My Personal Guide to Rubbers on Aliexpress

[Spinsanity]

If you're looking for a Chinese rubber for backhand, here are a few that I have tried that work really well.

AK47 Red - fast, light, powerful backhand rubber. Fills the fast tensor role very well.

Big Dipper 38 degree - very good on its own, but I recommend even boosting it a little. Very powerful, very spinny

Friendship Aurora Max - useless rubber unboosted, but with booster it is completely transformed into a backhand monster. Very fast, very powerful. Faster than Dignics or Evolution MXP and other popular tensors

Thanks a lot @TensorBackhand. Sounds very good. I will like to try them as soon as I can decide where to buy them from. I used to buy from http://www.princett.com/ (best prices, lowest shipping) but they turned rogue of late. For my last order, there was absolutely no order update or response to my multiple emails even after almost 2 months of the order placement. Finally, I had to raise a complaint and claim at PayPal (with all evidences of the unrequited correspondences and lack of response from the seller and lack of order update) to get the refund for the order from PayPal. I also used to buy from https://ttnpp.com/ - even though they once sent a totally broken blade and did not respond to my emails, they were somewhat OK the other times. However, their shipping charge is very high and increases heavily with every added item. AliExpress is not accessible from where I am at present (India). I buy most things from https://tt-japan.net and https://www.tabletennis11.com/ - two very reliable companies - but as you know - they do not sell most Chinese equipment. I looked into eacheng but their prices and shipping charges are just mad. Any suggestions for sites?

 

[Reaper]

I used to buy from http://www.princett.com/ (best prices, lowest shipping) but they turned rogue of late. For my last order, there was absolutely no order update or response to my multiple emails even after almost 2 months of the order placement. Finally, I had to raise a complaint and claim at PayPal (with all evidences of the unrequited correspondences and lack of response from the seller and lack of order update) to get the refund for the order from PayPal.

Phew, i almost order from them, shame cause they have some unique products.

 

[TischTenniser]

I don't know what is the shipping situation in India. Let us say you buy bulk from TT11, then H3 or H3 neo would go from $26 to $20 a sheet. But you need to order $300 so you need to get a few people together.

However right now Dandoy in Germany is running H3 regular for $18.50 a sheet. That is very very affordable. I think shipping to N. America with free shipping you have to buy around $100 which is easily doable if you want to buy a few sheets of Hurricane yourself (but again, I don't know Dandoy shipping policy to India).

Finally on Aliexpress, I have bought from BEO store. They are legit. I can only speak of rubber I have tried several times. Mercury II (listed at $4.99 but with tax and shipping to N. America, it will be $6.80 or something), medium hardness, has the same tackiness with Hurricane. Speed is about 80% of Hurricane. You cannot beat the price. They have H3 neo for $22 and you do NOT need to buy bulk from them. Sanwei Target Provincial for $15 is a good Hurricane alternative. Without boosting Sanwei Target Provincial is faster than Hurricane and the tackiness might be 80% of Hurricane so you trade speed for a bit of less spin.

By the way, if you are looking for a backhand rubber. Sanwei T88 ultraspin for $4.99 is a good choice. Not sticky but semi tacky. Good bounce.

I don't find Big Dipper to be a good replacement for Hurricane. I have only play with Rxton 1, Rxton 3, Rxton 5 a little bit. I don't think they are a replacement for Hurricane; the Rxton series can be good backhand rubbers though. I have to play with Rxton a bit more later this month to render an opinion.

But you can tell, from the above, pricing, I am not sure for a few dollars, you want to switch away from Hurricane. Hurricane is really not that expensive. However, if you want to pick up a few cheap rubbers to play with and see how you like them, I would recommend Mercury II medium or hard, where I am not sure if the hard version will make up for some lack of speed to make it close to hurricane, and Sanwei T88 ultraspin.

If money is a concern, then don't experiment with other rubbers. Just stick with Hurricane and you will do just fine!!!!

