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A .01% different in rubber feeling will matter when it matters the most in matches
0.1% difference in rubber feeling 🤣 here we call this "****ing fluffy ducks"
Looked to me that Ma Long's rubbers must have been 0.2% difference in his match against PF recently , he did often look at his rubbers with astonishment.
I love a good feisty debate on such important aspects of Table Tennis.
Here is my take, which is a little from column A and a little from column B.
In the 20 years of playing at a decent level, I've never noticed the rubbers (always Butterfly Bryce/Tenergy/Dignics etc) getting better after a number of hours playing with it.
I certainly don't think the vast majority of club players will really feel the difference - I'm sure they'll say they do, but my *opinion* would be that it's more of a mental thing. Likely because they've heard that's what happens (although this is actually one of the first times I've seen people talk about it).
For arguments sake, even if there is a 0.01% difference..... 99.9999% of players absolutely won't feel that, and the 0.0001% who do are in the top 10 of the world.....
Now, would I change my rubbers before a big tournament/match?
No.
The difference between used rubbers (say, 6 months old, because I can't afford to change Dignics more regularly than that) and a new sheet of rubber is massive.
It won't take me too long to get to grips with it, but I wouldn't want to go into a match and have to adapt my shot (even the smallest part) mid way through the important match.
Nearly every top player I know would be of a similar mindset, for the same reasons.
It's worth bearing in mind with Table Tennis, that the mental aspect is incredibly important, and if you believe there will be a difference, it often is enough to make that a reality.
It doesn't make one side right and the other wrong, but without doing "scientific" experiments..... It really is just opinion.
This type of discussion/mindset is rampant in so many hobbies.
As Der/Tony have brought up boots, that's a good example.
People still believe you need to "break in" walking boots (I'm talking about the trail runner type from Merrell, Hoka, Saloman etc, not the big burly leather boots).
But the reality is.... You don't - They fit like trainers (sneakers if you aren't from the UK!) and are very unlikely to cause any issues out of the box.
Would I go for a 20 mile hike in them straight away? Helllllll no.
But you definitely could, and it's just the memories of past issues holding me back!
I love a good feisty debate on such important aspects of Table Tennis.
Here is my take, which is a little from column A and a little from column B.
In the 20 years of playing at a decent level, I've never noticed the rubbers (always Butterfly Bryce/Tenergy/Dignics etc) getting better after a number of hours playing with it.
I certainly don't think the vast majority of club players will really feel the difference - I'm sure they'll say they do, but my *opinion* would be that it's more of a mental thing. Likely because they've heard that's what happens (although this is actually one of the first times I've seen people talk about it).
For arguments sake, even if there is a 0.01% difference..... 99.9999% of players absolutely won't feel that, and the 0.0001% who do are in the top 10 of the world.....
Now, would I change my rubbers before a big tournament/match?
No.
The difference between used rubbers (say, 6 months old, because I can't afford to change Dignics more regularly than that) and a new sheet of rubber is massive.
It won't take me too long to get to grips with it, but I wouldn't want to go into a match and have to adapt my shot (even the smallest part) mid way through the important match.
Nearly every top player I know would be of a similar mindset, for the same reasons.
It's worth bearing in mind with Table Tennis, that the mental aspect is incredibly important, and if you believe there will be a difference, it often is enough to make that a reality.
It doesn't make one side right and the other wrong, but without doing "scientific" experiments..... It really is just opinion.
This type of discussion/mindset is rampant in so many hobbies.
As Der/Tony have brought up boots, that's a good example.
People still believe you need to "break in" walking boots (I'm talking about the trail runner type from Merrell, Hoka, Saloman etc, not the big burly leather boots).
But the reality is.... You don't - They fit like trainers (sneakers if you aren't from the UK!) and are very unlikely to cause any issues out of the box.
Would I go for a 20 mile hike in them straight away? Helllllll no.
But you definitely could, and it's just the memories of past issues holding me back!
there is nothing worse than having fixed outdated ideas. You already cracked the myths of the TT rubbers and the walking shoes, actually another item was mentioned today, breaking in cars. How bloody ignorant and old-fashioned thinking is this ?????
Modern cars and (in my case) Motorbike engines are made to so close tolerances that indeed NO ,l they do not need to be broken or run in anymore either.
most fierce debate match ever.
nah most fierce debates are usually about h3 boosting
Hahahaha QUADRUPLE HAHAHAHAH NDH... you brought up the CARS Engines aspects... and I think you sided with those who believe the break in is over-rated with modern car engines. What a GAS.
It is little known on the forum that I was utilized in the military for three decades as a maintenance supervisor... given the personal and professional experience I have, I would wholeheartedly agree that the "break in" procedures where you must "baby" the engine are highly over-rated.
