[Member Intro] New-ish cuber, looking for people that understand what I'm talking about

[JaredRB9000]

Um, hi...
Hi, I'm Jared, a relatively new cuber (about a month), and I really enjoy doing puzzles. I can tell I'm part of a relatively small group cause every time i go out and bring whatever puzzle with me, about half the people around watch me do it.
I can solve a few puzzles
I can solve a few types of puzzles, and I'm just gonna list my times
3X3 Average 45s-1m
3X3 Record: 43.32
Pyraminx: 15s-30s
Megaminx: 7m-8m
Gear Cube: 15s-30s
I'm enjoying my new-found hobby
I really do like puzzling (as if it wasn't already clear). I may not have a giant resume yet (like most of the rest of you probably have), but I really wanna get better.
I also do other things
I like video games. Probably way more than I should, but that's my crowd. I have my home on PC, where it shall look down on console (not really, I enjoy any platform). I also like cats.

 

[Joel Banks]

If your looking for new puzzles, try a 2x2, 4x4, 5x5 or mirror cube. These are not too difficult, but still require thought. Let me know if you want to know anything else!

 

[YouCubing]

Welcome!
That's really good improvement for just a month of cubing, I was probably about 1:20 at that point on 3x3 (I really can't remember )
I also like dogs

 

[Matt11111]

Welcome!
That's really good improvement for just a month of cubing, I was probably about 1:20 at that point on 3x3 (I really can't remember )
I also like dogs

Wooooooooo, me neither.

 

[willi pilz]

My biggest problem as a beginner was that my hands were hurting like crazy the first 6 months or so. Maybe it's just me, but I practiced a lot and i wanted to cube more but i couldn't because of the pain in my fingers. Long story short: get lube (i recomment maru lube) or (and) soft springs for your 3x3s. (like maru soft springs)

Please dont hate me, I'm trying to help.
I'm aware, this will make your cube uncontrollable, but atleast your hands do not hurt, and its only for the first months.
And at the beginning you mostly dont time yourself. Just lean back, watch something and enjoy cubing.

 

[JaredRB9000]

If your looking for new puzzles, try a 2x2, 4x4, 5x5 or mirror cube. These are not too difficult, but still require thought. Let me know if you want to know anything else!

I have a mirror cube, I just didn't know if it counted as a different puzzle... and I've been kinda looking at 2x2/4x4/5x5, seems cool just to have the set

Welcome!
That's really good improvement for just a month of cubing, I was probably about 1:20 at that point on 3x3 (I really can't remember )

Thanks, I really like to practice! Although, I'm looking for a better cube, because I'm using - believe it or not - a Rubik's brand

 

[Joel Banks]

Hey I'm not the best speedcuber but I have been using a Dayan Zhanchi. It has good turning and corner cutting and will not break the bank.

 

[JaredRB9000]

Hey I'm not the best speedcuber but I have been using a Dayan Zhanchi. It has good turning and corner cutting and will not break the bank.

I've been seriously considering that one, it seems great, and I can even get it in red! Just wanted to know if it would be too fast for my level or anything

 

[Joel Banks]

Shouldn't be too much for you. I really like it. It's a good cube for someone who need a step up.

 

[JaredRB9000]

Shouldn't be too much for you. I really like it. It's a good cube for someone who need a step up.

Thanks, gonna order it as soon as I can

 

[Joel Banks]

Cool let me know how you like it. Message me if you need anything else!

 

[JaredRB9000]

My biggest problem as a beginner was that my hands were hurting like crazy the first 6 months or so. Maybe it's just me, but I practiced a lot and i wanted to cube more but i couldn't because of the pain in my fingers. Long story short: get lube (i recomment maru lube) or (and) soft springs for your 3x3s. (like maru soft springs)

Please dont hate me, I'm trying to help.
I'm aware, this will make your cube uncontrollable, but atleast your hands do not hurt, and its only for the first months.
And at the beginning you mostly dont time yourself. Just lean back, watch something and enjoy cubing.

Is lubing necessary? I'd imagine i'm going to do it sometime down the line, I have no idea how it works, which one to get, and how to apply it. No hate

 

[One Wheel]

Zhanchi: I've got one, don't waste your time. I got a Thunderclap as a gift for somebody else, and played with it before I gave it to them. The Thunderclap is cheaper, and orders of magnitude better. My Zhanchi is still my main, sort of. I've been solving 4x4 more lately, and I expect if I start doing more 3x3 I'll get a new cube. Same for my Shengshou 5x5: it's due for an upgrade.

Lubing: Yes, it's worth it. I was skeptical as well, but got some lube from The Cubicle (wts 1-5, 5cc bundle) and it's well worth the investment even at my low commitment level to cubing. I tried vasoline, and that made my Rubik's brand cube better, but I think ruined my Zhanchi (which is probably part of the reason I have a low opinion of it).

 

[JaredRB9000]

Zhanchi: I've got one, don't waste your time. I got a Thunderclap as a gift for somebody else, and played with it before I gave it to them. The Thunderclap is cheaper, and orders of magnitude better. My Zhanchi is still my main, sort of. I've been solving 4x4 more lately, and I expect if I start doing more 3x3 I'll get a new cube. Same for my Shengshou 5x5: it's due for an upgrade.

Lubing: Yes, it's worth it. I was skeptical as well, but got some lube from The Cubicle (wts 1-5, 5cc bundle) and it's well worth the investment even at my low commitment level to cubing. I tried vasoline, and that made my Rubik's brand cube better, but I think ruined my Zhanchi (which is probably part of the reason I have a low opinion of it).

Was the Zhanchi good out of the box/broken in? I'm not against lubing in any way, i just don't wanna screw up the cube.

 

[Joel Banks]

Good out of the box

 

[YouCubing]

QiYi Thunderclaps are nice, but maybe too fast. So I'd say get a QiYi Sail (they're really underrated )

 

[JaredRB9000]

Good out of the box

Thanks

QiYi Thunderclaps are nice, but maybe too fast. So I'd say get a QiYi Sail (they're really underrated )

I've heard of the brand, but not the cube. Hows performance?

 

[One Wheel]

In my observation the Zhanchi was a little stiff out of the box, and by the time it loosened up it started popping like crazy.

As to the Thunderclap, yes, it's very fast. Maybe too much for a slow cuber, but it dropped my average from ~42 seconds with the Zhanchi to ~37 seconds instantly. I think that still counts as slow and I thought it was fantastic. I don't have a lot of experience with different cubes though, so take my advice with at least a few grains of salt.

 

[JaredRB9000]

I've been looking for some new puzzles that would be fun to solve that would be good for my level. Any recommendations?

 

[JaredRB9000]

In my observation the Zhanchi was a little stiff out of the box, and by the time it loosened up it started popping like crazy.

As to the Thunderclap, yes, it's very fast. Maybe too much for a slow cuber, but it dropped my average from ~42 seconds with the Zhanchi to ~37 seconds instantly. I think that still counts as slow and I thought it was fantastic. I don't have a lot of experience with different cubes though, so take my advice with at least a few grains of salt.

Can it be tightened? And I might think about a super fast cube when i get averages down to about 30s or so