New BH rubber (Baracuda replacement)

Roger Stillabower wrote: Tibhar Genius Sound 2mm. & Big Slam

Tibhar Genius Sound 2mm.

let me reiterate. baracuda = adidas P5 & tibhar Genius (both are very identical)

if you want something much more durable and has better power, try Tibhar 5Q power series

Omega IV Asia, Vega Asia or Sigma II pro are very valid alternative.

chroot wrote: Thanks for the info. Haven't used R X. Will give it a try. R X is harder than R7 Soft?

Jerem wrote: Rakza 7 soft all the way! Softer, spinier almost same speed but I think you can generate more power with R7S than with Baracuda. Also R7s has better feel (more natural, non-plastic like nowadays rubbers) :) And it's not expensive! IMO R7S is better bh rubber than most new pieces from ESN for eg. Bluefire, Evolution ect.

Rakza 7 soft all the way! Softer, spinier almost same speed but I think you can generate more power with R7S than with Baracuda. Also R7s has better feel (more natural, non-plastic like nowadays rubbers) :) And it's not expensive! IMO R7S is better bh rubber than most new pieces from ESN for eg. Bluefire, Evolution ect.

assiduous wrote: Tenergy 05 max (not FX) is your best choice if you want similar but better. Bite the bullet and pay the price. It lasts twice as long anyway.

+1 I recently switched from Barracuda to T05 (I actually played with T05 before the Barracuda too). It's the closest rubber I've found; in fact, I can switch between paddles in the same practice session with minimal adjustment. It's just a little more powerful.

If you can't find a good replacement, then stick with Barracuda. Just because it's not new doesn't mean it's not a great rubber.

NextLevel wrote: People who don't like T05 as a BH rubber need to review their technique and stop blaming the rubber.

singody wrote: Rasant Grip is great choice, the only problem is that it is quite heavy as most of forehand rubbers. If you do not care about the weight, go Rasant grip. Or, P7, but P7 is really pricey IMO.

Grip 1.7 and 1.9 are quite usable in my experience.

Rasant Grip is great choice, the only problem is that it is quite heavy as most of forehand rubbers. If you do not care about the weight, go Rasant grip. Or, P7, but P7 is really pricey IMO.

Try vega pro, has harder sponge than baracuda but softer topsheet and the feel is amazing.

Edited by adishorul - 10/24/2014 at 2:14pm

NextLevel wrote: People who don't like T05 as a BH rubber need to review their technique and stop blaming the rubber.

Some of you probably haven't seen my signature... I have tuned T05 on my FH. After 1 layer it's now faster, softer and more controllable, but it's still harder to play with on BH than Baracuda.

Edited by carbon136 - 10/24/2014 at 10:53am

assiduous wrote: I have never touched a XIOM rubber, and I have played with almost all of them, that feels jumpy or lively as japanese rubbers. Baracuda is not a jap either, but its pretty springy. I don't mean to say Xiom rubbers are not good, they have good grip, good control and good power, but the feeling is different. I kind of like XIOM for FH, but for BH you may want something livelier.  Tenergy 05 max (not FX) is your best choice if you want similar but better. Bite the bullet and pay the price. It lasts twice as long anyway.

Sure, T05 is one of the best rubbers available. But it's a little too hard, bouncy & heavy as a BH rubber. Most people use it on the FH.