Hey everyone, I'm new to the Radical world and just bought a 2022 SR3XX. The steering wheel for the 2022 model year seems to have two different steering wheels. One car had one wheel and the other had different buttons when I was at a shop to take delivery of the car and get a custom seat made. There was a black 2022 SR3XX and it had the wheel with colored buttons, but mine has the one with the black buttons. However, looking back at the pictures taken at the factory, my car had the wheel with colored buttons on it when the car was completed. I'm pretty confused at this point. Does anyone know why there are two wheels and which is the newer wheel? Thanks!
That is interesting, I have never seen one with the black buttons on it. Did you ask the dealer about it? There have been quite a few shortages with Aim lately and I know that in the past when there had been a shortage of steering wheels Radical has put temp wheels on until the correct wheel is available. So your wheel is either a new design or they are having a shortage of wheels and perhaps this is a temporary one.
@charleyhradicalsportscarregistry-com
Interesting. I haven't had a chance to ask the dealer yet as I just noticed this evening when I got back home and realized it while flipping through pictures I took today. The oddest part is that the wheel with the colored buttons was on my car at the factory when it was completed. I'll have to get more information from the dealership on Monday, but nothing was ever said to me.
@drugg1st, Very strange. I am interested to hear what they say. Congratulations on your new car! What chassis is your car? Is it in the Registry yet?
@charleyhradicalsportscarregistry-com
Thanks! It's chassis number 1408, but I didn't add it to the registry yet. I'll let you know when I find out more 👍
Looks like the one on the right with the colored buttons is the new one. It's similar to the wheel on my 2022 SR10 that I picked up last month although mine has a few more buttons and dials. I know the actual buttons can be changed but the icons on the wheel (lights, R, M, etc.) are etched into the wheel.
@clark-darrah thanks Clark. Do you have a picture of your SR10 wheel if it isn't the one with all the colored buttons?
Also, is the wheel you have a temporary wheel and they will be sending you the one with the colored buttons?
My two 2021 SR3 XX have the colored buttons, but my FE2 is the newest wheel and has the black back-lit style. I don't know for a fact which is newer and I don't really think it matters, but the Aim wheel on my FE2 is very nice.
@davidf thanks David. What is a FE2? Sorry, still getting educated on everything Radical. I just want to make sure it's not a sub-par temp wheel due to parts shortage. How are the black buttons compared to the colored ones, any real differences in tactility etc?
What is a FE2?
It is an open wheel race car originally produced by Van Dieman and now produced by SCCA enterprises. About the same performance as an SR3 1500, but lighter at 1050 pounds. I just mentioned it because we bought the most current AIM steering wheel and it had the buttons with symbols on them like your wheel.
How are the black buttons compared to the colored ones, any real differences in tactility etc?
I think not a significant difference, but now that you ask I will pay attention next time I am behind the wheel(s). I never drive the Radical and the FE2 on the same day. The last car I drove was the FE and I noticed that the radio button was easy to find and push. It is nice to be able to find the radio button without looking because that is typically the one you use the most during a race. The half shift button can be safely found by looking for it when stopped.
Both wheels are identical in terms of what they do, shape, size and button format and what each button command is. The only difference is 2020-2021 has colored buttons and the labels to the side or below the button, but in 2022 there has been black ones with the labels in the button themself. This product is an AIM product and not made by Radical so any changes comes from the AIM factory not Radical.
AIM has had some massive global back orders on all products, their back orders has caused the Radical factory to fall a few weeks behind due to cars not being able to get finished with AIM parts missing such as steering wheels, smarty cams, and other sensors.
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How are the black buttons compared to the colored ones, any real differences in tactility etc?
I think not a significant difference, but now that you ask I will pay attention next time I am behind the wheel(s). I never drive the Radical and the FE2 on the same day. The last car I drove was the FE and I noticed that the radio button was easy to find and push. It is nice to be able to find the radio button without looking because that is typically the one you use the most during a race. The half shift button can be safely found by looking for it when stopped.
Great feedback, thanks David!
