Diabologuy Reviews Sundia carbon composite Sticks
I thought my standard wood sticks were fine. I even rationalized that the simple wood design made it much easier to re-thread when strings needed replacing. Then I tried the Sundia carbon composites and found out what I was missing....
We met up with the folks from DiaboloDepot for our review of the new Sundia Shining Series Triple Bearings (which are great, BTW, but that's another story. During the demo session, they let us test out the new Sundia Carbon Composite Sticks. Available in various styles and priced from $26 to $31, I wondered how these special sticks could be worth it when DiaboloDepot sells my standard wooden sticks for only $2.00.
The DiaboloDepot folks told me that they were skeptical too, but the more expensive Carbon composite sticks are outselling the standard wood sticks almost 3 to 1. I decided I had to find out why.
After I had a good feel for the new triple bearing diabolos (including a few of my favorite 2d moves,) I switched out my wood pair and put the composites to the test. I had first chosen a snazy set that was solid white from handle to tip.
The first thing that you notice is that the shafts are thin, perhaps 1/4 inch in diameter compared to sticks that are twice that size. This has to reduce the aerodynamic drag inherent in fast stick moves.
The second thing is that even though weigh about the same as wood sticks and are hollow, these thin sticks feel stiffer and more responsive. I'm actually a better Diaboloist when using these sticks.
While I'm experiencing the immediately improved control, my Diabolo Depot hosts inform me that carbon fiber gives the composite materials that comprises these sticks properties such as high tensile strength, low weight, and low thermal expansion. This has made carbon fiber very popular in aerospace, civil engineering, military, and motorsports applications, not to mention other competition sports. Just as Sundia has incorporated double and now triple bearings into diabolos that update the centuries old Chinese YoYo, their engineering acumen is now applied to making state of the art sticks incorporating space-age materials. These new designs all feature padded handles along with a hollow carbon composite stick. The string is actually threaded through the shaft and knotted off at the handle end. The shaft is either flat black or with a silver mylar finish -- and your choice may depend on whether you want these sticks to "disappear" or be part of the action. Each has a padded handle that is black except for the all white model. Diabolo Depot has 35 cm lengths for experienced and adult diabolists. Newbies will want to take advantage of the less-levered 32 cm size. My conclusion: For an experienced diabolist the improvement in responsiveness will appreciated. These sticks represent a long lasting, satisfying investment in diabolo juggling fun.
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Comment on "Diabologuy Reviews Sundia carbon composite Sticks"
User Comments:
Diaboloman on February 21, 2010
Thanks for the heads up, DiaboloGuy. I recently switch to the Sundia carbon sticks on your advice, and I good even want to use my wood sticks anymore!
john on February 21, 2010
What happened when the stick breaks? I've already worn through two strings, and these carbom sticks don't look as easy to restring as my wood set.
Major Diabology on February 21, 2010
John, it's slighly tricky to rethread the carbon sticks, but easy once you know the trick. Either wet or dip the string end in wax to firm it up. Use a needle to help fish the line through the stick ends. It might take a couple minutes the first time, but rest assured that you will go through many sets of strings with these great diabolo sticks.
