From Clipper CR to Timo Boll ALC

[cuongleqq]

Hi everyone,

After a lot of research on Timo Boll ALC, I decide to replace my old Clipper CR (89 gram) by a Timo Boll ALC (90 gram) (somehow the number 90 looks a bit nicer for me than 89 )

One problem is that I have not ever played TB ALC yet (and I can't borrow one).

If you have played both, could you please give me some advice on switching from Clipper CR to Timo Boll ALC?

Thanks!!!

 

[UpSideDownCarl]

What made you decide you want to switch?


Sent from The Subterranean Workshop by Telepathy

 

[cuongleqq]

What made you decide you want to switch?


Sent from The Subterranean Workshop by Telepathy

My thoughts are that
- My Clipper is too old now and have some broken spots at the edge.
- I'd like to try a Butterfly blade (I read some posts in this forum saying Butterfly blades are better than Stiga)
- A minor factor, I want to try a little bit faster blade. I am not sure if Boll ALC is faster though. But it has carbon which is supposed to be faster? (Sorry I do not have experience with carbon blade)

Having said that, some players in my club recommend Sardius, but I think it's too fast especially for a player coming from Clipper CR like me. I am not sure it's because my technique is not enough or it is the blade that is not suitable for my style.
I have just played table tennis for nearly 3 years. Probably not enough experience!

 

[laistrogian]

My thoughts are that
- My Clipper is too old now and have some broken spots at the edge.
- I'd like to try a Butterfly blade (I read some posts in this forum saying Butterfly blades are better than Stiga)
- A minor factor, I want to try a little bit faster blade. I am not sure if Boll ALC is faster though. But it has carbon which is supposed to be faster? (Sorry I do not have experience with carbon blade)

Having said that, some players in my club recommend Sardius, but I think it's too fast especially for a player coming from Clipper CR like me. I am not sure it's because my technique is not enough or it is the blade that is not suitable for my style.
I have just played table tennis for nearly 3 years. Probably not enough experience!

Don't buy sardius. People in SE Asia tend to just tell people to buy sardius or the fastest blade there is when no pro (aside from schalger back then) is using it these days.

I don't think it'll be that hard to switch from clipper CR to TB ALC. Speed is probably comparable and the carbon means it will feel a bit numb

 

[cuongleqq]

Don't buy sardius. People in SE Asia tend to just tell people to buy sardius or the fastest blade there is when no pro (aside from schalger back then) is using it these days.

I don't think it'll be that hard to switch from clipper CR to TB ALC. Speed is probably comparable and the carbon means it will feel a bit numb

So, Timo Boll ALC would be a bit numb... Does it mean Clipper CR is better?
In which way/style, Timo Boll ALC is better than Clipper CR?

 

[teddie]

Clipper - more feedback from the blade to your hand, slower on thin contacts (touch shots, short balls)
TB ALC - more stable (bigger sweet spot), faster on touch shots (little bit harder to play short balls), but easier to make faster bananas/flicks
Speed - clipper slower on touch shots, but similar speed when you swing hard (maybe tb alc little bit faster)

There are 2 types of players - sensitive to equipment changes and others are not (adapts very quickly to every change), so it's always best to try it somewhere before buying, because we don't know which one are you. If it's really impossible - just buy it, butterfly blades are easy to sell with some loss.

 

[cuongleqq]

Clipper - more feedback from the blade to your hand, slower on thin contacts (touch shots, short balls)
TB ALC - more stable (bigger sweet spot), faster on touch shots (little bit harder to play short balls), but easier to make faster bananas/flicks
Speed - clipper slower on touch shots, but similar speed when you swing hard (maybe tb alc little bit faster)

There are 2 types of players - sensitive to equipment changes and others are not (adapts very quickly to every change), so it's always best to try it somewhere before buying, because we don't know which one are you. If it's really impossible - just buy it, butterfly blades are easy to sell with some loss.

Thanks for awesome info!
It looks like there aren't that much difference. I hope I will adapt quickly.
Thank you all!