Crappy cubes, or doing it wrong?

[kjeldsen]

Hey guys,

Brand new to these forums! I've got a question for you regarding the cubes you use. Alot of cubers i see are able to execute algorithms lightning fast, without cubes locking up or exploding. I'm no expert cuber, but i've been known to pull off a sub 20 solve once in a while which is decent for me considering the time i can spend on it.

My problem is that my cubes **** me off and i don't feel i can give it my absolute best. 1) I have a few aniversary cubes. 1 is old and worn and is probably the best i've got, but it's still hard to be fast with it, because it locks up. the other one is semi-new and used alot, but is really tight. 2) I have 2 DIY cubes from rubiks.com that i've assembled in all manners of ways, and i can't for the life of me reach a tension where i have the freedom to execute algorithms with the speed i want. I have to be really really careful not to pop it. On the other hand, if i make the tension too tight, it locks up.


My question to you all. What kinds of cubes do you use? Do i just need to get lucky on a few good aniversary cubes? Am i missing the point about DIY cubes?

Thanks in advance!

[jcuber]

You usually need to get used to DIY cubes, they feel very different from storeboughts and 25th anniversary cubes. Also, if you can, try different types of DIY's (Many people get them from www.cubeforyou.com ) and find which one you like the most. Rubik's.com diy's have a very distinct feel, as do most DIY's. I like the old type a's and rubik's.com DIY's, though the type a's are a bit overrated. Many people like type C's, but it is the general consensus not to get type B's. They stink, unless you can find them in "regular" colors and even then are not that good until hybridding.

[kjeldsen]

Thanks J, sounds like i should try out some more DIY's.

Could you elaborate on what those different types are all about? A, B, C's. I wouldn't mind finding out which ones i've got currently. They'd be the same type since they were bought in the same batch. I didn't notice any choice when i bought these, so i assume the types are decided by production year? If they're producing B's now, i'll steer clear of rubiks.com i guess.

Thanks again.

[Samlambert]

Lube your cubes if you didnt yet. Also, play some more with the tension of your Rubik's DIYs, they are said to be very good cubes

EDIT: Rubik's DIYs are Rubik's DIYs, not Type A, B, C, D or anything like that, those types are just the name which were attributed to the cubes of a manufacturer

[kjeldsen]

Thanks for the replies.

Yes, i do lube my cubes and have both the rubiks.com lube, as well as my own silicon based lube. I'm pretty convinced that the aniversaries i have are way too tight. No amount of lube helps, and i've tried to work these for quite some time, hoping i just needed to break them in, but it seems i just haven't been lucky with any of them

Maybe i _should_ attend a tourney and feel up some cubes. I would love to feel how top cubers cubes are compared to my own, maybe get some ideas for modifications. The current Ani's and DIY's i have just don't seem to be right for me anyways. If i wanted to purchase some type A or C's, are those the ones they sell at www.cubeforyou.com ?

And yes J, your responses were very helpful, thank you.

As was everyone elses, appreciate it.

[BigSams]

well erik uses type b cubies with rubik's storebought/rubik's diy core so it must be the type b cores that suck.
my advice would be to not buy several of a single type but one of each that you hear have a good reputation. i personally love my lubed storebought but you have to be lucky to get a godly storebought.
if it is the cube that is bad, experiment around. you peferences will always differ from other.
and have you lubed the cubes? i find that a layer of white lithium always helps after the siloconing.

[fanwuq]

You should attend a competition and feel everyone's cube there, then buy a cube there if anyone sells. That's how I got my first good cube. It was a type A black, nowadays I use a black type C.

[jcuber]

The lettered type DIY's are not made by rubik's the company, they are made by chineese manufacturers. Rubik's.com DIY's and just called Rubik's.com DIY's. The chineese-made cubes. They go from A (several types made of a) to f. OLD type a's (not a with any # or third model after the name) have extremely good cores, and are a good begginner's DIY. Type b's, if in "normal" colors, are supposedly not that bad when hybridded. Type c's are good from what I have heard (I didn't get a good one for whatever reason, I traded with it), type d's are fast but lock up alot. Type f's are very "bubbly" (cubies are extremely rounded) and type e, aka dianshangs, are good for OH (one-handed).

I don't have any DIY's other than a white Rubik's.com and two old type a's, so the rest of the info is simply what I have gathered. There is no "best" cube, just a cube that is the best for each indavidual person.

As posted by a few others, you should lube you cube. I use silicone shock oil (get it at hobby shops, the best is 20 weight) but others use silicone spray. There are many types, some only available in certain countries, but look around. Never use WD-40 on cubes, or vasaline (petroleum jelly). Never use silicone sprays with "petroleum" in them (other than sprays with petroleum disilates, that is simply the propellant).

I hope that is what you wanted.

You are at approximately the same speed as me, so I know what using a storebought feels like when trying to go that fast.

[jcuber]

Yes, get those cubes at C4Y.com.

That site ships from china, and just to be more cost-effective, if money isn't that much of a problem, get some other things while you are shopping. I would suggest an eastsheen 2x2 and perhaps a square-1 or pyraminx. If you want a 4x4, get it from www.mefferts.com (cheaper and free shipping-DON'T GET THE MINI 4x4-It isn't as good) and get cubes sizes 5x5-7x7 at www.v-cubes.com . I would hold out on the 5x5 and larger cubes, they are quite expensive but EXTREMELY worth it.

[kjeldsen]

Yes, get those cubes at C4Y.com.

That site ships from china, and just to be more cost-effective, if money isn't that much of a problem, get some other things while you are shopping. I would suggest an eastsheen 2x2 and perhaps a square-1 or pyraminx. If you want a 4x4, get it from www.mefferts.com (cheaper and free shipping-DON'T GET THE MINI 4x4-It isn't as good) and get cubes sizes 5x5-7x7 at www.v-cubes.com . I would hold out on the 5x5 and larger cubes, they are quite expensive but EXTREMELY worth it.

Allright, that settles it i guess! It's worth a shot, thanks for the tip.