I am ok with slightly slower than H3 neo. But no compromise on Spin,control and other properties of H3 neo. Based on what you say, i think Yinhe Mercury 2 seems to be a good fit for FH.

 

[TensorBackhand]

Thanks a lot @TensorBackhand. Sounds very good. I will like to try them as soon as I can decide where to buy them from. I used to buy from http://www.princett.com/ (best prices, lowest shipping) but they turned rogue of late. For my last order, there was absolutely no order update or response to my multiple emails even after almost 2 months of the order placement. Finally, I had to raise a complaint and claim at PayPal (with all evidences of the unrequited correspondences and lack of response from the seller and lack of order update) to get the refund for the order from PayPal. I also used to buy from https://ttnpp.com/ - even though they once sent a totally broken blade and did not respond to my emails, they were somewhat OK the other times. However, their shipping charge is very high and increases heavily with every added item. AliExpress is not accessible from where I am at present (India). I buy most things from https://tt-japan.net and https://www.tabletennis11.com/ - two very reliable companies - but as you know - they do not sell most Chinese equipment. I looked into eacheng but their prices and shipping charges are just mad. Any suggestions for sites?

Life without Aliexpress and Temu would be hard for me. But thats the political world we endure today.

I also had the same problems with PrinceTT as you.

I guess your other option would be to buy from Mocker's store. https://www.google.com/url?sa=t&sou...AQFnoECBYQAQ&usg=AOvVaw3SFXBcoyPsvTFbtnj7spxt

Im sure there must be other stores as well.

 

[JJ Ng]

I am ok with slightly slower than H3 neo. But no compromise on Spin,control and other properties of H3 neo. Based on what you say, i think Yinhe Mercury 2 seems to be a good fit for FH.

Yes I have tried some hybrid rubbers, Tibhar K1 European edition and K2 (K2 is discontinued by tabletennis11 but you can still get it on aliexpress), and other Chinese rubbers such as Sanwei Target Naitonal, Sanwei Target Provincial, Loki Rxton series, and Mercury II. Yet, Mercury II, the cheapest by far, has the most spin, pretty close or on par with Hurricane. You do lose a bit of speed. Now I did not boost my Mercury II heavily because I was thinking, yeah a $5 rubber, what would it do for me? When I put it on and started hittng with it, I was pleasantly surprised.

Mercury II comes in soft, medium and hard sponges. I chose medium sponge. I like it! However, if you want more speed, maybe hard sponge will do it for you? I don't know. Maybe you should get a sheet of medium hardness sponge and a sheet of hard hardness sponge so you can see? It is very affordable.

 

[TischTenniser]

Yes I have tried some hybrid rubbers, Tibhar K1 European edition and K2 (K2 is discontinued by tabletennis11 but you can still get it on aliexpress), and other Chinese rubbers such as Sanwei Target Naitonal, Sanwei Target Provincial, Loki Rxton series, and Mercury II. Yet, Mercury II, the cheapest by far, has the most spin, pretty close or on par with Hurricane. You do lose a bit of speed. Now I did not boost my Mercury II heavily because I was thinking, yeah a $5 rubber, what would it do for me? When I put it on and started hittng with it, I was pleasantly surprised.

Mercury II comes in soft, medium and hard sponges. I chose medium sponge. I like it! However, if you want more speed, maybe hard sponge will do it for you? I don't know. Maybe you should get a sheet of medium hardness sponge and a sheet of hard hardness sponge so you can see? It is very affordable.

I don't plan to boost it as well however Mercury 2 hard sponges are nowhere to be seen in Aliexpress.. !!

 

[turbozed]

Yes I have tried some hybrid rubbers, Tibhar K1 European edition and K2 (K2 is discontinued by tabletennis11 but you can still get it on aliexpress), and other Chinese rubbers such as Sanwei Target Naitonal, Sanwei Target Provincial, Loki Rxton series, and Mercury II. Yet, Mercury II, the cheapest by far, has the most spin, pretty close or on par with Hurricane. You do lose a bit of speed. Now I did not boost my Mercury II heavily because I was thinking, yeah a $5 rubber, what would it do for me? When I put it on and started hittng with it, I was pleasantly surprised.

