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The Friendship/729 Cream Transcend rubber is a versatile table tennis option that strikes a commendable balance among speed, spin, and control, making it suitable for players of various skill levels. With an overall rating of 8.4, this rubber excels in multiple facets of the game, offering a speed rating of 11, a spin rating of 11, and a control rating of 11. The rubber’s performance is especially lauded for its capacity to deliver consistent results across different strokes, making it an excellent choice for both beginners and intermediate players looking to refine their skills.
In terms of tackiness, Cream Transcend rates a solid 4.9. This provides players with enough grip to generate effective spin for serves and loops, although it is noted that its tackiness is somewhat less than other typical Chinese rubbers. Weighing in at a medium 4.7, the rubber maintains a balance that allows players to control their shots effectively without feeling bogged down. Its sponge hardness is rated at 5.5, providing a good combination of speed and control; however, players may find that it requires a bit of adjustment for optimal performance, particularly when executing brush loops, which may yield variable results.
Durability is another strong point for the Cream Transcend, scoring 7.4, which ensures that players can rely on it through frequent use without losing significant performance quality. For those exploring alternatives, options like the Globe 999 National or the Sriver may provide differing levels of speed and spin with comparable durability; however, many players find the Cream Transcend to be an outstanding value—delivering performance that competes with more expensive rubbers at a fraction of the cost.
Blade: Tibhar Force Pro
Thickness: 2.2 mm
Hardness: 45°
I am amazed by this rubber! It features a beautifully soft topsheet that provides incredible ball feeling in all situations and distances. Using it reminded me of my favorite tensor, the Tibhar Aurus.
I purchased this rubber for my forehand, hoping to achieve a spinny, yet not overly fast option primarily for looping. Unfortunately, I was disappointed with its performance.
The rubber is significantly slower and offers less spin compared to the Friendship 729 Super-FX, which is already known for being a relatively slow rubber.
Additionally, it feels almost numb on contact, making it very challenging to play with. To execute a decent loop, you need to exert a considerable amount of effort just to get the ball over the net.
I am unsure if I received a faulty product, but my experience with this rubber has been quite poor.
For reference, the weight of the rubber cut to 2.2mm H42 is 44g.
This rubber is highly controllable, offering good spin potential and average speed. It is an excellent choice for beginners transitioning from pre-made paddles, as well as intermediate players who prefer a low throw control setup on a faster (OFF) blade. The throw is relatively low during low to medium effort strokes, while it becomes medium on fast or hard strokes. Players accustomed to higher throw rubbers may need to make adjustments when brush looping; however, those with good brush technique will be rewarded with decent spin. It is particularly effective for slow, spinny loops that have a nice kick.
In addition to looping, the rubber excels at blocking. It effectively neutralizes the speed and spin from even the fastest and spinniest rubbers, such as Tenergy 05, MXP, and Barracuda. Its forgiving nature keeps players engaged in rallies against more offensive opponents. However, on the downside, smashes may lack power unless paired with a fast blade, and I find that drives can be somewhat less reliable.
Overall, this rubber is an excellent choice for close-distance play, extending up to mid-distance on a faster blade. It provides exceptional control for pushes and chops, promoting a controlled looping style for those who do not wish to rely solely on defensive play. The price is also quite reasonable, although there are several other decent options available in this price range.
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