Asetek Invicta S-Series T.H.O.R.P. II Pedals – Review

Asetek Invicta S-Series T.H.O.R.P. II Pedals – Review

It’s been almost two years since we tested the Invicta pedals (review), which stood out from the crowd with their 2-stage concept. With the latest generation of Invicta pedals, the Danish manufacturer Asetek has made some changes, including a completely revised brake cylinder. This review will show how these changes will affect you in everyday use and what advantages the separate S version of the pedals has over the regular version.

Ordering and shipping

Asetek has two ways of selling its simracing hardware. On the one hand, the pedals can be purchased directly from the Danish manufacturer’s own online shop, but also from a whole range of third-party suppliers. With a few exceptions, the prices are generally very similar. When purchasing via Asetek, there are additional costs for shipping (approx. 15€ to Germany), but you can save a further 5% with our discount code “simracingpc”. The prices are as follows:

• Asetek Invicta S-Series T.H.O.R.P. II Pedals: 1011,49€
• Invicta™ Clutch System: 297,49 €

5% Asetek Gutscheincode / Coupon code: simracingpc

Scope of delivery

Asetek is known for its extensive scope of delivery. With two USB cables (USB-A and USB-C) as well as mounting material for both aluminium profiles and normal pedal plates, various elastomers, an alternative spring as well as tools and performance grease, you’ll find everything you need here.

• Invicta™ S-Series T.H.O.R.P.™ II Brake pedal
• Invicta™ S-Series Throttle pedal
• Flyer with QR code to online manual
• Safety information
• Warranty statement
• Flyer with QR code to online manual
• Asetek SimSports® sticker sheet
• USB Type-A to USB Type-C cable (Two (2) meters)
• USB Type-C to USB Type-C cable (Two (2) meters)
• Throttle/Clutch extension cable 300mm
• Throttle/Clutch extension cable 400mm
• Performance grease (2 ml)
• M6x20 bolt (x8)
• M6 Slot nut (x8)
• Washer (x8)
• M6 Hex nut (x8)
• Elastomer
  • Extra-Soft, Extra
  • Soft, Extra
  • Medium, Extra
  • Hard, Preinstalled
  • Extra-Hard, Extra
• Long g travel elastomer guide
• Allen Key, 3mm
• Allen key, 5mm
• Throttle Spring
  • Medium, Preinstalled
  • Soft, Extra

Specs

The technical data specified by Asetek are listed below:

Compatibility

Like all products in the Asetek line-up, the Invicta S series pedals are designed exclusively for use on a PC. The pedals are connected either directly to the PC using one of the two USB cables supplied (USB-A and USB-C) or, for example, to one of the rear ports of one of the manufacturer’s wheel bases.

In addition to the two pedals tested here (throttle and brake), the optional Invicta clutch pedal can also be connected, for which a connection cable is also included in the scope of delivery.

Mounting

Unlike the regular Invicta pedals that we have already tested (review), the pedals can be mounted individually, although they are also equipped with an integrated footrest. This sets them apart from most other pedals or pedal sets on the market, which are either sold as individual pedals without a footrest or as a complete set.

The individual pedals of the Invicta S series can be attached to the rig with four M6 screws each, whereby both aluminium profiles (sliding blocks are included) and conventional pedal plates (older rigs without direct compatibility may require additional holes to be drilled) pose no problem. Pedals mounted on aluminium profiles can be moved sideways in relation to each other, but not individually closer or further away from the rider.

Before the pedals are mounted on the rig, they should be connected to each other. This is done with one of the two 300 or 400 mm long connecting cables, which are plugged into the underside of the pedals. In principle, inverted mounting is also possible, but extensions must then be used.

Pedals

This review focuses primarily on the differences between the revised second version of the Invicta pedals and the previous model. The design language has basically been retained, but some minor changes have been made, such as the now much more eye-catching Invicta lettering on the heel support and the additional usable second pivot point on the pedal arms. Both pedals can still be easily adjusted in angle by turning the front orange screw in the desired direction according to the instructions.

Brake

The main difference to the first generation of Invicta pedals is the design of the integrated hydraulic brake cylinder, which, like its predecessor, was realised as a two-stage system in order to simulate a real brake as closely as possible. In the first stage, the elastomer used inside is compressed until the aluminium guides installed inside the elastomer come into contact with each other. This results in the second phase, in which the brake pedal does not travel any further apart from the flex of the pedal arm or the rig. Thanks to the two different lengths of the aluminium guides, the maximum pedal travel (until the second stage is reached) can now be set to up to 42 millimetres (comparison – Invicta V1 pedals: 25 millimetres, with Long Travel Kit: 35 millimetres), which makes the pedals significantly more versatile and also enables the use of softer elastomers. In line with this, the pedals can now also be ridden much softer if required by moving the pivot point to the lower position. Thanks to the stronger leverage, significantly less pedal pressure is then required to reach the second stage, regardless of the elastomer used. This means that the pedals are no longer exclusively suitable for hardcore racers, but are of interest to a broader target group.

