CONSPIT 280FR: 280 mm, dual clutch and a 16 October debut

The 280FR has an announced launch date

CONSPIT has announced that the 280FR will launch on Friday 16 October 2026, coinciding with the opening of SimRacing Expo Frankfurt. The brand invites visitors to try it at its D8+9 booth in Hall 12.0 during the show. The announcement sets a date for a steering wheel the company had previously previewed.

The official Chinese product page calls it the 280 FR and positions it for single-seaters, prototypes and competition GT cars. It combines a 280 mm format, an open top and numerous controls within reach of the driver's hands. The technical details below come from that manufacturer page; they are not measurements from an independent test.

280 mm and 1050 g without a quick release or adapter

CONSPIT specifies dimensions of 280 × 170 × 105 mm and a net weight of 1050 g without a quick release or adapter. That distinction matters when comparing assemblies: the chosen mounting system will add its own weight to the wheel.

The construction combines a moulded, contoured 3K prepreg carbon front plate with a cast aluminium alloy body that is CNC-machined at key points. The grips use an aluminium frame covered in silicone. According to the brand, the open top is intended to reduce obstruction of the game's instruments or a separate DDU.

Buttons, encoders and a six-position Dial Matrix

The control layout is one of the most detailed parts of the product page. CONSPIT lists the following components, distinguishing encoder wheels from rotary controls with defined positions:

• 12 RGB-illuminated buttons and two standard buttons.
• Two seven-way switches, or Funky Switches.
• Four encoder wheels for adjustments.
• Four 12-position rotary controls, also configurable as encoders.
• A central six-position Dial Matrix selector.

58 RGB LEDs and a link to the CSD Nano

The Dial Matrix allows users to switch control layers, encoder assignments and macro configurations for the rotary controls. Through CONSPIT Link 2.0, the active position and assignments can be displayed on the CSD Nano, and users can edit function names. The 280 FR has no built-in display: the Nano is an external device offered in specific configurations.

The product page specifies a total of 58 RGB LEDs, including ten rev indicators, the illuminated buttons and lighting for the rotary controls. CONSPIT announces configuration through Link 2.0 and compatibility with SimHub LEDs, with official profiles for rev warnings, flags, vehicle status and customisable telemetry.

Rocker shifting and dual Hall sensor clutch paddles as standard

The shift paddles use a linked rocker mechanism which, according to CONSPIT, allows upshifts and downshifts with one hand. The structure combines cast and CNC-machined aluminium, with magnetic actuation and contactless Hall sensor detection.

The wheel also includes two modular clutch paddles with Hall sensors. The brand documents dual-clutch starts with an adjustable bite point, along with dual-axis and independent-axis modes. The arms are aluminium and the paddle plates are carbon.

ARES or direct USB to a Windows PC

The English product page checked on 17 October explains the ARES connection: an internal USB channel inside the CDP or CDR quick release connects to the front contacts of the wheelbase, removing the need for an external data cable in that configuration. The variant selector identifies CDP and CDR Type-C versions; check the quick release and the contents of the selected variant.

The 280 FR includes a Quick-Con Adapter and coiled cable. Removing the adapter exposes a rear USB Type-C port for direct connection to a Windows PC, using a compatible third-party quick release and mechanical mounting. The documented platform is Windows PC, with CONSPIT Link 2.0 and SimHub for lighting. These sources do not confirm PlayStation or Xbox compatibility; CSD Nano is presented as a separate configuration.

Where to try it at SimRacing Expo

The announcement places 280FR demonstrations at CONSPIT's D8+9 booth in Hall 12.0 of Messe Frankfurt from 16 to 18 October. The organiser lists public opening hours of 10:00 to 18:00 on all three days, in local time, which matches mainland Spain. The brand does not specify a time in this message for activating Friday's launch.

What remains unconfirmed for European buyers

The official English-language store lists the 280 FR at USD 349, excluding tax, with shipping calculated at checkout. The view checked on 17 October, which describes shipping from California within the United States, shows Restocking and disables US purchasing. This is a reference for that regional storefront, not a final price for Spain; CDP and CDR quick releases are listed as separate options.

At the time of this update, we have not confirmed a European retail price in euros, its VAT treatment or a dispatch date for Spain. The announced launch date of 16 October does not, by itself, establish immediate stock or a specific delivery date. On 17 October we also checked the complete English technical page, which now details materials, controls and connections alongside the Chinese version.

We will update this article when CONSPIT publishes European commercial terms or changes relevant details. In the meantime, the weights, materials and functions are attributed to the manufacturer, and the images are official promotional material for the product.