How often do you change rubbers?

[NewGuyHere]

How often do you play and how often do you change rubbers?

 

[jonol]

About 5-10 hours per week playtime. Usually replace them every 6months. The G1 could probably last longer, but 5-6 months feels about the time most other rubbers start to get noticeably worn.

 

[Lazer]

Playing ~3 sessions/week. Changing rubbers once per season (2 seasons in a year)…

Cheers
L-zr

 

[Archosaurus]

When I played a lot, I would play about 25 hours a week, and I used the same sheets of 729 Super FX for about 3 years straight with only minor noticeable wear.

Right now I play single digit hours per week, so I pretty much only plan to change rubber when I feel like it, but I did need to swap out my backhand rubber as it had oxidized for a long time and lost a lot of grip.

 

[Gozo Zyreruna]

Each time my vendor has a sale that is like once a month, usually on 1/1, 2/2, 3/3 ..... 11/11 & 12/12

 

[NewGuyHere]

About 5-10 hours per week playtime. Usually replace them every 6months. The G1 could probably last longer, but 5-6 months feels about the time most other rubbers start to get noticeably worn.

I think G-1 will last about a year with 10hours/week

 

[Crillo]

09c last three months. K3 two weeks.

 

[Tyce]

I think G-1 will last about a year with 10hours/week

So here's the thing: it depends.

Do you stress the sponge a lot? Hit hard? Make hard brushing contact?
But also, how are the balls, how dusty is the play area, how do you clean and protect your bat? Do you wipe between points and if so how hard, how much moisture do you use?

I have a sheet that's been on since September and I'd say the topsheet is at 85% grip capacity. But when I was too lazy to clean it a couple of weeks back, the result was a clearly abrated area from picking up dust and rubbing it in through contact. The sponge is still fine and will probably last well over a year if I want it to.

I'm planning to put a fresh set of whatever I'm going to use for the next season on my second blade, and keep the current one intact as backup. That way it will last for over a year.

 

[jonol]

I think G-1 will last about a year with 10hours/week

You are probably right. I prefer to change both rubbers at the same time though, rather than have 1 fresh and 1 old.

 

[backspacer]

Once a year. Have been lazy the past few months, but I would play four to five times for 2h+ usually excluding tournaments.

 

[mamedium]

the rule of thumb is to change after a tough loss, esp at 9-10 and the rubber failed

remember: it is the equipment, never the player

 

[RajaLoopah]

With this setup? I hope after a year, haha!

 

[NewGuyHere]

So here's the thing: it depends.

Do you stress the sponge a lot? Hit hard? Make hard brushing contact?
But also, how are the balls, how dusty is the play area, how do you clean and protect your bat? Do you wipe between points and if so how hard, how much moisture do you use?

I have a sheet that's been on since September and I'd say the topsheet is at 85% grip capacity. But when I was too lazy to clean it a couple of weeks back, the result was a clearly abrated area from picking up dust and rubbing it in through contact. The sponge is still fine and will probably last well over a year if I want it to.

I'm planning to put a fresh set of whatever I'm going to use for the next season on my second blade, and keep the current one intact as backup. That way it will last for over a year.

I cleanup dust everyday after the play.

 

[Larshos]

Far more frequently than necessary; such is the way of an EJ..

(6-9 hours per week)

 

[Draf]

What do you guys think about the technique where you pull the ball across the rubber and if you notice any difference in friction you change the rubber?

 

[Tyce]

What do you guys think about the technique where you pull the ball across the rubber and if you notice any difference in friction you change the rubber?

I think it's only for rubbers that are already worn quite a bit past where I would already have replaced them.

 

[Archosaurus]

What do you guys think about the technique where you pull the ball across the rubber and if you notice any difference in friction you change the rubber?

Wear is mostly oxidation of the topsheet layer and plastic deformation (?) of the sponge. Unless you're a pro who hits very hard into a very small area, I feel like you're unlikely to mechanically wear just one spot very noticeably.

I played with your exact setup of Allround Evo + 729 Super FX for 3 years, hitting the ball quite hard on the forehand, and it would have passed that test. Hell, it was still tacky after years.

I'd rather just become accustomed to what kind of grip level to expect from the topsheet and what kind of rebound speed to expect from the sponge, and once there is too much slip or not enough bounce for you, change it. If you're tight on money, don't, and change it later. Like I said, I got 3 out of mine and there was more left.

 

[tabaradumitru]

What do you guys think about the technique where you pull the ball across the rubber and if you notice any difference in friction you change the rubber?

nee, the one where you pull your hair with the rubber is better

 

[Gtsnake]

There is no hard fast rule. It differs from person to person. If you hit the center of the racquet pretty consistently you will wear out the rubber faster than someone who hits all over the racquet face. It makes sense that you contact the same spot over and over will wear it out faster. My wear pattern is more concentrated centered so I have to change out more often.

 

[Draf]

I think it's only for rubbers that are already worn quite a bit past where I would already have replaced them.

Is there any test you can do to verify that the condition of the rubber is ok?

Wear is mostly oxidation of the topsheet layer and plastic deformation (?) of the sponge. Unless you're a pro who hits very hard into a very small area, I feel like you're unlikely to mechanically wear just one spot very noticeably.

I played with your exact setup of Allround Evo + 729 Super FX for 3 years, hitting the ball quite hard on the forehand, and it would have passed that test. Hell, it was still tacky after years.

I'd rather just become accustomed to what kind of grip level to expect from the topsheet and what kind of rebound speed to expect from the sponge, and once there is too much slip or not enough bounce for you, change it. If you're tight on money, don't, and change it later. Like I said, I got 3 out of mine and there was more left.

That is surprising to me. I have not played with that rubber, but I tested the rubbers of a few players in my club and softer rubbers like dna hybrid and manta sound fails the test after being played for less than 1 year, between 5 to 10 hours a week by advanced beginners.