Hybrid rubber to replace Mark 5

[daniyaalahmadkhan08968]

My friend wanted to buy new rubber and replace his mark 5 which he has been using since 2013. He is backhand dominant and can be considered beginner with intermediate understanding. He is using all wood 5 ply.
Want to shift to hybrid rubbers, but don't know which one. Please give some good beginner budget budget freindly options and, Is it right to use hybrid rubbers at his level?

 

[greenbeanmachine]

Hybrid rubber is very different from Mark V, so the adjustment period will be long. Most hybrid rubbers are expensive and not so durable, so will require frequent replacement. For this reason they may not be the best option.

I'd recommend Rakza 7 or Rakza X if you're looking for a step up in equipment without having to adjust too much. Rakza Z is a good hybrid option and very durable, if hybrid is really what you are looking for. Probably the most durable hybrid rubber.

Get the same rubber both sides if he is backhand-dominant.

There is also the option of going for Hurricane 3. This will require less adjustment of your stroke, compared to a hybrid rubber.

 

[Egon]

I also wouldn't recommend a hybrid rubber for your friend, because the stickiness reduces speed and often hybrid rubbers require a faster blade.
Rakza7, FastarcC1, VegaEurope will be a good upgrade

 

[greenbeanmachine]

I also wouldn't recommend a hybrid rubber for your friend, because the stickiness reduces speed and often hybrid rubbers require a faster blade.

This is true, but Mark V is a pretty slow rubber to begin with so probably not a huge difference in speed. Rakza Z would probably have similar speed. Rakza 7 would be an increase in speed.

 

[Egon]

This is true, but Mark V is a pretty slow rubber to begin with so probably not a huge difference in speed. Rakza Z would probably have similar speed. Rakza 7 would be an increase in speed.

That's true, but Rakza Z is more sensitive to the opponent's rotation. A lot depends on his playing style. I recommended a more versatile rubbers. By the way, if it's too fast, he can go back to "good old" but new Mark 5.

 

[Airoc]

Hybrid rubber is very different from Mark V, so the adjustment period will be long. Most hybrid rubbers are expensive and not so durable, so will require frequent replacement. For this reason they may not be the best option.

I agree here.
A small step upwards from a classic rubber like Mark V would be one of the entry-level Tensor rubbers, like XIOM Vega Intro.
Rakza 7 also seems a good choice.

 

[mocker88]

Check out Yinhe - Big Dipper. I have some players in the club changing from Mark V to Big Dipper 38deg and all is good.

 

[daniyaalahmadkhan08968]

I agree here.
A small step upwards from a classic rubber like Mark V would be one of the entry-level Tensor rubbers, like XIOM Vega Intro.
Rakza 7 also seems a good choice.

Which one is more forgiving and spinny also same rubber on both side or different

 

[Airoc]

Which one is more forgiving and spinny also same rubber on both side or different

The Vega Intro is specifically designed to be one step upwards from classic rubbers, with little of what they used to call "speed glue effect".
You can use it to upgrade, but it would also be suitable for beginners. Ball size and game itself have changed over the years, everyone adopts, and so should the recommendations for beginners in my opinion. Sriver/Mark V and the likes are kinda like going to driving school with a 50 year old car. It will eventually work, but does it make sense?

Rakza 7 offers a great balance between power and control. It never caught on as an alternative to the top models of other manufacturers (which was probably the idea), but therefore has been established as a good choice for many players.

"Forgiving" is hard to define, I even think it´s a buzzword. The slowest rubber doesn´t forgive bad timing and bad footwork. Vega Intro has less catapult effect than the Rakza, but the margins are small - with a wrong racket angle you´ll even overshoot with a thin Mark V...

If your friend is used to having Mark V on both sides I´d recommend upgrading both sides with the same rubber also.

Last thought on hybrids, there is one fantastically controllable hybrid rubber with an attractive price tag: NUZN 45 by andro.
The NUZN rubbers also last as long as a typical tensor rubber, which is unrivaled in the hybrid segment.
But I think both Vega Intro and Rakza 7 will last longer.

