Tabletennis11 rubber testing reviews

ttping85: I trust your judgement - I've tried JP02 and RG at different times (on the same blade but not simultaneously).

slevin wrote: ttping85: I trust your judgement - I've tried JP02 and RG at different times (on the same blade but not simultaneously). How is Xiom OVE speed v/s JP02 & RG according to you?

Rich215, we're waiting eagerly for your review - especially after your recent decision to try trade for Rasant Grip sheets in the 'For Sale' section! :)

slevin wrote: Rich215, we're waiting eagerly for your review - especially after your recent decision to try trade for Rasant Grip sheets in the 'For Sale' section! :)

Yes,  I have been waiting to find another rubber to take over for my beloved Rakza 7 rubbers.  Since I use the soft version of the R7's.....I have been looking for a replacement that has a lower throw and slightly stiffer sponge..with a soft top sheet.  I use the regular R7 from time to time too, but find it too stiff or fast on many of my touch or short play.  The quick test the other night let me instantly to feel as the Rasant Grip just maybe exactly what I have been looking for. 

Tonight I will be playing at my normal club and have the change to play many matches.  I will be able to get a clear idea of this rubber after this.  I just new the Xiom rubbers were not what I was looking for instantly after hitting with them.  I got used to the higher rebound/bounce from the R7s and T05FX sponges.  The Xiom rubbers just lacked in that dept for me, and the regular R7 with the stiffer sponge was a bit too much. The topsheet on the T05fx just felt too stiff and throw was too high. 

Look for my review tomorrow sometime as I wont be home until very late this evening. 




Edited by Rich215 - 07/01/2015 at 12:14pm

Ok here are my opinions after the short test period of the Rasant Grip rubber. 

I usded it with my Juic SB Alpha blade with Rakza 7 soft 2.0 for first quick test.  Then the second full club night i used it with a regular Rakza 7 2.0 on the other side.  Big difference in testing with these 2 rubbers. 

First test- Rasant Grip with Rakza 7 Soft

Using the R7 soft the two rubbers were fairly comparable.  The Rasant Grip did bottom out fairly easy for me though.  Pushing was better with the R7S as i could not get as much backspin or more accurate placement with the RG.  The RG also had a tendency to leave my pushes well to high in comparison. 

Looping and hitting were closer in performance, though the RG has a softer feel than the R7S probably because of the top sheet difference in firmness/softness. But they were fairly close and twiddling back and forth during warm up FH counters did not leave me with a feeling that the 2 rubbers were much different in performance and feel for the most part.  It was hard for me to make
a decision when playing games which rubber suited my FH or BH with these 2 choices. 

Service return was probably the biggest factor in figuring out which one worked better for me.  I could get along with either on the FH side and adjust easily there.  But the service return really was had to adjust with the Rasant Grip.  The balls tended to have less control for me and harder to put backspin on the ball with various amounts and placement. 



Second Test with good level match play-  Rasant Grip vs Rakza 7 regular. 

Big difference here!    Not as comparable rubbers as using the soft R7. 

First off while warm up countering on FH couple steps off the table......R7 is way faster and loads more spin easyer.  I had to adjust stroke and be more aggressive to put a good amount of topspin using the Rasant Grip in comparison.  But the RG bottoms out fairly easily.  RG feels close to Xiom OV Europe to me. 

Also the throw angle of RG vs R7 was vastly different.  With the slightly harder sponge and slightly stiffer top sheet on the R7......throw angle is much much lower and my loops are way faster and more deadly because of this.  Though brush looping with the Rasant Grip was not hard and gave good results. 

During my matches I twiddled a lot and it was easy to see the R7 was the better FH rubber with this setup.  Though I found myself twiddling to return aggressive serves with the R7 more than the RG because I could keep the ball much lower. 

Now I am wondering if there is a Rasant variant with the same top sheet but slightly stiffer sponge? 

Also,  i wish the TT11 review rubbers would of all got measured and weighed prior to being cut and used. That would of been really helpful for the ones with info not easily found.

This Rasant Grip test rubber cut is  156x150 at 46gm.   I am also wondering about the "lastability"  of sponge used for the Rasant Grip.  This test rubbers edges look like it crumbles easily, or it was put on several diff blades prior to my use? 

Thanks so much for Tabletennis11 for the chance to test rubbers! 

slevin,

on regards to throw angle of Rasant Grip.

R7 regular is lower to me, the soft version of R7 is maybe slightly higher than Rasant grip...

I would have to play with Rasant Grip on both sides for about a month to adjust and give a total view on this throw height comparison with the soft R7.  But regular R7 is much lower for me. 

