Zyre 03 Rubber Review with Dimitrij Ovtcharov!

[Dan]

Hey guys!

So I managed to hang out with the equipment perfectionist Dimitrij Ovtcharov to review the Zyre 03! Dima shares some top tips! 🔥

💬 Let us know in the comments, what do you think of the new Zyre 03?

 

[TampaBayTableTennis]

Awesome review! Can certainly count on Dima to sell a new rubber! You played great.

 

[NDH]

Amazing - Great review as always.

I could listen to Dima talk TT all day long.....

 

[Creek]

Still missing the old reviews that were not only advertising.
Show direct comparison in footage, also say the bad things about the products, etc.
Don’t get me wrong: zyre is really innovative and something different, but it also has its downsides like dieing balls when the ball is Not impacted enough, likelyness of overshooting, etc. No words about that 😕

 

[NextLevel]

Still missing the old reviews that were not only advertising.
Show direct comparison in footage, also say the bad things about the products, etc.
Don’t get me wrong: zyre is really innovative and something different, but it also has its downsides like dieing balls when the ball is Not impacted enough, likelyness of overshooting, etc. No words about that 😕

I can't play with Zyre 03. I am still trying to figure out why.

 

[Dr Evil]

...downsides like dieing balls when the ball is Not impacted enough, likelyness of overshooting...

Those are the two major downsides I found (after only one session playing with it).

 

[NextLevel]

Those are the two major downsides I found (after only one session playing with it).

Yes but it makes me wonder whether something is wrong with my technique when I experience that with this rubber ans not every other rubber on the market. But thankfully, other reviewers and players have discussed similar issues, but they are not discussed in most "influencer" reviews.

 

[NDH]

Yes but it makes me wonder whether something is wrong with my technique when I experience that with this rubber ans not every other rubber on the market. But thankfully, other reviewers and players have discussed similar issues, but they are not discussed in most "influencer" reviews.

I’ll be having a knock with it tonight.

Although…. It’ll be on a Jike SLZC blade…. So I’m expecting it to be fast!

 

[NextLevel]

I’ll be having a knock with it tonight.

Although…. It’ll be on a Jike SLZC blade…. So I’m expecting it to be fast!

You also play mid distance so you might be able to handle it better. I just don't feel any safety for my close to the table game.

 

[Dr Evil]

I can't play with Zyre 03. I am still trying to figure out why.

It feels and sounds like dwell time is very short, and yet grip feels as stable as 09C. It's a weird combination, and maybe it’s throwing you off. I’ve only played one session with it so far, but the feel/sound initially made me less confident in my shots, which definitely has an effect on stability. It might just be a temporary issue until you get used to it, but time will tell. I think it’s also more sensitive to racket angle than 09C, so that could be a problem until you adjust.

As for the strange combination of short perceived dwell time with rock solid grip, I think the extra-thick spring sponge and thin top sheet are simply more efficient at absorbing and returning energy to the ball rather than letting it dissipate into the blade. This cuts down blade vibrations that normally create the feeling of dwell. The same damping effect also softens the sound, making contact seem shorter and harder than it really is. Actual contact time is probably a bit shorter than D05/09C, since Z03 is faster, but the difference is probably a lot less than it seems. It’s also possible that Z03 maintains frictional contact (without letting the ball start to shear off) for a larger portion of the compression–rebound cycle. That would give it a more stable grip even if the total contact time is shorter.

 

[NDH]

Still missing the old reviews that were not only advertising.
Show direct comparison in footage, also say the bad things about the products, etc.
Don’t get me wrong: zyre is really innovative and something different, but it also has its downsides like dieing balls when the ball is Not impacted enough, likelyness of overshooting, etc. No words about that 😕

I have a few mins before I get to play with it, so thought I’d reply to this….

I think your comment is unfair In this instance. There are certainly “reviews” that are sales pitches, but this review had direct comparisons to D05 and D09C (in terms of commenting on how it’s different).

To me, it was the most useful review I’ve seen so far, and gave me the most useful information.

At the end of the day, most of the “top” rubbers are designed for very good, aggressive, athletic players. So a review from the likes of TTD and Dima are going to cater for that.

It would be great if others came along and explained how the rubber acted with their 75% shots and OK technique…. But until then, you’ve kinda got to work out if it would suit you from the info in videos like this.

All of that being said….. I don’t really think any review can ever come close to actually playing with it. Z03 sounds like it would be PERFECT for my game (I use D09C on both sides). But my gut feeling is I’ll miss the extra safety that D09C provides.

