A theory about new cubes.

[Pedro]

when I got my eastsheen 4x4, my best avg dropped 10 seconds in a couple days

I used to practice with the Rubik's, but the eastsheen was much better

 

[Koen]

My first solve on a meffert's 4×4 was like 10 seconds faster than my pb on eastsheen.

 

[mcciff2112]

i think a lot has to do with your head. when your spirits are high because you know that you are going to do good with a certain cube, you probably will, just cuz you are not worried about anything. when you are using an older cube, that you know might not be the best, you convince yourself before you even scramble it that you will not do very good because the cube sucks. and chances are, you wont do well. Its the same concept with any sport. if you are constantly worrying about something like a small ache or pain, or that the other team is better, your not going to perform at your best simply because you convinced yourself in your mind that you wont do well. i learned a lot about this because im a swimmer and mental preparation is widely considered to be a factor in success in the sport.

 

[ThePizzaGuy92]

my new cubes have better tensions and lockup less than my old ones, i give them a little more credit. haha

 

[jcuber]

A day after I got a mefferts (previously using ES), my average beat my PB by 30 seconds.

My first solve on a v-5 (switching from rubiks) was 30 seconds better than previous PB.

DIY 3x3x3 didn't change my times much, I had a REALLY good storebought (but now I have better DIY's).

 

[JLarsen]

If you've got a fairly nice cube already like a DIY of any sort, then a new 3x3 cube i think would drop your times more by causing you to practice more. Also, with me, I'm just in a better mood during my solves, as I'm not like DAMN YOU ES QUIT LOCKING UP the whole solve, like I currently am, and i can focus more on the solve, than the movement, if that makes any sense.

 

[bbplaya7821]

It kinda makes you think your going faster therefore you will go faster. More confidence as well.

 

[rachmaninovian]

about 3x3s...after I got my type F I was so high I got my first sub 20 average 10/12. I returned to normal the next day =P
its relative, really..

 

[fanwuq]

New cubes always make my times become worse. I guess that just means I already have good cubes.

The placebo effect doesn't work for me because I don't have/make time to practise with a new cube

Exactly the same for me. When I got my Meffert's 4x4, my times went up by about 10 to 20 seconds. It felt like a nice cube, but my Eastsheen was just faster. Now, I don't have either one, so I can't say which is better for sure. I only know that I'm way faster on computer cubes than real cubes.

Many times I get faster solves on cubes that feel worse.

 

[Deleted member 2864]

well... I think it depends. Lets say you have a good (not beaten up) eaastsheen 4x4 and you get a mefferts. You think the mefferts is better, and like you said, it's also your mind that drops it.

However, if you have a very bad, not broken in, non-lubricated storebought, then you get the perfect diy, then it's the cube that is dropping your times.

 

[Arikash]

I say:

33% - The Cube IS better
33% - The new supposedly better cube leads to more practice!
33% - You're getting a confidence boost with this new piece of equipment, you're more energetic and hopeful to start the better experience.

And the extra 1% goes to.... what? Or did you mean 1/3, instead of 33%?

The last 1% goes to a saving throw for a LL skip

 

[soccerking813]

Isn't that more of a 1 out of 10 or 100 thousand chance?

And I think that if I got a new, really good, lubed cube right now, my time would be at least 5 seconds lower. I know almost full PLL, but sometimes my cube locks up so much and is so hard to turn that I have a 7 or 8 second PLL. And the only lube I have ever used is WD 40 back when I thought it was good for the cube. XD