Mercury II comes in soft, medium and hard sponges. I chose medium sponge. I like it! However, if you want more speed, maybe hard sponge will do it for you? I don't know. Maybe you should get a sheet of medium hardness sponge and a sheet of hard hardness sponge so you can see? It is very affordable.

When you boost the Mercury 2 medium you'll be shocked by how much more speed and spin you get. Unfortunately, it softens the sponge to around 48d (measured with my durometer).

I've been meaning to find Mercury 2 hard but they are not available anywhere. They used to be. Maybe someone bought them all up.

 

[Spinsanity]

Life without Aliexpress and Temu would be hard for me. But thats the political world we endure today.

I also had the same problems with PrinceTT as you.

I guess your other option would be to buy from Mocker's store. https://www.google.com/url?sa=t&sou...AQFnoECBYQAQ&usg=AOvVaw3SFXBcoyPsvTFbtnj7spxt

Im sure there must be other stores as well.

Thank you very much

 

[JJ Ng]

When you boost the Mercury 2 medium you'll be shocked by how much more speed and spin you get. Unfortunately, it softens the sponge to around 48d (measured with my durometer).

I've been meaning to find Mercury 2 hard but they are not available anywhere. They used to be. Maybe someone bought them all up.

You are right. I just checked. I cannot find Mercury II hard anywhere.

I got my Mercury II soft and medium my BEO store. A new shipment arrived. When I opened the package, yeah it stinks like a regular chinese rubber. I cannot wait to boost it and put it on my faster carbon blades to tame them down.

BEO store is very good and fast. On the other hand my H3 neo TG from GHsports are still not here yet. I ordered Mercury II about 2 weeks ago and H3 neo TG 3 weeks ago. Now we know where to order it from next time. 3 weeks and not here yet is a long time (I am spoiled by TT11 and their fast delivery).

I might be ordering from clones from Stuor store soon. After testing some rubbers, I am ready to go back and test some new blades.

 

[TensorBackhand]

You are right. I just checked. I cannot find Mercury II hard anywhere.

I got my Mercury II soft and medium my BEO store. A new shipment arrived. When I opened the package, yeah it stinks like a regular chinese rubber. I cannot wait to boost it and put it on my faster carbon blades to tame them down.

BEO store is very good and fast. On the other hand my H3 neo TG from GHsports are still not here yet. I ordered Mercury II about 2 weeks ago and H3 neo TG 3 weeks ago. Now we know where to order it from next time. 3 weeks and not here yet is a long time (I am spoiled by TT11 and their fast delivery).

I might be ordering from clones from Stuor store soon. After testing some rubbers, I am ready to go back and test some new blades.

Stuor Harimoto ZLC is still the best blade I have ever tried.

 

[JJ Ng]

Stuor Harimoto ZLC is still the best blade I have ever tried.

Which one is the Harimoto ZLC? I just want to double check.

Their Fan Zhendong ALC clone has Fan Zhendong's name in it.

Their Viscaria clone, you just look at the handle and you know what they mean.

I thnk their Harimoto ZLC is more subtle.

I also read in another thread that look for "gold ZLC" which is what they said they imported from Japan....

 

[TensorBackhand]

Which one is the Harimoto ZLC? I just want to double check.

Their Fan Zhendong ALC clone has Fan Zhendong's name in it.

Their Viscaria clone, you just look at the handle and you know what they mean.

I thnk their Harimoto ZLC is more subtle.

