Are cubes supposed to just randomly slow down?

[Noob's Cubes]

So around 6 months ago, I bought a GAN 11 M Pro (Primary internals). I was really happy with the cube and my times dropped significantly from when I was using my previous main (X-man Tornado V2 M). Around 3 months after I got it, it gradually started getting slower. I tried cleaning out the cube, because I thought that perhaps it was because of dirt, but that made it even slower. Not only did it get slower, but it also started popping like crazy. So I attributed the problem to lack of lube, and ordered the GAN lubes from TheCubicle. I put a few drops of accel into it and it instantly sped it up, but not nearly to its original speed. It also continued popping just as much.

I recently got the X-man Tornado V3 M Standard, and was very happy with the puzzle. It turned well, and was very fast. I tried putting some DNM-37 and Weight 5 into it, and it made it even better. I started putting way too much lube in it, to the point where I went through about a third of my DNM and a fifth of my Weight 5, because I was scared that the same thing would happen to the V3 that happened to Gan.

As of Saturday morning, I noticed that the V3 was slowing down slightly. So on Saturday night, I cleaned my cube and relubed it. I thought that it fixed the issue, but then this morning, the cube got a lot worse, with a similar feeling to the Gan. I put some more lube, tried a few different tension and compression settings, and nothing helped. Please, if you have any suggestions, reply to this thread. I'm getting kind of desperate, because I love cubing, but if I'm going to have to buy a new cube 5 times a year, it's not worth it.

Please help me,
A depressed cuber

 

[TheSpeedSkewber]

Your problem is simple.

You've overlubed! No matter how fast the lube, if you put too much it will slow your cube down. The only real fix is to clean your cube and all the pieces, dry the pieces off, then use your cube for about a week to make the lube in the storing mechanism dry.

 

[Noob's Cubes]

Did you read the first paragraph?

 

[TheSpeedSkewber]

So around 6 months ago, I bought a GAN 11 M Pro (Primary internals). I was really happy with the cube and my times dropped significantly from when I was using my previous main (X-man Tornado V2 M). Around 3 months after I got it, it gradually started getting slower. I tried cleaning out the cube, because I thought that perhaps it was because of dirt, but that made it even slower. Not only did it get slower, but it also started popping like crazy. So I attributed the problem to lack of lube, and ordered the GAN lubes from TheCubicle. I put a few drops of accel into it and it instantly sped it up, but not nearly to its original speed. It also continued popping just as much.

Did you read the first paragraph?

The first para says you relubed it after cleaning. What i am suggesting is that you do not relube, and when you do apply small amounts, break in and repeat.

 

[Noob's Cubes]

Oh sorry I forgot to mention that I did not have any lube until I bought the GAN lubes. The only thing in the 11 was the factory lube.

 

[Noob's Cubes]

What I don't get though is how I've never heard of this issue happening to anyone else and it's happened to me twice.

 

[CaptainK]

You might need to adjust the axis distance and tension settings now that the cubes are broken in. Also, make sure you're cleaning thoroughly by taking all the pieces apart, and wiping dirt/lube out the grooves.

 

[Noob's Cubes]

K ty

 

[Thom S.]

I've never heard of this issue happening to anyone else and it's happened to me twice.

My guess is the other direction. You maybe just slow down yourself due to life circumstances and don't recognise that in itself so you see the cube as a culprit.

 

[Noob's Cubes]

My guess is the other direction. You maybe just slow down yourself due to life circumstances and don't recognise that in itself so you see the cube as a culprit.

No I asked two of my friends to feel it and they both agreed that the cube slowed down significantly. Also, the 11 started popping a lot so it can't just be me.

 

[Garf]

No I asked two of my friends to feel it and they both agreed that the cube slowed down significantly. Also, the 11 started popping a lot so it can't just be me.

I’ve had a similar problem with my 11 M pro. Maybe I need to completely clean out my cube, tension it, and add some lubricants to get a good feel that I like.