Cubes not lasting as long as they used to?

[Rubiks560]

So, lately I've noticed cubes just aren't lasting nearly as long as they used to....
When the first Guhong came out, it lasted me about a year and a half till I couldn't really use it anymore. so I picked up a Zhanchi right when that came out. Up until Nationals it was fine, and a few weeks after that it started randomly acting up. Corner cutting started getting really bad, it would randomly get slower or faster, and about a month after nationals it was just dead. So I picked up a new one about 2-3 weeks ago, and it's almost repeating the same thing. It was working completely fine, but now it's randomly getting faster, and the corner cutting seems to be degrading. And it's not the screws tightening or loosing them selves, I've already checked that. And I can't get it to slow back down either, I've tried cleaning it, that made it faster, tried Jigaloo, tried Lubix, Traxxes, and Traxxes is the only thing thats slowed it down even a bit, but it's still a bit to fast for me.

Has anything similar happened to you guy, or is it just me?

 

[Zbox95]

Personally I think it is a bad tactic to only have one main speedcube, because of this reason that you mention. What I do is that I use two 3x3s as my mains, at the same time. I got Zhanchi and a Haiyan Memory in september, and they are still really good speedcubes

 

[andyfreeman]

I'd have to say no, I haven't seen this issue yet. But looking at your signature, maybe you are doing way more cubing and practice than me

 

[Chrisalead]

I have trouble with my main cube : a white Zhanchi since a week. I have entirely cleaned it up, re-lubed it, but it still has a weird feeling. I can't really say what's wrong with it but If I use one of my spare Zhanchi I don't feel that problem. So I think maybe my cube is too old, but It annoys me since I'm using it since last August only !

 

[pdilla]

I know what you mean. My old Zhanchi went bad in about 3 or so months only. I'm counteracting it with the whole 2 mains thing (two Zhanchis) and doing OCD cleaning on them monthly.

 

[MostEd]

my zhanchi from izovire does have white stuff on my finger if i wipe an edge with it...
maybe people cube more

 

[AvGalen]

So, lately I've noticed cubes just aren't lasting nearly as long as they used to....
When the first Guhong came out, it lasted me about a year and a half till I couldn't really use it anymore. so I picked up a Zhanchi right when that came out. Up until Nationals it was fine, and a few weeks after that it started randomly acting up. Corner cutting started getting really bad, it would randomly get slower or faster, and about a month after nationals it was just dead. So I picked up a new one about 2-3 weeks ago, and it's almost repeating the same thing. It was working completely fine, but now it's randomly getting faster, and the corner cutting seems to be degrading. And it's not the screws tightening or loosing them selves, I've already checked that. And I can't get it to slow back down either, I've tried cleaning it, that made it faster, tried Jigaloo, tried Lubix, Traxxes, and Traxxes is the only thing thats slowed it down even a bit, but it's still a bit to fast for me.

Has anything similar happened to you guy, or is it just me?

So when did you buy that Guhong and when did you buy that Zanchi and when did they get bad?

 

[radmin]

I'd get a new one and only out Maru lube in it.
Texcraft and Lubix and the like make the Guhong and ZhanChi gummy. Jigaloo is too drastic. it leaves a permanent coating that helps some cubes, but not these two. These lubes can be good on other types, but I really hate it on GH and ZC.

It's probably speeding up when the lube works in and gets to a specific moisture level then slowing down again when it dries completely.
With Maru lube a couple drops will give a quick touch up. Just my 2cents.

I actually just got the GuHong 2 and put some 30k Diff oil in it using CrazyBadCuber's technique. I didn't like the results compared to a second one with Maru. I'll probably sell the Diff oil one and get another to replace it.

Also, When my Zhanchi turned gummy from diff oil. I decided to wipe it out thinking it would return to its former clicky self. No such luck. I had to use Goo Gone to clean the pieces to my satisfaction.

Another note about Jigaloo, it works wonders on v5-7. I also use it in Alpha V.

 

[Cheese11]

I too got my GuHong around the same time you did. and it's still going strong. My ZhanChi (Got it when it came out) does the whole Fast slow thing like yours. But it switches every month. It feels like the plastic isn't the same quality anymore. *In old mans voice* Back in the day, stuff was made RIGHT!

 

[Athefre]

They don't make em like they used to in the good old days.

 

[iShadows]

How is that possible? My main is a ShengEn FII, I do more than 100 solves per day and is very fast, doesn't pop too much, and I bought in July 2011.. something is wrong with your cubes... maybe a bad tension or something.. btw I use Traxxas 50k, for the first 10 solves fells gummy, but later is really fast...

 

[Cheese11]

How is that possible? My main is a ShengEn FII, I do more than 100 solves per day and is very fast, doesn't pop too much, and I bought in July 2011.. something is wrong with your cubes... maybe a bad tension or something.. btw I use Traxxas 50k, for the first 10 solves fells gummy, but later is really fast...

That's because you just bought it half a year ago. And FII's last really long.

 

[tozies24]

I have to say that my zhanchi definitely gets a little bit slow after a long while of solves. Then I put it down for a couple days and it seems to go back to normal

 

[TheMachanga]

Maybe because you're faster now Chris, and your fast tps really gets to the cube ya know?

 

[JackJ]

At your speed, you notice slight alterations your cube does. While people like me, who are significantly slower, wouldn't notice the difference as it doesn't alter our times in the same way it does for you.

 

[skeletonboy]

My Zhanchi seems to be reacting weirdly with the Jigaloo I use. It seems like a glory when freshly lubed and broken in, but after 48 hours, it starts to "dry" out of slow down. I only do like 20 solves a do or something and I got it only a month ago. And Jigaloo shouldn't dry up in 2 days, that's just sad. But my Jigaloo still makes my Zhanchi very fast and smooth...funny.