And at nearly all levels below Pro…. Ball on table is more important than a 1 in 100 worldie down the line 😅

 

[kaisersoze]

Still missing the old reviews that were not only advertising.
Show direct comparison in footage, also say the bad things about the products, etc.
Don’t get me wrong: zyre is really innovative and something different, but it also has its downsides like dieing balls when the ball is Not impacted enough, likelyness of overshooting, etc. No words about that 😕

as dima said, if u miss is ur fault not the rubber

 

[Creek]

as dima said, if u miss is ur fault not the rubber

Yes and no. He is right, but Most rubbers out there have a higher margin for error than z03. And with most, I litterally mean almost every other rubber.
Don’t get me wrong, z03 has strong points, but in my opinion it’s uncontrollable for most non-pros (that being said, i am not a pro but also not a noob, but have ~ 1900 German TTR, equaling 2100-2200 usa ttr…).

 

[OvrChkn]

Is the throw angle on the Z03 very high? It reminds me of the throw from Rakza Z, but the tackiness of the Z compensates for the throw.

 

[NDH]

OK, take this with all of the pinches of salt in the world….

I tried Z03 tonight on a Jike Super ZLC blade.

The Z03 was boosted….. although I don’t know how/what etc.

Initial impressions - Extremely underwhelming with this set up.

It’s just too fast to get any real spin - The ball comes off the blade too quickly, and the spin was less than D09c and D05.

I’d love to try it on an ALC blade un-boosted to get a better comparison.

It’s not “crazy” fast - But I can’t imagine recommending it to anyone. If you need rubber recommendations….. this will be too quick.

It’s the kind of rubber you might play one amazing game, where everything goes on, and it feels quick and spinny….. You’ve finally reached that Ma Long level…..

And your season finishes 1 from 50 because it’s just too hard to maintain that level.

 

[NextLevel]

OK, take this with all of the pinches of salt in the world….

I tried Z03 tonight on a Jike Super ZLC blade.

The Z03 was boosted….. although I don’t know how/what etc.

Initial impressions - Extremely underwhelming with this set up.

It’s just too fast to get any real spin - The ball comes off the blade too quickly, and the spin was less than D09c and D05.

I’d love to try it on an ALC blade un-boosted to get a better comparison.

It’s not “crazy” fast - But I can’t imagine recommending it to anyone. If you need rubber recommendations….. this will be too quick.

It’s the kind of rubber you might play one amazing game, where everything goes on, and it feels quick and spinny….. You’ve finally reached that Ma Long level…..

And your season finishes 1 from 50 because it’s just too hard to maintain that level.

Boosting didn't help it seems. That is how I feel using it unboosted.

 

[joshmak10]

OK, take this with all of the pinches of salt in the world….

I tried Z03 tonight on a Jike Super ZLC blade.

The Z03 was boosted….. although I don’t know how/what etc.

Initial impressions - Extremely underwhelming with this set up.

It’s just too fast to get any real spin - The ball comes off the blade too quickly, and the spin was less than D09c and D05.

I’d love to try it on an ALC blade un-boosted to get a better comparison.

It’s not “crazy” fast - But I can’t imagine recommending it to anyone. If you need rubber recommendations….. this will be too quick.

It’s the kind of rubber you might play one amazing game, where everything goes on, and it feels quick and spinny….. You’ve finally reached that Ma Long level…..

And your season finishes 1 from 50 because it’s just too hard to maintain that level.

Yeah I can't imagine this rubber would work well with an outer Super ZLC blade. Ive tried D05 before on one and comapred to the same rubber on an ALC blade it felt like a different rubber altogether. If you get the chance to try it on ALC, would love to hear your thoughts as I am seriously thinking of buying a sheet given the 95 CAD pricepoint I can buy it at.

 

[Gozo Zyreruna]

I can't play with Zyre 03. I am still trying to figure out why.

coz' ur waiting for Z80; soon my friend... Butterfly hears you.

NB: Meanwhile Gman is secretly waiting for Z25.

 

[M4rc0H]

The Z03 was boosted….. although I don’t know how/what etc.

For Gods sake, why would anyone do that? If any rubber doesn't need boosting, it's the Zyre 03.

 

[Wrighty67]

Boosting didn't help it seems. That is how I feel using it unboosted.

Strange, to me it’s probably right up there as one of the spiniest rubbers I’ve ever used on my FH and the feel is softer than 09c/C55/J1.