Adidas Challenge Speed Blade Review
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Topic: Adidas Challenge Speed Blade Review
Posted By: yogi_bear
Subject: Adidas Challenge Speed Blade Review
Date Posted: 11/12/2011 at 9:30am
Got myself a new blade from Adidas. I was very excited with this one because this is a 7 ply all wood blade. The blade is very beautiful to behold. Unlike the other adidas blades which i have tried, this is stands out aesthetically. the handle was beautiful designed and very comfortable to the hand. The handle is smooth, its narrower compared to its fibertec brothers but still very good to hold and its smooth. The handle is almost as big as the butterfly ALC or ZLC blades.  The blade is a 7 ply all wood blade with the following specifications: weight: 85 grams thickness: 6.7mm blade size: 157x150cm wood plies: limba-ayous-ayous-ayous(thicker central core)-ayous-ayous-limba Rubbers used: Joola Samba+ 2.2mm black, LKT Rapid Sound Black Max, Adidas P3 2.0mm  The blade feels very good as i did my fh-fh and bh-bh drills. The Joola Samba+ was very bouncy on the Challenge Speed but I was surprised with the amount of control. This is a very promising blade since compared to stiga clipper cr this blade is: Speed - Adidas Challenge Speed > Stiga Clipper Cr The Challenge Speed is indeed faster than the clipper cr with a bit more solidity on the shots. Speed is lesser than the Ebenholz 7 or Rosewood 7 but you can still do power shots with speed of almost a fast carbon blade depending on your skill level. Adidas is right in labeling this blade as OFF+ but its control is like its an OFF- blade. Weight - Adidas Challenge Speed < Stiga Clipper Cr The Challenge Speed is not head heavy and feels like the 92gm blade is an 88gm blade. This blade is fairly balanced. Having a thinner construction helps the challenge speed reduce its weight. Control - Adidas Challenge Speed = Stiga Clipper Cr Both have good feel and outstanding control on the ball with the clipper cr inclined more on looping while adidas challenge speed is on loop drives and power shots. Far from the table, the adidas blade outshines the clipper cr. The amount of vibration is minimal. The blade has good feel and it greatly helps the player control the ball especially on power shots. Looping is not a problem with this blade since it gives enough dwell time on the ball. It is compatible with both chinese and euro/jpn rubbers since I tested it with 3 rubbers. All in all im very impressed with the challenge speed and among the adidas blades that i have now this is a gem. I would recommend this to intermediate up to the level of the pros since this is a very good blade. Also, i didnt have any problems using soft, medium soft and hard rubbers on this blade but i think this baldes go well with medium soft rubbers and hard chinese rubbers. Tenzone, P3 and Tenzone SF go well with this blade  ------------- Independent online TT Product reviewer of XIOM, STIGA, JOOLA, SANWEI, GEWO, AIR, ITC, APEX, YASAKA and ABROS ITTF Level 1 Coaching Course Conductor, ITTF Level 1 Coach |
Replies:
Posted By: vic#74
Date Posted: 11/12/2011 at 1:02pm
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Thnx again Yogi! This limba outer looks unusual to me. It does differ from my MJ&Latika. ------------- ITC Premier XR Nittaku Sieger Pk50 Tibhar Evolution EL-S |
Posted By: AMonteiro
Date Posted: 11/12/2011 at 1:18pm
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Its specs are very close to BTY Sk7. Should be a good blade.
