Hi, Ben from the US.

[Benje00]

Hi, everyone. My name is Ben, I am fifteen years old, and I live in the US. I first got into cubing two months ago when I received my first Rubik's brand cube for Christmas. I looked up several tutorials online until I came across Badmephisto's beginner tutorial. It took me a day or two, following the tutorial, until I finally solved it. I was practicing and timing my solves when I thought to myself, "I wonder what the fastest time is." I looked up a video and found Feliks' 5.66 solve. I saw the time and knew even if I did all the moves in the beginner's method as fast as I could that the times wouldn't nearly be that fast.

Knowing the Beginner's method was slow and looking to improve, I searched for popular speed methods, found CFOP, and started learning that about a month ago. Currently I use intuitive F2L and 4LLL. I'm learning my PLL algs right now and then I will pick up the OLLs. My cross usually takes 3-5 seconds, F2L 15-25, OLL 5-10, PLL, 5-10. My personal best is 25.08 with easy F2L pairs and a PLL skip. My best non-lucky solve is 29-something seconds.

I don't have many cubes yet, only a Rubik's Brand cube and a Zhanchi. I'm planning on getting either a 2x2 or a 4x4 next. Any suggestions?

Here's some of my solves using a Zhanchi that I recorded today. I haven't done many Ao5s yet so this probably isn't my best. (I don't have a camera to record myself.)

Ao5: 38.81

1. (35.47)
2. 42.57
3. 37.68
4. 36.17
5. (47.69)

I hope to be at least sub-20 on my Ao5 in about a month and maybe pick up BLD and/or OH by then. Anyway, I hope to gain something from being on these forums as well as contributing to the forums.

One question -- is there any way that I could change my username? I read that if you buy premium membership you can change it once, but I really don't want to spend $10 to do that.

 

[uniacto]

heyo Ben, welcome! I suggest a wittwo v1 if you decide that you want a 2x2, and a shengshou if you want a 4x4.

That's pretty good for 2 months time. http://www.speedsolving.com/forum/showthread.php?14009-How-to-be-sub-20 <- have you checked out this thread yet?

Not sure about the username change... you could always make a new account, I don't know if it's against the rules or not though...

 

[ThomasJE]

Hi!

Not sure about the username change... you could always make a new account, I don't know if it's against the rules or not though...

If it's a typo, then I'm sure the mods will let you off.

As for the 2x2 or 4x4, get both. WitTwo V1 for 2x2, and Shengshou for 4x4.

If you order it from the Speedsolving.com shop, and spend more than $20, you get free premium membership.

 

[sneaklyfox]

Welcome!

 

[Benje00]

That's pretty good for 2 months time. http://www.speedsolving.com/forum/showthread.php?14009-How-to-be-sub-20 <- have you checked out this thread yet?

Not sure about the username change... you could always make a new account, I don't know if it's against the rules or not though...

Thanks for that link even though I have already read it. Having two accounts against rule 1c.

Hi!

If it's a typo, then I'm sure the mods will let you off.

As for the 2x2 or 4x4, get both. WitTwo V1 for 2x2, and Shengshou for 4x4.

If you order it from the Speedsolving.com shop, and spend more than $20, you get free premium membership.

Yeaaah, it's not a typo, but I will most likely buy the 2x2 and 4x4 from the shop so I can get the membership for the name change.

Welcome!

Thanks, Sneaklyfox.

 

[immortalchaos29]

Wow. Good times for 2 months. Clearly a good choice for a Christmas present

Welcome and good luck.

 

[Benje00]

Wow. Good times for 2 months. Clearly a good choice for a Christmas present

Welcome and good luck.

Thanks! I picked it out myself.

If you order it from the Speedsolving.com shop, and spend more than $20, you get free premium membership.

I tried looking to confirm this, but I couldn't find it. Could someone link me to where it says this?

 

[kunparekh18]

Hey! Even I have been cubing for 2 months and my times are somewhat similar to yours, And even I'm 15 haha, Glad to see you on the forums.

Advice I have heard from many fast cubers is that work on F2L to get to sub-30, and then learn PLLs

You should also join the race to sub-30.

 

[uyneb2000]

If I were you, I would get the 2x2. Just my opinion, since I like 2x2 and am mainly a small cuber. Hey my name is Ben and I'm from the US!

 

[ThomasJE]

I tried looking to confirm this, but I couldn't find it. Could someone link me to where it says this?

http://www.speedsolving.com/forum/s...uzzle-Shop-Worldwide-Shipping-Great-Selection

We offer a complimentary premium membership for free to all users who order $20 or more from the Speedsolving.com Puzzle Shop (counting shipping). To take advantage of this, simply place your order, and then contact us with your order # and username, and we will upgrade your account within 48 hours.

 

[arvind1999]

Welcome!
Those are some really good times at two months!
Have a look at other methods too. You could go with whatever method you like!

 

[Benje00]

Thanks for all the nice comments guys. I didn't think my times were that good. Maybe I thought they weren't that good because I have lots of room to improve.

I was thinking about the 2x2 and the 4x4 and I didn't know which one to get, so I ordered both. I got the Shengshou 4x4 and the Wittwo 2x2. I've never had either of these cube sizes before. I can't wait to play with them.