The cheapest hydraulic pedals - Conspit CPP Apex
The State of Affordable Sim Racing Hardware
Sim racing hardware prices are dropping fast — and that now includes hydraulic pedals. Enter the Conspit CPP Apex, currently the most affordable hydraulic pedal set on the market. Conspit sent this unit over for review (via Raceim, affiliate link below), but as always, all opinions are my own.
A quick note: my review unit was pre-production, so some of the quirks I found may not appear in your retail version.
Conspit’s Growing Ecosystem
Over the past few years, Conspit has been on a roll — from their solid wheelbases to the 300GT steering wheel, and even upcoming hardware like a new 8Nm Apex wheelbase, a slip ring system for USB passthrough, and an NRG-style quick release.
The Apex hydraulic pedals are the latest entry in their growing lineup — and they’re aggressively priced.
💰 Price and Positioning
The Conspit CPP Apex two-pedal set retails for:
$319 / €275 / £235
Add a clutch pedal, and the price rises slightly to:$369 / €317 / £272
That’s roughly $300 cheaper than the CPP Lights and puts it in direct competition with Fanatec CSL Elite V2s, ClubSport V3s, and CRP2s — impressive company for such an affordable hydraulic setup.
⚙️ Design and Build Quality
The pedals come well-packaged in typical Conspit style — a large box with the units partially disassembled. Assembly is quick and straightforward. The construction feels premium for the price, made from T6 aluminum with a design reminiscent of SimGrade Thera pedals.
However, the pedal plate is plastic — usable, but not ideal. It’s meant to be placed on the floor, with rubber pads underneath and a metal bar for wall bracing. If you prefer a permanent rig setup, you might find the mounting points awkwardly positioned toward the back.
🧰 Adjustability and Features
The hydraulic brake features a dual-chamber design — one for hydraulics, one for elastomers and springs.
Hydraulic pressure reaches up to 100 bar, roughly equivalent to 75–85 kg of load cell pressure.
You can swap elastomers and springs using the included tool to fine-tune pedal feel.
All pedals allow for small adjustments:
Shaft height can be changed for pedal stiffness.
Throttle and clutch preload can be adjusted.
Two holes are pre-drilled for future haptics (not included).
Connections are via USB-C, and power is optional unless you’re running extra haptic features.
🔧 Issues and Early Impressions
My pre-production set had squeaky hinges — easily fixed with a touch of WD-40. Conspit confirmed they’ve already tightened tolerances in the production models.
The main downsides are design-related:
Plastic pedal plate feels flimsy compared to metal alternatives.
Mounting points can cause flex on some rig pedal plates.
Internal electronics are located beneath the plate, making maintenance tricky.
🖥️ Software and Setup
The Apex uses Conspit’s all-in-one configuration software, the same used for the CPP Lights.
You can calibrate, apply curves, set dead zones, and use launch control. Conspit’s implementation of launch control is still being refined, but overall, the software is stable and easy to use.
🏁 On-Track Performance
Performance is where the Apex truly shines. Despite its budget price, the hydraulic feel is excellent — smooth, progressive, and natural.
Throttle: Short throw, preload adjustable, but not customizable beyond that.
Clutch: Linear, no defined bite point.
Brake: The star of the show. Customizable with included elastomers and springs, offering real hydraulic resistance and a natural feel.
The Apex’s brake performance feels closer to Asetek Invictas than to Conspit’s own CPP Lights — high praise considering the price gap. It offers a longer throw and softer, tunable response without losing speed or precision.
Across GT3s, prototypes, and even drifting in Assetto Corsa, the pedals felt natural and easy to adapt to within minutes.
⚖️ Verdict — Incredible Value with Minor Trade-Offs
For around $350, the Conspit CPP Apex delivers genuine hydraulic braking — something that used to cost twice as much.
✅ Pros:
Excellent hydraulic brake feel
Solid aluminum construction
Highly affordable
Easy setup
❌ Cons:
Plastic pedal plate
Limited throttle/clutch customization
Maintenance access could be better
If you can live with these limitations, the Apex offers one of the best price-to-performance ratios in sim racing right now. Perfect for racers wanting that hydraulic feel without spending high-end money.
🧠 Final Thoughts
Hydraulics at this price point used to sound impossible — but the CPP Apex proves otherwise. It’s not perfect, but for entry-level or budget sim racers chasing realism, this might be the best value hydraulic pedal set of 2025.
