Best "neutral" rubbers to improve offensive technique

[CyNyC]

Hello,

I know there are tons of topic regarding beginner-to-intermediate material, but my starting point might be a bit different so I'm adding a new one....

First of all, many thanks to TTD staff and all contributors.
Then a quick recap about myself (TT side): I used to play "seriously" for 3 years during kid age (9-11yrs old) with Almas Centaur +Carbon - Sriver FX 1.8 on BH - Sriver 2.0 on FH. No glue.
My style was the old school kid game: backspin with BH and powerful (for a kid) FH topsin with the first long ball available.
Then I stopped and played only occasionally during last 30 years.
Now I am back to TT world with same blade + MarkV 2.0 both side (now consumed), first rubbers known I've found on sale, just to re-start.

My target is to forget old bad habits (hand/racket very low in topspin starting position, 3rd ball attack to close the point, etc.) and learn again to play TT with new materials.
No need to win matches; I just want to "evolve" my technique and gain consistency.

In my opinion the best way to do that is to use an offensive but "neutral" racket, in order to feel and recognize errors coming from bad technique and without blaming a particular blade+rubber setting.
So I got a new super classic Stiga Clipper Wood but I'm lost in the rubber market. I heard about Rozena, Razka7, EL-P, Glayzer or MX-P (FH only)....max thickness, not max....quite a jungle...
Only things I know I "want" are: decent durability, easy to use and maintain (no tacky), no booster, no old school (MarkV, Sriver, etc..) and 2 different rubbers on BH and FH to have quick chance of trying different solution at once.

Any advice?
Thanks in advance

 

[Sims]

Hello.and welcome!
Your story is the same as mine, played in school 30 yrs ago, returned and started with Mark V until looking for something more suited to the new ball.

It is said that Nittaku Fastarc G1 is the modern equivalent of Mark V so that is highly recommended as a good FH rubber. I'd have no hesitation in recommending that with a Rakza 7 on BH.
The G1 has just a little bit of catapult in the sponge but not too much and it also gives great spin without being overly sensitive to incoming spin.
R7 is similar but perhaps a bit softer with a little more catapult but not much. Both are easy to use and good got developing technique.

Both of those rubbers have very good durability also.

 

[tzifos]

I would recommend Nittaku's FActive, its just a "slower" and more controllable G1, very cheap and durable.

 

[NoSpin]

G1 FH, Factive BH. So you can understand what you like more in terms of sponge and top sheet hardness (G1 harder in both).

 

[CyNyC]

Thanks for the info.
Nittaku seems to be well considered. I'll try to find one from local dealers.

Apart from that, what about rubbers from Butterfly or Tibhar/Donic (easier to find in my place)?

 

[Ultravisitor]

Tibhar Aurus and Aurus Soft or Rakza 7 and Rakza 7 Soft are often recomended for this purpose.

 

[vossi39]

If XIOM is available as well, your candidates are XIOM Vega Intro (close to Nittaku Factive) and Vega Pro (similar to G1).
I'm not aware of any Factive equivilants from Donic or Tibhar.

 

[Chr75]

IMHO, The Donic Bluegrip S2 answer your needs.

 

[Sims]

Thanks for the info.
Nittaku seems to be well considered. I'll try to find one from local dealers.

Apart from that, what about rubbers from Butterfly or Tibhar/Donic (easier to find in my place)?

With Butterfly your best bet is likely to be Rozena or Glyzer. What little I know of them is only from reading as I've never tried them myself.
Regarding the FAG1 and R7 I have actually played both.
For buying I understand why you might want to support local sellers but maybe to get what you want you can but online to. I've used tt-store.eu many times and would recommend.
TT11 also

 

[CyNyC]

Hello,

in the meantime I had the chance to glue 2 Tibhar EL-P (both 1.8mm) on my old carbon blade and play 4-5 times.
I got them from my son and they are pretty worn out, but I wanted to try recent material and share info anyway.