------------- Dynaryz AGR /Yasaka Goiabao 5 / Dynaryz AGR |
Posted By: mg
Date Posted: 11/12/2011 at 1:41pm
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Nice, may I ask where did you buy it, haven't seen it yet. ------------- My feedback: http://www.mytabletennis.net/forum/forum_posts.asp?TID=47297&title=mg-feedback |
Posted By: yogi_bear
Date Posted: 11/12/2011 at 6:10pm
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mg, adidas sent the items to me to get a review from average players. AMonteiro, I have tried sk7 and its different from challenge speed. I think it feels closer to a Timo Boll W7 but not as hard and heavy ------------- Independent online TT Product reviewer of XIOM, STIGA, JOOLA, SANWEI, GEWO, AIR, ITC, APEX, YASAKA and ABROS ITTF Level 1 Coaching Course Conductor, ITTF Level 1 Coach |
Posted By: mg
Date Posted: 11/12/2011 at 8:05pm
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OK thanks I hope they will start selling it soon:) ------------- My feedback: http://www.mytabletennis.net/forum/forum_posts.asp?TID=47297&title=mg-feedback |
Posted By: yogi_bear
Date Posted: 11/13/2011 at 2:18am
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i think there are online stores selling the tenzones already and so is the challenger speed. ------------- Independent online TT Product reviewer of XIOM, STIGA, JOOLA, SANWEI, GEWO, AIR, ITC, APEX, YASAKA and ABROS ITTF Level 1 Coaching Course Conductor, ITTF Level 1 Coach |
Posted By: icontek
Date Posted: 11/13/2011 at 10:06am
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Yogi - excited that you played with Samba+. If you get a chance, run a search for samba+ review and add your thoughts about this anticipated rubber! ------------- http://bit.ly/vLMhuB" rel="nofollow - - RC1042 . OSP Virtuoso AC: PK50 + R42 |
Posted By: ping gog
Date Posted: 11/13/2011 at 1:05pm
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so do the samba feels good ------------- ping gog |
Posted By: mg
Date Posted: 11/13/2011 at 5:19pm
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Well Tenzone is everywhere here but not this blade... ------------- My feedback: http://www.mytabletennis.net/forum/forum_posts.asp?TID=47297&title=mg-feedback |
Posted By: yogi_bear
Date Posted: 11/13/2011 at 6:04pm
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mg, i forgot this is some sort of a prototype blade but i think they are already under mass production. someone told me that gao ning of singapore likes this and feng tian wei will be shifting to this blade ------------- Independent online TT Product reviewer of XIOM, STIGA, JOOLA, SANWEI, GEWO, AIR, ITC, APEX, YASAKA and ABROS ITTF Level 1 Coaching Course Conductor, ITTF Level 1 Coach |
Posted By: yogi_bear
Date Posted: 11/13/2011 at 6:20pm
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icontek, i did bro. posted on that thread as you requested ------------- Independent online TT Product reviewer of XIOM, STIGA, JOOLA, SANWEI, GEWO, AIR, ITC, APEX, YASAKA and ABROS ITTF Level 1 Coaching Course Conductor, ITTF Level 1 Coach |
Posted By: yogi_bear
Date Posted: 11/13/2011 at 6:24pm
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let me add that the neck of the challenger speed blade is already sanded so its not like stiga's blades that causes you blisters on the hand if you dont sand them down. 2nd day of testing makes me want to hit the blade more but i can feel i still want a bigger handle ------------- Independent online TT Product reviewer of XIOM, STIGA, JOOLA, SANWEI, GEWO, AIR, ITC, APEX, YASAKA and ABROS ITTF Level 1 Coaching Course Conductor, ITTF Level 1 Coach |
Posted By: yogi_bear
Date Posted: 01/10/2012 at 9:41am
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got the production model today. i alread yhave 2 challenge speed blades now one is the protoype and the other is the full scale production model.. here are some pics: the one on the right is the prototype model
      ------------- Independent online TT Product reviewer of XIOM, STIGA, JOOLA, SANWEI, GEWO, AIR, ITC, APEX, YASAKA and ABROS ITTF Level 1 Coaching Course Conductor, ITTF Level 1 Coach |
Posted By: Reiin
Date Posted: 01/10/2012 at 10:52am
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With the badge/logo on the bottom it looks a lot similar to butterfly? Is Adidas and Butterfly involved with each other? ------------- Back to: Timo Boll ALC ST FH: T05 2.1 BH: T25 2.1 Feedback: http://mytabletennis.net/forum/forum_posts.asp?TID=46026&KW=feedback+reiin&PID=571496&title=feedback-reiin#571496 |
Posted By: yogi_bear
Date Posted: 01/10/2012 at 7:21pm
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nope. butterfly does not produce Adidas blades, its from a different company ------------- Independent online TT Product reviewer of XIOM, STIGA, JOOLA, SANWEI, GEWO, AIR, ITC, APEX, YASAKA and ABROS ITTF Level 1 Coaching Course Conductor, ITTF Level 1 Coach |
Posted By: haggisv
Date Posted: 01/10/2012 at 8:34pm
Great looking blade! You take good pics yogi!
