Pinduoduo's Top 10 Hottest Foreign Rubbers
Let us chat about Pinduoduo’s recent top 10 hot foreign rubbers. This conclusion is not entirely correct, but roughly right. On one hand, I flipped through Pinduoduo’s sales. On the other, I lurk daily in these Heima fan groups, observing everyone’s hot discussion points. Combining them gives this article. The order does not follow actual sales.
1. Butterfly Dignics 09c
Every day the groups discuss what price it dropped to. The Japanese version, being cheaper, still sells more. This rubber is just about a universal match. By our Chinese forehand habits, when D09c is paired with softer blades, the effect is actually not as solid as domestic high-tack rubber like Hurricane 3. But first, this is Butterfly’s flagship rubber, with reputation behind it. Second, not everyone is an amateur expert demanding one-shot killing power; D09c brushes well, and among tacky rubbers its speed is decent, good for both wings. At least, the vast majority of average players can play it fine. Actually, as I keep saying: D09c on the forehand works better with a firmer or outer-type blade structure. Most tacky tensors are like this. Domestic tacky rubber, conversely, more easily fits different blade types, like Hurricane 3, Beidou 5, the new Gaobo Power AMG (raised sponge hardness with a pre-set boosting base).
2. Stiga DNA Chilong
Since Pinduoduo started appearing in group discussions, the Chilong has appeared very frequently. Slightly tacky, the surface bite really is outstanding; rebound speed, average. When you glue it on the backhand, slow is no problem — it is very steady, and cheap, great value. When you glue it on the forehand, if the blade’s support is average, the Chilong’s rebound speed seems slow, so pair it with a hard or outer-type blade.
3. Butterfly Tenergy 05
No need to say much — a classic of classics. Even I support it with at least one sheet every two months. When new, its ball-grip, wrapping feel and rebound speed are all quite good. It just costs money.
4. GEWO Grape 450
Similar to high-density German rubbers like the F1, but not so flighty, relatively more faithful. Not very powerful, but for beginner-to-intermediate players, this is very easy to master on the backhand, quite stable. A fairly light, quick style. Then some penhold single-side push-attack players glue it on the forehand. Paired with a springier blade, like the Taksim, Super Zhang Jike, or my Yanyang, the effect is good, because the rubber leans steady, not so springy, while these blades are taut and springy.
5. Victas V>15 Sticky
The budget version of D09c, currently Victas’s bestselling rubber. Good for both wings. The backhand is very steady — its steadiness differs from the DNA Chilong’s very obvious surface ball-grip; it is an overall wrapping feel. If gluing it on the forehand, generally still choose a relatively springy blade.
6. Tibhar Evolution EL-P
Its hardness, surface ball-grip and spin-generating ability make it quite good as a T05 budget alternative on the backhand. It lacks T05’s explosive energy, but the mellowness and error-tolerance really are nice. The forehand is actually okay too. Szocs once used it on the forehand, and his hitting was quite steady.
7. DNA Platinum
Very transparent, very fast, very low threshold. The ball-grip is fairly delicate too. Also a very bestselling tensor. Do not underestimate the easy-to-play description — it means players of different levels can control it, with high error-tolerance. The Helix Platinum is also fairly hot lately, with higher ball quality and more prominent friction. Relatively, its power threshold is slightly higher than the DNA Platinum. Generally, those adept at active friction and power generation can consider the Helix. Those who borrow pace and defend a lot, mainly chasing a sense of speed in looping, wanting a penetrating loop and something light to play, should consider the DNA Platinum more.
8. XIOM Vega red V
No need to say much. Even today, still a very cost-effective choice. And when I do not know your technique but you want a cheap tensor on the backhand, choose the red V — most likely it plays fine.
9. XIOM Vega Platinum (Vega China)
Most feel this is easy to play. Push-attack and looping are both no problem. The surface friction is not as solid as D09c, but the medium-tack surface grips the ball well too. Not as solid as Hurricane, but this sponge has some support. Some players think it is junk probably because they paired too soft a blade, then compared it with D09c or boosted Hurricane. Actually, its price is very reasonable.
10. Andro Plasma 500S
A slightly-tacky surface, but because it uses a built-in-energy high-density sponge, the catapult feel is good, and the speed-up after firing is quite nice. Both the design approach and pricing strategy are very reasonable.