Good rubbers for lower-end intermediate?

Get a Coppa, mark V or sriver with a primo off- or something like that. And of course both sides same thickness and rubber. Maybe your player will have a better backhand than forehand. Don't limit from the start with a slower rubber on the backhand.

Don't take a tensor or so, they shouldn't learn that half-hearted strokes are enough.

And start with 1.8-2.0, don't make them too slow from the start.

Edited by Fabian1890 - 02/09/2017 at 4:30pm

You can check out 999t which is a 5 dollar tacky Chinese rubber that is slow and consistent. A very linear rubber that rewards full strokes but not as troublesome on the forehand as h3 neo can be (for me)

There is a thread on it about 10 posts down from this one 😁

I've had good luck with LKT Rapid Speed (can be bought on aliexpress for ~12 dollars per sheet shipped).  Very highly rated affordable rubber and often compared as a good alternative to Mark V, very similar playing characteristics and fairly light weight. 

Another good combo that I currently have on 2 of my racquets is Hurricane 3 Neo on the forehand and Focus Snipe 3 on the BH.  Hurricane 3 Neo can be had for around 16 dollars shipped, and Focus 3 snipe can be had for around 10-11 dollars. 

Absolutely do not use any kind of tensor or offensive rubber for beginner or intermediate players as it prevents the learning of using the body and full strokes and cripples learning the short game.