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Used on both sides on a Yasaka Ma Lin Carbon as my first custom racket, this rubber plays like a slightly faster and more controllable Hurricane. The spin on service is outstanding for its price, while long range shots require arm and leg strength but are still manageable. The control is obviously great as it is a beginner to intermediate rubber.
The feeling on the blade is great, and of course if you are becoming advanced but your blade is still in good condition, don’t change the whole thing, change the rubbers, unless you are unhappy with the blade of course. This rubber works well on a carbon blade because of the slow speed. You don’t need a 7 ply wood for the additional spin and control because Barracuda already has it.
Used in forehand, this rubber offers excellent speed and is ideal for looping. While it may not be the spiniest option, it compensates with an exceptional strike. I highly recommend this rubber.
Very good, spinny rubber. I put it on the off blade forehand (FH). My opponent has difficulty blocking my FH spin if they do not put it at the correct angle. Very suitable with a carbon blade.
This rubber is ideal for those who master the chiquita because it has a long throwing angle that can corner the enemy, giving the user an advantage on the third ball.
Additionally, this rubber is fast.
Amazing rubber!
Very good speed, control, and awesome spin.
Nice for both backhand and forehand.
In modern production, speed goes down to 8/10, but spin remains relevant. The sheet is heavy, even in 1.8mm.
With this rubber, I am able to send the ball over the net, something I sometimes did not believe it could do. Topspin is so easy with this rubber, and for me, it is fast enough. I like it a lot, and I would also say that control is very good. I play this rubber on the backhand with a 1.8mm sponge, and hitting also works very well. It is used on TSP Balsa 5.5 All±.
This rubber is very spinny. I use it on my BH and Fastarc G1 on my FH on Stiga Ebenholz V. The spin is equal to G1 but less in speed. You need to match it with a fast blade. Overall, this rubber is good for spin-oriented and intermediate players.
I was surprised by the quality of this rubber. It’s incredibly grippy and spinny, seemingly exceeding Tenergy 05 in spin capacity. It demonstrates exceptional consistency, allowing for precise shot placement. Players can immediately discern if a shot is too long or too short.
The rubber has a high throw angle, making it an excellent match for the Joola Kool’s low throw angle. This combination enhances brush strokes, providing optimal control and spin.
Donic Baracuda is an awesome rubber for loopers. Trust me, it feels similar to tenergy 05, but slower.
It is not a rubber for smashing because of the throw.
It’s mainly used for looping and counter spin… Brutal… 10/10 for spinners.
If you are a smasher, stay away from this rubber :).
Great rubber, my answer to Tenergy’s high throw. So many people write that this and that rubber is the alternative to 05, but none have the high throw and softness of 05 except Donic Barracuda. And being softish, its throw is the highest of all. Though T05/Tenergy is faster, it has much less control with the bouncy sponge. Barracuda has a medium hardness and is not bouncy. Its drawback is not so great speed, but its spin and control are fantastic. It works for me because I use an off+ blade, Carbonado 290 (it may be too slow for some on an average off or off-speed blade), one of the fastest, very fast, hard blades. So the lack of speed is no issue for me. Swing fast on spin-ups and don’t miss! … It has so much more control than Rasanter 47.5 and Joola Rhymer 48. It is the best rubber and it’s less than half the price of Tenergy. It’s old like the 05 but one of the very best spin rubbers.
I found this rubber to be very fast, but its best characteristic is the spin. You can feel it also in the surface and I find that the sponge hardness is medium to soft (probably more to soft). Although the hardness, it lacks in control but in time (and practice) you can get used to it.
It has a high throw so you must beware if you use it with fast blades. It is not affected so much from humidity like other rubbers, and it lasts a long time. I ordered a red sheet and I also have a black which I find it to be more spinier than the red, although a year older and with a lot of hours playing.
Overall, a very good rubber at a logical price.
Tried the red rubber in 1.8 with a Donic Waldner Allplay. I get the feeling that it’s the Sriver for the new 40 mm ball. I’ve never tried G3, but Baracuda is very good and you can find it at a cheap price all over. It may not be so pretty to look at, but it’s very good for both forehand and backhand.
9/19/2014
I started playing table tennis again 30 days ago after a 15-year gap. I was on my college TT team.
I have never been a good looper. I bought Baracuda, and voila! Now I am a deadly looper. Awesome spin, awesome loop…it’s so much fun to loop with this rubber. Opponents at my club are flummoxed with my new skills.
I am very happy with my serves and chops, and the control is the best I have ever had. It has taken my game to a new level so easily. I play 2 hours daily for the last 30 odd days.
Update - 9 May 2018
I came back to this rubber, the same 4-year-old sheet, and it still has great spin. I love the snakes I can manage with this rubber…the best spin of all rubbers. I use it on my BH on Sanwei Fextra. It’s great for loops and serves.
4 May 2019
However, it’s not good for blocking.
Review text
Not too fast, good spin, and easy to stroke. It makes a good sound when flat hitting or smashing.
However, it is not durable and easy to break if it hits the table. Despite this, it is still worth the price.
The review notes that this rubber is the best option if Tenergy is not available. It has better spin than T05 but slightly less speed and durability. The reviewer uses it on both sides but believes it’s more suited for a backhand. The reviewer recommends opting for 1.8 or 2.0 thickness as max thickness compromises the special spin characteristics and adds unnecessary weight.
