First Custom Bat - Chinese vs European rubber
Equipment
Nick Ungson Asked 13 years ago
Coach, I have a question regarding different types of rubber. I'm approaching a level where I'm beginning to think about a custom paddle (My current paddle is the STIGA Supreme: http://bit.ly/m9adnX) and I've seen a lot of talk on forums re: Chinese vs. "European" (ppl seem to use this term to mean European and Japanese) rubbers.
I've gathered that the Chinese rubber is a deal tackier (and thus relies on more of a brush for loops), but does this mean that the Chinese rubber is better than European rubbers? In other words, I've heard that I should stay away from Chinese rubbers, especially for my first custom bat. But do all player eventually start using Chinese rubbers as they get better?
Alois Rosario Answered 13 years ago
Hi Nick,
'Chinese rubbers' usually have a harder sponge and a tackier surface.
It is a matter of preference as to which you use. One isn't better than the other, they are just a different feel.
You can probably go for a softer rubber as your first custom bat but there are some good cheaper 'Chinese' rubbers. It is more a matter of getting a rubber that isn't too fast to start with, rather than the type of rubber necessarily. I would also recommend a softer rubber but as long as it is reasonably slow.
The rubber we recommend as a good first rubber for a custom bat is Mark V.
Thoughts on this question
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Nick Ungson Posted 13 years ago
One more question; how do I know when its time to move to a custom bat / what custom bat to move to?
I'm currently using the STIGA Supreme:
Rubber: "Future" inverted with ACS Technology
Handle: anatomic Italian composite w/ WRB system
Sponge: 2.0mm
Blade: 6-ply extra light blade w/ Tube Technology & Crystal Tech Technology
Would the custom bat that you recommend on your site be suitable for me? I have been playing for 5 years, although my experience hasn't been competitive in nature. I mainly played with one training partner in our table at home; although we didn't play competitively, we got quite good at loops and general technique. I went to the local university's table tennis practice, and I could not keep up. I had some good shots, but my service / return game is pretty weak (e.g., my short pushes were just not spinny enough). I know a large part of this is my inexperience with real club / competitive play, but I'm not sure how much of this is also an equipment gap. Am I using an appropriate paddle, or should I try and make my own before moving and getting serious in local clubs / tournaments?
I know this is a long and involved question; thanks in advice, guys! Your videos have really improved my game.
The PingSkills Touch with Mark V would probably be the next sep for you. The Stiga Supreme is quite a good starter bat. You will find the Touch with Mark V a bit faster and will give you a bit more reward for your shots.
Glad the videos are helping.
Jonathan Huynh Posted 12 years ago
what if you start off with chinese rrubber, but want to change to euro/japanese rubbers. Would you say this is okay because the rubber i'm currently using is chinese but i want to use the butterfly and stiga rubbers when i get a custom bat.
Scott Ward Posted 9 years ago
Hey Coach,
Just to piggy back off of Jonathan's question. Just the other day I bought a Stiga® Supreme Table Tennis Racket. I know I got it from the sports store lol. I want to get the Ping Skills Touch but need to save up. Anyways the racquet I got has very tacky rubber. I have to angle the racquet a lot just so I can get it on the other side of the table. I'm guessing that the rubber is Chinese which I don't think I like. We just got a jolla table here at work and the racquets that came with I can get on the other side of the table all day and don't have to angle my racquet so much. I'm guessing that its European rubber? Please help me when you get a chance. Thanks