Weight
78g
Thickness
7.35mm
Plies
7-ply
Head Size
150x157
Handles
FL / ST
Material
Hybrid
Head Shape
Standard
Balance
Balanced
Rapid Carbon Light
Tibhar Rapid Carbon Light is a hybrid offensive blade built for players who want speed without sacrificing all control. Its clever construction pairs a lightweight balsa core with carbon layers, creating a lively feel with a noticeable catapult effect. This design reduces physical effort, allowing for faster acceleration and powerful topspin strokes from both close to the table and mid-distance. It's an excellent choice for spin-oriented attackers seeking a responsive, energetic blade that remains manageable.
This 7-ply construction uses Ayous outer layers for a responsive feel. Carbon fiber layers are placed inside, sandwiching a thick balsa core. The balsa is key to the blade's light weight and provides a noticeable catapult effect, while the carbon enhances overall speed and power.
TT Sensei Ratings
✦Our expert analysis of this blade's performance characteristics
This blade is built for pace, consistently ranking high in speed evaluations. The carbon layers and balsa core work together to create a fast, explosive response perfect for powerful loops and quick counter-attacks. It excels in delivering rapid-fire exchanges, making it a top choice for players whose game relies on overwhelming speed.
For an offensive blade, the Rapid Carbon Light offers a respectable level of control. The balsa core and specific layer arrangement provide a more forgiving feel than some stiffer carbon blades, allowing for confident blocking and precise touch play. Players report it feels direct yet manageable, though some note a slightly hard character on very soft touches.
The blade provides a medium-stiff to hard feel upon contact. The carbon and balsa combination creates a direct, crisp response with enough vibration to give clear ball feedback, which many players prefer for executing powerful, penetrating shots.
The blade produces a medium-high throw angle, well-suited for aggressive topspin play. This arc helps shots clear the net comfortably while maintaining speed and depth, ideal for loop-driven attacks.
Despite its speed-oriented design, it offers decent dwell time, particularly when paired with the right rubbers. This characteristic aids in generating heavy spin on loops and serves, adding a crucial dimension to offensive play.
It is considered a relatively stiff blade. This stiffness contributes to its direct, powerful response and is a key factor in producing fast, penetrating counter-attacks and drives.
Vibration levels are moderate, providing useful feedback without being excessive. This helps players sense the ball's impact and spin, contributing to a connected, informative feel during play.
Build quality is excellent, reflecting Tibhar's strong reputation. The blade is consistently praised for its solid construction, precise manufacturing, and durability. It feels robust and reliable in hand, designed to withstand the demands of intensive offensive play without compromise.
Technology
Tibhar Rapid Carbon Light utilizes a 7-ply hybrid construction. It features outer Ayous wood layers for a responsive feel, followed by carbon fiber layers that sandwich a central balsa wood core. This design strategically leverages the balsa for lightweight properties and a unique catapult sensation, while the carbon layers enhance directness and power. The result is a blade that feels lively and fast without being excessively heavy.
Similar Blades
Tibhar Rapid Carbon
Tibhar Rapid Carbon Light is viewed as an evolution of the older Rapid Carbon model. Both share a balsa middle core, but the Light version features Ayous outer plies compared to the Koto on the original. The Light also typically has a slightly larger head size, contributing to its updated playing characteristics.