The rubber has medium speed, medium hardness, high spin, sensitivity to the incoming turn, a very high launch angle, a great feel, good control, and is quite heavy. It is very good for topspin and is recommended for the forehand. It is also recommended to use with hard woods.
A great spin rubber, suitable for forehand. It is a cheap rubber. However, I don’t like the feel of this rubber in the backhand. On the other hand, Tenergy 05 is good for backhand.
Spinniest non factory boosted ESN rubber with high throw and moderate speed. Excels at looping.
Speed comes through on high impact shots. Suitable for both forehand and backhand.
Topsheet grips the ball well. Sponge is lacking something compared to factory boosted rubbers. This cannot be resolved by boosting, which does not improve performance a lot. Still a super solid rubber.
I find the rubber inconsistent in some shots. When looping far from the table, or in some flat hits, the ball goes straight to the net like it doesn’t grab the ball. I feel 1/10-20 shots are like this. Other than that, I agree with everyone else’s comments. Another advantage I find is pretty good blocking.
I believe this is the best backhand rubber. I have tried many others.
Here is a video of the max version in action: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=RTdZe0vmD74
I am an intermediate player and this rubber has really improved my backhand loops. The spin is amazing.
Legend from Donic is an excellent rubber. It lacks high speed but is sufficient for regular close and middle play. However, it excels in spin and control. The throw angle is high, so I had to adjust my forehand in the first few days (it slightly resembles T05 without the catapult). Surprisingly, it’s mid-hard. Overall, it’s a great rubber that works well on both FH and BH.
I bought this rubber twice. The first time was 4 months ago, and it was very spinny. However, the second set I bought 2 weeks ago had little spin, and the topsheet felt firmer. This was disappointing.
Played about 7 hours with this rubber so far on the forehand (FH). I used it with the Xiom Stradivarius and found it was too stiff to get dwell with this rubber. Then I used the Xiom Offensive S and it feels fantastic, amazing, and has powerful spin. When playing against Tenergy users, they struggle to block the incoming ball because of the unexpected spin. The power is lacking slightly but adequate to finish the point. It enables tidy and slow spin loops, which you could argue is more useful for consistency. Overall, I’m loving this rubber and will continue with it on the FH. Tenergy 05 has recently gone up to £54 from £50 in the UK.
Yasaka Extra Offensive 7 Power (Carbon blade; OFF+)
Rubbers:
I prefer Rakza 7 with this blade on both forehand and backhand. Although both rubbers play quite similarly, Rakza 7 is slightly livelier and harder, providing better feedback. Barracuda, which is slightly softer, requires more effort to generate power and spin. However, the spin generation is comparable between the two rubbers.
Barracuda has massive spin potential, very high throw, and medium speed. It grips the ball very well, making it easy to lift heavy underspin. The sponge feels ordinary, but it provides a slight “click” akin to speed glue. It is best suited for near-table play and is also suitable for far-table play.
In my experience, playing with Barracuda is significantly easier than with Tenergy 05. Barracuda is much safer and more forgiving. With some strokes, Tenergy 05 requires a heavy brush to loop the ball. Finally, Barracuda has excellent durability. Its topsheet is made from natural rubber, unlike the Acuda Blue series and Rasant Grip, which feel more synthetic.
Backhand Rubber
This rubber offers excellent dwell time and is extremely grippy and spiny. It also provides a decent catapult effect. While the speed is relatively weak, this is well-compensated by the high level of control it provides.
We’re all looking for extra grip/spin with the polyball, and this one has it. Although the pace is a bit slow on my Defplay Senso with 4 layers of Falco booster, it plays like a dream with more pace than my usual Tenergy 05 and equal if not better spin. I think this is a reasonably priced solution for me.
Update: the Falco long booster is needed for effect longevity. This rubber boosted is the solution when you need more speed without using a faster blade. As an ox lp user, I need a blade with some dampening on the b/h side, as t05 is not fast enough with a polyball for f/h on my current all+ blade with flex (bt 550).
I didn’t put a speed spin control rating due to the booster, where I would put my rating for that at 9.5, 9.5, 8.
It’s a shame that its topsheet is so easily breakable. After only 2 months of use, it’s in the same condition as my Donic S1, which is already 2 years old. It’s hard to believe that it could deteriorate so quickly!
Very good for the topspin game. Offers loads of spin and makes it easy to loop backspin balls. It helped my backhand loop a lot.
Mine is a black 2.0mm rubber, cut to standard size (157x150mm), and weighs 49.6g. It’s not very fast but pairs well with off- and off±rated blades to tame their speed. Baracuda is very grippy, allowing for easy lifting of underspin balls and generating super spin; it’s the most spinny rubber I’ve tried so far. However, it has some drawbacks: it’s heavy, its smashing capabilities are just okay, and it’s sensitive to spin. I’ve tried it on several of my blades and now have it on the forehand of my Yasaka Extra Offensive 7 Power. This combination generates ridiculous spin that will surprise your opponents. Baracuda is great for loopers but not so great for heavy hitters and smashers. It’s a great match for low-throw Off/Off+ blades. My ratings for Baracuda are as follows: speed=8.5, spin=9.6, control=8.5, grip=10, throw=high, hardness=5, feel=very good/solid, overall=9.3 (too heavy, otherwise 9.5).