I think he means it might be made in the same factory, which may well be true. ------------- Smart; VS>401, Dtecs OX http://tabletennisshop.com.au/index.php?main_page=page&id=42" rel="nofollow - Tenergy Alternatives | http://tabletennis-reviews.com" rel="nofollow - My TT Articles |
yogi_bear wrote:Posted By: bluebucket
Date Posted: 01/10/2012 at 8:45pm
| Right from the first time I saw an Adidas blade I was sure it came from the same place as most Butterfly blades, there are no other two companies with such similar blades |
Posted By: iliketurtles
Date Posted: 01/10/2012 at 9:09pm
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Am I the only person who sees 2 top plies? That means that I see 7 plies. ------------- 1-Ply AH NWC - Butterfly Spin Art - Juic 999 Turbo Tube Carbo - Andro Hexer HD - Donic Acuda S1 Turbo Just waiting for the 999 Turbo... |
Posted By: bluebucket
Date Posted: 01/10/2012 at 9:48pm
I sure hope you would see 7 plies on a 7 ply blade 
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Posted By: yogi_bear
Date Posted: 01/10/2012 at 11:24pm
its a 7 ply blade. haggisv, i know what he means but insider info tells me that its not with the same butterfly company. i know this for sure since im in close contact with the blade designer and rubber designer for adidas. its nice to see though that it gets mistaken witht hte quality finish of butterfly. I only used a canon digital camera, set it to macro and it was due to the camera not me making the pics look good, but thanks heheheh  ------------- Independent online TT Product reviewer of XIOM, STIGA, JOOLA, SANWEI, GEWO, AIR, ITC, APEX, YASAKA and ABROS ITTF Level 1 Coaching Course Conductor, ITTF Level 1 Coach |
Posted By: mg
Date Posted: 01/11/2012 at 7:30am
| Yogi, thanks for the info and the pics, I contacted Adidas, Challenge series will be released in June or July in Europe, they run some test events in the coming months in Germany. If the Speed feels like a W7, it's definitely one for me:) I suppose there will be 3 blades in total, like the other 3 blades series from Adidas, maybe two 5-ply OFF blades in addition to this one:) I hope that in a couple of weeks I will finally be able to test the C500 and V1.5. |
Posted By: yogi_bear
Date Posted: 01/11/2012 at 9:08am
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mg, it feels closer to a clipper wood but with a more solid feel and a balanced blade. the first one that i have posted was the protoype. it was a bit head heavy but Adidas was kind enough to listen to the testers opinion and they modified the hanlde a lil bit. the result was a far better blade and its lighter now. The 2nd challenge speed that i have received weighed only 85 grams, is very balanced but still has the solid shots! 2 days of using this blade and i think im gonna switch to this blade from my ebenholz 7. it has a wider handle now but not as wide the legend flared of stiga. maybe a lil bit narrower than the handle of stiga master flared ------------- Independent online TT Product reviewer of XIOM, STIGA, JOOLA, SANWEI, GEWO, AIR, ITC, APEX, YASAKA and ABROS ITTF Level 1 Coaching Course Conductor, ITTF Level 1 Coach |
Posted By: yogi_bear
Date Posted: 01/11/2012 at 9:53am
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and yes mg it feels similar also to W7 but closer to a clipper wood ------------- Independent online TT Product reviewer of XIOM, STIGA, JOOLA, SANWEI, GEWO, AIR, ITC, APEX, YASAKA and ABROS ITTF Level 1 Coaching Course Conductor, ITTF Level 1 Coach |
Posted By: yogi_bear
Date Posted: 01/12/2012 at 8:53pm
