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Company: Gamma Sports
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RCF Airbender 16

16 mm

Weight: 8.5 oz

Price: $199.99

Dimensions

  • Shape:

    elongated

  • Length:
    16.5 in
  • Width:
    7.4 in
  • Thickness:
    16mm
  • Grip length:
    5.38 in
  • Grip thickness:
    4.125 in

Materials

  • Surface:
    carbon fiber
  • Core:
    polypropylene honeycomb

Summary

The Gamma RCF Airbender 16 is an elongated paddle with a 16mm polypropylene honeycomb core and a carbon fiber face. This combination may offer a balance of power and control. Weighing 8.5 ounces with a 5.38-inch grip, it falls into the midweight category. The swing weight of 115 is considered medium, potentially providing stability without excessive effort. The 16mm core thickness is often associated with enhanced control. The elongated shape could offer a larger sweet spot. The carbon fiber face is often linked to improved control and feel. While the manufacturer targets this paddle towards advanced players, intermediate players seeking more power may also find it suitable. The paddle's drive speed (54.5 mph) and spin (1768 RPM) are in the 57th and 34th percentile respectively, suggesting decent power potential but average spin. The lower volley speed (33.5 mph, 20th percentile) may indicate less pop at the net. The twist weight of 5.63 is in the 14th percentile, suggesting it may be less resistant to twisting on off-center hits.

Test results

ReviewerSpinDrive speedVolley speedSwing weightTwist weightBalance pointNote
John Kew190355.934.11155.57233
Pickleball Studio1541--1125.51-
Pickleball Effect18965332.91185.8-
Estimated:176854.477633.53481155.62667233

Attributes

Summary

The Gamma RCF Airbender 16 is an elongated paddle with a 16mm polypropylene honeycomb core and a carbon fiber face. This combination may offer a balance of power and control. Weighing 8.5 ounces with a 5.38-inch grip, it falls into the midweight category. The swing weight of 115 is considered medium, potentially providing stability without excessive effort. The 16mm core thickness is often associated with enhanced control. The elongated shape could offer a larger sweet spot. The carbon fiber face is often linked to improved control and feel. While the manufacturer targets this paddle towards advanced players, intermediate players seeking more power may also find it suitable. The paddle's drive speed (54.5 mph) and spin (1768 RPM) are in the 57th and 34th percentile respectively, suggesting decent power potential but average spin. The lower volley speed (33.5 mph, 20th percentile) may indicate less pop at the net. The twist weight of 5.63 is in the 14th percentile, suggesting it may be less resistant to twisting on off-center hits.

Comparisons

Reviews

Test results

ReviewerSpinDrive speedVolley speedSwing weightTwist weightBalance pointNote
John Kew190355.934.11155.57233
Pickleball Studio1541--1125.51-
Pickleball Effect18965332.91185.8-
Estimated:176854.477633.53481155.62667233

Drive speed

54.5mph

57th percentile

7.0

Volley speed

33.5mph

20th percentile

4.8

Swing weight

115

51st percentile

0.9%

Average

Spin

1,768RPM

34th percentile

5.9

Twist weight

5.627

14th percentile

3.3

Balance point

233mm

15th percentile

2.5%

Average

Spin

1,768RPM

34th percentile

5.9

Twist weight

5.627

14th percentile

3.3

Balance point

233mm

15th percentile

2.5%

Average

Drive speed

54.5mph

57th percentile

7.0

Volley speed

33.5mph

20th percentile

4.8

Swing weight

115

51st percentile

0.9%

Average

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