Very high spin can be generated in slow or fast loops. Flicks are good. Blocks and drives are average because of the very high throw and sensitivity to incoming spin. It is less bouncy compared to Tenergy 05 FX due to a thicker topsheet. It is a heavy rubber, similar to the Tenergy series, and its durability is okay.
The Baracuda has a neutral feel on forehand drives - not too disengaged or numb but also not the most responsive rubber on the market. The first couple of forehand drives quickly revealed that the Baracuda is not a speed monster. However, it still has sufficient power to enable mid-distance play.
I have heard many tales of Baracuda’s high throw angle, but in my opinion, it is only a medium to medium-high throw rubber. Looping is, nonetheless, quite pleasant - controlled and clearly the Baracuda’s greatest strength.
Read our full review at: http://blog.tabletennis11.com/donic-Baracuda-rubbers-review.
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I began using this rubber on my forehand with a Timo Boll ALC blade. It provides exceptional control for looping, with the ball kicking off significantly. While it may lack the raw speed of some tensors, its tackiness contributes to a highly spin-oriented game.
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Looping is one of the key strengths of this rubber, producing excellent spin. Serving also benefits from its spin-generating capabilities. It is highly recommended for intermediate players.
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In the short game, this rubber’s control makes flicking and pushing effortless. Both active and passive blocking are easier than with other rubbers I have used, such as the Bluefire JP Series.
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Overall, I enjoy using this rubber. It delivers incredible spin. However, as a speed-oriented player, I personally prefer the Acuda Blue Series.
This is the spinniest non-tacky rubber I’ve ever played with. I’ve also played with MX-P, Nimbus, Acuda S1 Turbo, Rakza 9, Aurus, and Mark V, but none of them come close to generating as much spin as Baracuda.
Despite its high throw, Baracuda is surprisingly easy to play with, even when looping close to the table. The high spin produced on loops counteracts the high throw and brings the ball down to the table with a good arc.
It only took me a few minutes to adjust my game when I first started playing with it. Overall, Baracuda is an amazing product by Donic.
Ok. So, on my quest to find the best slow spiny looping rubber, this was the last one I was trying. I have tried a bunch of rubbers, including T05, and while it is just as spinny, the hard rubber does not help for slow spinny looping. The medium/soft sponge of this rubber allows for spins of all flavors! And I’ve NEVER seen a rubber that does it like Baracuda. All my opponents were surprised by the spins, and if I had any amount of time, my loops were unreturnable for the most part.
Even if they were returned, it was weak, loop driven, or smashed. Which was another surprise. It smashed better than I thought for a soft sponge, but I had it on a stiff 729 V-6 blade, which paired great! Smashes were just powerful enough, and spins were sick. This is my new rubber for forehand, and my next test is to put it on my Jun Mitsutani blade, which should be a perfect pairing.
It chops, blocks, spins (no better rubber for lifting backspin), serves super spinny, and pushes great. Probably a great backhand rubber too.
Very good rubber both for backhand and forehand. If you like to be aggressive on backhand, you can use max thickness. For forehand, max thickness is much better than 2.0. I will compare it with tenergy 05, a rubber that I used a lot.
First of all, Baracuda is more durable, especially the topsheet. The speed is slower, but the spin is more. On a blade like T Boll ALC, the speed is more than enough.
At service, Baracuda is MUCH better compared to tenergy and also much better at pushing the ball over the table. You can generate much more backspin with it. Actually, close to the table, I find Baracuda better than tenergy.
Keep in mind, many people make the mistake of buying Baracuda 2.0, but you should use it in MAX. Just like tenergy, you use it in 2.1(max).
Conclusion. This rubber is a MUST to try. It is not very expensive. It is actually half the price of tenergy.
This rubber was purchased as my forehand, a replacement for the Mark V. The Mark V has a great feel and is a wonderful all-around rubber, but I wanted something more aggressive for service and looping, as I tend to play a bit off the table with high-spin loops. The Baracuda fulfills this, no doubt, but I do find it a bit difficult to control at times, just because it’s so reactive and fairly sensitive, in my opinion. It could just be that I need more time with it to become more acquainted and alter my style a bit.
The biggest positive is the simply incredible amount of spin achieved. When playing against opponents who don’t necessarily know how to handle it spin, they rarely have a chance at returning my serves. On the flip side, matches against more experienced players who are able to return my serves make the third shot quite difficult to get back over the table when using forehand, as the spin can be difficult to manage. I’ll admit that I do need quite a bit more time before being comfortable with it and adjusting the angle for returns. The Baracuda is dramatically different than the Mark V for short game, and it seems as though once I become more comfortable I will be able to use the increased spin to my advantage.
My rubber is glued to a Barricade DEF blade and I use it on FH with OX Curl-P1r on Backhand. I actually play offensively, most of the time, at close/medium distance to the table, using the pips to disrupt the pace, or for chopping if needed. I’ve been playing table tennis for 3 years now and this is the second time I get to use a Baracuda. When I was a beginner, I used it on a Waldner Allplay blade on the FH side, and even though I liked the rubber back then, I wasn’t able to get the most out of it.
SPIN: This rubber has an awesome dwell time and produces a LOT of spin on all strokes.
