I think my hardware starts to slow me down.

[TioMario]

I own a Rubik's storebought since it's difficult for me to get any other cube.

I've been playing with it for a long time, I sanded the edges and it turned out a good cube in my opinion (the opinion of a guy who has never touched another cube ).

But now, I'm averaging the middle 30s and I feel like my cube is not responding as well as before. Maybe it is because it's not very fast, it doesn't cut corners and it locks up A LOT.

My question is: should I work in my turning accuracy rather than blame the cube?, or should I try my best to get and buy a better cube because he's slowing me down?.

 

[iSpinz]

Definitely get a better cube.

 

[eastamazonantidote]

I was in your exact same position 6 months ago. I now have DIYs but really think they're overrated. I recommend re-lubing your cube and maybe getting another. Rubik's storeboughts have a sweet spot where they turn like magic after weeks of breaking in, then start locking up. You have to resist the urge to sand down the cubie size when you first get the cube in order to keep the cube good for a long time. Otherwise, it just starts to fade...

 

[TioMario]

I was in your exact same position 6 months ago. I now have DIYs but really think they're overrated. I recommend re-lubing your cube and maybe getting another. Rubik's storeboughts have a sweet spot where they turn like magic after weeks of breaking in, then start locking up. You have to resist the urge to sand down the cubie size when you first get the cube in order to keep the cube good for a long time. Otherwise, it just starts to fade...

I bought the cube 3 months ago, and I sanded it the last week, that guy was pretty broken in already. I lube it with silicone spray every 3 weeks

 

[PatrickT]

DIYs are fairly inexpensive so you can buy one if it makes you feel better. But at ~30 seconds your ability to look-ahead is probably slowing you down much more than your cube.

I remember that I felt like you did when I was at averaging at your times. Then someone solved my cube one-handed faster than me. Hence: it's not the cube, it's the cuber.

 

[PeterNewton]

Don't bother getting a better cube until you're averaging around 20 seconds. In my experience, its better to tough it out with a crappy cube and feel the pain of exploding cubies before you switch over to good ones. That way, you can actually appreciate how nice better cubes are.

 

[Muesli]

I didn't get my first DIY until I was sub-25. I havn't improved much since.

 

[crazymanjimbo46]

i got my first DIY when i was sub-40 but i probably should have waited.

 

[ElderKingpin]

i got DIYs early on too, but i kept getting the wrong cubes, so im back to my store-bought, i have to re-lube it though, if you are getting this thickish feeling you should probably re-lube it

When you see cubes turn like nakaji's you get pretty covetous :/

 

[Metroidam11]

You should definitely get a DIY. I recommend a Taiyan II. Your times will definitely sink if you are having lock up problems. There are so many options of DIY's so make sure you chose the right one! You did not mention using any lubricant. You should try using Jig-a-loo on your Rubik's brand. It works like a charm! Don't have any silicone spray? It can be found at your local hardware store like Home Depot or Lowes. CRC Silicone spray works almost as well. I have found Krylon Silicone spray to work as well but it is not as good. Beware of liquid wrench silicone spray and WD-40! They will not help your cube too much.

 

[ChrisBird]

What's the problem with getting a DIY now?

Reading the other posts, I think people are making up that you should be a certain speed before getting a better cube.

Getting a better cube isn't like learning a harder method. While you want to completely learn the old method before moving on (LBL before Fridrich etc), what cube you use will improve most peoples times even if just by a little bit.

 

[YuTubeCuber]

Either get a new, really good cube on popbuying or something, OR relube your cube.

 

[TioMario]

Lubricants are ok, I use a random silicone spray I found (It's the only thing I can get in my country), but they don't make my cube lock up less, turn smoother (well, kinda but not too much with this one) or cut corners.

Screw it, I'm buying a new cube.

 

[Hiero]

Just buy 2 or 3 cubes and try them out. They won't improve your times by much if they improve them at all, but you will always be wondering whether it's the cube or you unless you try out some other ones.

 

[oskarasbrink]

What's the problem with getting a DIY now?

Reading the other posts, I think people are making up that you should be a certain speed before getting a better cube.

Getting a better cube isn't like learning a harder method. While you want to completely learn the old method before moving on (LBL before Fridrich etc), what cube you use will improve most peoples times even if just by a little bit.

i agree with you, Chris. and the same goes for "beginner DIY's" why would a better cube be bad for slower cubers?

in my opinion you should buy something from popbuying, they have F-II and A-V and has free shipping too.

 

[guitardude7241]

Just buy 2 or 3 cubes and try them out. They won't improve your times by much if they improve them at all, but you will always be wondering whether it's the cube or you unless you try out some other ones.

or you could run the princeton offence.

 

[Arx]

I say just get a new cube. I'm still really slow, and I appreciate the difference. I don't think it really makes me much faster but it turns way smoother, without the frustrating lockups.

I can't see any real advantage to stick with a slow cube.

If you get a nice DIY, and it makes you faster, awesome. If you get one, and it doesn't make you faster, then at least you've confirmed that it's skills, not equipment, that you need to work on.

 

[cincyaviation]

i got my first DIY when i was sub-40 but i probably should have waited.

why would you wait to get something you were going to get anyway?

 

[rjohnson_8ball]

Before you relube your cube, wipe the internal cubie surfaces and the sides of the center cubies to remove anything gummy.

 

[TioMario]

I realized that the "lube" I was using actually messed up my cube...
I noticed this when I got a new cube, I lubed it and it felt WAY worse than before.
So yeah... I have no lube... But anyway, I think my new cube is pretty good (GH)