Review disclosure: Asetek supplied the Forte button box and two leather rims free of charge for review, and I retained the review hardware. I purchased the open-top suede rim to try a third style. The product link below is an affiliate link, which may earn me a commission at no extra cost to you.
The appeal of Asetek’s modular wheel system was straightforward: buy the electronics and quick release once, then choose rims for the types of cars you want to drive. I tested the Forte button box with three styles and liked the comfort and flexibility. The system made most sense to me for someone already using an Asetek base, provided a few minutes to swap rims was an acceptable compromise.
My verdict at a glance
Best suited to: An Asetek owner who wants round or GT-style rims without purchasing a complete set of electronics for every shape.
What stood out: Comfortable rims, useful lighting, accessible controls and a quick release that felt solid on the Invicta base.
What to consider: The proprietary rim arrangement, several minutes per swap, muted paddle feel and the complete price with rims.
What I tested
Asetek offered six rim choices when I made the original video. I tested three styles: a D-shaped leather rim, a round leather rim and an open-top suede rim.
The two leather rims came with the review hardware. I bought the open-top suede option because I wanted to try the third shape myself.
All shared the same Forte button box. Its controls, paddles and integrated native quick release stayed with the electronics while the rim changed.
This was not a hands-on test of every available material and rim combination. The range has also changed since July 2024, so use the current listing when selecting a configuration.
Forte versus La Prima
The Forte and La Prima button boxes followed the same general concept. In the original review, the Forte added top toggle switches, two extra thumb encoders, more lighting and a different front finish.
The video quoted US$319.99 for the Forte box and US$234.99 for La Prima. Those were historical button-box prices, before adding a rim.
For my preferences, the lighting was a strong reason to choose Forte. I missed that feature on wheels without it, especially when identifying controls at a glance.
Someone who does not need the extra inputs or illumination may weigh the difference differently. I would price the complete wheel configuration rather than compare the boxes alone.
Build and the controls I liked
The body felt rigid, with a front finish that gave the Forte a more elaborate appearance than La Prima. My criticism was mostly visual: it looked less premium to me than it felt when I used it.
The push buttons had a positive action, with a small amount of play noticeable when resting a finger on them. They worked well during driving.
I liked the top toggles and the thumb encoders, which I could operate without moving far from the grips. The encoders had enough resistance to discourage accidental changes.
The three central rotaries were firmer and better suited to occasional adjustments. I wished they also had push-button inputs; that would have added another useful layer of control.
The two seven-way switches were welcome for navigating sim menus and making adjustments. There was plenty available without needing a separate button box beside the rig.
Paddles were the part I wanted improved
The magnetic shifters worked, but their muted, quiet action did not give me the satisfying feel I prefer. Someone looking for less noise might appreciate them more than I did.
I could adjust their reach, which was useful. Even so, they felt small behind the larger 330 mm rims.
I would have liked a larger GT-style paddle option, particularly for the way a round wheel is handled in rally driving.
That reservation did not prevent me from enjoying the wheels. It remained one of the clearest differences between a system that worked well and one that matched all my personal preferences.
Choosing a rim shape and material
The leather rims felt good straight out of the box. The D-shaped version had a perforated finish, while the round rim used smoother leather.
I generally preferred leather for its feel and ease of care. The open-top suede rim also provided good grip, both bare-handed and with gloves.
The open top improved the view of the in-game dashboard and suited several GT and prototype-style cars. A round rim provided a more natural shape for road and rally use.
If I were choosing a small collection, I would lean toward a round rim and an open-top rim in leather. That was my preference after trying these examples, rather than a reason every driver needs both.
The moulded grip areas were comfortable, with a shape that gave my thumbs a natural resting position. I did not notice flex while driving, but my review was not a long-term wear assessment of the coverings or stitching.
Swapping rims and using the quick release
The rim attached at three points, making the swap fairly straightforward. The annoying part was having to remove the shifters to reach the middle screws.
A complete change took me just under five minutes. That is quick enough between sessions, but different from swapping a complete wheel on a quick release in a few seconds.
The integrated Asetek quick release was excellent to use. I could attach or remove the complete wheel easily, and it felt solid on the high-torque Invicta base.
Because that native quick release and the rim attachment were part of the design, I saw this primarily as an Asetek ecosystem product. I would not assume it accepts arbitrary automotive rims or other wheelbases without checking the exact hardware requirements.
Lighting and RaceHub
RaceHub made the lighting easy to configure. I could choose colours and brightness, and I particularly liked setting an alternate colour when a button was pressed.
The rev lights and side indicators added useful information as well as decoration. I enjoyed being able to save a setup suited to the way I used the wheel.
At the time of the review, I wanted broader SimHub lighting support and automatic changes between car profiles. Those comments describe the software available in July 2024.
Check the current software support when buying today. I have kept the original driving experience here rather than presenting an old software limitation as a confirmed current one.
My verdict on the modular approach
The Forte box and rims gave me a comfortable, versatile driving experience. I liked having different shapes while keeping the same familiar controls.
The value depends on actually using that flexibility. Sharing one box between rims can reduce the need for multiple complete wheels, but it also means spending time changing the rim.
I would still improve the paddles and add push inputs to the central rotaries. The visual design was not my favourite either, although its feel and function were better than its appearance suggested to me.
For an owner who already has an Asetek Formula wheel, a round or GT-style Forte setup was a sensible way to cover more racing disciplines.
Choose the rims you will use, include them in the total price and decide whether a several-minute change fits your routine. That is where this system’s usefulness becomes clear.
Build your Forte GT wheel.
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About this article: Adapted from my original review script and video review. Driving impressions refer to the original review period. The official Forte GT Button Box listing was checked for the current destination. Rims are sold separately.
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