Andro Treiber CI OFF vs Butterfly Lin Gaoyuan ALC: Which Should You Buy?
| Andro Treiber CI OFF | Butterfly Lin Gaoyuan ALC | |
|---|---|---|
| Our rating | 8.4/10 | 8.7/10 |
| feel | woody with carbon kick; firm primary touch, softer follow-through | Soft — flexible ALC gives a more wood-like feel than other carbon blades; high dwell time |
| handle | FL / AN / ST | Shakehand (FL, AN, ST options); shorter anatomic handle than Viscaria |
| plies | 5 plies (3 wood + 2 inner KVL carbon layers) | 5 wood + 2 arylate-carbon (ALC) — 7-ply construction with koto outer layers and inner arylate-carbon fiber |
| speed | OFF | OFF (Butterfly rates Reaction 118, mid-fast; equivalent to OFF/OFF+ class) |
| thickness_mm | approx 5.9mm | 5.7mm |
| weight_g | approx 84-90g | 84-87g typical (Butterfly spec approx 87g) |
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Treiber CI OFF is the inner-carbon woody feel: distinctive kick on hard hits, low vibration, moderate OFF speed. Two-wing looping. Handle slightly large for small hands, pairs best with medium-hard rubber.
Lin Gaoyuan ALC is the soft outer-ALC specialist: soft, flexible ALC feel closer to wood than most carbon, large head for expansive sweet spot, impressive spin generation, strong control for an OFF blade. Lighter than Harimoto ALC, world-class build quality. Anatomic handle is notably shorter (verify fit before buying), and the blade is discontinued, making sourcing difficult. Not ideal for beginners or passive blockers.
Treiber for balanced inner-carbon activation; Lin Gaoyuan for advanced attackers who want soft carbon feedback and an expanded sweet spot and do not mind discontinued sourcing.
FAQ
Which has a larger sweet spot?
Lin Gaoyuan ALC has a large head delivering expansive sweet spot. Treiber is standard size.
Which is easier to source?
Treiber is current. Lin Gaoyuan is discontinued and expensive to find.
Which feel is softer?
Lin Gaoyuan ALC is soft and flexible, closer to wood. Treiber is crisp with carbon kick.
If I transitioned from pure wood, which is better?
Lin Gaoyuan ALC is designed for that transition, with soft feel and high dwell. Treiber offers more activation.