Help with beginner setup

[Studster]

Hi community,
After a 20 years break I started playing table tennis again. I used to play in a club as a teenager for a year or so, but nothing too serious in terms of level. Now I'm rediscovering my passion for the sport and am really ambitious to get better. For my first setup I stuck to something I knew were at the time the "classic" beginner setup. So I got a Stiga Cybershape Allround Classic with Sriver on FH and BH. I do enjoy the control of this setup and am currently focusing on practicing good technique. But already after 2 months with this racket I have the feeling of it taking alot of effort to generate speed and spin. I understand that to a certain degree this is good for the technique because I have to do full strokes and properly contact the ball. But to me it feels a bit cumbersome and slow, at least when a bit behind the table. (Although this setup realy gives me confidence in short play and recieves). This made me question if the old classics have not aged that well and if it would be better to switch out the rubbers with a light tensor like Nittaku Fastarc C1 or Yasaka Rakza 7 soft, but still keep the blade. Would I still be able to improve the technique while getting the benefits of tensor rubbers or am I just getting ahead of myself?
Thank you for your advice!

 

[BlopChock]

Hard to go wrong with Nittaku quality and C-1 durability. Go for it!

 

[Tyce]

Tibhar Aurus soft could be just a little step below those, or Xiom Vega Europe DF.
What do the people around you play, and have you tried their bats?

 

[BlopChock]

Tibhar Aurus soft could be just a little step below those, or Xiom Vega Europe DF.
What do the people around you play, and have you tried their bats?

Sounds like you'd be a good person to ask, @Tyce :

How would you compare Aurus v G-1, and Aurus Soft v C-1?

 

[Tyce]

In both cases, Aurus is a bit tamer, but also less sensitive. Visually Aurus wears pretty much like any other rubber but it ages well. Fastarc keeps its appearance longer.

Edit, I have one teammate playing Aurus and one on Vega Europe. I'm the Fastarc player.

 

[Scarfed Garchomp]

Sounds like you'd be a good person to ask, @Tyce :

How would you compare Aurus v G-1, and Aurus Soft v C-1?

Aurus series has a softer topsheet, slightly better feeling but they are a tad less aggressive than the Fastarc G/C topsheet. I feel they are also a bit lighter than Fastarcs as well

 

[BlopChock]

Thanks to you both for the feedback!

 

[Studster]

Tibhar Aurus soft could be just a little step below those, or Xiom Vega Europe DF.
What do the people around you play, and have you tried their bats?

Thanks for your feedback, I will try to see if anyone in the club also uses those. Actually, I haven't paid too much attention what people of a similar level are using. I know of one guy that uses Sriver FX. I will check and give an update. Thanks so far!

 

[Lazer]

Hi community,
After a 20 years break I started playing table tennis again. I used to play in a club as a teenager for a year or so, but nothing too serious in terms of level. Now I'm rediscovering my passion for the sport and am really ambitious to get better. For my first setup I stuck to something I knew were at the time the "classic" beginner setup. So I got a Stiga Cybershape Allround Classic with Sriver on FH and BH. I do enjoy the control of this setup and am currently focusing on practicing good technique. But already after 2 months with this racket I have the feeling of it taking alot of effort to generate speed and spin. I understand that to a certain degree this is good for the technique because I have to do full strokes and properly contact the ball. But to me it feels a bit cumbersome and slow, at least when a bit behind the table. (Although this setup realy gives me confidence in short play and recieves). This made me question if the old classics have not aged that well and if it would be better to switch out the rubbers with a light tensor like Nittaku Fastarc C1 or Yasaka Rakza 7 soft, but still keep the blade. Would I still be able to improve the technique while getting the benefits of tensor rubbers or am I just getting ahead of myself?
Thank you for your advice!

Look for something that is not sensitive to incoming spin. A rubber like Rakza 7 is very spin sensiitive.

In that sense Sriver is good. Try to go a little harder than Sriver FX, it will serve You in the long run.

The spin You are missing is a technique issue. I would recommend Mark V, its a small step up from Sriver.

The speed issue, You must hit harder... With a too fast setup You balls will fly off the table and it 's very easy to loose control.

Start slow an gradually increase the speed in Your setup, one a year or so. Take small steps...

Cheers
L-zr

 

[Studster]

C

Look for something that is not sensitive to incoming spin. A rubber like Rakza 7 is very spin sensiitive.

In that sense Sriver is good. Try to go a little harder than Sriver FX, it will serve You in the long run.

The spin You are missing is a technique issue. I would recommend Mark V, its a small step up from Sriver.

The speed issue, You must hit harder... With a too fast setup You balls will fly off the table and it 's very easy to loose control.

Start slow an gradually increase the speed in Your setup, one a year or so. Take small steps...

Cheers
L-zr

Cool, thanks for your input. If I remember correctly, I also used to have Mark V 20 years ago. In general, would you stick to the classic rubbers without tensor for as long a possible? Or would I be missing out or have difficulties transitioning later on? I guess learning proper technique with the classics makes sense, that's why I chose my current setup, perhaps I just got FOMO with the more modern rubbers

 

[Lazer]

C

Cool, thanks for your input. If I remember correctly, I also used to have Mark V 20 years ago. In general, would you stick to the classic rubbers without tensor for as long a possible? Or would I be missing out or have difficulties transitioning later on? I guess learning proper technique with the classics makes sense, that's why I chose my current setup, perhaps I just got FOMO with the more modern rubbers

Naa, until You feel comfortable. There is no missing out. With a slow rubber you get more control, and its more fun to be able to put the ball back on the table. You won't win more matches with a faster rubber unless you can do just that.

One thing, don't believe the talk about Mark V being outdated. This is not true.
Yes it's a little slower and it generates a little less spin. For beginners and low level intermediates this comes in
very handy indeed. And on top of this it lasts a lot longer than any ESN rubber. I would say that its the longest lasting rubber in the industry.

Cheers
L-zr