Andro Treiber Z vs Butterfly Zhang Jike ALC: Which Should You Buy?
| Andro Treiber Z | Butterfly Zhang Jike ALC | |
|---|---|---|
| Our rating | 8.7/10 | 8.7/10 |
| feel | mild, crispy, low vibration, large sweet spot | medium-hard but flexible, crisp carbon with long dwell |
| handle | FL, ST, AN, Chinese pen | FL/ST/AN |
| plies | 7-ply: kiso hinoki outer + ZLC (Z-fiber composite) inner layers + wood core | 5W+2 Arylate-Carbon (5 wood plies with 2 Arylate-Carbon layers) |
| speed | OFF | OFF |
| thickness_mm | 6.6-6.8 | 5.8 |
| weight_g | 87-90 | 88 |
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Both are OFF-class ALC blades with distinct feels. The Treiber Z excels at speed-to-control balance with a huge sweet spot, mild crispy feel, and exceptional short-game performance, demanding medium-to-high throw rubbers.
Zhang Jike ALC pursues softness: its OFF-class speed combines with a soft, flexible, non-stiff carbon feel. Long dwell time excels at looping and spin generation, with strong control relative to other ALC and ZLC blades. The comfortable handle in FL, ST, AN shapes offers flexibility. Excellent away-from-table looping and counterlooping, pairing well with both tensor and tacky Chinese forehand rubbers. However, premium pricing matches Viscaria territory, sweet spot is smaller than ZLC versions, and speed demands experienced players.
FAQ
Why choose Zhang Jike ALC over other ALC blades?
Its soft, flexible feel with long dwell appeals to players wanting spin and control without stiff carbon harshness, plus handle flexibility to pair with diverse rubbers.
Which rubber types pair best?
Zhang Jike ALC pairs excellently with both tensor (like Tenergy) and tacky Chinese (like Hurricane), offering pairing flexibility.
How does the sweet spot compare?
Zhang Jike’s sweet spot is smaller than ZLC and Super ZLC versions, requiring more precision than Treiber Z’s huge sweet spot.
Is availability a concern?
Yes. Zhang Jike ALC has been heading toward discontinuation, affecting new availability though secondary market options exist.
Which suits close-to-mid-distance looping?
Zhang Jike ALC excels at this style with its soft ALC feel, long dwell, and spin-friendly construction, plus handle flexibility for diverse rubber pairing.