PPH’s TIBHAR EVOLUTION MX-S Rubber Review

Introduction: The Evolution Series from Tibhar has been out for over 2 years now.  Many Pros have begun to use this line.  During Camera close up shots of their rubbers, we don’t see those infamous Moth logos as much as we used to.  MX-S has just been released recently, it’s claimed to be a Plastic Ball “approved” rubber.  Even tho I don’t buy into this hype, having played with plastic balls almost exclusively for almost a full year, I have to reluctantly agree that the rubbers released before the plastic balls are not as proficient.  Slippages happen quite often especially with those rubbers that spins on sponge penetration.  MX-S is the hardest version of the Evolution series.  From appearance, it looks exactly like the Evolution Series other than smaller pore sponge.  The topsheet is medium hard, has more grip than MX-P.  However, texture of topsheet looks smoother & less grainy like MX-P.  I believe it’s smaller pore sponge that is causing this slight change of topsheet appearance.  MX-P has Medium Hardish sponge (~46° ESN Scale), so I assume that MX-S is about a 47.5°.  Glued this rubber as my RPB on my reliable Ludeack Power Mod Cpen with Non Neo TG2.  Rubber is super heavy at ~55grs, dimension is ~ 158x152mm.   

In-Action Sessions: Upon hitting with the setup, I felt in love right away.  The throw is perfect (IMO Medium low), I stay close to the table for RPB.  T05 has a super high throw which doesn’t really accommodate my stroke on BH, but it does have that “Spring Kick”.  MX-S is fairly similar to MX-P whereas MX-P is a hair bouncier.   I can feel the topsheet is providing superb grip to the plastic balls.  Blocking was so easy on my BH wing, not too bouncy, but not dead either like those loose feeling Chinese “Tensors”…  Aurus Sound was excellent at RPB countering hits off loops, but MX-S was surprisingly accurate & deadly as well.  One big notable difference between this & others such as (Aurus Sound, Vega Japan, Sigma II Pro/Euro, & Tenergy) is the over the table flicks.  Those are unforgiving when just a bit out of position cause the ball bounces out of the rubber quicker.  The grip of MX-S has made this part of my game even more dangerous, the ball would still land with spin even when not entirely in the right position.  It just felt right at home, I can open with RPB flicks with a lot of confidence which I don’t get with T05 sometimes.   So stepping a few feet back, the throw changes with my stroke, now it became Mediumish…I didn’t overshoot cause a harder/faster stroke causes the ball to dip more.  MX-S is faster than T05 & MX-P on top gears.  First match Set against a ~1950 BH player.  I can counter BH to BH with him, & the flicks have given me advantage to attack first.  Second set against a ~2150-2200 two winger, usually he would jam me with heavy topspin to my BH, and just spray the ball over the table on his next shots.  MX-S was very stable, & was able to counter block him out of position.  RPB openings also gave me fits.  I was able to hold on & beat him in the fifth.  His Tenergies slipped a lot, just as much as my TG2 since the room was very humid.  MX-S was superb, & outdueling them.  Then later against a ~2200 unorthodox allaround, weird BH player.  He has the best “weird but amazing” counter smashing game on both wings.   I have always had problem playing him cause he has backhand serves which come deep towards my BH with much variation.  I have recently focused more on better game strategy, & was able to receive decently with MX-S.  My RPB was just on fire: counter looping/smashing/hitting pretty well & gave the crowd some awing highlights.  I lost to him in the fifth set even when 10-8 up.   I came back for another set later against him, was down 0-2, & made a huge comeback, & beat him in the fifth.  Unfortunately, I didn’t record these matches.  However, do have some footages from my other sessions to be posted…

Summary: Brush looping, blocking & counters are huge parts of my RPB game which sets up my FH.  MX-S can do all of those things really well except when going away like 3-4ft back.  I have to spin my way back into position.  It plays perfectly for me at close distance, even tho I don’t (try not to) go far that often anymore.  The surprising thing was that this is a max thickness, & I didn’t notice on being uncontrollable on any types of shots.  One thing I worry is the weight of the rubber.  I flipped it occasionally during practice on FH, & it’s pretty spinny.  It’s missing the some speed on out of position strokes on my BH.  I will try this rubber with my handshake ST VIS-A FH & update review after this week.   

Overall: I would definitely invest in this rubber as my “FAV” BH, but might need to get a 1.8/1.9.  Despite not playing with my Ludeack Power in a long while, I was able to produce some amazing results.  This is the type of euphoria that we as TT players look for: A blade or rubbers that give us the confidence to hit the ball our way & still score the point. 

See comparison below:   Abbreviation below are: S2E – Sigma2Euro, S2P – Sigma2Pro, H – High throw, M – Medium throw, MH – Medium High throw.  All these are used on RPB.

