quest to sub-10 // 2x2 detour

[cuberbutnotacuberV2]

updates:

1. I got my new cube, it turns like a dream, I prefer it to my RS3M ngl
2. Exams are over but classes start Thursday
3. I'll try and do 10 algs today, it's a long shot but achievable

 

[cuberbutnotacuberV2]

Generated By csTimer+ on 2026-03-09
avg of 5: 12.61
Time List:
1. 12.45 D F2 D2 R2 B2 U' B2 D2 L2 F2 U2 B' L2 R2 D L' D U' L' U'
2. (14.77) F2 R D2 L' F2 U2 F2 L U2 F2 U2 F U' B' L R B' U R' B2
3. 12.97 L' D' F2 B' U' L' D2 R B R2 U2 F2 R2 L U2 R' D2 L' D2 R' B2
4. 12.41 B2 U2 R' D2 R' F2 R B2 D2 B2 F2 L2 F' R2 D U2 F2 L D2 L F
5. (11.45) D R' F2 D2 U2 L' U2 F2 L' U2 F2 R D' L' U L F D' B' L

just had this ao5 with the new cube, one thing i noticed, which badminton players can relate with:

my RS3M is like a training racquet imo. Since it's heavier, it takes more effort to turn which results in more accurate turns on my new main, similar to a training racquet meant to build power when one actually plays. So I think I'll stick with it as my "training cube". most people complain of the xt3-v1 being super-fast and uncontrollable (magnets not noticeable), but to my surprise, i've actually found it perfect for my turning style, and that too right out of the box.

anyway, here's another progress update:

1. 5/10 algs
2. 4x4 progress: still working on 3-2-3
3. skewb: i'm trying to drop my averages down to sub-10 before actually learning new and better methods, i think it's doable with the one alg i know so far
4. 2x2: i will have to quit 2x2 temporarily, although i will still learn algs on my now broken mgc
5. BLD: i did one sighted solve, i'll have to do at least 10-15 more before i get comfortable with OP.

 

[cuberbutnotacuberV2]

Generated By csTimer on 2026-03-09
avg of 12: 12.70

Time List:
1. 11.45 D R' F2 D2 U2 L' U2 F2 L' U2 F2 R D' L' U L F D' B' L
2. 13.39 U' B' L2 F2 D' L2 U2 F2 L2 R2 D L2 U2 B' L2 F' U L' D R' U
3. 11.66 B2 F2 L2 D2 F2 U' L2 U F2 R2 U L B D2 R' D' L' F R B2
4. 13.84 L2 U' B2 R2 U' B2 D2 B2 L2 U' F U' F2 L' F D' L B' R' B2
5. 10.69 F U F2 R2 U R2 D2 U' F2 R2 U2 F' D' R' U' B R' B2
6. 13.32 F2 U R2 U F2 L2 F2 U' L2 U F2 R' B' F' L' B R2 U L2 R' U2
7. (15.97) B R2 D' F R F2 U2 B D' R' U2 B2 R B2 R F2 R' B2 L U2
8. 13.05 F2 R B2 R2 D2 B2 R F2 R D2 R' U L U2 F2 D' R B U2 L'
9. 12.78 L B2 L' F2 R' D2 L' B2 F2 R' F2 R D R2 D F D U' F L B'
10. 13.63 U' F2 L2 U' R2 F2 D L2 U R2 U B' D' L' F L' D' B2 D F2 R'
11. 13.14 R2 F L' B2 U L F2 B U' R2 D2 B' D2 R2 B' D2 B D2 B' R2 B2
12. (10.24) L B2 F2 R2 D' F2 U' L2 U F2 D' B' L U' F' D' U' R B2 U2

also new PB ao12, again, I solved with yellow cross as a challenge on 2 solves, the 7th and 8th one, otherwise a pretty good average i'd say.

 

[cuberbutnotacuberV2]

updates:

1. i learned 7/10 algs yesterday, but i had to relearn 3, so we technically got 10, despite my resentment for such technicalities
2. i did 2 more sighted solves with OP, i think i'm getting better so i'll write down my solutions for each solve on pen and paper
3. i just learned my classes have been postponed until next week, so that means a little more time to cube

today's goals are simple, i won't be doing many algs today, as i have coursework to revise and stuff, so i'll instead be following a similar path of action with cubing: simply revising whatever algs i've learned and doing a few solves. i will be using the jperm trainer, but if anyone else has any other recommendations, please do let me know!