SERVE: My biggest weapon on serves has always been deception rather than spin. Baracuda allows me to produce a wide range of very spinny serves.
LOOPS: This rubber made me a looping machine. Mind you that it’s a slow rubber glued to a DEF blade, so the Loops are not really fast, but VERY spinny and controlled. I’ve seen good players misjudge the amount of spin and block the loop way out of the table. My favorite stroke.
DRIVES: Even though this rubber is slow, driving the ball feels good and it’s fast enough if you do it right. Not suited for long-distance play though.
PUSH: Very easy to generate spin and pressure the opponent with good-placed balls.
HIT/SMASH: Even with my DEF blade, it is fast.
CHOP: It’s not hard to chop with this rubber. Even against heavy topspin.
Durability: I have been playing with the same rubber 8h a week for 1 year now. It’s still very good. 10/10.
Bottom line: Tenergy 64 is still the best rubber out there for me, as I’m not quite a fan of the Tenergy 05. Baracuda is slower than Tenergy 64, but it generates a lot of spin. Control is awesome. For the price of this rubber, I would say give it a try. If it’s too slow for your FH, you may still like it on the BH side. If you are a DEF to All+ player, then you can’t go wrong with this one. Works well with poly balls. I’m using it on a 2.0mm sponge.
These days, the game is changing. Due to next season, all league matches in my country will be played with poly balls, from amateur to pro. (Pro matches have been played with poly balls since 2014). Blades are getting stiffer and stronger with more power, while rubbers are becoming slower, softer, and bit grippier.
With this in mind, I chose this rubber for my Donic World Champion 89 Waldner blade – Softer Big Slam for BH and normal for FH. The setup is amazing.
Firstly, I would like to point out that I use the rubber unboosted, but will probably boost it when the rubber’s performance decreases. The setup has a really nice ALL+/OFF- speed, with enormous control.
Though the rubber is spin oriented, it functions very well in other strokes. The spin is the same as Tibhar MX-P, but a bit more than M2. The speed is slower when playing, but the blade has that OFF power when I smash.
The rubber is very linear. My opponents say that it is a bit easier to play against than MX-P because MX-P is more faster and rougher. However, because of the control, I can do counterspins to every loop, with decent speed. Spin sensitivity is very forgiving.
My blade is 92.4 gr, and with rubbers, it is under 180, which is considered a medium/light blade. No wonder why this rubber is so popular: it has a good price, good quality, outstanding performance, and controlled speed.
Used this on FH after H3, and:
This is an excellent rubber for offensive and all-round players.
Menurut saya, karet ini lebih spesial karena putarannya yang luar biasa. Kontrolnya cukup baik, sementara kecepatannya cukup kencang. Sejauh ini, karet ini memberikan kesan yang bagus.
I tested a bat (carbon OFF blade) with red Donic Baracuda and black Xiom Vega Europe. Baracuda is not very fast, but it is still an attack rubber. It generates more spin than Xiom. The control is pretty nice in both cases.
Later, I used Baracuda on my BH side. I usually choose a Chinese tacky rubber on my FH. This combination works well, providing good spin, speed, and control.
After over two years with Baracuda, I feel the need to update my review. Baracuda is excellent and among the best rubbers in terms of performance and price. It’s not very fast but still powerful enough to play far from the table. However, it is more comfortable to play closer to the table.
The topsheet is tacky (not as tacky as traditional Chinese rubbers, but it can lift up a ball). This makes the rubber spin-sensitive, especially against incoming topspin. It takes some time to adjust to this, but it also means great spin potential, especially if you brush the ball.
Overall, Baracuda is a good choice for those who prefer spin over precision.
Very good product by Donic (ESN). Like most ESN products, all the essential information has been provided, and most of it has been discussed on the DB forum.
The only thing I don’t agree with is the speed rating. I find it to be quite fast, like most modern rubbers. I would rate it at least 9.1 or something around that.
Have fun!
Recently, I put matching rubber on my Hunter Black Widow. The play is very nice and responsive, providing excellent spin. The rubber allows you to quickly compensate for spins in returns or add to topspin loops. I really enjoy using it and will be purchasing it frequently. I may consider changing the sponge thickness to 2.2/2.1, but overall, it’s a great rubber for aggressive players.
Unbelievable fault tolerance!
When you hit or brush the ball, the rubber seems to dwell very well and wrap the ball around.
It makes a unique sound and crazy amount of spin.
Among the best!
Speed is just right.
Control is awesome.
Spin is brutal.
A must-try.
The Donic Baracuda is a very good all-around rubber. It offers a great combination of speed and control.
It is recommended to use the Baracuda on an off- blade at minimum. On all+ blades, it may feel too slow for some players.
Fantastic rubber with perfect spin and great control.
I have been using this rubber for 2 months. There are a few good things about it. Because of the high throw angle, some shots are landing well on the table. However, my pushes are in trouble now because of the throw angle. Most of the time, the loops are not consistent. Away from the table, lobs are good.
I’ve put Baracuda on Innerforce ALC in 2.0 version (FH). It was a very nice set up. Topspin to topspin play was just pure pleasure. The high arch was a looper’s dream come true from the first hit.
Update: I practiced with it for a week now. Every shot is a pure pleasure. My technique got better straight away. I got more time to hit the 2nd, 3rd, and 4th ball and put it where I wanted it. The spin is just out of this world when you hit it correctly.