Anyone remember the very expensive Volvo I bought in Jan 2019 from the factory where I drove that sucka all over Sweden and Denmark (and made an epic thread to vist Copenhagen TT Club and meet new friends), then put it on a boat in sub-zero freezing temps for a month... then drove it all over the mountains of California straight away... and the car acted like it was only gunna burp that was so light to it... and it went 15,000 km before oil change...
If the "proper" and practical procedure to "break in" the car engine were true, I would NEVER have chosen to get factory delivery and drive other than 30 kpm in city for only a few days... what nonsense it is to "baby" and car engine for break in... the modern engines can take a LOT more punishment than those of 30-40 yrs ago. As long as you are not trying to race that joker F1 style, you will be fine.
I didn't bring up the cars aspect!
But....
1. I think the fact that so many people still believe the guidance of old, is a good point in this current discussion.
2. I must have missed your thread, it sounds epic - I had a V90 from 2017 to 2021 and it was a beauty.
3. Another example is to do with new carpets....... Carpet fitters and other people will advise not to vacuum them for 24 hours after they've been laid.
It's complete BS..... Yet so many people still believe it.
I'm not saying the walking shoe, car engine or carpet examples are a direct representation to the TT rubber discussion.
But there is definitely something to "old advise" being passed on and on and on until it becomes outdated and wrong.
I traded in that car I got from factory delivery in 2020 and got a V90 cross country T6... perhaps the best touring auto ever produced, just rolls steady and smooth forever with safety and stability with controlled power.2. I must have missed your thread, it sounds epic - I had a V90 from 2017 to 2021 and it was a beauty.
I can feel the confusion OP is probably feeling🤣
Instead of an answer, they got a free ticket to the most fierce debate match ever.
The best advise so far - change new blade and rubbers, takes 2 to 5 mins, and you break in it, and can start using it.
NDH
The difference between used rubbers (say, 6 months old, because I can't afford to change Dignics more regularly than that) and a new sheet of rubber is massive.
Buried deep in this thread is a comment that Tenergy need no break-in period. Well, I am gonna go Tenergish next change. Don't you dare stop me, I swear I will... I am gonna just do it. You hear me! I swear I'll go Tenergish.
it breaks your wallet, that is why
NDH
how much of TT do you play a week?
lasting 6 month is kindof rare at my side of the world.
Unless I'm getting paid to play.... I'll be damned if I'm forking out £160 any more regularly than that! 😂
Obviously the last few years have been a bit odd, but my usual cycle would be:
Change in August/September, just before the new seasons starts.
Then again in January/February before the tournaments start (end of season tournaments for UK local league are usually between Feb and May.
But then after the season has finished, I'll play once a week at most, through to the August/September again when the season is getting ready.
During the season I'm playing 2 or 3 matches per week (no training.... no time for that!)
It works for me, and I'm not going to pay any more to change the rubbers more regularly.
I also find the Butterfly rubbers aren't matched when it comes to keeping their performance for as long as they do - If it was a different rubber, I'd probably have to change three or four times in the same space!
Unless I'm getting paid to play.... I'll be damned if I'm forking out £160 any more regularly than that! 😂
Obviously the last few years have been a bit odd, but my usual cycle would be:
Change in August/September, just before the new seasons starts.
Then again in January/February before the tournaments start (end of season tournaments for UK local league are usually between Feb and May.
But then after the season has finished, I'll play once a week at most, through to the August/September again when the season is getting ready.
During the season I'm playing 2 or 3 matches per week (no training.... no time for that!)
It works for me, and I'm not going to pay any more to change the rubbers more regularly.
I also find the Butterfly rubbers aren't matched when it comes to keeping their performance for as long as they do - If it was a different rubber, I'd probably have to change three or four times in the same space!
.....................and when you change the 6 months old rubbers to the new ones, how does it feel ? 😂
Unless I'm getting paid to play.... I'll be damned if I'm forking out £160 any more regularly than that! 😂
Obviously the last few years have been a bit odd, but my usual cycle would be:
Change in August/September, just before the new seasons starts.
Then again in January/February before the tournaments start (end of season tournaments for UK local league are usually between Feb and May.
But then after the season has finished, I'll play once a week at most, through to the August/September again when the season is getting ready.
During the season I'm playing 2 or 3 matches per week (no training.... no time for that!)
It works for me, and I'm not going to pay any more to change the rubbers more regularly.
I also find the Butterfly rubbers aren't matched when it comes to keeping their performance for as long as they do - If it was a different rubber, I'd probably have to change three or four times in the same space!
.....................and when you change the 6 months old rubbers to the new ones, how does it feel ? 😂