 

[greenbeanmachine]

Which one is more forgiving and spinny

Neither Rakza 7 nor Vega Intro are particularly spinny. "forgiving" is a poorly defined concept but I would say Rakza 7 is generally pretty forgiving.

If you want something spinny, go for Rakza Z. I would also say that Rakza Z is pretty forgiving -- not too fast, and very controllable in the short game.

Rakza rubbers would also be a good step up from Mark V, as they are Yasaka's updates on the Mark V technology

also same rubber on both side or different

Unless there's a reason to use different rubbers, I think it's generally best to use the same rubber on both sides. Playing with two different rubbers gives some cognitive dissonance in how you hit the ball. It's better to internalize one way of hitting the ball instead of having to internalize two different ways and switch between them.

The main reason people use different rubbers is because their backhand is not as strong as their forehand, so they put a faster rubber on the backhand. For a backhand-dominant player there is usually not a reason to do this, especially at a beginner level.

 

[daniyaalahmadkhan08968]

Rakza rubbers would also be a good step up from Mark V, as they are Yasaka's updates on the Mark V technology

I get what you are saying, but rakza rubbers are little bit expensive. So i guess our options are limited to vega and yinhe big dipper. Or is there any other cheaper alternative for rakza 7?

 

[belllfador]

Non hybrid but good update for mark v: Nittaku Flyatt spin, Victas Ventus Extra?

 

[greenbeanmachine]

I get what you are saying, but rakza rubbers are little bit expensive. So i guess our options are limited to vega and yinhe big dipper. Or is there any other cheaper alternative for rakza 7?

If you want a good rubber on a budget, Yinhe Big Dipper is among the best you can get. Highly recommend. Yinhe and Loki brands generally have the best quality for cheap rubbers.

Loki Rxton 3 (pink and blue) and Rxton 5 (all colors including black) are also great quality for the money, and sometimes you can find them on Ali Express for less than $10. I just got three sheets of Rxton 5 for $24 total. Great for both forehand and backhand. My only issue with Rxton is that the stickiness doesn't last very long. But the sponge remains springy and powerful for a long time.

Loki Arthur China or Arthur Asia is Loki's next step in quality from Rxton, costing around $20.

Yinhe Jupiter 3 is also really good. Big Dipper is a little faster, and Jupiter is a little spinnier.

All of these are hybrid rubbers.

 

[al_111]

I also don't quite get why your friend wants to go hybrid. Still, if he is confident he wants to try this kind of rubbers, I can only second Yinhe recommendations: Big Dipper 38 for higher throw, Jupiter 3 37 or 38 for lower throw (might be closer to Mark V in this regard), Mercury 2 medium if he wants to stay slow (he'll be able to speed it up to his liking with baby oil later in case things get too slow).
BTW, one could say Yinhe were actually (among) the first to develop hybrid rubbers with their Venus 2-3, Jupiter 2, Mercury 2, and original Big Dipper.

 

[daniyaalahmadkhan08968]

I also don't quite get why your friend wants to go hybrid. Still, if he is confident he wants to try this kind of rubbers

😅bro, we are just bunch of noobs trying to figure out this game while balancing studies ( medical graduate). Also never ever we had someone coach us or joined any club, so thats..... the thing.
After taking everyones suggestions....
Xiom offensive s + vega intro on both side
Tibhar stratus powerwood+ fh loki rxton 5 + bh yinhe mercury 2
I think these setup should work, right?

 

[daniyaalahmadkhan08968]

If you want a good rubber on a budget, Yinhe Big Dipper is among the best you can get. Highly recommend. Yinhe and Loki brands generally have the best quality for cheap rubbers.

Loki Rxton 3 (pink and blue) and Rxton 5 (all colors including black) are also great quality for the money.

Yinhe Jupiter 3 is also really good. Big Dipper is a little faster, and Jupiter is a little spinnier.

All of these are hybrid rubbers.

I saw reviews for rxton 3( pink) , its a good rubber for backhand . For forehand Jupiter 3 is fine.

 

[al_111]

I think these setup should work, right?

Yep, both should be totally fine. In addition, you'll be able to compare modern easy-to-use euro vs chinese gear and see what you like more for yourselves. After all, trying out stuff is a major part of tt-related entertainment for most of the forum members😉