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New to speed cubing, looking for a first cube

RubixNoobix

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Hello,

I started cubing a little less than 3 months ago, and have gotten faster and faster since then. I use a new rubik's cube (version 2.0?) that can be found in Target or Walmart, and have gotten an avg. of 5 of 1 min 29 sec, and a PB of 1 min 15 using the beginners method. But I feel like I reached the fastest speeds with that cube. I think I turn it too fast now, and I get lock ups almost regularly, which cause slower times. Other than that the cube is fine, I just can't get a nice and smooth turn out of it, especially when solving it fast. Is there any cube out there I should get as a first speed cube? Something that turns very smooth and doesn't lock up at all, but isn't too fast so I can start learning CFOP with? I was looking at the YJ Yulong, or just pay the extra cash and get an Aolong V2? I don't know what cube is "too fast" or "locks up too much" for someone with the times that I get. I'd prefer to keep the lubing and tensioning to a minimum, so I don't have to tinker with it forever until I finally find the best feel for me. What should I get???
 
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Rocky0701

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Yeah go for a GuanLong. It is 4 dollars on thecubicle.us, at your speed the extra 12 dollars for an AoLong would just be a waste of money. Be aware that a new cube will not automatically make you super fast, it will probably get you to averaging 1:15, and the rest is just practice.
 

MrMan

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I don't think a guanlong is the way to go, You will quickly speed up you times and an aolong isn't that expensive. Just 4 times more and considering it's 12 dollars eh.
Also it's smooth,(IMO quite slow too), and if you wan lock up with that cube you just created a new form of art.
And considering you will buy a better cube soon anyway, why not to buy it just now as it's affordable ?

I have a feeling that my english was really bad on this post...
 

RubixNoobix

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The only problem I have after seeing reviews of this cube is the lack of stability. This is the most agonizing problem with my current cube, and I need something that will feel stable and minimal catching. Does the GuanLong have these traits?
 
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TDM

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Now, what method should I try to use? I only know the beginners method, and was thinking of trying CFOP. Is there really anything else I should even consider that would be easier to memorize?
You can read about other methods here. Roux has fewer algs than ZZ/CFOP, so it's good if you don't want to have to memorise much, but CFOP is similar to your current method, so that could make it easier to learn. Decide which method you prefer.
 

AlGoreRhythm

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I would suggest a Zhanchi. It's not the greatest, but it's probably not too good to use a Weilong or AoLong, or even a GuanLong, because beginners need to start with cubes that teach them not to rely on corner cutting as much as control. Hope this helps!
 

DeeDubb

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I would suggest a Zhanchi. It's not the greatest, but it's probably not too good to use a Weilong or AoLong, or even a GuanLong, because beginners need to start with cubes that teach them not to rely on corner cutting as much as control. Hope this helps!

Why? This doesn't make any sense to me... If you have a cube that corner cuts, why not have a turning style that makes use of it?

The only reason I can think of is if you have to downgrade to a lesser cube, it will feel bad, but that already happens. Trying to turn a Rubik's brand after using any speedcube feels like torture (though when we are first starting, it feels just fine). So what's wrong with having a turn style that takes advantage of the cube you're using?
 

brian724080

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I would suggest a Zhanchi. It's not the greatest, but it's probably not too good to use a Weilong or AoLong, or even a GuanLong, because beginners need to start with cubes that teach them not to rely on corner cutting as much as control. Hope this helps!

There's no proof that what you said is true. It's not like the movements on a crappy Rubik's brand would translate onto an Aolong
 

RubixNoobix

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So, what's the verdict? Aolong? Zhanchi? GuanLong? Which one is the best for me to pick up and learn CFOP with, but also one I can continue to use once I memorize it and get faster?
 
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learn cfop? why? Yes, I do use CFOP, but there are multiple other methods that can be just as fast.

for example roux, petrus, etc.


About the cube though, I would recommend a YJ Sulong. It's basically a slightly more expensive but better quality version of a guanlong.
 

RubixNoobix

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learn cfop? why? Yes, I do use CFOP, but there are multiple other methods that can be just as fast.

for example roux, petrus, etc.


