Chinese Cheap rubber Vs Expensive rubbers

What you guys' opinion about cheap rubbers from RITC Friendship 729, Gambler etc... Do they have quality?

The prices are often not reflected in the quality, and it varies from brand to brand, and even rubber to rubber... Can't make a general statement about it, it depends on which specific rubber.

I am currently using SST God-Favored and I am satisfied with the quality and performance.  I have not found any sheet that suits my fh loop better than SST GF.  And the chinese type sponges hold the glue effect longer than japanese type sponges. 
I was using Focus II before this and the quality was good.

Previously I used HII and H III which had good enough quality, but there was sometimes differences in sponge hardness from batch top batch. 

What I have noticed is that the top sheet on Chinese type rubber shows wear more quickly than a Mendo MP or Mark V top sheet.  This does not necessarily mean the top sheet is worn out as soon as it begins to show signs of wear.  But I can see how some folks would associate the worn look with lower quality.

I have also used 729 SP and 802-40 with 35 degree sponge, both good sheets, and the 802-40 was as good as any spinny pips out sheet I have tried from any company.

cost? nah doesnt matter rlly, my 729 transcend is kicking butt on my bh

I have  tried H3, H2, Inspirit, 729 series, they are all very good if you get used to them.  I also tried 999t1, it was a $4 rubber, but with a fast blade, it works very well.  All those rubbers are very good for close to table attack or loop, and can also produce tons of spin.  plus that they last much longer than the many times expensive rubbers, i v seen friends have the same sheet for 2 years by playing on a weekly bases and still working well for them (BTW they dont glue)

i agree with all you guys ... i was kidding with varghese's question.

absolutely ... and i also believe the one rubber thigy too.. since they play only one side ..;)

chinese rubbers are really good for their price

I have found the friendship rubbers to be good quality, globe and palio also.I would not buy euro or japanese rubbers any more. total rip off, mind u they are a lot cheaper in the u.s than europe.
There are lots of grippy or half tacky soft/medium sponge rubbers made by chinese manufacturers now so its relatively easy to find what you want without shelling out on an expensive jap or euro rubber.

varghesep wrote: I can understand the fact that a lot of stuff we buy in the US has �Made In China� tag, and can buy for cheap. But that does not mean the Chinese products have the same quality comparing to one made in the US. I was thinking the quality as (1) durability of the top sheet (how long you can use) (2) the speed, spin and control parameters have been measured in the quality lab and it is true as it states (3) the performance being consistent for all the shorts (4) the durability and performance of the sponge. The world top players mostly use Chinese rubbers from companies such as 729, DHS. Are they using the same 729 rubber that we get in the US market or other countries for less than $20? I don�t think so � the players get the high quality rubbers. I think rubbers from companies like Butterfly, Donic or Stiga go through extra process while the Chinese rubbers do not.

Durability of top sheets varies from sheet to sheet.  Sonnex JP lasts me  one week and costs $20+ more than most Chinese sheets which last longer.  Extra process = $20+ more and a shorter life span.

Speed, spin & control are very relative to personal preference.  Lab results don't mean much if the rubber does not perform for you with the strokes you use and the blade you place the sheets on.  Yes, rubber performance is dependent on the blade you mount it on and whether or not you speed glue, and the type of stroke you use.

Sponge durability would go to the Chinese sponges, hands down, imo.  Sponge performance?  I like harder sponges on the fh, Chinese sheets have this, so do Japanese sheets, and harder sponges last longer than soft ones. 
With speed glue I don't find that either type of sponge lasts significantly longer than the other, and this is not really important as so few top sheets out last the sponge, except on some tensor sheets and really soft sponged sheets, which you cannot purchase separately (top sheet and sponge) anyway.

Overall consistent performance?  Not much of an issue with 729, and seemingly less so with DHS.

Top players get high quality rubbers?  This is true with both types, don't be decieved.

All that matters is that you are satisfied with the performance of the sheets you get, and the price you pay.

varghesep wrote: Thanks. Do Chinese companies manufacture soft sponges?

Yes, they do, but I don't currently use them, and can't offer much info about them.  The Gambler six shooter has soft sponge, and the mrs and reactor sponges always felt soft to me.

This might be a good point for one or more of the dealers of such equipment to speak to the point?

Here are some reviews of Chinese type sheets:

http://oneofakindtrading.com.au/new_page_2.htm

i don't even consider any rubbers besides chinese ones since they're so affordable.  and i think technique is much more valuable than equipment, but don't get me wrong, playing with dead rubbers is useless too

I've heard that Stag has a partnership with a company in India. I have used a brand called Nisaku while I was in India, so has not used the brand stag. I will question the quality of rubber in India unless it says "export quality". Like Chinese rubbers, the recreational players need only stag.

"Stiga is swedish and has a reputation for very good quality. I dont know why anyone would say otherwise."


Maybe they speak from experience?

i think is just about the company of the brand, like the items from China is not as gd as japan