Modern high arc/throw tensor or hybrid rubbers

[navuzor]

Hello all,

I am looking for modern high arc/throw tensor or hybrid rubber options
A bit of background. I played with fastarc C1 on BH and G1 on FH for over a year on a Tibhar Stratus Powerwood. I was very happy with it, to be honest. The only aspect I was missing was the slow spinny shots, as you have to engage the sponge to get the most out of it, which can be very taxing.

Now, my wife got me a more "modern" setup for Christmas. I wasn't thinking about upgrading my equipment, but my wife insisted on it since TT is something I'm very passionate about.

So now I have an innerforce layer ALC blade paired with Omega 8 Euro on BH and Omega 8 Pro on FH. I have played around 20 hours in the last week or so, between casual club play and multiball training. I know I shouldn't have changed so many things at once, but it is what it is. Long story short, I find this setup very different overall. I find I can generate more spin, my serves are way more challenging to the receiver, but I feel the throw angle is waaay lower on the omega 8 pro compared to the fastarc G1 on the FH.

I find I have to adjust my technique quite a bit to be as consistent as I was with the G1. Still, I find myself liking and missing a lot more the high throw of the G1. So have two options: glue my fastarc G1 on the innerforce, or get a "modern" non-chinese rubber with high throw that is a bit more dynamic than the G1 in the lower gears.
I have read people recommending the Stiga Mantra Pro, The Nittaku Hammond Z2, Victas Ventus Extra, etc. but the throw angle of all these is medium to medium-low relative to the G1 in my limited experience. The obvious answer is T05, I know, but is there a modern take on the G1?
Thanks in advance

 

[vvk1]

You switched blades, that's the key difference.

 

[TampaBayTableTennis]

it would be hard to advise anything other than try the G1 on the new blade since you like it. maybe play with the new setup some more first though

 

[navuzor]

You switched blades, that's the key difference.

Yeah I know, that's why I'm tempted to just glue my G1 back. Even then, the innerforce should be very wood-like so I'm not convinced the blade is the issue. The omega pro has been reported to have medium to even low throw, which is the only issue have with it. I'm very happy with the spin and speed I can generate it's just the throw it's putting me off.

 

[Crillo]

If you changed both rubbers and blade 20h is not enough to get used to it. From all wood to innercarbon and rubbers from a new generation. I think you will need 5-8 weeks to get used to your new blade and rubbers. Practice hard and work on your footwork, also important to play matches after drills.

 

[K.K]

it will definitely be the blade, butterflys innerforce alc has a very low throw compared to a wood blade like the stratus. the rubbers can make the arc a bit higher, newer rubbers have a lower throw then older gens like g-1 or vega pro, but still not as much as the blade.

ps: the low throw is what you actually want from an offensive blade, so just get used to it. and next time never change all at ones, your case is the exact reason for that...

 

[NextLevel]

I suspect it is both the blade and the rubber. In any case, focus on results, not throw.

The modern take on G1 is probably MX-P though it has issue. I would personally just try G1 first and go from there.

 

[navuzor]

I agree is most likely the combined effect of both the blade and the rubber. Hence the reason it's not recommended to change everything at once.

I just wasn't expecting that much of a difference to be honest. An innerforce layer alc is supposed to be very wood-like and much closer to a fast all-wood (like the Stratus powerwood) than to a outer-carbon blade (like Viscaria), but maybe I'm wrong.

I agree it's early, I'll just keep training/playing and adjusting my technique to make a more informed decision.

 

[al_111]

I think you actually have to try G1 on your new blade if you want to figure out how the individual components of your new setup work. If not, just stick with it until you adjust.

 

[NextLevel]

I agree is most likely the combined effect of both the blade and the rubber. Hence the reason it's not recommended to change everything at once.

I just wasn't expecting that much of a difference to be honest. An innerforce layer alc is supposed to be very wood-like and much closer to a fast all-wood (like the Stratus powerwood) than to a outer-carbon blade (like Viscaria), but maybe I'm wrong.

I agree it's early, I'll just keep training/playing and adjusting my technique to make a more informed decision.

Good luck. You must really like something about the Omega 8 to stick with it.

 

[navuzor]

Good luck. You must really like something about the Omega 8 to stick with it.

I like the spin and speed, it's just the throw angle. I'll give it more time to adapt and then decide. Chances are, I'll glue my old G1 on this blade and go from there.

