Advancing Pace

[JaredRB9000]

So I've been getting better seemingly daily, and I'm just wondering how fast am I getting better compared to the average new-ish cuber, or how any of you were when you started. I typically get times between 25s-35s with qqTimer scrambles. My PB is 19.84s, the day before it was 22.62s, and the day before 24.90s. I've been going at it since the end of March, so a little more than 2 months. I use a Thunderclap (no lube, broken in), CFOP with 3LLL (2LOLL+PLL), have the worst look ahead ever and do cross on top. (don't worry I'm working on fixing them both )

 

[obelisk477]

You'll hit a wall at about 18 s average

 

[Eduard Khil]

That's nice improvement!
As obelisk477 says, you'll definitely start to improve lesser and lesser at a point around 20s, and no matter how hard you try you still won't get faster. To get into sub-20, you'll really need to put a lot of effort into improving efficiency and lookahead, especially during the cross and f2l stage.

For me, progress was slightly slower, getting down from 1 minute to 25 seconds in about 4 months. 2 more months down to 20s, and I spent another 6 months or so getting stuck at a 18s average, and quit. After half a year I started cubing again and got a 14s average because I learnt the importance of lookahead and efficiency.

 

[Ksh13]

That is indeed pretty good progress. It is very important that you switch to cross on bottom, so that's good. I personally got sub-20 in 5 months or so (started September 2015), and then a bit over 2 months after that I got sub-15. I hit the wall when I was sub-16, but it luckily only lasted for like 3 weeks, and it was really only after that I really started to focus on lookahead, and then I got to where I am now, which is sub-14.

How much would you say you practice daily?

 

[JaredRB9000]

That's nice improvement!
As obelisk477 says, you'll definitely start to improve lesser and lesser at a point around 20s, and no matter how hard you try you still won't get faster. To get into sub-20, you'll really need to put a lot of effort into improving efficiency and lookahead, especially during the cross and f2l stage.

For me, progress was slightly slower, getting down from 1 minute to 25 seconds in about 4 months. 2 more months down to 20s, and I spent another 6 months or so getting stuck at a 18s average, and quit. After half a year I started cubing again and got a 14s average because I learnt the importance of lookahead and efficiency.

Thanks, I'm trying to transition to better lookahead and stuff.

That is indeed pretty good progress. It is very important that you switch to cross on bottom, so that's good. I personally got sub-20 in 5 months or so (started September 2015), and then a bit over 2 months after that I got sub-15. I hit the wall when I was sub-16, but it luckily only lasted for like 3 weeks, and it was really only after that I really started to focus on lookahead, and then I got to where I am now, which is sub-14.

How much would you say you practice daily?

Right now I'm doing cross on left, just to get used to it not being on top, then I'l probably put it on bottom soon. I'm pretty sure my lookahead is bad is because I go fast for a few seconds, then stop to analyze my next move/alg. I practice for several hours a day because I'm working towards a goal of sub-20 averages by the end of summer.

Just a side-question type thing: I have a Weilong GTS coming in, and idk how to lube. Should I try to get used to it? I've heard that for most the initial speed is overwhelming, although I like fast cubes and my turning style I think would benefit from the great corner cutting.

 

[DecimatingSky]

idk i was about 22-ish average (with my fangshi) until i used my friends yuexiao (which i re-setup) and now i'm sub-20...

 

[JaredRB9000]

idk i was about 22-ish average (with my fangshi) until i used my friends yuexiao (which i re-setup) and now i'm sub-20...

I've never used either of those cubes, but have heard good things about the YueXiao.

Does anyone know how fast a Weilong GTS is compared to a Thunderclap? It would help to know.

 

[JaredRB9000]

Also, would it be good to go to a competition at this point? If not, what averages should I be getting before doing any?

 

[DecimatingSky]

I've never used either of those cubes, but have heard good things about the YueXiao.

Does anyone know how fast a Weilong GTS is compared to a Thunderclap? It would help to know.

Honestly, don't ask us, because there are a lot of great YT videos comparing GTS, yuexiao, thudnerclap, gans, aolong, etc.

Also, would it be good to go to a competition at this point? If not, what averages should I be getting before doing any?

Go if there's a comp near you, regardless of your average (my first comp i had dnf average xD)

 

[JaredRB9000]

Honestly, don't ask us, because there are a lot of great YT videos comparing GTS, yuexiao, thudnerclap, gans, aolong, etc.
Go if there's a comp near you, regardless of your average (my first comp i had dnf average xD)

I looked it up and the thunderclap is a relatively fast cube compared to other flagship 3x3s, but it actually seems kinda slow for me, which is odd, cause the tensions aren't tight.
I tried to get to a comp twice, but was unable both times... First time, I averaged Sub-50, now it's Sub-35
An idea I've had and have put into practice today - on csTimer, I set the 3x3 scramble to cross finished, and then just time my F2L. It's good practice and gives me a good report of my improvement. I'm assuming it's a good idea to start doing the same for LL and Cross.

 

[Eduard Khil]

on csTimer, I set the 3x3 scramble to cross finished, and then just time my F2L.

That's good, knowing your splits would help you decide which part of your solve you want to drill; however try not to do that all the time, or else you'll lose a lot of cross practice. The cross is also a very important part in the solve.

 

[JaredRB9000]

That's good, knowing your splits would help you decide which part of your solve you want to drill; however try not to do that all the time, or else you'll lose a lot of cross practice. The cross is also a very important part in the solve.

Yeah. Something odd that seems to be helping by a second or two is hiding the time while solving. It makes me less anxious about my time. I went from averaging 30-ish to 29-ish.
Also I've started timing LL, and ranged from 8s-10s.