BH Alternatives to Rasanter R45

[golden_son]

As the thread title suggests, I'm looking for an alternative to the Andro Rasanter R45 for my BH. I love the way it plays when fresh but boy does the sponge seem to die quick. So I'm looking for something with similar performance but more longevity. Blade is the Xiom Hugo HAL.

I have yet to test a rubber I like as much as R42 & R45 on the BH. The sponge has a lot of power (while it lasts...) without being as bouncy as Tenergy, and it's easy to push aggressively with the softer sponge and grippy topsheet. I've tried T05 and T05fx but Tenergy is a bit bouncy for my taste even compared to a fresh R45.

Here's my shortlist of rubbers in the ~45° ESN range I'm considering (in no particular order):

Donic Baracuda
• Older, but high praise for its spin. Been on my radar a while but never bought one bc it's almost as expensive as newer (non-BTY) rubbers, and more than Rozena.
Rozena
• Pretty affordable, maybe tamer than Tenergy?
Fastarc C-1
• High on the list bc I love G-1 on the FH, but I've always used a tensor on my BH so no idea how switching to a more linear rubber would go.
Vega Euro Hybrid
Andro NUZN 45

I added the two hybrids because I've also used Vega Pro H and liked the spin generation and safe arc but find I still prefer softer rubbers on the backhand.

I know everyone's TT feeling is different but if anyone can share their experience with any of these - especially if you have used R42/R45 as well - it would be appreciated and would help me make a somewhat more informed choice to start with. And it would give me permission to blame the internet if I hate it and ultimately have to EJ my way down the list anyway

 

[Funk Fu Master]

Check-out JOOLA Rhyzer Pro 45, and Xiom Vega Europe Hybrid ...

 

[Airoc]

I know everyone's TT feeling is different

Yes, and that also goes for how everyone defines longevity or how their playing style influences it.
If you really like R45 stick with it. I doubt you will find a tensor rubber that outlasts it significantly while offering similar performance.
Rozena is affordable, but if you find t05 bouncy you should not consider Rozena.
NUZN 45 has less catapult and power than your R45, it will last as long (which is sensational for a hybrid, if you really want better longevity than R45 better stay away from other hybrids...) but not longer.
You might consider one of the Vega rubbers for their price - if they only last as long as your R45 at least they will be cheaper. But really, when I see Vega Tour with a shop price of 50 Euro and R45 at 63 Euro it would still be a no-brainer for me which one to buy.

 

[Larshos]

I like C-1. Vega Korea is also very good on BH IMO.

 

[NoSpin]

Etika 47 (non pro - more control, pro - more lively)

 

[PoppaChubby]

That's a well known issue with ESN rubbers: they don't last more than 3 months even for amateur players. You should avoid them if it's a problem for you, the Rozena is indeed a wise choice as it's been labelled as a Tenergy for beginner/amateur players.

 

[AndySmith]

I really like R45, it can always be boosted after a few months if you want to dabble in that. I've messed around with other rubbers over he last 12 months but always go back to R45 on my backhand.

In the 45 degree ESN space:

Evolution FX-D - very similar to R45, probably same issue with longevity though
Vega Korea - great rubber, lacks spin in comparison to R45 though. Less spin sensitive.
Xiom Omega 8 Euro - I like this over Vega Korea, somewhere in between VK and R45. Arc is lower than R45 but spin is higher than VK. Might be worth a go, only had this recently so not sure of durability but it smells less boosted than R45 or FX-D, if you see what I mean.
NUZN 45, Hybrid MK FX, Vega Europe Hybrid - all a lot slower, you'd have to really want to use a hybrid for these to make sense.

I like Rozena - it's less bouncy and spin sensitive than the Tenergy FX series but it's still quite fast. I wish there was a Dignics-FX in the mix, but Butterfly are too busy making 35cm thick sponge turbo rubbers at the moment. I didn't like Glazer at all.

 

[golden_son]

I was sneakily hoping someone might mention Vega Korea... I have it on my other racket (a Joola Rossi Emotion) and love it there, where I actually did  not like the R45. I guess I'm a little paranoid about having the opposite problem now lol. And I haven't played with the VK long enough to gauge its longevity. O8 Euro wasn't even on my radar, but it sounds like a strong contender.