In combination with the hard elastomers, however, the brake is still designed for a braking pressure of up to 100 bar (equivalent to 185 kilos measured at the pedal plate) and can therefore be used in all racing classes up to formula cars.

In addition, the system designated by Asetek as T.H.O.R.P. II now also has a hydraulic port, which is currently still simply permanently bridged. According to Asetek, it should be possible to install an ABS system here in the future, as it is usually used in a real racing car.

Elastomers

In addition to the pre-installed orange elastomer, Asetek now supplies four other elastomers, making the previously required additional elastomer kit superfluous:

The elastomers can be replaced in a few simple steps. All you have to do is loosen the large orange aluminium nut and remove the inserted elastomer (tip: if you then press lightly on the pedal with your hand, the elastomer can be removed more easily as it is pushed forwards). Asetek itself recommends the following combinations:

• Formula, LMP, and similar cars: Extra Hard or Hard
• Rally, Nascar, and GT: Hard or Medium
• Road cars: Soft or Extra Soft

The pressure required to reach the second stage of the pedals depends on the elastomer used. A softer elastomer requires less pedal pressure. A distinction must also be made as to whether a short or long pedal stroke is selected. In the latter case, the elastomer must be compressed more in order to reach the second stage, which means that more pressure is required. A third factor is the selected pivot point on the pedal. You should therefore take your time and try out different combinations until you have found a setting that suits your own driving style or the vehicle you have chosen. A table from the manufacturer showing which combination requires which pedal pressure in practice would be helpful here. For example, with the yellow elastomer, upper pivot point and the Long Travel setting, you need approx. 40 bar to reach the second stage.

Throttle

The throttle pedal of the second generation of Invicta pedals is virtually unchanged from its predecessor. It continues to rely on a non-contact Hall sensor and is supplied with the harder of the two springs pre-installed. In addition to the aforementioned adjustment of the starting angle, the preload, which influences the initial pedal feel, and the end stop can also be adjusted without tools. The latter is still a metal-to-metal contact. This is very precise in practice, but also extremely loud. If you want the pedals to be at least halfway suitable for use in a living room, you should definitely consider a damper..

Thanks to the built-in ball bearings, the pedals are very smooth-running and are among the best that the simracing market currently has to offer. Apart from a few test laps, only the harder of the two springs with the standard preload was used in the test.

Pedal Plates

When it comes to the pedal plates used, opinions will again differ greatly. Asetek continues to use extremely sharp-edged plates, which offer excellent grip but at the same time act like a cheese grater. They can only be used sensibly with shoes, sock riders will probably not be able to make friends with the plates and should order the alternative Forte pedal plates (approx. 39€).

RGB-LEDs

Both pedals have an RGB LED strip under the heel rest, which can be adjusted both statically and dynamically. The following effects can be displayed here

• Flaggen
• ABS / Lockup
• Device Input (Throttle / Brake)
• ESP
• TC

Of course, this is primarily a gimmick while driving, as the pedals are outside the field of vision. However, waved flags, for example, can be seen out of the corner of the eye, especially in a dark room.

You can also choose between different idle modes or switch off the lighting completely.

Materials

In terms of material selection and workmanship, the pedals are of a very high standard and clearly stand out from most of the competition. The surfaces are carefully finished and the all-aluminium pedal arms in particular look very elegant in combination with the orange and silver accents.

Software

To operate the pedals, Asetek uses the software Racehub to manage the pedals. The following settings can be made:

• Calibration: Here you can set the required pedal pressure (displayed in bar). You can also set up dead zones. In addition, you can import and export pedal profiles here.
• Pedal maps: If you want to change the characteristics of the pedal, you can freely configure the pedal curves for both pedals separately here
• LED configuration: Static colours, assists, flags, brightness, idle mode

Overall, the software is very organised and therefore very easy and intuitive to use. Only the selection of different profiles directly in the software without the need to import or export them would improve the user-friendliness even further.

Modding

As with the first version, there is also 3D-printed damping for the loud end stop of the throttle pedal:

Driving impression

Conclusion

Asetek shines with the Invicta S-Series T.H.O.R.P. II pedals, cleverly answering the community’s call for extended brake pedal travel. The redesigned brake cylinder now offers far more configuration options and is much more comfortable to adjust. The pedals also feature RGB lighting that can be synchronised with in-game telemetry, and the same high-quality materials as before. Combined with the wide range of elastomers included in the kit, users get a premium pedal set that is one of the best on the market for non-active pedals. With the forthcoming ABS module, its appeal could be even greater.

All in all, the Invicta S-Series T.H.O.R.P. II pedals are a strong recommendation, although at around 1000 Euros they are certainly not a cheap option.

5% Asetek Gutscheincode / Coupon code: simracingpc