A couple of questions about my upcoming (potential) equipment

bbs

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bbs

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Hi everyone,
My name is Barbara, and I just signed up (I introduced myself in the "Just arrived to the site?" section).

I've been playing table tennis forever, but it's only been a few months since I joined a club where I'm learning the technique and realizing just how complicated this sport is.

I'm starting to master the basic strokes and I feel pretty comfortable with them. I've recently learned the forehand topspin technique, but I still have some coordination issues and don't always hit the table or get the desired spin, but I'm making progress.

What I really want to improve on is placing the ball where I want on the table and learning to receive heavily spinned balls - I can't read the opponent's spin very well yet and as a result, I don't angle my paddle correctly to receive, sending many balls out.

My coach says my backhand is very good, the technique is correct and the shots are pretty powerful. My forehand, on the other hand, still needs a lot of training to be refined.

I started with my old Stiga Allround Classic racket, which is 12 years old, and I put on two new Chinese rubbers (Dawei 2008 XP Super Power 2.2mm). To be honest, I wasn't doing badly, but then I found a deal on Amazon for a Palio Master 2.0 (with two Palio CJ8000 rubbers) and immediately noticed the huge difference between the two rackets. I read a bit about the Palio before buying it and everyone agrees that for a pre-assembled racket, it's not bad at all (and I agree), so I abandoned the Stiga (really too slow for me) and currently play with the Palio, which I really like.

The Palio Master is good but it can never be compared to a custom-assembled racket that can grow with you. And that's why I'm here.

I've read a lot and learned that there are different types of blades and rubbers to choose from, depending on your level and playing style, and I've come up with a potential configuration.

Given that I've realized I'm an attacker and therefore want a racket that will allow me to follow this path in the future, I've opted for a Butterfly racket:
Blade: Petr Korbel MADE IN JAPAN
Rubbers: FH Rozena 2.1 mm and BH Rozena 1.9 mm

I know there are many other cheaper alternatives like the Xiom Offensive S or the Yasaka Sweden Extra or even the Tibhar Stratus Powerwood with Rakza 7 Soft on both sides, but I've ruled them out due to availability issues.
On the other hand, I can easily find the Butterfly and they also assemble it for me (although I've already done it myself, I prefer a professional to glue the rubbers).

Having said all that, I only have a couple of doubts.

I opted for the Korbel blade instead of the Primorac because I think, but I'm asking you for advice, that it can last me longer over time, even when I'm more experienced.

As for the rubbers, I read that the Rozenas are more "modern" than the Sriver that many recommend, so I opted for these even though they might be slightly more difficult to handle. Since I'm looking for a bit more power, I chose the 2.1 mm rubbers on the forehand and 1.9 mm on the backhand.

Do you think this configuration is good or is it too difficult to handle for a beginner like me?
Also, can I expect to improve my technique and generate a good spin with this racket (I read that Chinese rubbers produce a lot of spin because they are sticky, but are slower)?

Thanks everyone and sorry for the long post.
Barbara
 

Brs

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Brs

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Do you think this configuration is good or is it too difficult to handle for a beginner like me?
You made an excellent choice.

Table tennis is a difficult game. It would only retard your development to play with equipment that is easy to handle because it doesn't make or react much to spin. You would learn to play with no spin, which is very bad long-term.
Also, can I expect to improve my technique and generate a good spin with this racket (I read that Chinese rubbers produce a lot of spin because they are sticky, but are slower)?
Rozena is quite spinny. It's a notch safer than tenergy because the ball doesn't fly as far. With coaching and practice you can improve your technique and play at a very high level with this bat.

You will get used to the feeling of spring sponge. So if you reach a level where this bat is too easy for you to control, you have a direct upgrade path to tenergy. And of course you could go to a composite blade in the future, if you want to. But you should be fine for several years and many 100s of rating points improvement with the Korbel/Rozena combination.
 
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I think you've made an excellent choice.

Your new setup will be faster/bouncier than your old one so will take some getting used to, but put in the work and you'll quickly see the benefit.

I know some good players who use 5-ply blades and Rozena, it's powerful and spinny.

Best of luck in your TT journey! 😎
 
says Mr. super ZLC
Hi everyone,
My name is Barbara, and I just signed up (I introduced myself in the "Just arrived to the site?" section).

I've been playing table tennis forever, but it's only been a few months since I joined a club where I'm learning the technique and realizing just how complicated this sport is.