I also read in another thread that look for "gold ZLC" which is what they said they imported from Japan....

https://www.aliexpress.us/item/2255800876919715.html?spm=a2g0o.productlist.main.15.77147f0ctr0gad&algo_pvid=4207d6dd-10ee-4984-96db-92066305a0a5&algo_exp_id=4207d6dd-10ee-4984-96db-92066305a0a5-7&pdp_npi=3%40dis%21USD%2138.88%2136.94%21%21%2138.88%21%21%402102191b16889568581991545d0782%2110000013994008478%21sea%21US%211644340096&curPageLogUid=VLwkOt9LRT8a

This blade is just so good. I played all my best matches ever with this blade. Great control and power and feeling.

But recently I have been liking my Sanwei F3 pro quite a lot too.

 

[JJ Ng]

https://www.aliexpress.us/item/2255800876919715.html?spm=a2g0o.productlist.main.15.77147f0ctr0gad&algo_pvid=4207d6dd-10ee-4984-96db-92066305a0a5&algo_exp_id=4207d6dd-10ee-4984-96db-92066305a0a5-7&pdp_npi=3%40dis%21USD%2138.88%2136.94%21%21%2138.88%21%21%402102191b16889568581991545d0782%2110000013994008478%21sea%21US%211644340096&curPageLogUid=VLwkOt9LRT8a

This blade is just so good. I played all my best matches ever with this blade. Great control and power and feeling.

But recently I have been liking my Sanwei F3 pro quite a lot too.

Got it.

Have you tried Gambler carbon blades? I am sure they are outsourced and made in China but for $40 a piece, it is actually quite good quality. Fire Dragon series have nice looking handle. Fire Dragon Fast is really fast. The ball bounces off of it very fast. I am putting Mercury II on the FH and a Gambler rubber on the BH. Despite how they advertise it, none of its rubbers is tensor. I don't recommend their rubber. Blades...they are really good. I don't think they are $200-$400 good but they are about $150 good if you know what I mean.

Fire Dragon Hinoki has a good feel but a bit heavy. AC Hero and Vector Hinoki are a bit too slow for me. GLine is fast too, like Fire Dragon Fast. Both GLine and Fire Dragon Fast make this clicking sound that is very distinct carbon when you hit the ball. I know some people love that sound.

So I don't like the carbon too fast or too slow. That makes Blackout my favorite blade! I have four of them that I am testing different rubber combinations. I will do a post for Gambler products later when I get a chance. I don't really do too much review. The whole thing about throw angle, etc. does not mean much to me. I am a hurricane forehand and soft ESN rubber backhand person. So give me a blade and I will stick two familiar rubbers on it, and I will say I like the blade or not. I can tell you how fast the blade is. I can tell you the sound it makes. But I am not into stats and throw angle and all that kind of stuff.

 

[TensorBackhand]

Got it.

Have you tried Gambler carbon blades? I am sure they are outsourced and made in China but for $40 a piece, it is actually quite good quality. Fire Dragon series have nice looking handle. Fire Dragon Fast is really fast. The ball bounces off of it very fast. I am putting Mercury II on the FH and a Gambler rubber on the BH. Despite how they advertise it, none of its rubbers is tensor. I don't recommend their rubber. Blades...they are really good. I don't think they are $200-$400 good but they are about $150 good if you know what I mean.

Fire Dragon Hinoki has a good feel but a bit heavy. AC Hero and Vector Hinoki are a bit too slow for me. GLine is fast too, like Fire Dragon Fast. Both GLine and Fire Dragon Fast make this clicking sound that is very distinct carbon when you hit the ball. I know some people love that sound.

So I don't like the carbon too fast or too slow. That makes Blackout my favorite blade! I have four of them that I am testing different rubber combinations. I will do a post for Gambler products later when I get a chance. I don't really do too much review. The whole thing about throw angle, etc. does not mean much to me. I am a hurricane forehand and soft ESN rubber backhand person. So give me a blade and I will stick two familiar rubbers on it, and I will say I like the blade or not. I can tell you how fast the blade is. I can tell you the sound it makes. But I am not into stats and throw angle and all that kind of stuff.