Update: I bought the first sheet at the end of September. Until now (22/11), it’s nearly two months of hitting at least 2-3 times a week. I have noticed in the last two weeks that, for some reason, lifting underspin has become an effort. I’ve also noticed a decrease in power (more balls find the net instead of going long from the 2nd zone). The red surface is looking better than on the T64. After two months of hitting with the T64, there was a sweet spot on the red surface.
Eventually, every rubber gets its playing time, and FH rubbers are more abused due to obvious reasons. I think it’s a good value for money. I will get another sheet for sure. I’m already thinking about replacing my T25 FX on BH with Donic rubber.
When paired with an off carbon blade such as the Persson Carbon Senso v1, BFY Sardius, or BFY ZLC, this rubber excels on the forehand (FH). However, I was unable to use it effectively on the backhand (BH). As many have mentioned, it generates high spin, even surpassing T05. While it offers sufficient speed, it’s important to note that increased speed often compromises control.
Disclaimer: As a USATT 1530 player, I acknowledge that my experience with this rubber may not be applicable to all players. I share my insights for those at or around my skill level.
After approximately three or four hours of usage on a 2.0mm thickness for both forehand and backhand, I have compiled the following observations:
Pros:
Cons:
Despite its impressive spin capabilities, I encountered significant issues with the rubber’s susceptibility to spin. Additionally, the heavy weight and top-heavy feel did not suit my playing style. Therefore, while I cannot label this rubber as inherently bad, it did not meet my personal preferences. After attempting to acclimate to it over several sessions, I ultimately concluded that it was not a suitable choice for me.
This is one of the better rubbers out there for the price. I tried it in both 1.8mm and 2.0mm, but not max. It is definitely a looper’s rubber, but is also pretty good in blocking, chopping and pushing.
However, I found the throw angle a little too high and the sponge a bit too hard for my all-round game. I think the ratings are a little off on this rubber. I would say speed is around 9.2 and spin 9.1.
If you are looking for a good all-round rubber that does everything fairly well at a reasonable price, give it a try. I have since moved on to other rubbers.
Vicious spin can be generated with no effort. However, handling the short game can be tricky. I like high spin rubbers, and this is one for sure.
Fantastic rubber.
I have used this rubber on my forehand ever since I was a beginner. Six years later, I am still using this rubber as a junior state representative.
As most reviewers have pointed out, the Donic Baracuda has incredible spin. I’ve personally been through about four sheets of Tenergy, all varying in sponge thicknesses, but the spin of the Baracuda always surprises myself and my opponents.
This rubber has a very high throw, which makes looping spinny backspin balls a breeze. The arc is tremendous! It is also quite cheap for its quality. The speed is good, and the control is good as well.
Some negatives that I’ve personally found is that it tends to bubble a bit, and the durability isn’t incredibly high. I would need to replace this rubber once every six months, I’m guessing.
Try this rubber! You won’t regret it.
Best buy for the money. It has perfect spin and great durability. However, I made the same mistake as with Rakza Soft: I bought this rubber in 1.8. I think this rubber would be best in max.
Muy buena goma y a un precio accesible.
Si bien no posee tensores, su especial consistencia y efecto compensan esta carencia. Con una madera rápida (OFF o OFF+), se compensa la falta de tensores.
La he utilizado en el lado del drive en una madera rápida con carbono. Puedo realizar topspins con mucho efecto, levantar cortes, topar y contraatacar muy ofensivamente con bastante velocidad. También permite remates con golpes planos potentes y la pelota es difícil de detener.
Me agrada mucho, incluso en pelotas cortas tuve que levantar, pasar o cortar un poco y la goma responde muy bien. Llevo casi un año jugando con ella y casi no ha perdido sus características (solo la he golpeado un poco en los costados, pero el centro aún está muy bien).
This rubber provides excellent spin and good speed, making it a great choice for players who want to generate a lot of rotation and keep the ball on the table.
Review
For me, this rubber is perfect. It’s so spiny, which causes a lot of trouble for my opponents. I was surprised. I recently switched from Acuda S2 to Baracuda and have absolutely no regrets. I think if you play more for spin than speed, you should use this rubber. However, its speed is lower than Tenergy 05.
I have tried Tenergy 05, Xiom Omega 4 Pro, Acuda S2, and Acuda S3. I believe Baracuda has more spin than the others, and it’s very easy to generate topspin.
My ranking in terms of spin, speed, and control:
Spin:
Speed:
Control:
Really good forehand rubber, amazing spin with high arc, good speed. Max thickness has more top gears and will generate astonishing spin with high arch, while 2.0mm feels more controllable and a bit harder. Used it on Galaxy T-8 blade, very good match.
Excellent rubber, one of the best of Donic’s line-up. Fantastic spin from the grippy topsheet, it is not overly fast but still has a bit of bounciness in the short game. It loops like a champ and is a good rival to T05. Cheaper than T05, it spins almost as well when looping, but durability isn’t quite as good. Throw is HIGH, so be prepared for that.
It’s fast but noticeably slower than other high-end rubbers, and this is one of the reasons I love it so much. You can put a big stroke on the ball with complete confidence.
With good contact, the spin you’ll generate is absurd. The topsheet is super taut and the sponge feels medium hardness to me. The ball likes to take a nice long snooze on the rubber, allowing you to really load up the pushes and serve.