I'm starting to master the basic strokes and I feel pretty comfortable with them. I've recently learned the forehand topspin technique, but I still have some coordination issues and don't always hit the table or get the desired spin, but I'm making progress.

What I really want to improve on is placing the ball where I want on the table and learning to receive heavily spinned balls - I can't read the opponent's spin very well yet and as a result, I don't angle my paddle correctly to receive, sending many balls out.

My coach says my backhand is very good, the technique is correct and the shots are pretty powerful. My forehand, on the other hand, still needs a lot of training to be refined.

I started with my old Stiga Allround Classic racket, which is 12 years old, and I put on two new Chinese rubbers (Dawei 2008 XP Super Power 2.2mm). To be honest, I wasn't doing badly, but then I found a deal on Amazon for a Palio Master 2.0 (with two Palio CJ8000 rubbers) and immediately noticed the huge difference between the two rackets. I read a bit about the Palio before buying it and everyone agrees that for a pre-assembled racket, it's not bad at all (and I agree), so I abandoned the Stiga (really too slow for me) and currently play with the Palio, which I really like.

The Palio Master is good but it can never be compared to a custom-assembled racket that can grow with you. And that's why I'm here.

I've read a lot and learned that there are different types of blades and rubbers to choose from, depending on your level and playing style, and I've come up with a potential configuration.

Given that I've realized I'm an attacker and therefore want a racket that will allow me to follow this path in the future, I've opted for a Butterfly racket:
Blade: Petr Korbel MADE IN JAPAN
Rubbers: FH Rozena 2.1 mm and BH Rozena 1.9 mm

I know there are many other cheaper alternatives like the Xiom Offensive S or the Yasaka Sweden Extra or even the Tibhar Stratus Powerwood with Rakza 7 Soft on both sides, but I've ruled them out due to availability issues.
On the other hand, I can easily find the Butterfly and they also assemble it for me (although I've already done it myself, I prefer a professional to glue the rubbers).

Having said all that, I only have a couple of doubts.

I opted for the Korbel blade instead of the Primorac because I think, but I'm asking you for advice, that it can last me longer over time, even when I'm more experienced.

As for the rubbers, I read that the Rozenas are more "modern" than the Sriver that many recommend, so I opted for these even though they might be slightly more difficult to handle. Since I'm looking for a bit more power, I chose the 2.1 mm rubbers on the forehand and 1.9 mm on the backhand.

Do you think this configuration is good or is it too difficult to handle for a beginner like me?
Also, can I expect to improve my technique and generate a good spin with this racket (I read that Chinese rubbers produce a lot of spin because they are sticky, but are slower)?

Thanks everyone and sorry for the long post.
Barbara
I wish I was like this 1 year ago. Iv been playing for 2-3 years now and I actually started with Tenergy 05 and Dignics 09c with a 7-ply offensive racket for my second-ever setup I am using hard rubbers and a fast blade. I am lucky I have a good coach and this setup is not too fast for me because of that.

I actually don't have any advice on beginner setups because most people I know started with carbon blades for their first setup. You have made a sage decision.
 
says Mr. super ZLC
Thanks for sharing your experience.
I think it can help many people who are starting to get into this sport.
Tbh most new players like myself don't know about these forums or just don't bother making an effort like I did.
I ended up buying a super ZLC blade pretty early on but luckily for me it is working out perfectly. In most cases blades like these will not work out at all. I only got mine because of a recommendation but I was pretty dumb and extremely lucky.

No matter what or who tells you to get a ZLC, sZLC or sALC racket do not listen to them. Also do not use rubbers like hurricane which have hard sponge when you are just 1 or 2 years into the sport. It is a huge mistake iv seen people doing.
 

bbs

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bbs

This user has no status.
Member
Dec 2024
9
14
23
Tbh most new players like myself don't know about these forums or just don't bother making an effort like I did.
I ended up buying a super ZLC blade pretty early on but luckily for me it is working out perfectly. In most cases blades like these will not work out at all. I only got mine because of a recommendation but I was pretty dumb and extremely lucky.

No matter what or who tells you to get a ZLC, sZLC or sALC racket do not listen to them. Also do not use rubbers like hurricane which have hard sponge when you are just 1 or 2 years into the sport. It is a huge mistake iv seen people doing.
Thank you for the advice!
 
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