Butterfly Lin Gaoyuan ALC vs Butterfly Zhang Jike ALC: Which Should You Buy?
| Butterfly Lin Gaoyuan ALC | Butterfly Zhang Jike ALC | |
|---|---|---|
| Our rating | 8.7/10 | 8.7/10 |
| feel | Soft — flexible ALC gives a more wood-like feel than other carbon blades; high dwell time | medium-hard but flexible, crisp carbon with long dwell |
| handle | Shakehand (FL, AN, ST options); shorter anatomic handle than Viscaria | FL/ST/AN |
| plies | 5 wood + 2 arylate-carbon (ALC) — 7-ply construction with koto outer layers and inner arylate-carbon fiber | 5W+2 Arylate-Carbon (5 wood plies with 2 Arylate-Carbon layers) |
| speed | OFF (Butterfly rates Reaction 118, mid-fast; equivalent to OFF/OFF+ class) | OFF |
| thickness_mm | 5.7mm | 5.8 |
| weight_g | 84-87g typical (Butterfly spec approx 87g) | 88 |
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Both rate 8.7 and deliver classic ALC performance. The Lin Gaoyuan suits players seeking a wood-like, forgiving feel with a generous sweet spot and maximum dwell—ideal if you prize spin and feedback. The Zhang Jike is tailor-made for loopers who want a touch more speed and the flexibility to choose from FL, ST, or AN handles; its crisp carbon feedback rewards experienced stroke technique.
Choose Lin Gaoyuan if you value a soft, confidence-building swing weight and transition smoothly from all-wood setups. Pick Zhang Jike if you want contemporary OFF speed, handle options, and compatibility with both tacky and tensor rubbers.
FAQ
Which has the better sweet spot?
Lin Gaoyuan’s larger head size gives it a more expansive, forgiving sweet spot. Zhang Jike’s is slightly tighter, rewarding precise contact.
Which is better for looping?
Zhang Jike excels at looping with its long dwell and speed. Lin Gaoyuan also loops well but emphasizes spin generation on topspin at all distances.
How do they differ in availability?
Both are heading toward discontinuation. Lin Gaoyuan may be harder to source; Zhang Jike availability is also declining. Hunt quickly if either interests you.
What rubber pairs work best with each?
Lin Gaoyuan pairs broadly with Dignics to Andro options. Zhang Jike excels with both tensor and tacky Chinese forehand rubbers, offering more versatility.