The short game is magnificent. Blocks are solid and certain. Of course, this rubber was really made with the looper in mind, and it shines in this respect. You can use the sponge for a harder power loop or just the topsheet for fine brush loop, both are filthy with topspin.
Higher throw angle than anything I’ve encountered and takes a little adjustment. Looping backspin is ridiculously easy. Overall I definitely recommend this to any looper, especially if you’ve been missing too many shots long and want more control.
I can’t say enough how balanced this rubber is and will definitely buy it again. The only downside is the price.
Currently using on BH on BTY Petr Korbel blade.
FH: DONIC Baracuda (max)**
Speed/power:
The rubber produces a very solid and yet controllable speed. It may not be as fast as other rubbers, but it is fast enough to pass an attack. The feel of the rubber gives a player a sense of achievement with every attack.
Spin:
From the first few loops with this rubber, a player can produce a lot of spin. It has a very good feel, which makes playing loops better.
Control:
This is the best rubber that is known to be very powerful yet easy to control. When using this rubber, a player can feel every shot they are trying to do.
Service:
Due to its outstanding control, a player can easily manipulate their serves. It also helps the ball stay in the rubber for a longer period of time, which makes it even more spinny.
FH topspin stroke:
The arc of the ball is good, especially when playing counter topspin rallies. It makes a player feel like they couldn’t believe they made that shot.
Push and chops/service receive:
It is difficult to play short games with this rubber, but it can also be possible that a player is not good at short games. However, it can help a player to return most of their partner’s serves.
Overall:
Many fall in love with this rubber the first time they use it. The sound, the feel, the arc, and most of all, the spin is just so magnificent, it makes a player want to play table tennis even more. Therefore, this rubber is one of the most powerful rubbers, yet very easy to control.
Takes a few practices to get used to the high throw, but my service improved instantly. My opponents have trouble blocking my loops on the table. I am a huge fan of this rubber. I thought all this new technology might have been a gimmick, but boy was I wrong.
This rubber has a very high throw angle, which makes it great for generating topspin. The spin is also exceptional, allowing for precise placement and control. The sponge has a nice appearance and feels durable. I primarily use this rubber on my forehand, where it provides excellent control and power.
Perfect spin rubber in 1.8 mm on a fast blade with great control. I love it.
I have used a lot of rubbers before, including Sriver FX, Hurricane 3 Neo Prov, Tinarc 3, KTL Black Power 3rd Gen, and now Baracuda. Out of all of these, I can say that Hurricane 3 Neo Prov and Baracuda are the best I’ve tried.
The spin from Baracuda is not as strong as Hurricane 3 Neo Prov, but the speed it produces is very impressive. However, I have a little problem with lifting heavy underspins well, possibly because my technique is still adjusted to Hurricane 3 Neo Prov.
Despite this, the loop to loop game with Baracuda is amazing. I am currently using it on my forehand and Acuda S2 on my backhand with my Donic Waldner Senso Carbon blade, and I feel very comfortable and confident with this setup.
Excellent rubber! I used this (Red Max) for reverse penhold backhand on the back of an OC CR. Despite the high trajectory, my reverse penhold backhand loops were easy to land and had loads of topspin and sidespin. I’ll probably officially switch to this for reverse penhold backhand soon.
However, you have to make sure that you have a proper reverse penhold backhand stroke (following through and going forward instead of upwards); otherwise, the ball will fly off the table.
There is plenty of speed even when I’m not looping aggressively. Pushing with reverse penhold backhand with Baracuda was a bit harder for me because I’m used to tacky rubbers for reverse penhold backhand. Blocks are good, nothing special to write about so far. Haven’t tried chopping with it yet.
I would recommend this for reverse penhold backhand only to those players who have developed their reverse penhold backhand stroke. It might be hard for beginning penhold players to use.
Decent speed and surprisingly easy to control. The rubber provides excellent spin. Serves are spinny and looping with the rubber is a breeze.
This rubber is just perfect. I recommend it for high-spinners and loopers. It has a warm, muted feeling when playing with it.
Throw: It has a very high throw, like Tenergies, maybe even more.
Sponge: It feels very soft, but it’s not annoyingly soft or dead. It has an amazing sound, almost mute, exactly like Tenergies. It has a nice catapult if you hit hard enough to let the ball penetrate the sponge. The dwelling time is long, really long, making it a very forgiving rubber.
Speed: I would say it’s fast, but not as fast as Tenergies, but bouncy enough. If you combine it with a hard-stiff blade, the speed is like Tenergy. My teammates told me it’s too fast, but I can control it easily.
Spin: I swear there is none, and I don’t think there will be any other rubber that can compete with Baracuda’s vicious spin. It’s much, much spinnier than Tenergies. My teammates couldn’t get more than two out of ten of my loops and top side spins. The top sheet is really elastic, which adds to its magic. If you know how to use the sponge plus the top-sheet’s spin feature for serves and serve returns, you’ll be unstoppable to your opponents. But be aware, if you try to return a very spinny serve without using the sponge, the ball flies off the table. The solution is to somehow push-slap the served ball and witness the magic :D
Control: It has many gears. You can chop, block, or do anything you want. Don’t worry, you have enough dwell time to correct any mistake you make.
Durability: I still don’t know, but I have read that it’s durable.