About the cube though, I would recommend a YJ Sulong. It's basically a slightly more expensive but better quality version of a guanlong.


To answer the "why", it's because it has less algorithms to memorise, and it's similar to the beginners method, so I can pick up on it easier. I might get the Sulong and Yulong, considering they both add up to, what, like 12 bucks? I'll break both in and see which one I like more, and use the other as a backup, or if it's too fast, wait until I get faster to use it. But I'm still up to any objections or suggestions for cubes.
 

Alphalpha

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Get the Zhanchi. There is a bit of hype surrounding Moyu's cubes. They're good, but they are not any better than the Zhanchi. People are drawn to them because the design is 'younger'. We are a newest is best generation out of error. Tack the belief that Moyu is superior up to good old marketing techniques (flooding the market with new cubes and buying a highly recognizable personage to represent them). If you want Moyu, get the Wielong. Forego the Aolong. It is a bit over hyped--and it's too forgiving. The Zhanchi and Wielong both train for more turning. No reason to hold off on buying a good cube though.

Often I wonder, had the zhanchi come out after the weilong or aolong, would we dub it "the best" because it's the newest version?
 

RubixNoobix

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Get the Zhanchi. There is a bit of hype surrounding Moyu's cubes. They're good, but they are not any better than the Zhanchi. People are drawn to them because the design is 'younger'. We are a newest is best generation out of error. Tack the belief that Moyu is superior up to good old marketing techniques (flooding the market with new cubes and buying a highly recognizable personage to represent them). If you want Moyu, get the Wielong. Forego the Aolong. It is a bit over hyped--and it's too forgiving. The Zhanchi and Wielong both train for more turning. No reason to hold off on buying a good cube though.

Often I wonder, had the zhanchi come out after the weilong or aolong, would we dub it "the best" because it's the newest version?

Yeah, it's so hard to find a good cube without buying and trying all of them. They all seem to come down to personal preferences. Isn't the Wielong a bit too fast for beginners though? I want something that has nonexistent catches and lock ups, because my turn style seems to cause a lot of those. And, what do people mean with the whole "crunchy" "crispy" "swooshy" when they describe the feel of a cube? I've only used the trusty old Rubik's cube I bought for fun a few months ago, and if someone could tell me what that feel is, then I might understand the whole crunchy crispy thing.
 

DeeDubb

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Which cube should you buy:

Buy whichever one you like. The most popular right now are Moyu cubes. Personally, I've tried Guhong v2, Zhanchi, Aolong v1, Weilong, YuLong, Guanlong, DianMa, Cyclone Boys, and a few other terrible ones. Personally, I would rank them like this: Aolong, Weilong, Guhongv2, Zhanchi, GuanLong, YuLong, DianMa. It's all about what you enjoy the most.

Which method should you choose:

You said CFOP has less algs, but actually it has a lot more than Roux (Full OLL/PLL is around 80 algs[CFOP], full CMLL is 43 algs[roux]), so if that's your main motivating factor, reconsider. If you want the smoothest transition from Beginner's Method, the most explored method, the method that has been tried and tested on big cubes, OH, and feet, then CFOP is probably better. It's your call though.
 

RubixNoobix

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Which cube should you buy:

Buy whichever one you like. The most popular right now are Moyu cubes. Personally, I've tried Guhong v2, Zhanchi, Aolong v1, Weilong, YuLong, Guanlong, DianMa, Cyclone Boys, and a few other terrible ones. Personally, I would rank them like this: Aolong, Weilong, Guhongv2, Zhanchi, GuanLong, YuLong, DianMa. It's all about what you enjoy the most.

Which method should you choose:

You said CFOP has less algs, but actually it has a lot more than Roux (Full OLL/PLL is around 80 algs[CFOP], full CMLL is 43 algs[roux]), so if that's your main motivating factor, reconsider. If you want the smoothest transition from Beginner's Method, the most explored method, the method that has been tried and tested on big cubes, OH, and feet, then CFOP is probably better. It's your call though.

But is that how you would rank them if you had a 1 min 29 sec average?
 
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