Rubber thickness

[Yurifi]

just a short question - how does rubber thick translate into play in modern table tennis? I am buying some new rubber and most are available in MAX thickness which I am afraid would be a bit much nowadays.

20 years ago when I played competitively MAX ment most speed, but also nice, cushy feeling and most spin. now I mostly play with 2.0 rubber, but because I thought I lose some speed and gain a bit of control - is it still like this?

 

[Infernal]

It depends on the actual rubber way more than the thickness.

For example, Xiom Vega Europe MAX is slower and more controllable than Tenergy 19 1.9mm.

 

[NetProphet]

just a short question - how does rubber thick translate into play in modern table tennis? I am buying some new rubber and most are available in MAX thickness which I am afraid would be a bit much nowadays.

20 years ago when I played competitively MAX ment most speed, but also nice, cushy feeling and most spin. now I mostly play with 2.0 rubber, but because I thought I lose some speed and gain a bit of control - is it still like this?

Yes, it's still the same as regards Max being more speed and spin and people generally choosing 1.8 or 2.0 for control. 👍

 

[Persistence TT]

just a short question - how does rubber thick translate into play in modern table tennis? I am buying some new rubber and most are available in MAX thickness which I am afraid would be a bit much nowadays.

20 years ago when I played competitively MAX ment most speed, but also nice, cushy feeling and most spin. now I mostly play with 2.0 rubber, but because I thought I lose some speed and gain a bit of control - is it still like this?

yes with the speed glue the effect of max rubbers was way way bigger than it is today. You will definitely see a difference between 1,8 an 2,1 or 2,2 but its not something really huge.


this principal is still valid of course, if you feel ok with 2.0mm there is no need to change it

but because I thought I lose some speed and gain a bit of control - is it still like this?

 

[Yurifi]

It depends on the actual rubber way more than the thickness.

For example, Xiom Vega Europe MAX is slower and more controllable than Tenergy 19 1.9mm.

I was thinking about thickness of same rubber. currently I have Vega Pro and Vega X on test, but are 2.0 thickness, but local tt equipment provider only has them in MAX …

will wait so that 2.0 comes to stock. love the feel MAX rubber provides but body isn’t as fast as MAX is … 🙈😅

 

[latej]

just a short question - how does rubber thick translate into play in modern table tennis? I am buying some new rubber and most are available in MAX thickness which I am afraid would be a bit much nowadays.

20 years ago when I played competitively MAX ment most speed, but also nice, cushy feeling and most spin. now I mostly play with 2.0 rubber, but because I thought I lose some speed and gain a bit of control - is it still like this?

You don't need to be afraid of the MAX... Around me, mostly people who play more defensively are sensitive to the thickness, and they prefer 1.9, or even less, of their respective rubber... I also think the rubber itself is much more important than the thickness... That said, if you like 2.0 or 1.9, there is nothing wrong with it, e.g. for the BH...

 

[Infernal]

yes with the speed glue the effect of max rubbers was way way bigger than it is today. You will definitely see a difference between 1,8 an 2,1 or 2,2 but its not something really huge.


this principal is still valid of course, if you feel ok with 2.0mm there is no need to change it

It is not like you gain a ton by going MAX vs 2.0mm. You gain some speed, but you lose control and the racket gets heavier.

 

[Yurifi]

You don't need to be afraid of the MAX... Around me, mostly people who play more defensively are sensitive to the thickness, and they prefer 1.9, or even less, of their respective rubber... I also think the rubber itself is much more important than the thickness... That said, if you like 2.0 or 1.9, there is nothing wrong with it, e.g. for the BH...

this is exactly where I am at the moment. backhand 2.0 thickness, Rakza 7 Soft, and I really like it. I had Donic Acuda Blue S2 MAX on forehand, which I loved, but isn’t available anymore. I thought BlueGrip S1 would be an upgrade, but MAX is wild (don’t get me wrong, if I would be still competing professionally, this would be my choice) and 2.0 is … meh … then tried a variety of Xiom rubber, liked Vega X 2.0 (not in stock), Vega Pro 2.0 which is okayish, and Sigma VII Pro and Euro (both 2.0) which I didn’t like at all.

still have Vega Europe Hybrid to try, but it’s MAX …
and I have Rakza 9 to try, but am affraid Axelo and Rakza 9 together would be a true rocketship, since it’s even faster than Bluegrip S1 is …

 

[igorponger]

Manufacturers all were instructed by ITTF to stop producing and marketing overly thick rubber sheets for safety reason. The upmost thickness limit is now fixed at 3.85 мм.

-----------
© Ве еrudite of everything

 

[Yurifi]

Manufacturers all were instructed by ITTF to stop producing and marketing overly thick rubber sheets for safety reason. The upmost thickness limit is now fixed at 3.85 мм.

-----------
© Ве еrudite of everything

so 3.85, not 4 mm!? damn, so many things changed in table tennis while I was away … 😅

 

[latej]

this is exactly where I am at the moment. backhand 2.0 thickness, Rakza 7 Soft, and I really like it. I had Donic Acuda Blue S2 MAX on forehand, which I loved, but isn’t available anymore. I thought BlueGrip S1 would be an upgrade, but MAX is wild (don’t get me wrong, if I would be still competing professionally, this would be my choice) and 2.0 is … meh … then tried a variety of Xiom rubber, liked Vega X 2.0 (not in stock), Vega Pro 2.0 which is okayish, and Sigma VII Pro and Euro (both 2.0) which I didn’t like at all.

still have Vega Europe Hybrid to try, but it’s MAX …
and I have Rakza 9 to try, but am affraid Axelo and Rakza 9 together would be a true rocketship, since it’s even faster than Bluegrip S1 is …

I used to have Vega X and Pro some time ago on the BH. The Vega X has higher pimples, more spin potential, and also more spin sensitive. So if I had to choose, I'd pick Vega Pro for the BH... The Rakza 9, yes, cheese-like bubbles, quite fast - good luck with that ;-)... All these are cca 47 hardness, for the FH I prefer harder... But it seems you have enough choice and it's only a matter of short time when you find your preference...

 

[Julzig]

Sometimes a heavy 2.0mm can be almost the same as a light MAX rubber.
And unless you need the absolute highest performance or the rubber is extremly slow otherwise, I dont see any need to go higher than 2.0/2.1mm really. For most players it is better to hit 1 or 2 shots more and score with work and control than to hit 1 amazing shot just to lose in the end.