I never owned Gambler blades, but I tried some carbon blades of friends. I never liked any of them. A lot of them felt overly stiff, and they didn't look like good blades. Something just looked weird about them to me, and they didn't have the aramid weave.

The Stuor blade just looks beautiful, has a great weight distribution, great handle, everything hits the mark for me.

 

[turbozed]

https://www.aliexpress.us/item/2255800876919715.html?spm=a2g0o.productlist.main.15.77147f0ctr0gad&algo_pvid=4207d6dd-10ee-4984-96db-92066305a0a5&algo_exp_id=4207d6dd-10ee-4984-96db-92066305a0a5-7&pdp_npi=3%40dis%21USD%2138.88%2136.94%21%21%2138.88%21%21%402102191b16889568581991545d0782%2110000013994008478%21sea%21US%211644340096&curPageLogUid=VLwkOt9LRT8a

This blade is just so good. I played all my best matches ever with this blade. Great control and power and feeling.

But recently I have been liking my Sanwei F3 pro quite a lot too.

How would you compare the Sanwei F3 pro to other Yinhe/Sanwei inner carbon blades?

I'm interested in trying out the Yinhe Pro 05, Sanwei 75 Inner, or Sanwei F3 Pro eventually as a first foray into carbon blades.

 

[JJ Ng]

I never owned Gambler blades, but I tried some carbon blades of friends. I never liked any of them. A lot of them felt overly stiff, and they didn't look like good blades. Something just looked weird about them to me, and they didn't have the aramid weave.

The Stuor blade just looks beautiful, has a great weight distribution, great handle, everything hits the mark for me.

Great. Thank you for the feedback!

I am going to order three Stuor blades and let us see how it goes! I will probaby receive them in 2-4 weeks.

 

[TensorBackhand]

Great. Thank you for the feedback!

I am going to order three Stuor blades and let us see how it goes! I will probaby receive them in 2-4 weeks.

Which 3 will you get? I had the Stuor Long 5 as well, but that one felt less impressive to me.

 

[JJ Ng]

Which 3 will you get? I had the Stuor Long 5 as well, but that one felt less impressive to me.

The Harimoto you recommended. Stuor Long 5 (I just got to give it a try). And the one wit h gold ZLC carbon.

 

[TensorBackhand]

How would you compare the Sanwei F3 pro to other Yinhe/Sanwei inner carbon blades?

I'm interested in trying out the Yinhe Pro 05, Sanwei 75 Inner, or Sanwei F3 Pro eventually as a first foray into carbon blades.

I never tried the Yinhe Pro 05 or 75 inner. But I did try Sanwei 75 (outer). The 75 outer feels like a very fine outer alc blade, but the outer alc archetype itself feels far inferior to me.

I find the F3 Pro much better for control, spin, confidence than the 75. F3 gives you quite a bit of confidence to go ahead and execute your game. Great for serve returns, loops, blocks, drives.

It is quite a flexible blade, maybe a step more flexible than the HL5 and its copies. But its not slow.

Because of the flex, I find that it really suits hard rubbers very well. So if you use rubbers like H3 or D09c or ZGR, it goes together really well. Sometimes if I have a rubber that feels too hard, I just put it on the F3 and it seems to solve a lot of the issues. This blade really has great feeling. My friend who has HL5 hit a few shots with my F3 and he instantly commented how he noticed the feeling was much better.

Also I find the blade has a nice long arc. Sometimes if I find a rubber that has a somewhat low arc, putting that problem rubber on the F3 solves the issue.

When I picture myself using this blade, I see myself hitting long spinny loops with the FH. But I also see myself hitting beautiful backhand blocks and punches and flicks, very versatile.

 

[TensorBackhand]

The Harimoto you recommended. Stuor Long 5 (I just got to give it a try). And the one wit h gold ZLC carbon.

Gold ZLC carbon, can you link to that one? i'm not sure which you are referring to.

BTW, I believe the Harimoto has the same gold ZLC carbon, just on the inner core.

Maybe give the F3 pro a try too, see my comments above.