Weight
85.5g
Thickness
7mm
Plies
5-ply
Head Size
15.8x15
Handles
FL / ST
Material
AllWood
Head Shape
Standard
Balance
Head-Heavy
Tube Offensive WRB
Stiga Tube Offensive WRB is a 5-ply all-wood offensive blade built around a unique core technology. Its middle ply features micro-channels filled with an extremely hard wood, engineered to deliver high speed while preserving a responsive feel. The integrated WRB system in the handle optimizes weight distribution for quicker returns and enhanced sensitivity. This construction supports aggressive, fast-paced play with a commendable balance of power and control, making it a compelling choice for intermediate to advanced players seeking an offensive edge with good touch.
This blade features a 5-ply all-wood construction with a unique core. The middle ply contains micro-channels filled with an extremely hard wood, designed to boost speed while preserving feel. The exact species of the outer and inner wood plies are not specified.
TT Sensei Ratings
✦Our expert analysis of this blade's performance characteristics
Stiga Tube Offensive WRB is a fast offensive blade. The micro-channel technology and hard wood filling in the core provide significant power and a quick ball exit, enabling fast attacks and drives. While it doesn't reach the absolute peak of modern composite blades, it offers a substantial speed advantage for an all-wood construction, perfect for players looking to dictate the pace of the rally.
Despite its offensive nature, Tube Offensive WRB maintains good control. The micro-channel construction is designed to retain 'feeling,' which contributes to better ball placement and touch. This allows players to execute precise serves, engage in the short game, and counter-spin effectively without sacrificing too much accuracy, making it a versatile offensive tool.
The feel is often described as medium to medium-hard. The micro-channel technology is specifically engineered to prevent the loss of tactile feedback despite the blade's speed, resulting in a responsive touch that provides clear feedback on ball impact for good short game control.
Based on its offensive characteristics, the blade likely produces a medium-high throw angle. This facilitates effective looping and topspin play, allowing the ball to arc over the net with sufficient height for aggressive, penetrating shots.
Dwell time is likely medium. It offers a fast ball exit for offensive shots, but the feeling technology suggests it doesn't have an excessively short contact time. This allows for adequate ball contact for spin generation when paired with suitable rubbers, without feeling too dead for powerful drives.
The blade has a stiff to medium-stiff flex. This rigidity is a key contributor to its offensive power and speed. The technology aims to balance this inherent stiffness with a degree of feel, making it suitable for controlled, powerful strokes rather than just pure, unbridled power.
Vibration levels are noticeable but not excessive. The micro-channel construction contributes to a specific vibration feedback. Player experiences vary, with some finding the vibrations fine and sensitive, while others note rougher feedback, suggesting potential unit variability or sensitivity to different rubber pairings.
Build quality is generally considered good for its technology and price point. However, players report it may be more fragile compared to some other premium brands, with mentions of potential core stability issues over time. It's a well-constructed blade that performs well but benefits from careful handling to maintain its characteristics long-term.
Technology
Stiga Tube Offensive WRB utilizes proprietary 'micro-channels' technology. The middle veneer is milled with channels along its length, which are then filled with a hard wood material. This innovation aims to enhance speed and power while retaining a sensitive feel for the ball. The WRB (Weight and Balance Redesign) system is also integrated into the handle, designed to optimize weight distribution for faster returns and improved sensitivity at the point of ball contact.
Similar Blades
Stiga Offensive Classic WRB
Stiga Offensive Classic WRB shares the WRB system and a similar offensive philosophy but uses a more traditional 5-ply all-wood construction without micro-channels. It's often praised for its balance and feel, though it is generally considered slightly slower and less powerful than the Tube Offensive WRB, which uses its core technology specifically to boost speed while maintaining feel.
Stiga Offensive CR WRB
Stiga Offensive CR WRB is another speed-focused variant, but it uses the CR (Crystal Resin) system to harden the top plies. While both aim for enhanced speed and a classic Stiga touch, the CR system creates a crisper feel and sound, differing from the Tube Offensive WRB's internal micro-channel approach to balancing speed and feedback.