Weight
77.5g
Thickness
7.35mm
Plies
7-ply
Handles
FL / ST
Material
Hybrid
Head Shape
Standard
Balance
Balanced
Rapid Carbon
Tibhar Rapid Carbon Light is a hybrid offensive blade that masterfully combines a lightweight balsa core with carbon layers for a unique playing experience. This 7-ply construction delivers impressive speed and power for aggressive topspin play, while the balsa core provides a surprising degree of control and a softer feel. Engineered to reduce physical effort, it allows for quick acceleration and sustained offensive pressure, making it an excellent choice for intermediate to advanced players seeking a spin-oriented attacking game without excessive weight.
This 7-ply construction features a balsa core flanked by two carbon layers and outer wood plies. This configuration aims to provide a lightweight feel with enhanced speed and power from the carbon, while the balsa core contributes to good control and a unique playing sensation.
TT Sensei Ratings
✦Our expert analysis of this blade's performance characteristics
Rapid Carbon Light is consistently rated as a very fast blade, with its carbon layers significantly boosting speed potential for powerful and direct shots. This enables quick attacks and finishing shots, making it highly effective for offensive players who rely on fast topspins and aggressive drives from both near and mid-distance.
Despite its offensive nature, this blade maintains a good level of control, often cited as a key feature. The balsa core contributes to a softer feel and better ball feedback, enabling more precise shots in blocking and touch play. It offers a delicate balance that allows for aggressive play without a complete loss of feel, especially when paired with appropriate rubbers.
Rapid Carbon Light offers a good overall feeling, with the balsa core contributing to a softer, more tactile experience compared to harder carbon blades. It retains pleasant feedback, allowing players to feel the ball at contact, which enhances control during touch shots and blocks.
Given its offensive nature and carbon incorporation, Rapid Carbon Light produces a medium-high throw angle suitable for generating powerful, penetrating topspin shots that clear the net effectively and land deep on the opponent's side.
The balsa core and overall construction provide a moderate dwell time, beneficial for generating spin. While not exceptionally long like some all-wood blades, it offers enough dwell to allow for effective spinny topspin shots, as noted by players who appreciate its spin generation capabilities.
The combination of wood and carbon layers results in moderate flexibility. It's not overly stiff, allowing for some flex during powerful shots which aids in catapult effect and spin generation, contributing to its versatility across different strokes.
This blade provides some vibration, which offers good feedback about ball contact without being excessively harsh. The balsa core likely moderates the vibration, contributing to a player's feel for the ball without negatively impacting control.
Rapid Carbon Light is generally regarded as a high-quality blade, praised for its solid construction, balanced feel, and durability. The integration of balsa and carbon materials creates a responsive and reliable playing instrument that delivers consistent performance, offering excellent value for its price point.
Technology
Tibhar Rapid Carbon Light leverages a hybrid construction to achieve its performance. At its core is a balsa wood veneer, chosen for exceptional lightness, unique playing sensation, and inherent control properties. This core is reinforced by two layers of high-tech carbon fiber, strategically placed to increase speed, power, and directness. The outer layers are composed of wood, contributing to overall feel and structural integrity. This combination maximizes benefits from both natural wood and advanced composites, creating a blade that is both agile and potent.
Similar Blades
Tibhar MK Carbon
Tibhar MK Carbon is another offensive blade from Tibhar that incorporates carbon technology. Designed for aggressive play, it offers enhanced speed and power, making it a potential alternative for players seeking a similar offensive profile, though likely with a different feel and price point.
Donic Black Devil Balsa Carbon
This blade shares the balsa core and carbon layer construction with the Rapid Carbon Light, suggesting similar characteristics in terms of lightness and offensive capabilities. Our testing shows it is a faster balsa carbon blade, positioning it as a more speed-focused alternative for players who want to maximize offensive power.