Friendship/729 Cream Transcend
Rubber description:
This is a sticky (tacky) Chinese rubber known for being a versatile, all-round performer. It is frequently cited as a budget-friendly alternative to classic rubbers like Sriver or Mark V. Due to its tackiness, it requires a deliberate brushing motion to maximize spin, particularly when serving or opening up on backspin balls.
Performance Characteristics
- Spin and Dwell: The rubber features a tacky topsheet that provides good grip for service spin and controlled loop-drives. While it generates ample spin through technique, players transitioning from elastic, non-tacky rubbers may need to adjust their bat angles and stroke intensity to accommodate the lower throw angle.
- Speed and Control: It is generally considered to have moderate speed, though it can become quite fast when paired with a stiff, offensive-rated carbon or wooden blade. Its standout feature is its high level of control, making it highly effective for blocking, pushing, and short-game precision. It is known for being forgiving, which helps players maintain rallies against faster, more aggressive opponents.
- Suitability: This rubber is well-regarded as a training tool for developing sound fundamentals. It is frequently used by intermediate players and those transitioning from pre-made bats to custom setups. While it performs reliably in an all-round capacity, it is particularly praised for its ability to “kill” incoming speed and spin, making it a viable option for controlled attackers and aggressive defenders alike.
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Recent Reviews
#1 — November 2020
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.
#2 — June 2020
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.
#3 — January 2017
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.
Popular Friendship/729 rubbers
- Focus 3 Snipe
- Super FX
- 729-5
- Battle 2
- Higher
- FX Super Soft
- GeoSpin Tacky
- Battle 2 Provincial Blue Sponge
- 729-08
- 729-2 Sensor
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