Venym: French simracing in the spotlight, a range update!
What can we expect from French sim-racing manufacturer Venym? Because simulation pedal sets are a dime a dozen! The competition is getting tougher and tougher, and brands are becoming increasingly ingenious at delivering quality gaming experiences. But a closer look reveals that the offer tends to intensify on entry-level models. Ultimately, gamers looking for realism and quality don’t have much choice. At least at reasonable prices…
So, can Venym’s models meet these expectations? What are their products, history, and positioning with their competitors? Let’s find out today 😉
Venym, a family affair
Created in December 2020, Venym is a French brand based near the Magny-Cours circuit and managed by Virgile Decoster. The name doesn’t ring a bell? He’s simply the son of Bertrand Decoster, founder of Mygale, a company specializing in manufacturing (among other things) Formula 4 and Formula 3 Régionales. For example, Mygale supplied the FFSA F4s used in the GP Explorer event.
See: (re)Experience the GP Explorer on Assetto Corsa
Behind the scenes, we find three people. Virgile and Bertrand Decoster, plus William Levra-Juillet (Virgile’s uncle), a former developer with over 25 years of experience in video game programming. These three men know what they’re doing. Drawing on their experience in single-seater design and software development, they launched their first flagship product: the Atrax pedalboard, recently followed by the Black Widow.
Venym cranksets
Currently, the French are concentrating on designing two Load Cell pedal sets. The Atrax and the Black Widow. Both share the same architecture, with Load Cell sensors on all pedals and the signature V-shaped design. What is the difference between the two? The materials! While the Atrax is made entirely of aluminum, the Black Widow is adorned with magnificent carbon fiber parts.
If we had to sum it up in a few words, on the design side, they want to make their cranksets sexy. On the technical side, Load Cell sensors are found on all pedals, providing feedback similar to Heusinkveld’s.
The Venym Atrax in brief
- Construction Aluminium
- Frein : Elastomères 100Kg (kits 50 à 130Kg en option) et Load Cell chargeable à 200Kg
- Accélérateur (et embrayage en option) équipé d’un capteur Load Cell
- Customisation des pédales : Couleurs (Blanc, Rouge, Bleu, Noir, Bicolores, Tricolores, éditions drapeaux, etc)
- Un système LED en option qui peut être décoratif mais aussi informatif. (On en reparlera plus bas)
- Kits d’élastomères et ressorts de différentes duretés en option.
- Gravure sur la pédale de frein en option (faites graver ce que vous voulez sur la pédale)
- Plaque de fixation et repose talon en option.
- Freinage en 2 temps possible en combinant ressort et élastomères
The Venym Black Widow in brief
- Construction Fibre de Carbone
- Frein : Elastomères 100Kg (kits 50 à 130Kg en option) et Load Cell chargeable à 200Kg
- Accélérateur (et embrayage en option) équipé d’un capteur Load Cell
- Un système LED en option.
- Kits d’élastomères et ressorts de différentes duretés en option.
- Freinage en 2 temps possible en combinant ressort et élastomères
What level of quality can you expect from their models?
When looking for a high-performance crankset, Heusinkveld is the first name that springs to mind. This brand from the Netherlands has a very solid reputation, and it’s not stolen! During our visit to the ADAC Simracing Expo 2022, we had the opportunity to put our paws on the Venym Black Widow and the Heusinkveld Ultimate.
See for yourself: We take you to the ADAC Simracing Expo 2022!
The result? Both challengers are at the top of their game regarding brake pedal management. From a purely technical point of view, Venym boasts a more precise electronic board than its rival. The French crankset was designed in close collaboration with Mygale to achieve a feel equal to that found in their Formulas. But also with the collaboration of R8G, Romain Grosjean‘s E-Sports team.
As standard, the brand’s cranksets come with springs and elastomers that give the best simulation of a real F4 crankset. For the same price, Venym’s strengths lie in advanced customization, unique design, and manufacturing location. While Heusinkveld has chosen to relocate production to China, Venym has kept part of its manufacturing at its Magny-Cours facility.
Local production
Today, almost 50% of the crankset is produced in France (electronic board, machined aluminum cast pedals). Laser cutting, coils, and a few simple parts are made abroad. The elastomers come from European suppliers who supply just about every top-of-the-range brand. And the Load Cell sensors come from China, which is hardly surprising given that China is the only country capable of supplying them. Thanks to this, the brand can produce a pedalboard with an uncompromising feel and a unique design at a price that fits perfectly with its range.
Why a V-shaped design?
Fun is also about looks. The Venym Atrax and Black Widow cranksets are designed in the Formula philosophy. And this is also reflected in their V-shape.
Why V-shaped? Quite simply to replicate the look of Formula pedals, whose arms form a V to fit into the narrow space of the shell.
And let’s not forget the multiple customization options that allow you to create a made-to-measure pedalboard. For example, the color of each arm and each pedal plate can be chosen at no extra charge (excluding flag finish).
Venym Pitstop software
High-quality cranksets inevitably come with comprehensive configuration software. In this case, Venym Pitstop is used to calibrate the pedals and configure the high and low dead zones of each pedal. But also the colors of their LED strips and, above all, the pickup curves. And like all good software, it lets you create several profiles that you can load according to your vehicle type. In short, it’s complete but, above all, very simple. The interface isn’t laden with 1,000 obscure bits of information, as is sometimes the case with other brands. It’s got what you need where you need it. No more, no less.
After-sales service
When you buy great gear, you want it to be as reliable as possible, of course, but no one is immune from a glitch. The good news is that the brand manages its own after-sales service. So you know that discussions will be in French, with people who know the product inside out.
Initially, they’ll ask you for all the necessary information to help you remotely. But Venym will take care of the postage if you need to return the product. A change, isn’t it?
No hydraulic crankset models from Venym?
Look no further: the French Simracing crankset brand has not created a hydraulic crankset. And that doesn’t look set to change. Virgile Decoster justifies this choice by insisting that today’s elastomers can provide a feel so close to hydraulics as imperceptible.
No hydraulics also means no maintenance, no risk of leaks, and no dangerous fluids to handle. On the other hand, as a reminder, the maintenance of a Load Cell crankset involves dusting from time to time and greasing the elastomer every 2 to 6 months (or 50 hours of riding).
What are the brand’s plans for the coming months?
What’s next for the team after the brand’s successful take-off and an increasingly warm welcome from the Simracer community?
A Direct Drive! Nothing less. A Direct Drive base model, complete with the steering wheel, would also qualify for console compatibility. In terms of price and features, it should be close to the Fanatec DD1, accompanied by in-house software. As you can imagine, we can’t wait to learn more about it in the coming months. We’ll keep you posted as soon as we find out more 😉
A chassis made of aluminum sections will probably follow, an economical solution for players. For the seats, Sparco is already on board. Then, a second, more upmarket model in composite, reminiscent of a Formula. Is a real Mygale in your living room coming soon?
Mygale, Venym, Atrax, Black Widow… Arachnophobes beware!
To conclude on this fast-growing brand.
I hope you’ve enjoyed discovering this French brand, which is starting to make a name for itself. It’s a serious alternative to BJ, HE, or Asetek. We can’t wait to get our hands on one and give you a full review!
Photo credits: Venym Magny-Cours, France – Photo Frédéric Le Floc’h / DPPI