Best Rubber Setup for Timo Boll ALC? (Coming from Rozena)

[KingWallace]

Hello everyone!

I currently play with a Butterfly Primorac blade with Rozena rubbers on both sides (2.1 mm sponge — black on the backhand, red on the forehand). I like the way it plays and the spin from the elastic sponge is quite good, but sometimes I struggle to generate more spin.

Of course, I keep my rubbers clean — during matches I wipe them with my breath, and before and after every training session I clean them with water and a clean cloth.

I’m a player who likes to attack from short to mid distance from the table, but I can also play defensively and closer to the table when needed, although that’s not my usual style. I rely mainly on my serves and my backhand. I like to generate a lot of spin on my serves, but lately I feel like I can’t get as much spin as I’d like.

Recently, I received a Timo Boll ALC blade as a birthday gift, and I’m currently looking for a good rubber setup for this new blade.

Do you think there is a rubber that could combine good spin and control without sacrificing too much speed, compared to the Rozena?

I was thinking about Yasaka Rakza Z or Nittaku Fastarc G-1. From what I’ve seen, the Timo Boll ALC is usually paired with Dignics 09C or Tenergy 05.

What do you think? What would you recommend?

 

[Robin0910]

Rozena is a watered down T05 so i recommend that but why not try it with your current Rozena rubbers first?
It’s overall a better blade so it might just suffice your goal

 

[Ninja26Go]

Hello everyone!

I currently play with a Butterfly Primorac blade with Rozena rubbers on both sides (2.1 mm sponge — black on the backhand, red on the forehand). I like the way it plays and the spin from the elastic sponge is quite good, but sometimes I struggle to generate more spin.

Of course, I keep my rubbers clean — during matches I wipe them with my breath, and before and after every training session I clean them with water and a clean cloth.

I’m a player who likes to attack from short to mid distance from the table, but I can also play defensively and closer to the table when needed, although that’s not my usual style. I rely mainly on my serves and my backhand. I like to generate a lot of spin on my serves, but lately I feel like I can’t get as much spin as I’d like.

Recently, I received a Timo Boll ALC blade as a birthday gift, and I’m currently looking for a good rubber setup for this new blade.

Do you think there is a rubber that could combine good spin and control without sacrificing too much speed, compared to the Rozena?

I was thinking about Yasaka Rakza Z or Nittaku Fastarc G-1. From what I’ve seen, the Timo Boll ALC is usually paired with Dignics 09C or Tenergy 05.

What do you think? What would you recommend?

Hmm. Do the full timo setup. Its not hugely different from yours and the it pairs well with blade. MAybe D09c both sides

 

[maxtor]

Hmm. Do the full timo setup. Its not hugely different from yours and the it pairs well with blade. MAybe D09c both sides

TB ALC and Primorac Carbon are absolutely different blades. PC is way faster\stiffer. I own both.
If the TC is coming from PC+Rosena combination, I would recommend starting with the same rubbers first. TB ALC gives way more control than PC. Later if speed\spin from Rosena is not enough - there could be 2 options IMHO - Tenergy05 or Glayzer to have better transitioning to TB ALC.

And don't go with D09c from Rozenas, too many changes at the moment you won't like.

 

[Ninja26Go]

No no, not the PC vs the TB, I meant rozena to tenregy or dignics

 

[MORTtheORT]

Hmm. Do the full timo setup. Its not hugely different from yours and the it pairs well with blade. MAybe D09c both sides

Retired Timo has gone back to the T05 on his backhand (Less physically demanding), so maybe start there. Or glayzer if you think the T05 might be too aggressive.

 

[Amayzde]

Rozena is a watered down T05 so i recommend that but why not try it with your current Rozena rubbers first?
It’s overall a better blade so it might just suffice your goal

+1 on this. Going from Primorac to the Timo Boll ALC is already quite a step up. I recommend you use it with Rozena first and get a feel for the blade.

 

[Tyce]

Hello everyone!

I currently play with a Butterfly Primorac blade with Rozena rubbers on both sides (2.1 mm sponge — black on the backhand, red on the forehand). I like the way it plays and the spin from the elastic sponge is quite good, but sometimes I struggle to generate more spin.

If you like how this setup plays, but spin is the problem, then your struggle is a technical one.

Of course, I keep my rubbers clean — during matches I wipe them with my breath, and before and after every training session I clean them with water and a clean cloth.

I’m a player who likes to attack from short to mid distance from the table, but I can also play defensively and closer to the table when needed, although that’s not my usual style. I rely mainly on my serves and my backhand. I like to generate a lot of spin on my serves, but lately I feel like I can’t get as much spin as I’d like.

Lately - meaning you've been playing this setup for how long? Your rubbers will lose grip over time, so if they're older than say a year, your drop in spin performance makes sense. Replacing your rubbers with new ones will restore the spin capacity of this setup.

Recently, I received a Timo Boll ALC blade as a birthday gift, and I’m currently looking for a good rubber setup for this new blade.