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Decided to stop using my Stiga Ebenholz 7 in favor of the production model Adidas Challenge. Don't get me wrong I love the Ebenholz 7 but the vibration hurts everytime I do a banana flick and its not healthy anymore, it feels like my hand got electricuted because of the bad vibrations. Also, the production model of challenge speed can compete with the solidity of shots produced by the EB7 but I have more control, the blade is more balanced unlike the EB7 which is head heavy and I couldnt use the max versions of Tenzones. The EB7 that I have is 90 grams while the new Adidas Challenge Speed is only 85 grams! The EB7 is still a faster and stiffer blade but I can do things better with the Challenge Speed ------------- Independent online TT Product reviewer of XIOM, STIGA, JOOLA, SANWEI, GEWO, AIR, ITC, APEX, YASAKA and ABROS ITTF Level 1 Coaching Course Conductor, ITTF Level 1 Coach |
Posted By: yogi_bear
Date Posted: 01/16/2012 at 8:53am
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Update on the challenge speed blade: its already available in some parts of China and Korea. It will be released in Japan this march. The retail price suggested for this blade is just $80. ------------- Independent online TT Product reviewer of XIOM, STIGA, JOOLA, SANWEI, GEWO, AIR, ITC, APEX, YASAKA and ABROS ITTF Level 1 Coaching Course Conductor, ITTF Level 1 Coach |
Posted By: SmackDAT
Date Posted: 06/07/2012 at 7:25pm
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Hey, yogi bear, Does the blade work well with P7? Might get it if I hate my Kreanga Aeros. Is 69 euros worth the Challenger Speed? ------------- Zhang Jike ALC AN (88g) Tenergy 05 Hard (2.1, B) Tenergy 19 (2.1, R) https://goo.gl/bFWoxW" rel="nofollow - https://goo.gl/bFWoxW |
Posted By: yogi_bear
Date Posted: 06/07/2012 at 7:43pm
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smackdat, im using the challenge speed with P7 in my forehand and backhand and its really a good blade and set up ------------- Independent online TT Product reviewer of XIOM, STIGA, JOOLA, SANWEI, GEWO, AIR, ITC, APEX, YASAKA and ABROS ITTF Level 1 Coaching Course Conductor, ITTF Level 1 Coach |
Posted By: SmackDAT
Date Posted: 06/08/2012 at 7:25pm
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What do you think would go well on the backhand of Challenger Speed? ------------- Zhang Jike ALC AN (88g) Tenergy 05 Hard (2.1, B) Tenergy 19 (2.1, R) https://goo.gl/bFWoxW" rel="nofollow - https://goo.gl/bFWoxW |
Posted By: yogi_bear
Date Posted: 06/08/2012 at 7:36pm
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P7, P3, Tenzone SF, R4 ------------- Independent online TT Product reviewer of XIOM, STIGA, JOOLA, SANWEI, GEWO, AIR, ITC, APEX, YASAKA and ABROS ITTF Level 1 Coaching Course Conductor, ITTF Level 1 Coach |
Posted By: SmackDAT
Date Posted: 06/09/2012 at 6:05pm
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Would 5q also go well with Challenger Speed? ------------- Zhang Jike ALC AN (88g) Tenergy 05 Hard (2.1, B) Tenergy 19 (2.1, R) https://goo.gl/bFWoxW" rel="nofollow - https://goo.gl/bFWoxW |
Posted By: yogi_bear
Date Posted: 06/09/2012 at 9:03pm
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i find the 5Q very fast on the challenge speed. i had a hard time controlling it at first but eventually did after maybe 3 days of adjustment ------------- Independent online TT Product reviewer of XIOM, STIGA, JOOLA, SANWEI, GEWO, AIR, ITC, APEX, YASAKA and ABROS ITTF Level 1 Coaching Course Conductor, ITTF Level 1 Coach |
Posted By: bbkon
Date Posted: 07/04/2012 at 1:04pm
do you think it could be better for pips than p700,clipper?