 

[navuzor]

it will definitely be the blade, butterflys innerforce alc has a very low throw compared to a wood blade like the stratus. the rubbers can make the arc a bit higher, newer rubbers have a lower throw then older gens like g-1 or vega pro, but still not as much as the blade.

ps: the low throw is what you actually want from an offensive blade, so just get used to it. and next time never change all at ones, your case is the exact reason for that...

Yeah, I've been doing some research since getting this setup, and all newer jap/eur rubbers tend to have a mid to low throw angle than the golden old generation, unless you go hybrid, it's where you find "modern" high throw rubbers (e.g., Rakza Z, D09c,...)

 

[joshmak10]

Modern High Arc Hybrid rubber???

Dignics 09c is staring at you my friend

 

[OvrChkn]

Yeah, I've been doing some research since getting this setup, and all newer jap/eur rubbers tend to have a mid to low throw angle than the golden old generation, unless you go hybrid, it's where you find "modern" high throw rubbers (e.g., Rakza Z, D09c,...)

The Z definitely has a high throw. It gets a bit bouncier once some of the tack is lost. I recently tried my old inner carbon setup with an old sheet of Z and the throw was too high for me! I had to play back from the table more than usual when blocking or looping.

I think once you get used to the adjustments made with the Innerforce + O8, you'll like the setup a bit more. I remember having a similar struggle when switching from the Stratus Powerwood to an inner carbon blade.

 

[K.K]

Yeah, I've been doing some research since getting this setup, and all newer jap/eur rubbers tend to have a mid to low throw angle than the golden old generation, unless you go hybrid, it's where you find "modern" high throw rubbers (e.g., Rakza Z, D09c,...)

yes you could use rakza z wich s higher throwing then g-1, but you also overcomplicate the whole thing. as many said before, put you g-1 on it first, compare the feel and what makes the blade different to your old one. then you can analyze and start changing. if you just slap a hard and sticky rubber on it you have even more changes then just the higher throw.

the low throw is a good thing, the ball travels deeper and faster in the table and is more dangerous for your opponent

 

[ajtatosmano2]

yes you could use rakza z wich s higher throwing then g-1, but you also overcomplicate the whole thing. as many said before, put you g-1 on it first, compare the feel and what makes the blade different to your old one. then you can analyze and start changing. if you just slap a hard and sticky rubber on it you have even more changes then just the higher throw.

the low throw is a good thing, the ball travels deeper and faster in the table and is more dangerous for your opponent

Rakza Z (at least the normal hardness one) in my experience is less dynamic than the G-1 and doesn't bring any advantage, wouldn't switch to that.

 

[navuzor]

Modern High Arc Hybrid rubber???

Dignics 09c is staring at you my friend

Yes, I know, interesting we don't see high throw eur/jap rubbers anymore. I'd rather glue my G1 back instead of going hybrid for the time being.

 

[navuzor]

I think once you get used to the adjustments made with the Innerforce + O8, you'll like the setup a bit more. I remember having a similar struggle when switching from the Stratus Powerwood to an inner carbon blade.

I'll give the O8 more of a chance and see if I like its characteristics. Otherwise, I'll glue back the G1 and try to understand a bit more how the innerforce ALC interacts with the G1. If indeed the blades lowers the throw of the G1 too much, then I'll make a decision. I honestly prefer a high arc as I am more of a looper. I feel I can lower the arc of the G1 easier than I can make a high arc with a low-throwing rubber.

 

[navuzor]

Rakza Z (at least the normal hardness one) in my experience is less dynamic than the G-1 and doesn't bring any advantage, wouldn't switch to that.

I reckon the only advantage would be slow, spinny loops. It's hard to engage the G1 sponge with slow loops.

 

[navuzor]

yes you could use rakza z wich s higher throwing then g-1, but you also overcomplicate the whole thing. as many said before, put you g-1 on it first, compare the feel and what makes the blade different to your old one. then you can analyze and start changing. if you just slap a hard and sticky rubber on it you have even more changes then just the higher throw.

the low throw is a good thing, the ball travels deeper and faster in the table and is more dangerous for your opponent

Thanks KK, that's exactly my plan. I have no plans to go hybrid any time soon, and pretty sure I won't change my blade in a long time either.
Regarding the low throw, I'm not convinced yet. In my short experience with this setup, a clubmate who plays in a higher division had a lot of issues counter-looping the longer and flatter trajectory, granted. On the other hand, I felt like I made more mistakes against other clubmates that I normally beat relatively easily, as the margin for error is greatly reduced. It's harder to open up against backspin. I need more time to adjust, but those are my early observations. Eager to assess it in match conditions once the league starts back up next week.