Consistency: It’s always the same, always awesome.
For my coach: He said the rubber is very good, but it lacks a bit of speed.
For me: It has everything. It’s exactly like Tenergy (even the color of the sponge and its structure is suspiciously the same), only with lots of control. I kicked asses that I usually suffered with.
I recommend Baracuda with maximum thickness (the same thickness as T05) to give maximum effect and speed.
So if you want to replace Tenergy, get a Baracuda. It’s cheaper and actually the same (made in the same factory: ESN)!
Hope that is helpful…
Review of Table Tennis Rubber
Pairing this rubber with a Thibar H-1-9 blade will grant exceptional performance. After adjusting to the setup, you will experience significant improvement in your game.
I have used 2.0mm thickness on both sides of my blade and have been astonished by the capabilities of this rubber. It offers exceptional spin, speed, and an additional gear of speed when paired with the blade.
Furthermore, this rubber excels in generating a significant amount of effect on serves. It can effectively disguise the spin of the ball, leaving your opponent guessing and filled with respect for your deceptive abilities.
The rubber allows for precise placement of the ball with minimal effort, making it an exceptional choice for players seeking exceptional control and spin.
It is a very good rubber. I have been using it for two years now. I like it on the forehand. It provides very good spin, good control, and enough speed.
The big problem I found is the inconsistency. I have had five pieces so far, but two of them were of low quality. Initially, they had less spin than normal, and after 4-5 weeks, they developed a big spot in the middle, and the spin became even lower.
Aside from this issue, it is the best rubber for my forehand.
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This rubber is not incredibly fast, but it bites the ball with great force. As a result, it produces very strong topspin. It also offers excellent control.
I enjoy the sound of this rubber more than the Tenergy 05, and it provides an equal amount of spin. However, the speed of this rubber is superior to the Tenergy 05.
Overall, this rubber offers excellent value for money.
I recently purchased this rubber and was surprised by the spin it produced.
I had Coppa Jo Gold on my forehand and Sonex JP Gold on my backhand. I switched the Jo Gold to my backhand and put Bracuda on my forehand.
Its speed is okay, not very good. But it definitely has the spin that every player needs. In matches, we need to spin the ball for easy opening.
Excellent rubber!
It’s inexpensive, very spinny, and very controllable. While it’s not as fast as some other rubbers I’ve used, such as BTY Bryce, it’s still speedy. I currently use it on my backhand. You won’t be disappointed if you buy it!
As others have stated, this rubber produces very heavy topspin comparable to Tenergy05. Some things that separate Baracuda from Ten05 are control, weight, and price.
Baracuda is not as sensitive to incoming spin as Ten05, making it easier to play close to the net. Flips and blocks are also simple to control. Additionally, Baracuda is noticeably lighter and less expensive by $25 per sheet compared to the Ten05 line.
Overall, using Baracuda over Tenergy05 offers significant advantages in terms of control, weight, and cost.
This rubber generates a lot of loop spin. It’s a good choice if Tenergy doesn’t provide enough control for you or if it’s too expensive. I’m not sure who would buy Butterfly anymore. This rubber is also good for blocking. However, whatever you do, don’t get the maximum thickness, because the throw angle is very low and it’s not very lively. 2.0mm is much better.
Great forehand rubber. It is spinny and easy to control, with enough speed. The throw angle is lower than Tenergy 05. Barracuda is worth checking out if you are looking for a less expensive tensor!
I love the control, the spin, and the feel of this rubber. However, the top sheet is a bit soft. I played with it for two months and the sides are already tearing apart, as well as the middle part. Other than that, I love it so much that the only rubber I can switch to is Tenergy 05.
The spin is great, but driving is a problem.
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Amazing rubber with a high throw, great speed, and excellent spin. It produces less sound than other glue effect rubbers, but this feature takes some getting used to. High-performance rubbers with glue-like sounds are a thing of the past. You won’t find a rubber that has both a glue sound and a long lifespan. This rubber gives you more for your money than Tenergy. Avoid the maximum thickness as it tends to be slower and have a lower throw. Opt for the 2mm thickness, which still provides a high throw. You may need to glue it once and then reglue it for optimal performance.
This table tennis rubber is very good and easy to spin. However, the rubber is so soft that it needs special care.
Pros:
Loads of spin (not as much as T05, but plenty). Excellent speed and control. Easy to lift underspin balls, giving confidence in all shots. I have it on the BH side of my BTY Viscaria.
Cons:
Expensive, but most new rubbers are. I can’t complain about this great rubber.
One question: has anyone seen on YouTube that the sponge is the same as Andro Hexer?
Really fast rubber when you smash! When I first used it, it gave a funny feeling that I didn’t have to use my wrist much to topspin. Whenever I tried to use it, the ball went out of sight! For a fast game, it’s not an ideal choice.
I have played with it a few times on a Korbel with Max. For me, it is like a rocket, too fast. I agree that it has great spin for serves and good power, making it great for cracking loops away from the table without much effort as compared to other rubbers I have used like Cryzer and Mark V.
In contrast, I have Sriver EL Max on the BH on the Korbel. When I switched sides after hitting with EL on the FH (which was predictable, nice, and linear), I must have hit 3 or 4 straight off the table. The ball just flew off the Baracuda even when I angled the face downwards and hardly played a stroke - very unusual.