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Posted By: yogi_bear
Date Posted: 07/05/2012 at 1:42am
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bbkon, actually they feel the same. feels closest to the clipper. i still need to try it with other pips to see if its better or not. the 802-40 on the challenge speed was average ------------- Independent online TT Product reviewer of XIOM, STIGA, JOOLA, SANWEI, GEWO, AIR, ITC, APEX, YASAKA and ABROS ITTF Level 1 Coaching Course Conductor, ITTF Level 1 Coach |
Posted By: carmelomaf
Date Posted: 08/07/2012 at 5:05pm
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I played today the the blade with Bluefire M1 and Rasant and I compared it with my current combination, Stratus PW with Bluefire M1 and Rasant The blade is quite heavy 93g but real well balanced the Speed i would say like Stratus PW, for sure not Off+ real better in passive play and generally better controll close to the table from the half distance also good, the topspins always with a lot of spin The topspins are definitely with lower throw angle than Stratus PW, and for this reason i found the Challenge better close to the table I will test more in the future days ;) regards ------------- Tibhar MX-P 50 Max| BTY Boll ALC FL | Tibhar MX-S Max an Italian playing TT in Germany |
Posted By: W0LovePP
Date Posted: 03/15/2013 at 1:58pm
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yogi_bear, could you rate challenge speed's stiffness, and hardness on a scale of 10? I am debating to buy a challenge speed, avenger 7, or a clipper cr. I appreciate it. ------------- Yasaka Galaxya Butterfly Amultart SI |
Posted By: yogi_bear
Date Posted: 03/16/2013 at 8:17am
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nice to know you like it carmelo. WOLovePP, the avenger 7 is stiffer than the challenge speed because it has walnut outer plies, on a scale of 10 i would rate the challenge speed at 7.5-8, the part of the clipper cr that has the UV finish seems harder by a notch ------------- Independent online TT Product reviewer of XIOM, STIGA, JOOLA, SANWEI, GEWO, AIR, ITC, APEX, YASAKA and ABROS ITTF Level 1 Coaching Course Conductor, ITTF Level 1 Coach |
Posted By: W0LovePP
Date Posted: 03/16/2013 at 9:08am
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Hi, bear, how would you rate clipper cr? stiffness, hardness... ------------- Yasaka Galaxya Butterfly Amultart SI |
Posted By: yogi_bear
Date Posted: 03/17/2013 at 6:10am
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about 8/10 ------------- Independent online TT Product reviewer of XIOM, STIGA, JOOLA, SANWEI, GEWO, AIR, ITC, APEX, YASAKA and ABROS ITTF Level 1 Coaching Course Conductor, ITTF Level 1 Coach |
Posted By: bbkon
Date Posted: 03/18/2013 at 6:24pm
80% of clipper performance? i want something a notch faster and harder than clipper cr
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Posted By: ttping85
Date Posted: 03/19/2013 at 3:52am
Challenge Speed is a notch faster than Clipper CR from my point of view but has softer feel because the outer plys have not been hardened like on the Clipper CR. ------------- My list of blades for sale https://docs.google.com/spreadsheets/d/1wYci9423byd3X43DhSsaXOmysNKMfK-RnPWSo3UfpkQ/edit?usp=drivesdk |
Posted By: yogi_bear
Date Posted: 03/19/2013 at 9:47am
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8/10 is my rating in terms of stiffness if you are asking about the clipper CR, the uv coating is stiffer but the challenge speed is surprisingly faster ------------- Independent online TT Product reviewer of XIOM, STIGA, JOOLA, SANWEI, GEWO, AIR, ITC, APEX, YASAKA and ABROS ITTF Level 1 Coaching Course Conductor, ITTF Level 1 Coach |
Posted By: bbkon
Date Posted: 03/20/2013 at 12:36pm
