Weight
85g
Thickness
5.7mm
Plies
7-ply
Head Size
157x150
Handles
FL / ST
Material
Hybrid
Head Shape
Standard
Balance
Balanced
ZX-Gear Fiber
Victas ZX-Gear Fiber is a Japanese-made offensive blade that delivers a harmonious blend of power, control, and sensational feel. It pioneers the use of a fully woven Zexion® fiber, an innovative elastic material that creates a soft, controlled ball contact. This inner fiber construction, paired with an optimized ply structure, offers a larger sweet spot and higher energy efficiency than traditional wood. Ideal for close-to-the-table topspin play, it provides exceptional precision and stability, gearing up with ample speed in mid-distance rallies. It's a superb choice for intermediate players developing their game and advanced players who value a responsive, stable feel.
The blade features a 7-ply hybrid construction. From the outside in, it uses Limba wood for the outer plies, followed by Ayous wood, then the innovative Zexion® fiber layer, an Ayous core, and symmetrically back out through Ayous and Limba. This inner fiber placement is crucial for maintaining a soft, wood-like feel while benefiting from the increased sweet spot and energy transfer of composite materials.
TT Sensei Ratings
✦Our expert analysis of this blade's performance characteristics
Victas ZX-Gear Fiber is rated as an offensive blade, offering a good level of speed that becomes more pronounced in mid-distance rallies where it gears up significantly. While not an extreme speed demon, it provides ample power for attacking play when the player generates sufficient force. Our testing shows its speed can be comparable to some outer ALC blades when driven strongly, making it a versatile tool for controlled offensive play.
Control is a standout feature, consistently rated very highly. This is attributed to the blade's soft feel, good dwell time, and the forgiving nature of its inner fiber construction. Players report excellent stability for precise placement and the ability to keep the ball on the table even during powerful strokes, making it exceptionally reliable for rally-oriented play.
Victas ZX-Gear Fiber offers a feel very close to a pure wood blade, characterized as medium-soft. The elasticity of the Zexion® fiber and its inner placement absorb vibration, creating a soft, controlled ball contact with good dwell time. Players can feel the ball well, with a sensation that has more rigidity than pure wood but less than typical carbon blades, providing a perfect balance of feedback and comfort.
This blade produces a medium-high throw angle, creating an arched trajectory for drives and offering good stability on the table. This characteristic is beneficial for comfortably clearing the net with topspin shots and for maintaining consistent, looping rallies.
This blade provides excellent dwell time, a significant advantage for spin-oriented play. The extended ball-holding time allows players to impart more spin on their shots and offers greater control during rallies. Many players find it works exceptionally well with Chinese tacky rubbers, enhancing its spin potential.
Victas ZX-Gear Fiber offers a moderate level of flexibility. This allows for good bending and resonance during shots, which aids dwell time and spin generation. The elasticity of the Zexion® fiber enables players to feel the ball pocketing and releasing with power, creating a well-flexing and resonant character ideal for dynamic play.
Vibration sensation is moderate, contributing to the blade's controlled and comfortable feel. The Zexion® fiber and inner construction help dampen excessive vibrations without sacrificing crucial feedback. It provides a comfortable playing experience that retains enough sensation for players to connect with their shots.
The ZX-Gear Fiber showcases high build quality typical of Japanese-manufactured equipment. It is recognized as a premium offensive blade with excellent finishing. The innovative Zexion® fiber and optimized ply structure contribute to a refined feel and consistent performance, earning it a reputation for top-tier craftsmanship.
Technology
Victas ZX-Gear Fiber is distinguished by its pioneering use of woven Zexion® fiber, an advanced, highly elastic proprietary material. This fiber is integrated in an inner construction, positioned between the core and middle plies. This strategic placement allows the blade to achieve a soft, controlled ball contact and a sensational playing feel closely emulating pure wood. The Zexion® fiber enhances elasticity and energy efficiency, leading to a larger sweet spot and superior power output. Victas also developed new adhesives and bonding methods for the plywood process, contributing to the blade's unique characteristics. The 'Dyna-core' technology signifies this innovative inner fiber construction.
Similar Blades
Victas ZX-Gear In
The ZX-Gear In is part of the same series, sharing Limba outer plies and Ayous inner plies. The key difference is its use of Z Carbon (a Zexion and Carbon blend) as the inner fiber, whereas the ZX-Gear Fiber uses pure Zexion®. This makes the ZX-Gear In generally stiffer and potentially faster, while the ZX-Gear Fiber offers a softer, more wood-like feel. Both are designed for offensive play with an emphasis on control and feel.
Nittaku Acoustic
The Nittaku Acoustic is a pure 5-ply wood blade often mentioned for its exceptional feel, control, and soft touch—qualities the ZX-Gear Fiber aims to replicate with fiber technology. Players who appreciate the ZX-Gear Fiber's soft feel and dwell time might enjoy the Acoustic's pure wood sensation, though it lacks the enhanced sweet spot and power boost provided by the Zexion® fiber construction.