I probably would have been better with 1.8 or 2mm, but even then, I don’t think the control would be good. However, I don’t complain since I knew the ratings before trying the rubber. For now, I prefer classic rubbers like Mark V and EL and the Butterfly High Tension lineup. I have sold this particular rubber to a friend who likes Donic Tensors.
The sponge was very soft, probably around 30 degrees. I would say it’s suitable for anyone who enjoys using Donic Tensors and is looking for a fast, very spinny rubber for power looping away from the table.
This is a great rubber. It provides amazing spin, perhaps even more than Tenerenergy 05. The control is also pretty good.
The only complaint I have is that it is a bit slower than something like Tenerenergy 05. However, the lack of speed is better for control, so it might be a good choice for players who need more control than Tenerenergy.
I recently paired this rubber with an OFF blade. Honestly, I was surprised by the throw angle and spin (both were very high). However, I was slightly disappointed with the lack of speed. This is strange considering that even with a max thickness on my fh, I felt like I still had to swing hard.
Other than the speed, everything else is great. The spin is excellent on serves and loops. The throw angle, while it does take some adjustment, helps to hit short loops.
Now, I must mention that I have since played nittaku hammond x rubber, which had incredible speed and little control. However, I believe that the Baracuda’s control would rival that of any offensive rubber. It also has noticeably more spin than my hammond x, possibly comparable to the legendary tenergy 05.
Overall, it’s a great rubber. Despite its overrated speed, it has incredible spin, good control, and I am satisfied with my purchase.
Nice, very nice rubber. It really fixed the problem with previous tensor rubbers: spin. The topsheet is a high-quality product; it has a lot of grip. It felt just as spinny as a Tenergry, however, it is much easier to play. It is not as bouncy as a Platin Soft, which I liked a lot, but it still has some catapult effect. My loops and serves gained much more spin than with any other rubber. ESN and Donic really made a nice rubber there. Try it.
Awesome spin with a lot of control. However, the speed is not as fast as Jo Platin.
I just bought this rubber and it puts off vicious spin right as you hit the ball! I would recommend this rubber to a player with a very loopy swing. Definitely love it!
I liked how this rubber works when blocking. I can block very fast shots near the table with low height. When I add a little topspin for control when I block, the ball flies into the table on its own with low height and high speed.
For me, this rubber feels slow because it is linear, and it is a little bit harder to hit the ball fast on the backhand.
Played with 2.0mm on backhand Ovtcharov alc blade.
Played with Baracuda on my BH for 1 year now. Banana flicks are easy to execute.
I just switched both rubbers for 2.0 mm Baracuda. As a FH rubber, that is particularly slow. My old DHS Hurricane 8 was wayyyyyy faster and that is not normal.
The balls will keep coming back until I change this for a TG2 Neo or something. Pairs well with my 5 plied Korbel wood but really slow…
I think if you reglue, boost, and apply acetone every three months, you can use it for a long time, like three to four years. However, acetone will destroy your top sheet, so be careful. There is also a new formula called Donic Formula 3, which I guess is good.
Has a high throw angle, which makes it suitable for loops but not ideal for smashes. I experienced a significant improvement in my loop technique with this rubber.
The best backhand rubber I have ever played with. It is very precise and repeatable. It has a high throw, and on a fast board, it is not slow at all; it is fast enough. Topspin is amazing, but the serve could be more rotating. Nonetheless, it’s a great rubber.
You can get it for around $30-35 in some stores. I use a thickness of 1.8 mm. I recommend it. This rubber is very durable, bulletproof actually.
Excellent on my backhand, it immediately improved my opening against underspin. It inspired the confidence that I have been lacking when using my backhand before.
I have tried Donic rubbers such as Desto F2 and F3, X1 TP, and Acuda S2, as well as BTY Tenergy 05 and Tibhar FX-P from other companies over the past 20 years. For my playing style, Donic Baracuda is the best of them all.
Donic Baracuda offers exceptional spin potential and good speed. It performs remarkably well in combination with powerful stiff blades such as my Xiom Strato or Avalox P700. It is highly recommended for the “plastic era” due to its immense spin.
Edit 03/18: Baracuda has a lower speed compared to BTY T05, with a similar (low) catapult effect and spin potential. It differs from modern rubbers like Blue Storm in that it is an “old school” tensor rubber with excellent spin potential and moderate speed.
Edit 30.4.19: I still play with Baracuda in maximum sponge thickness. It lasts me for 7 months approximately, making it a great choice. Currently, I am using it on a custom Vodak Diolen blade (similar to some arylate blades). Highly recommended rubber. After testing all thicknesses, I prefer the maximum sponge, as it performs better in cold conditions during matches.
Edit 2.1.2020: After using Fastarc G1 for several months, I have returned to Baracuda because it performs better in the cold conditions of our gym in its 45SH version. My preferred thickness is 2.0mm, which offers the best balance of properties and is suitable for near-the-table play. Combined with an ALC blade, Baracuda provides efficiency, sufficient speed, excellent spin, and good control.
Edit 11.10.23: Back to Baracuda, now with maximum sponge thickness. It pairs very well with my slightly elastic Expert II CRWi blade. Better than MX-P, Bluegrip S1, and Big Dipper. Excellent control with effective spin, and it’s easy to use with this blade.
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