Do you think there is a rubber that could combine good spin and control without sacrificing too much speed, compared to the Rozena?

Rozena is a rubber that combines spin and control in a decently speedy package. I would say you're perfectly on the money using it.

I was thinking about Yasaka Rakza Z or Nittaku Fastarc G-1. From what I’ve seen, the Timo Boll ALC is usually paired with Dignics 09C or Tenergy 05.

Why are you pointing out these rubbers? What are you looking to gain from these specific choices?

What do you think? What would you recommend?

Stop looking at what others use, because they won't show you the context: how much experience they have, how often they play, get coaching, but also whether their setup is good or bad for them.

I would also recommend using the same rubbers so you can get a much better feel for the differences between the Primorac and the Timo Boll ALC. They're quite different.

 

[riemsesy]

Retired Timo has gone back to the T05 on his backhand (Less physically demanding), so maybe start there. Or glayzer if you think the T05 might be too aggressive.

es, he said that. D09C is physically more demanding. He couldn’t keep up that level of strength now that he’s retired, so he chose a faster rubber to obtain the same speed as before with less effort.
Which makes me wonder whether T05 isn’t also too demanding for lower-level amateur players.

 

[MORTtheORT]

es, he said that. D09C is physically more demanding. He couldn’t keep up that level of strength now that he’s retired, so he chose a faster rubber to obtain the same speed as before with less effort.
Which makes me wonder whether T05 isn’t also too demanding for lower-level amateur players.

I wouldn't say the T05 is physically demanding as it generates speed and spin effortlessly. It has helped this aging body with too many sporting injuries keep going

But technically...yes a good chance, particularly if they go MAX sponge. But I actually don't think the T05 should be feared as much as the hype around it suggests. I am new to the T05, maybe the heavier ball makes it a bit easier? The rubber has a good feel through it and the clicking sound is an excellent training reference tool IMO. Comes down to the player, if they play passive shots then they will be in trouble with the T05 as it is spin sensitive, but if they are an active player then this aggressive spin becomes an asset.

Otherwise OP could go the G1. It is a great rubber but doesn't have that feel through it like the Tenergy... properly why the G1 is a tank and last forever.

The T05FX is also an option as it has better control and generates easier spin on slow shots. It does open ups very easy, and you can grab and attack very low balls with it. But it is bouncy.

 

[andymagata]

If you like how this setup plays, but spin is the problem, then your struggle is a technical one.

Lately - meaning you've been playing this setup for how long? Your rubbers will lose grip over time, so if they're older than say a year, your drop in spin performance makes sense. Replacing your rubbers with new ones will restore the spin capacity of this setup.

Rozena is a rubber that combines spin and control in a decently speedy package. I would say you're perfectly on the money using it.

Why are you pointing out these rubbers? What are you looking to gain from these specific choices?

Stop looking at what others use, because they won't show you the context: how much experience they have, how often they play, get coaching, but also whether their setup is good or bad for them.

I would also recommend using the same rubbers so you can get a much better feel for the differences between the Primorac and the Timo Boll ALC. They're quite different.

Such a great reply!

 

[KingWallace]

I’ve been playing table tennis for about three years, but at first we only played at the office during our free time. Of course, we played without really knowing any technique or even the rules, so it was mostly just recreational.

About five months ago, I joined a table tennis club and started taking formal lessons, where I’m now learning proper technique and everything that comes with it.

But as they say, there’s always the guy next to you who has incredible serves or a very powerful forehand, and the first thing you do is ask about his setup and try to replicate it, thinking that it will make you just as good.

For now, I think I’ll stick with the Rozenas for a while so I don’t make such a drastic change all at once.

Thanks everyone for your comments! 🏓

 

[Tyce]

I’ve been playing table tennis for about three years, but at first we only played at the office during our free time. Of course, we played without really knowing any technique or even the rules, so it was mostly just recreational.

About five months ago, I joined a table tennis club and started taking formal lessons, where I’m now learning proper technique and everything that comes with it.

Awesome! Welcome to the sport

But as they say, there’s always the guy next to you who has incredible serves or a very powerful forehand, and the first thing you do is ask about his setup and try to replicate it, thinking that it will make you just as good.

Next time, ask how they learned to do that? In racket sports in general, equipment follows skills rather than the other way around.

What you might want to look for are the old farts that play a spinny forehand using a ww2 racket and 2yo rubber. It will show you that gear is secondary.
You can just find so many threads about equipment, because that's so easy to talk about and obsess over. Technique, form, skills, they translate to text much worse, but those are the foundations of good play.

For now, I think I’ll stick with the Rozenas for a while so I don’t make such a drastic change all at once.

Thanks everyone for your comments! 🏓

Wise decision. Also don't be afraid to shelve the Timo Boll ALC if after a couple of weeks you still feel like it's very hard to control. The blade will be fine for many years being stored on a sensible, stable room temperature.

 

[Crypto_08]

D09c FH and T05 BH probably