 

[Caleb Valenzuela]

just had this ao5 with the new cube, one thing i noticed, which badminton players can relate with:

my RS3M is like a training racquet imo. Since it's heavier, it takes more effort to turn which results in more accurate turns on my new main, similar to a training racquet meant to build power when one actually plays. So I think I'll stick with it as my "training cube". most people complain of the xt3-v1 being super-fast and uncontrollable (magnets not noticeable), but to my surprise, i've actually found it perfect for my turning style, and that too right out of the box.

anyway, here's another progress update:

1. 5/10 algs
2. 4x4 progress: still working on 3-2-3
3. skewb: i'm trying to drop my averages down to sub-10 before actually learning new and better methods, i think it's doable with the one alg i know so far
4. 2x2: i will have to quit 2x2 temporarily, although i will still learn algs on my now broken mgc
5. BLD: i did one sighted solve, i'll have to do at least 10-15 more before i get comfortable with OP.

I suggest sticking with a faster cube since it essentially does the same thing as using a slower cube but the faster cube forces you to turn lighter. Lighter turning = higher TPS potential

 

[cuberbutnotacuberV2]

as i was signing up for midweek madness tomorrow, I saw the opportunity to sign up for this. i'm debating whether or not to register, since classes will be in full swing and i don't think i can convince my parents to let me participate in this, although it seems like a good opportunity

 

[cuberbutnotacuberV2]

welp, they said no

in any case, i've stagnated a bit:

ao12: 13.12
ao5: 12.63​

which doesn't seem too bad on the surface, however i've been getting lots of high 13s and low 14s as of late, so i definitely need to practice.
i also got a PB single: 9.27 (but it was handscrambled by a friend who came over, so i mean... nahh)(we both freaked out like crazy)
that's pretty much all i've done today: practice solves. i haven't found the time for alg learning so... yeah!
tomorrow i'll dedicate all my time to learning OLL and practicing it (what with the 1.5 hours i cube daily, i think i can learn a good 10 algs with recog)

 

[Caleb Valenzuela]

welp, they said no

in any case, i've stagnated a bit:

ao12: 13.12
ao5: 12.63​

which doesn't seem too bad on the surface, however i've been getting lots of high 13s and low 14s as of late, so i definitely need to practice.
i also got a PB single: 9.27 (but it was handscrambled by a friend who came over, so i mean... nahh)(we both freaked out like crazy)
that's pretty much all i've done today: practice solves. i haven't found the time for alg learning so... yeah!
tomorrow i'll dedicate all my time to learning OLL and practicing it (what with the 1.5 hours i cube daily, i think i can learn a good 10 algs with recog)

i think your friend freaked out because you freaked out and you guys both saw it sub-10 and went crazy

 

[cuberbutnotacuberV2]

ok so i've properly learnt 36 OLLs and I just did an ao12, a 2s average isn't too bad (for now).

 

[cuberbutnotacuberV2]

PB SINGLE + PB AO5 IN 4X4 WEEKLY COMP???

unexpected, wow. still pretty bad but a 30s improvement is crazy.

 

[cuberbutnotacuberV2]

update: 44/57 OLLs done.

I'll be doing a session later, will update with the average and my thoughts and comments.

 

[cuberbutnotacuberV2]

(stats on J Perm's trainer)
a sub-2 average isn't bad at all for OLL imo, especially considering I learnt/relearnt/optimized (to suit my turning style) most of these algs today. A few sub one OLL's too (both sune cases + non-bar T-case (0.87)) made me feel good about myself. As for the 4s and 3s ones, those were left-handed, and I don't really do well with my left hand, so I guess I'll have to work on that.

 

[cuberbutnotacuberV2]

i've been doing 4x4 today, and I got a PB ao5. Quite pleased with the last 3 solves, only one type of parity in either. I got double parity in the first solve tho -_-.

 

[cuberbutnotacuberV2]

alright, so today I learned a grand total of 4 OLLs (school starts tomorrow).

i haven't done the 6 dot cases on purpose, I know they require a lot of wide moves (at least from the algs I'm learning) so I want to get more comfortable using the wide moves in algorithms I already know before learning them

in terms of 4x4: i have dropped my average to 1:15.00! I use Yau and Redux interchangeably: it mostly depends on what I see after my first two centers, but I'm on the same level on both. I haven't really decided which method I want to use going forward, so for the foreseeable future it's going to be both.

skewb: i haven't practiced much. in a very long time. all i remember is the hedge-sledge combo

2x2: i use my 4x4 to practice. that is all.

