better brakes on G25

So, I got tired of the squishy spring feeling of my g25 brake and started investigating all sorts of crazy replacements and mods including the "perfect pedal", a hydraulic load sensor system for almost $300. Then I heard about AJ's squash ball trick.

Well, when I started to look into this option, I noticed that a squash ball simply won't work under the g25 without seriously screwing it up. So I investigated other options. I removed the spring from the sleeve casing and looked around for something that would work better. I came across a firm, foam-rubber lacrosse ball which I shaved down to match the general shape and size of the spring.

I put the foam core into the sleeve and presto! The brake feels AMAZING.

A little messing around with the brake sensitivity and dead zone in the Logitech software, and it feels remarkably close to a load cell brake.

Plus it only cost me $5.

Can you still reach the dead stop at the end of the pedals travel?

I swapped the spring in mine for a rebound spring from a set of motorcycle forks. This gave about half the pedal travel, however every time I saw God* I would press extra hard on the pedal and this would change the pedals calibration leading to a change in pedal feel on the next corner. If I was to keep this mod I would need to modify the pedals travel somehow so it would come to a dead stop.

*For late braking: Wait until you see God, count to n then brake.

I found the squishy rubber tubing from a diver's spear gun to be pretty good.  Started with a piece about 1.35" and made 3 adjustment using a Dremmel tool and a cut-off wheel to fine tune the length so I reach the bottom on heavy braking.  I got about an 8" piece from a Scuba store for about $12, and still have quite a bit left, be glad to cut you off a slice if you want (it will travel 1st class for the price of a postage stamp.)  This is the best mod I have ever done for my G25, hands down.

Hey Mooner, how do you count to n ??  I seem to have forgotten.

I can get to dead stop, but it takes a lot of pressure. If I could measure it, the resistance curve would be exponential -- It feels an awful lot like the real deal. The best method to calibrate it is to set the sensitivity in the logitech software so that it locks-up at speed when the pedal reaches a resistance level that is almost too much.

I got the opportunity to try out a BRD F1 simulator at Siggraph one year (AJ did as well), and this brake feels easily 80% as good. And those controls run about $2k. 

Concerning brake mods.

While I really like my clubsport pedals, in retrospect I think the value of a load sensor pedal over a well-sprung (modded) positional brake is minor.  I agree with Matt's number (80% of professional):  real-life == 100%, professional controls == 90%, load cell == 80%, modded == 72% (80% of 90%), unmodded consumer == 40-60%,  gamepad == 10%.

If you were to plot the value per dollar, modded pedals would be the easy winner.