Yes, and that also goes for how everyone defines longevity or how their playing style influences it.
If you really like R45 stick with it. I doubt you will find a tensor rubber that outlasts it significantly while offering similar performance.
Rozena is affordable, but if you find t05 bouncy you should not consider Rozena.
NUZN 45 has less catapult and power than your R45, it will last as long (which is sensational for a hybrid, if you really want better longevity than R45 better stay away from other hybrids...) but not longer.
You might consider one of the Vega rubbers for their price - if they only last as long as your R45 at least they will be cheaper. But really, when I see Vega Tour with a shop price of 50 Euro and R45 at 63 Euro it would still be a no-brainer for me which one to buy.

See, I don't feel like I'm getting ~3 months out of the Rasanters' sponge, and I only play 6-7 hours per week. Topsheet remains wonderfully grippy but the catapult is gone by 1.5-2 months. I must be spoiled by my time with Rakza 7 and current use of G-1. I suppose boosting could be a compromise; I do have a bottle of FTL. Removing the old glue layer from soft sponges is always a bit of a gamble, though 🫠

Interesting the mixed feelings on Rozena. That's a Butterfly rubber for you - nothing if not polarizing.

 

[Larshos]

I really like R45, it can always be boosted after a few months if you want to dabble in that. I've messed around with other rubbers over he last 12 months but always go back to R45 on my backhand.

In the 45 degree ESN space:

Evolution FX-D - very similar to R45, probably same issue with longevity though
Vega Korea - great rubber, lacks spin in comparison to R45 though. Less spin sensitive.
Xiom Omega 8 Euro - I like this over Vega Korea, somewhere in between VK and R45. Arc is lower than R45 but spin is higher than VK. Might be worth a go, only had this recently so not sure of durability but it smells less boosted than R45 or FX-D, if you see what I mean.
NUZN 45, Hybrid MK FX, Vega Europe Hybrid - all a lot slower, you'd have to really want to use a hybrid for these to make sense.

I like Rozena - it's less bouncy and spin sensitive than the Tenergy FX series but it's still quite fast. I wish there was a Dignics-FX in the mix, but Butterfly are too busy making 35cm thick sponge turbo rubbers at the moment. I didn't like Glazer at all.

What is the weight of the O8E cut?

 

[AndySmith]

What is the weight of the O8E cut?

Sorry, didn't weigh it this time. If I move it to a different blade I'll do it then and update here.

 

[po-stit]

I was sneakily hoping someone might mention Vega Korea... I have it on my other racket (a Joola Rossi Emotion) and love it there, where I actually did  not like the R45. I guess I'm a little paranoid about having the opposite problem now lol. And I haven't played with the VK long enough to gauge its longevity. O8 Euro wasn't even on my radar, but it sounds like a strong contender.

I have the Korea on my Hugo Hal and love it. Also loved it on my Harimoto ALC.

 

[AndySmith]

What is the weight of the O8E cut?

47.1g

 

[Larshos]

47.1g

Ohh, that's a bit more than I hoped for I guess..

 

[chinacurious]

What is the weight of the O8E cut?

Mine was 63-64g uncut and cut to Korbel SK7 it was 45-46g with 2+1 layers of Revolution No.3.

 

[AndySmith]

Ohh, that's a bit more than I hoped for I guess..

There is glue on it, and it's only available in max at TT11 so a little on the heavy side.

 

[Larshos]

Mine was 63-64g uncut and cut to Korbel SK7 it was 45-46g with 2+1 layers of Revolution No.3.

Ahh, cut flush to the blade I guess then?

There is glue on it, and it's only available in max at TT11 so a little on the heavy side.

Standard blade size?

 

[chinacurious]

Ahh, cut flush to the blade I guess then?

Yes, I use a cutter knife.

 

[AndySmith]

Ahh, cut flush to the blade I guess then?

Standard blade size?

157x152 on my Hayabusa ZL Pro

 

[golden_son]

Ended up swapping my dead R45 for a lightly-used Vega Korea from my other racket and it is working nicely. I think I'll give O8 Euro a try when it wears out. Hopefully by then tt11 will have a sale...