OOAK Table Tennis Forum

Some hardbat rubbers are available either with or without a cloth backing.

What are the advantages of each?

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My whole set-up costs less than a sheet of Butterfly Dignics

I'm not sure of the advantages but from my experience I think the cloth backing gives the rubber a much nicer 'feel'. I find the non-cloth backing rubber 'tinny' by comparison, if that makes any sense.

the cloth backing is also supposed to make putting them on/ taking them off a lot easier

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#Regular# Sunflex Martinez OFF- | Bty. Tenergy 64 (2.1mm) | TSP Curl PR-1 (OX)
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"All your spin are belong to us!"

In my experience, there isn't any significant difference between the two as far as how they play. The cloth backing is so thin as to be able to easily see the rubber underneath, and it's not there for the purpose of affecting play. I don't think there's a significant difference in feel either, but I do find, maybe subconciously, that you get a better feeling from the blade without the cloth sheet underneath.

One advantage of the cloth backing is that it makes glueing the sheet to the blade easier; it makes it so that you don't accidentally stretch part of the rubber sheet unevenly and get a skewed row of pips, or get bubbles underneath, as everyone knows can happen with OX sheets if you're not experienced at racket assembly using sheets w/o sponge.

However, I can also think of two disadvantages of the cloth backing. One being that it can start to come up around the edges and start looking like a frayed pair of blue jeans when you remove the rubber due to the glue. The quality of cloth backings vary, and IMO the Yasaka A-1 (A~1 and A~2 versions) are the highest quality, being very fine and consistent. Some cloth backings do not adhere well to the blade and tend to become detached during play; you'll notice it coming up around the edges after awhile. You can PM me if you have any questions about a specific hardbat rubber.

So in light of the above, I'd personally recommend going with the pure rubber version if you have the option, unless you feel you need help in gluing the sheet to the blade and have problems with OX sheets.

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Custom Blade 'Hard Justice' w/ Yasaka Cobalt a
Tatco Hornet w/ ATP Leland Era

Almost ditto. Cloth backing reduces the chance of the rubber tearing when you remove it from the blade. Valor Premier CL is better than Yasaka. VP offers more control, has a better more classic sound when you hit the ball, and the rubber is of a higher quality. I also sell it!

CHEERS!

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Valor Champion (Hardbat)
FH/BH: Valor Premier OX
Valor Kuruxu (Regular TT)
FH: Valor Premier - Sponge
BH: Globe 979 LP OX
http://www.valortabletennis.com

Hardbat rubbers with cloth backing provide a more "spongy" feel than without.... When attached with Tear Mender the backing almost feels like a very thin sponge that adds a bit of speed.

For a chopping and counter-attacking game I prefer with cloth backing. For blocking and precise hitting I prefer without, as the feeling is more "direct".

Tear Mender provides the "spongy" feel not the cloth backing. Tear Mender tends to go on a little bit thicker than most other glues. For hardbat rubber cement is best. And since ITTF does not recognice hardbat, it is legal.

CHEERS!

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Valor Champion (Hardbat)
FH/BH: Valor Premier OX
Valor Kuruxu (Regular TT)
FH: Valor Premier - Sponge
BH: Globe 979 LP OX
http://www.valortabletennis.com

I am sure it's not just Tear Mender. Lots of hardbatters at our club have tried pretty much everything... Loc Ngo, Adoni, Ed Ball, Che-Him Leung, Raymond Wang, myself, Dr. Le, Rudy Miranda, Tawny Banh, etc...