Speed (Max Gear): S2E ≥ S2P = T05 = MX-P ≥ MX-S > Aurus Sound

Spin (Kick off first bounce, Throw): T05(H)  ≥ MX-S (M) ≥ MX-P/S2P (MH) > Aurus Sound (M) = S2E (H)

Medium Gear:  S2E > Aurus Sound ≥ T05 =S2P =MX-P = MX-S

Feel: MX-S ≥ MX-P = S2P > T05 ≥ Aurus Sound ≥ S2E

Weight:  MX-S > MX-P = S2P > S2E > T05 > Aurus Sound

Reviewer Credentials: 1900USATT rated, Penholder, 2 wings, Blade: Various 5ply Woods, 7ply Woods, ZX, VIS-A/L.  Preferred Rubbers - FH: Tacky hard sponge, BH: Euro Medium/MS sponge.  (Play Handshake ~1600), 

 

PPH’s XIOM SIGMA 2 EURO Rubber Review

Introduction: The Sigma 2 series was fairly popular cause the ease in producing high spins & have excellent speed.  I played better with S2P than S2E on my RPB with the cell balls.  I am testing S2E again with the plastic balls & see if it will play better vs celluloid.  Glued this rubber as my RPB on my Ludeack Power after tested MX-S.  Rubber is also very heavy at ~55grs, dimension is ~ 158x152mm.  Medium-Softish Topsheet with Medium sponge.  Topsheet not as grippy as the newest generation rubbers such as MX-S/Acuda Ps/Joola Ps,etc.  By bouncing the ball lightly on the rubber, I can feel the ball impacts thru the topsheet & engages into the sponge.  From just spinning the ball on the rubber, it seems that there will be gripping issues, especially in humid environment.  It was very hard for me to graze the ball & produce spin at the same time, sometimes it just comes out as a no-spin floater. 

In-Action Sessions: The rubber does indeed plays softer than its physical characteristics.  It feels like it bottoms out on blocking hard topspins, & driving from RPB.  For a fast & bouncy rubber, the bottoming out effect actually helps to control the speed.  Despite the semi grippiness, it didn’t affect my confidence in opening with RPB especially against underspin.  Smashing, Blocking/Counter blocking is the bread n butter of this rubber at the table, but medium distance looping is among the best over other rubbers.  Don’t get me wrong this rubber can spin better than most rubbers out ATM, counter top spins are more difficult for me to perform cause of the throw & bounciness.  Perhaps it will work even better for players with different stroke & game than me=S.  It sounds pretty loud.  Over the table flicks are not bad, generates a lot of pace. 

Summary: The strengths of this rubber IMO, is the counter blocking, blocking, & medium distance play.  To my surprise, I was able to play at my level pretty well with S2E.  Barely had any slippages with the 2 sessions I had.  This will definitely be one of those rubbers on my list if I need a replacement, something that I would have never think about if it wasn't for Slevin & TT11's testings.  Thank you!

Overall: The comparison is above in the MX-S review…

Reviewer Credentials: Listed in MX-S review…

Vid

Upated 7/21

PPH’s JOOLA MAXXX-P 42.5 Rubber Review

Introduction: Got this courtesy of TT11 & Slevin as well.   Joola came out with 2 new rubbers that is Plastic “ready”.  MAXXX-P & Rhyzm-P.  I have not played with much Joola rubbers other than seeing a lot of reviews regards to Rhyzm.  I have played with Express One, which was a great rubber, but durability is crap=(.  A 1950 player here plays with Energy Extra with TB ZLC, I hated it when I tried it.  From appearance, Maxxx-P looks a lot like Acuda Series.  Topsheet is medium hard, and has a grainy look with likes of those Stiga Tour Series.  Prints Made in Germany.  Yellow sponge is tiny & porous.  It’s said to have 42.5 ESN hardness.  It feels harder when pressing fingers thru, this might be from the medium hard topsheet.  Not as grippy as the Evolution Series, but more than original Acuda Series.  The rubber is fairly light & shrunk already since other members have already tested it.  Dimensions at 152x149mm – 45grs, it will fit into my Yasaka G5 RPB.  By just bouncing the ball on the rubber, it produces a good tensor bounce (not overly bouncy), however doesn’t generate as much spin unless I hit harder into the sponge.  It has a numb feeling to me, whereas something like S2E is bouncy as well, but I feel like I can control the ball. 

In-Action Sessions: Was able to practice with a ~2400 player on my first session.  I focused mainly on my FH during this practice & counters with FH.  I did flip when doing blocking drills with Maxxx-P as the player prefers faster pace than my VlonS on FH.  It generates a lot of speed in countering, but still lacks some spin.  I’ve also tried FH topspins & found that this rubber has a flatter arc then S2E.  I had to hit thru the topsheet to get the ball to arc more.  When doing transition drills from FH back to BH, I had to put extra effort in BH which also reduces my recovery time for FH.  A few times that I was in position, I whipped the ball pass thru him even tho the ball was low.    Blocking is pretty good, as well as counters.  However, I believe a less bouncy & better hand feeling blade will accommodate this rubber just fine!  I will throw it onto my VIS-A with MX-S to test once I have a few more sessions in RPB. 

