 282 mm diameter is tuned for single-seaters. For GT3 and rally you want a larger round rim such as the Cube Controls GT Pro V2.
• Adapter may be needed. The standard formula 3-bolt QR fits most bases, but some require an adapter for the 70 mm / 1-inch PCD. Confirm your base’s quick-release pattern before ordering.

Alternatives to consider

• Ascher Racing F28-SC V2: ~$779 carbon formula wheel that is also cross-brand, the closest premium rival for less money if you can skip the onboard screen.
• MOZA FSR2: ~$649 formula wheel with its own display, the value pick, especially if you already run a MOZA base.
• Cube Controls GT Pro V2: ~$849 round/GT wheel from the same brand, the right shape if you mostly drive GT3 in an upright seat.
• Fanatec ClubSport Universal Hub V2: ~$370 hub that lets you bolt on your own rim and buttons, a cheaper route if the carbon screen-wheel is more than you need.

Confirm your wheelbase’s quick-release before you buy, since the cross-brand fit is the CSX-3’s main draw; the quick-release and compatibility guide shows which bases need an adapter.