They are surely faster than MarkV and feel "harder" during powershots but with less control on short play.
Biggest difference I feel is about FH topspin:
- slow and very "brushed" spin: seems impossible ball otften into the net, but maybe is the worn out surface that doesn't grip the ball (or I hope so)
- medium controlled topspin: good but they are not too spinny; I need to "wait" for the ball to descent a bit to put it where I want (technical issue I think). If I try to anticipate to hit higher, shots go 80% into the net
- powerful topspin (usually on backspin ball): I can't get a "wide arc" as with MarkV, trajectory is more straight/linear than I expect. Forcing then result in long shots.

On BH tospin (I tend to "hit" more than brush) it feels better, more stable/consistent, but I don't have enough skills to properly evaluate.

Waiting for my new rubbers....

 

[CyNyC]

Some update.
I made my choice and bought (on fairly good discount):
- Vega Pro max
- Acuda S1 2.0mm

First impression after 3 weeks of play for 2-3 times/week
Vega Pro max on FH.
Immediately feel good on all type of shots.
It's sensitive on short/push game, good on slow brushed topspin and powerful enough for medium/powerful tospin at table or mid range. Arc is always constant.
Seems that ball stays on racket a bit more time than my previous setting and you can feel how much spin you want to add (maybe also blade's merit).
Repsonse on adding power to shots is really linear. I'm really satisfied.
Only cons: blocks feels controlled but "weak"; you have to do "more" movement to have a quicker ball in blocking topspin.

Acusa S1 2.0mm on BH.
Short/push game: feel "hard" on hands but control is not bad anyway.
On topspin is really on/off: slow brushed ones are possible only with big wrist movement; powerful ones are a pleasure, but only with perfect timing. Trajectory is really linear in my opinion.
Blocks are fast and powerful also with little movement; main issue is absorbing force of incoming ball, if you need it.
Maybe I need time to get used to it, but I don't feel is a right choice for my training right now; it works good only with "perfect" shots with medium/high power applied and good timing (which I don't have yet).

I tried to switch, but didnt' feel good nor in BH or FH; seems of playing with worst charateristic of both
But I prefer to stay another 1-2 month with first setting in order to understand it better.

Keep on play to see if sensations evolve....

 

[Tyce]

Vega X is great, very versatile without being hard to use. Good find, and glad you like it.

Acuda S1 is a pretty tough rubber to learn, but the potential is big.

If you feel like trying something more forgiving, and BH isn't your strength, I'd suggest Vega Europe (or Europe DF depending on how soft you like it).
I don't suggest Rakza 7. It's too heavy, unpredictable and gets influenced a lot by what blade you use it on. Not worth the price.

 

[Brs]

Or donic baracuda for BH? OP mentioned donic rubbers. barracuda was one of the earlier T05 substitutes. Super easy to play and quite durable. Has been replaced by new tech for the new ball, but probably still plays quite nicely.

 

[Topspinslinger]

Yasaka Rakza 7, tried and tested.
There are so many 47 degree rubbers, all giving 10% more speed or spin and a different feeling.

 

[Lazer]

You already had the best "neutral rubber" Mark V

Cheers
L-zr

 

[Draycott old man]

Nittika fastarc G1 is a brilliant choice that has enough power and spin to develop your game !!! Another great choice is Tibhar Aurus Soft both have amazing durability!!! Excellent rubbers that will be brilliant for years to come !!!

 

[RomanAngerer]

1) Nittaku Fastarc G-1.
2) Donic Baracda.
3) Andro Rasanter R42.
4) Tibhar Evolution EL-D.
5) Xiom Vega Pro.
6) DHS Gold Arc 8 (47.5).

 

[Louisgenius]

Rozzena. That where I started off and now I have perfect forehand form using H3/D09c

 

[vanjr]

Rakza 7.
Nittaku G1 for something faster than R7

 

[Tyce]

Also C1 if you think G1 is too hard.