I would like to have that blade but i think i will never do it cos greenpaddle is the worst company, they dont reply [email protected] neither
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Posted By: W0LovePP
Date Posted: 03/20/2013 at 12:46pm
Hi, http://www.iruiru.com - www.iruiru.com has it at 5780 Japanese Yen. The thickness is 5.6 mm, but apprently it is wrong. ------------- Yasaka Galaxya Butterfly Amultart SI |
Posted By: W0LovePP
Date Posted: 03/20/2013 at 12:47pm
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Sorry, it is Avenger 7, not challenge speed... ------------- Yasaka Galaxya Butterfly Amultart SI |
Posted By: W0LovePP
Date Posted: 03/20/2013 at 1:39pm
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tt-japan.net has Challenge speed. ------------- Yasaka Galaxya Butterfly Amultart SI |
Posted By: bbkon
Date Posted: 03/20/2013 at 1:47pm
the shipmente fee for america is too expensive for tt-japan
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Posted By: comodoensis
Date Posted: 02/22/2015 at 12:14pm
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how does this blade play with short/medium pips such as globe 888/dhs 874(MP), or tsp spectol/tsp tyrano(SP) ? Planning to slap calibra tour H on the forehand though. I accidentally bought the rubber when I was hanging out at the shop, and some malicious EJ virus gets into my brain then voila ! I brought a black calibra tour H home without knowing on what blade should I put this rubber on. Strange thing it is, since I usually only use chinese rubber such as h3/tg3/sword king on the forehand, still wondering the result of challenge speed + calibra combination. my guess : speed demon LoL
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Posted By: lineup32
Date Posted: 02/22/2015 at 12:37pm
I use TT-Japan and do not find there shipping rate to expensive rather its very competitive as tracking registered insured mail. There base price is always very competitive and they have a full range of sponge hardness which is unusual for on-line TT sellers, most sellers offer only Max or at best 2.0 and Max. They always ship next day after receipt of order and I have never had a problem with them sending the wrong color rubber.
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Posted By: Knuckle Ball
Date Posted: 02/23/2015 at 1:19am
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5q and 1q are beasts on the challenge speed. Hexer HD is just right for FH. Makes me want to get another Challenge Speed for back-up. I'm quitting the EJ trail and sticking to this blade. ------------- Blade: Rosewood NCT V FH: Dignics 05 Black BH: Moristo SP Red |
Posted By: Simon_plays
Date Posted: 12/16/2019 at 4:29pm
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Impulse bought this blade in the middle of a cold winter night after ebay had yet again asked me if I was interested in table tennis blades on the very same day when just hours earlier I tried out a different Clipper clone for the first time and was amased at how much umphf and zoomph there was on my forehand. As luck would have it, just a few days later I gave my regular 5 ply off- blade a rather horrible wack against the side of the table and because of this I'm going to give this blade a go. Question to fellow lower intermediate players who gave switched from 5 ply to 7 ply woods: am I good enough for this blade or will it cost me vital points when I get tense at deuce in 5th? |
Posted By: yogi_bear
Date Posted: 12/16/2019 at 5:37pm
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the Challenge Speed is faster than a clipper CR so it would take some time to adjust but not that difficult to transition. ------------- Independent online TT Product reviewer of XIOM, STIGA, JOOLA, SANWEI, GEWO, AIR, ITC, APEX, YASAKA and ABROS ITTF Level 1 Coaching Course Conductor, ITTF Level 1 Coach |