If you love playing ping pong and are in need of a new paddle, or simply the older one has worn out or any of the thousand reasons to buy a new paddle, and you are wondering which one could be the ultimate choice, here is an option number one. Stiga Pro Carbon table tennis racket is well-known and well-loved for its speed, spin, and overall control. If you need any proof, here’s one:
Stiga Pro Carbon is among the best ping pong paddle under $100 available in the market with approval by the ITTF. That’s right. The International Table Tennis Federation approves it, and so will you. It’s definitely an upgrade.
QUICK OVERVIEW
So, in a glance, what does it offer? Firstly, for intermediate players who are under the impression that their current racket isn’t doing exactly what it should be doing, this substitute can be a life-changer. It offers excellent speed. It can generate a pretty good spin. However, there’s a catch. You know in ping pong paddles, you either get to get a good spin or good control. Owing to its huge power, it is slightly difficult to control. But if you have a decent amount of experience in the game, this should not be too much trouble.
Now, let’s dig in a little.
MANUFACTURING DETAILS
When it comes to manufacturing, Stiga has been very promising. It is among the top ping pong equipment manufacturers. Plus, don’t forget the ITTF approval! The features of Stiga Pro Carbon are listed as follows:
- 5 plies of Balsa Wood
- 2 Plies of Carbon Layers
- Handle: Concave Pro with Shock Dispersion Tube
- Rubber: Stiga S5
- Sponge: 2.0 mm
- Performance Ratings- Speed: 99 Spin: 100 Control: 80
- Blade: 7-ply Extra Light
CONSTRUCTION DETAILS
The blade, unlike its handle, is pretty light-weighted. It is made of 7 plies in total including 5 plies of balsa wood and 2 plies of carbon. Balsa wood center-ply increases speed and reaction time which makes Stiga pro carbon more stable. It’s going to be a good game! This combination gives power to the carbon and still maintains a decent amount of control. Ain’t that some goodness? If you fall under the category of attacking players, this one is definitely for you. It would let you hit the ball further away from the table.
ACS Technology
It doesn’t end there. Stiga pro carbon using their ACS technology, Stiga designed it with the S5 rubber specifically for the attacking players. It adds extra elasticity to the rubber and keeps it extra light at the same time. Further contributing to the paddle’s speed and power is the thickness of the sponge. Its 2.0 mm thick sponge gives it a catapult effect and the power is enhanced.
Stiga Pro Carbon’s sweet spot is much greater than typical paddles. Sweet Spot is basically a point on the paddle’s rubber surface that gives greater speed. Put in simpler terms, if you hit the ball within that certain area, it will give it greater speed and spin. Various treatments, including the two carbon layers within the blade, make the sweet spot much larger than typical paddles. Plus the two carbon layers contribute to rigidity and response!
Now, let’s talk about the handle. This requires a little getting used to because it’s heavier. There is a metal rod inside the handle which makes it heavier. Why is it there? For two purposes.
Number 1: it gives you a better grip and makes the blade feel more balanced.
Number 2: It gives you more mass to strike the ball with and that makes it faster. It lets you the way you hit the ball aiding you to create spins and loops.
Alright, let’s put it under the microscope and weigh the pros and cons!
WHAT’S GOOD IN STIGA PRO CARBON?
Crazy Speed of Stiga Pro Carbon
First things first, the Need for Speed. Pro carbon has got some crazy speed. That’s what makes it suitable for players who like to play a little offensive but do not wish to compromise their precision. Here, hold this paddle. It might help!
Even though the handle is a little heavy, it gives a better grip
When it comes to spinny serves and forehand loops, you will find its tackiness quite promising. However, backhand chop or backhand loops may fall somewhere around moderate on the satisfaction scale.
The control may not be as great as the spin, but it is still pretty good. So it falls somewhere around 8/10 on the scale.
Magic beans? You can replace the rubber once it wears out, so this investment goes a long way.
Tip: Clean your rubber with distilled water or a special cleaning solution to maintain the rubber’s stickiness.
WHAT’S BAD IN STIGA PRO CARBON?
Less Control
With great speed comes a little less control. It takes time but you get used to it nonetheless. So this con is not like something unfixable. If you’re new to this game or are looking for a paddle that offers greater control, this might not be the best choice for you. However, with a little practice, it can totally be achieved.
Heavy Handle
The handle being a little heavier may require some getting used to. Few paddles have been reported to have a little rough handle. Nothing some quick sanding can’t fix!
Small Indentation
Some reviewers have complained about the small indentation owing to the plastic packaging. It does not affect the quality of the game. However, if you want your bat to look great, this might be a turn-off. Some reviewers have also reported that the paddle works better with loops than soft shots.
So, in a nutshell:
CONCLUSION
Stiga Pro Carbon has excellent speed and offers a really good spin. This paddle is best suited for attacking players and players who like to play a little offensive. Yes, it requires some getting used to at first, but once you manage the control, the precision is also great.
If you’re upgrading your paddle from a cheaper one, this will definitely be a revolutionary product. Plus, it is a long time investment provided you can replace the rubbers.
New players beware, this takes practice to handle. Once you have done that, you’re good to go. As for the others, go give your competitors some heavy time. If you are still confused, you can visit our best ping pong paddle reviews here.
If you need to replace your old rackets, then be sure to go through them before you buy new ones. Be sure that you buy ones that will fit and work properly with your equipment. Most of them will come with the same sized holes that you would find on a good tennis racquet. When you buy a new set of racquets, make sure that you read all the information that comes with them so you know what you need to do.