Summary: I tested for about 30mins on my VIS-A Handshake and find it more suitable for handshake, it can do everything good, lifting underspins, blocking, looping from mid distance.  Since my handshake backhand can produce more powerful shots, this rubber plays entirely different than on my RPB.  I believe the strength of this rubber is generated from the player, and I would recommend this as a FH rubber despite reading the 42.5 hardness scale.  It would be a great backhand rubber for those with a strong wrist & excellent BH game as well.   From G5 to VIS-A, it seems that this rubber has a low throw.  

Overall: The comparison is above in the MX-S review (Updated)…

Reviewer Credentials: Listed in MX-S review…

See comparison below:   Abbreviation below are: S2E – Sigma2Euro, S2P – Sigma2Pro, H – High throw, M – Medium throw, MH – Medium High throw.  All these are used on RPB.

Speed (Max Gear): S2E ≥ S2P = T05 = MX-P ≥ MX-S > Aurus Sound = MaxxP

Spin (Kick off first bounce, Throw): T05(H)  ≥ MX-S (M) ≥ MX-P/S2P (MH) > Aurus Sound (M) = S2E (H) > MaxxP(L)

Medium Gear:  S2E > Aurus Sound ≥ T05 =S2P =MX-P = MX-S = MaxxP

Feel: MX-S ≥ MX-P = S2P > T05 ≥ Aurus Sound ≥ S2E > MaxxP

Weight:  MX-S > MX-P = S2P > S2E > T05 > MaxxP > Aurus Sound 

I have vids, still editing...

Edited by PingPongHolic10 - 07/22/2015 at 11:34pm

slevin wrote: Thanks for the reviews everyone! BTW, NextLevel has posted his final thoughts on MX-P & M1T by updating his earlier post (see few posts prior to this one)

I wanna know how you lay the SMACK down on BH wing with it... :D

NextLevel wrote: slevin wrote: Thanks for the reviews everyone! BTW, NextLevel has posted his final thoughts on MX-P & M1T by updating his earlier post (see few posts prior to this one) Thanks, slevin.  I think of MX-P as a harder sponge T80 in many respects.  M1T is good, but I am not 100% on who would like that kind of thing because the level of hand speed required to use it would support a more active short game, IMO.

Thanks for your review NL.

Which one between MX-S and MX-P would you recommend for a passive BH which consists of mostly blocks+drives+pushes+control on serve returns???

unstopabl3 wrote: NextLevel wrote: slevin wrote: Thanks for the reviews everyone! BTW, NextLevel has posted his final thoughts on MX-P & M1T by updating his earlier post (see few posts prior to this one) Thanks, slevin.  I think of MX-P as a harder sponge T80 in many respects.  M1T is good, but I am not 100% on who would like that kind of thing because the level of hand speed required to use it would support a more active short game, IMO. Thanks for your review NL. Which one between MX-S and MX-P would you recommend for a passive BH which consists of mostly blocks+drives+pushes+control on serve returns???

slevin wrote: Review: Yasaka Rakza X Soft Tested: Red, max sheet Hardness: 42.5 degrees Dimensions: 169 x 170mm Weight: 68g To me, this is a very interesting medium-soft rubber. This is because most of the newer medium-soft rubbers have soft / grippy topsheets (Bluefire JP02, Rasant Grip, Joola Maxxx P, Omega V Europe, etc). This one has a hard / grippy topsheet. The advantages of this are (a) better linearity in spin delivery (b) better synergy with sponge, and (c) better overall control. Another trait is that it plays harder than it's 42.5 degrees seem to suggest. For example, I felt that it was easier to bottom out the 45 degree Omega V Europe than the RXSoft. Spin is very good and easy to generate. The resultant arc is very tight. Throw is a touch lower than medium and very uniform. Overall, this is the best medium soft rubber I've used so far and pairs with more blades than medium-soft rubbers with soft topsheets would (you'd need harder blades for those).

Thanks for the review, can you tell me please how sensitive it is to incoming spin? And is it easy to generate spiny serves with it?

Let's not put RX Soft in that bunch as it is, well, soft (so, very different from the other 3 in many ways). Of the remaining 3, RX would have the most control in serve receive.

you looking for a fh rubber or bh rubber? and what blade are you planning to use.

unstopabl3 wrote: The thing is I've used R7, R7 Soft and recently RX but just for a couple of weeks before I moved onto Adidas P7. My game has improved a lot as I feel I can loop all day and have great control and consistency. What I feel I'm lacking is power/speed and spin on serves, other than that P7 is great. So would you say MX-P or RX would be a good alternative to P7 after I get used to them?