Explanation
The Evolution series is a rubber series for top players of German table tennis equipment manufacturer TIBHAR. There are 6 types of Evolution series, 3 types of sponge hardness and 2 types of sheet type, and 3 types of sponge hardness x 2 types of sheet. Flexible (Flexible, FX) with the softest sponge hardness, Elastic (Elastic, EL) with medium altitude, Maximum (Maximum, MX) with hard sponge, Power type sheet (P) and Spin type hard sheet (S) is not it. The Evolution MX-S reviewed this time will be the rubber used by Belarus’s living legend Vladimir Samsonov. Speaking of Belarusian Samsonov, he is a 44-year-old European “giant” who is still active. In his 40s, he is still active and features a very stable backhand and a tall and strong forehand drive, and his play style is centered on blocks and counters. He has been ranked number one in the world rankings many times in the past, and still has the ability to win top prizes in European competitions. TIBHAR is a German manufacturer, and although it is a little less well known in Japan, it can be said that it has a solid presence in Europe to support athletes. Recently, it seems that Tazoe Hibiki, who belongs to Okayama Rivets, is using the Evolution MX-S in the foreground. The sheet is harder than MX-P, and it looks like a rubber with high spin performance from the name, so I reviewed it with great expectation!
Published performance value
I am sorry that it is very difficult to understand. Since the speed and spin performance of Evolution MX-P (Evolution MX-P) and Evolution MX-S (Evolution MX-S) are the same, they are plotted in the same place.
Some sites use expressions like “10+”, but we have adopted the ones that are evaluated by three-digit numbers. It seems that the actual spin performance is higher for soft rubber. Around this time, I would like to actually try it out and check it.
MX-S sticking and weight
Evolution MX-S
Spin type tension OFF+
・Sponge Thickness: 1.7/1.9/2.1 mm
・Speed: 125
・Spin: 120
・Control: 80
・Sponge Stiffness: 45.7-47.7°
・6,000 yen + tax
・74 g (before cut) → 50 g (after cut)I didn’t feel that heavy, but it seems to be heavy. The performance value is the same as MX-P.
Three features of Evolution MX-S
The shot feeling is like Dignics!
I felt this rubber at the time of hitting the curtain, but I felt it was quite similar to Butterfly’s Dignics! I felt that this was a big discovery. From the conclusion, Dignics 80, which is easier to use, is the best! Compared to Dignics 05, it is overwhelmingly easy to handle, and it looks like Dignics 80, but Dignics 80 has the impression that it is a little easier to blow off. The MX-S was a rubber that had a very good impression on push and felt a cohesiveness without any graduation. The sheet is hard, but the sponge is like the same type of sponge as MX-P, so I felt the sponge bite well. I also felt that the goodness of the bite was like Tenergy.
Easy to push!
As I mentioned in the first one, push was a very good impression. The trajectory is very low and it is easy to make a push that does not let the opponent hit! I think it’s worth trying just for this reason! I felt it with MX-P, but it is easy to rotate, but I also felt that the rotation performance was inferior. I felt that this was the part I wanted. I think there was a review from World Rubber Market (WRM) that MX-S was recommended for chopper, but I was impressed with the ease of push.
The sheet is hard and easy to block and counter!
I expected it because the seat was hard, but after all the blocks and counters were quite easy to do. I think you can counter and block both the front team and the middle team. From the second and third features, it was a rubber that could be said to support Samsonov’s backhand push and block! I felt that it is also a rubber that can be easily sewn into the block thanks to the rubber that bites well for the hardness of the sheet.
Each technics review
Forehand
Light hit
I didn’t feel any discomfort. At this stage, I didn’t really feel like Dignics.
Drive on long balls and rallies
To be honest, I felt that the attack power was insufficient. The ball tends to be shallow, the amount of rotation seems to be a little weak, and the counter is also about. It was good that it was very easy to handle compared to Dignics 05. If anything, I think it will be good when you keep up with the other party’s drive!
Drive with open face
This was good. I felt that it would be easier to hit if the racket was not Zhang Jike ZLC but a racket with a slightly thicker plate such as Timo Boll ALC. This area was more like MX-P or Tenergy.
Loop (top spin) drive against back spin
It’s not bad, but I felt it wasn’t good. The amount of rotation may be a little weak. Maybe I’m not good at it and I should let it bite into the whole rubber more firmly. It’s easy to catch on a sheet, but I felt that the sponge was a little soft and I needed some tips to convey the rotation firmly.
Speed drive against back spin
This was also good. It felt like I was hitting it with a feeling of playing rather than flying it by rotation. I feel that it is a way of hitting that will never enter in Dignix 05. Dignix is an image that goes straight to the net unless it is spun and flew. Sweat.
Block
This was relatively easy to do. Blocking against speed drives was pretty easy!
Counter drive
It was easy to do.
Stop
As it grips, it was very easy to stop. nice one!
Push
It was good because it also grips. However, it seemed to be lighter if I took it easy.
Serve
It was good to be able to cut it firmly. It was a good feeling!
Backhand
Light hit
The dignics-ness became apparent when used in the back. I think it’s because the sheet is hard.
Drive on long balls and rallies
It was easy to do! It was a very good impression because it was easy to meet and drive. The grip is a little weak, so I felt that it required a lot of practice. I think it’s a very good rubber for backhand! If I wanted to use a hard rubber such as Dignics in the future, I thought it would be okay to use the current professional rubber.
Loop (top spin) drive against back spin
I felt the speed of leaving the ball a little. Probably because the sheet is hard. It’s not impossible.
Speed drive against back spin
It was good in the fore, but I felt it was difficult in the back. I think it’s an arm problem.
Block
It was very easy to do. I felt the hardness to withstand the rotation.
Counter drive
I felt it was easy to do. I feel that the seat is strong.
Stop
This was also good! It will stop!
Push
You can cut it! Is good! Since it grips firmly, it didn’t float and I liked the shot feeling! Right now, I want to take advantage of the difference in ease of handling and the amount of rotation, so I have Rakza X as my main job, but the problem with Rakza X is push, so it is difficult to become a high quality push, so I will actively do it from here. I felt the need to rotate it. I’m glad that the MX-S has a slightly high quality push in the auto!
Chiquita
It’s easy to do! It was great!
Comparison with other rubbers (personal impressions)
Max spin amount
Tenergy 05 ＞ Evolution MX-S ≧ Evolution MX-P
Ease of spin
Tenergy 05 ＞ Evolution MX-S ＞ Fastarc G-1 ＞ V>15 Extra
Speed
Evolution MX-P ＞ Evolution MX-S ＞ Tenergy 05