Friendship 729 Battle II vs Tibhar Evolution EL-P: Which Should You Buy?
| Friendship 729 Battle II | Tibhar Evolution EL-P | |
|---|---|---|
| Our rating | 8.5/10 | 8.4/10 |
| best_side | FH | both |
| control | 8 | medium-high |
| speed | 8 | high |
| spin | 9 | high |
| sponge_hardness | hard | 43.5 (ESN), about 35 Shore A |
| type | tacky | tensor inverted |
| weight_uncut_g | 68 | 68 |
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These two share a similar uncut weight near 68 grams but play very differently. The Battle II is a hard, tacky Chinese rubber that wins on serves, serve receive and brushed loops, producing a low, diving arc and long dwell that suit a forehand looping game close to the table. The Evolution EL-P sits between MX-P and FX-P, offering easy spin generation, a chewy grippy feel and superb blocking that absorbs incoming speed.
On style, the Battle II is the spinnier, more demanding sheet that needs full committed strokes to open up, and it is weaker on flat smashes far from the table. The EL-P is the more forgiving all-rounder, with excellent control and a catapult that adds surprising pace when you accelerate, and many users favour it for the backhand. Its weak points are pushing and chopping, and it loses spin quickly when dusty.
Choose the Battle II if you are a forehand-dominant attacker who wants to learn Chinese-style tacky spin on a tight budget. Choose the EL-P if you prioritize control, consistency and easy spin over raw speed and want a strong backhand option that still works on the forehand. The Battle II rates 8.5 here, just ahead of the EL-P.
FAQ
Which rubber is better for the backhand?
The Tibhar Evolution EL-P is the stronger backhand choice. It works very well on both wings, with many users favoring it for backhand, while the Battle II is best on the forehand for Chinese-style looping.
Which has more control?
The EL-P is built around control and superb blocking that absorbs incoming speed. The Battle II is controllable in a linear, no-catapult way, but it demands strong technique and full strokes to manage its hard tacky sheet.
Do they weigh the same?
Yes, both are listed at 68 grams uncut. The EL-P is noted as heavy for its hardness, often as heavy as tacky Chinese rubbers like the Battle II.
Which is faster?
The EL-P is the faster of the two, rated high speed with a useful catapult when you accelerate. The Battle II is surprisingly fast for a hard tacky rubber but stays linear with no catapult.