 

[Cuber239]

So you're saying that from like late February to now you have gone from a 21 second global to a 12 second ao5? How is this possible? How much are you practicing each day and what are you doing?

 

[cuberbutnotacuberV2]

So you're saying that from like late February to now you have gone from a 21 second global to a 12 second ao5? How is this possible? How much are you practicing each day and what are you doing?

it's mostly possible because I've changed the way I solve, focusing more on better F2L solutions and ultimately, decreasing the amount of time I spend on F2L. I haven't really started planning first pair, but now I find it easier to track the next pair while solving one. There's also the fact that I upgraded my main, it used to be this really clunky, grimey RS3M 2020. It just wouldn't turn.

To be fair, I haven't been practicing in the last few days - owing to school and whatnot. And I've been learning full OLL, so it's pretty much slowed me down by a bit (more time for recognition). I average 15-16 seconds with all the new OLL algorithms I know, but I think it's better that I inculcate this habit from now instead of struggling later.

In late February, I was really out of practice. By a lot. I was averaging 19-20s (which, for around a year of not cubing at all - is pretty good). From the day I re-opened this thread, I was doing nearly 150-200 solves a day, which, by some measures is not a lot. However, these were just the solves on my main 3x3 session. Throughout the day, I was grinding out slow solves, trying to do so without pausing, at all. I also have this really bad habit of just spamming algs while studying (I should quit that). In addition, I had separate sessions dedicated to PLL and F2L, two of my weak spots.

Now, I cannot say just how effective this would be for other people, but I have struggled with pauses and lockups due to me trying to turn too fast for my own good. I also learnt a few alternative, faster algorithms for some PLL cases and some important F2L algs (I was mostly doing intuitive beforehand).

I think these have been the biggest contributors to my increase in speed.

 

[Caleb Valenzuela]

the type of mindset i want my clients to have:

it's mostly possible because I've changed the way I solve, focusing more on better F2L solutions and ultimately, decreasing the amount of time I spend on F2L. I haven't really started planning first pair, but now I find it easier to track the next pair while solving one. There's also the fact that I upgraded my main, it used to be this really clunky, grimey RS3M 2020. It just wouldn't turn.

To be fair, I haven't been practicing in the last few days - owing to school and whatnot. And I've been learning full OLL, so it's pretty much slowed me down by a bit (more time for recognition). I average 15-16 seconds with all the new OLL algorithms I know, but I think it's better that I inculcate this habit from now instead of struggling later.

In late February, I was really out of practice. By a lot. I was averaging 19-20s (which, for around a year of not cubing at all - is pretty good). From the day I re-opened this thread, I was doing nearly 150-200 solves a day, which, by some measures is not a lot. However, these were just the solves on my main 3x3 session. Throughout the day, I was grinding out slow solves, trying to do so without pausing, at all. I also have this really bad habit of just spamming algs while studying (I should quit that). In addition, I had separate sessions dedicated to PLL and F2L, two of my weak spots.

Now, I cannot say just how effective this would be for other people, but I have struggled with pauses and lockups due to me trying to turn too fast for my own good. I also learnt a few alternative, faster algorithms for some PLL cases and some important F2L algs (I was mostly doing intuitive beforehand).

I think these have been the biggest contributors to my increase in speed.

the type of mindset my clients actually have:

So you're saying that from like late February to now you have gone from a 21 second global to a 12 second ao5? How is this possible? How much are you practicing each day and what are you doing?

 

[Cuber239]

I was genuinely curious, sorry if I came off as a bit abrasive.

 

[cuberbutnotacuberV2]

I was genuinely curious, sorry if I came off as a bit abrasive.

nah it's aight! it was really just a bit of a change in mindset + a bit of patience that really helped me overcome that mental block, because sometimes mentality is more important than the extent of what you know.

 

[cuberbutnotacuberV2]

update: classes are in full swing, so i have a bit less time on my hands nowadays.

regardless, i have been improving a little every day. i went from averaging 16s with semi-full OLL to around 15.2s rn, which is good. yellow cross seems to come more naturally now, i can ascertain which cross to choose with relative ease in 15s of inspection. i average slightly higher (15.8s) with this, but with a bit more practice, i'll drop my times fs.

4x4: still at 1:15, need to practice.