KewCast Episode 43 - Best Power Paddles to Replace Banned JOOLAs and Gearbox

[@kylepickleball]

I think a common question people will have is how the 11SIX24 Power series stacks up against the CRBN Trufoam in regards to power, pop, fire power, spin, etc.

[@nimrey03]

Great episode as always. Got my Chorus Shapeshifter from your recent giveaway and I just wanted to say thanks to both you and to Chorus. My wife loves it!!!!

[@45414]

I'm excited to hear more about your lab and how it develops over time. What a time to be alive!

[@happyhollandays]

It took a while for me to find the ideal setup for the gearbox pro ultimate elongated, but once I did, it is a stellar paddle. Adding a slyce cap and overgrip to the paddle made it much quicker in the hands, and once the paddle broke-in (which took forever), the power, dwell time, and plush feel on this paddle is incredible, while still maintaining much better control than the PPE.

[@WingsOfPeaceToronto]

I would love the comparison between 11six24 Power Paddles and Pickleball Apes Pulse - I am looking to upgrade

[@kylepickleball]

Go to the timestamp in episode 40 where John/Eddie do an in-depth comparison of the recent power paddles, including the 11SIX24 power series. I have the Pulse V, new it's an all-court paddle and opened up it leans towards power, but wouldn't be at the same level as a true power paddle such as what 11SIX24 is releasing.

[@WingsOfPeaceToronto]

@@kylepickleball thank you

[@bsu88]

I'm going to try the lax ball break-in with my new Pulse S.

[@RSH137]

Can't wait to see paddle results with your new canon.

[@chasyboy1]

John, Joola reissued a statement that ALL MOD TA-15 with receipts or registered will be able to get their Gen4 paddles at 50% off, starting in March 2025.

[@clintroberts1]

Yeah it seemed the wording changed...I was like so early adopters are left out. They should be giving us full refunds like with the Gen 3 and add to their lawsuit. 18 months is the rule.

[@ColinD0mo]

Too little too late

[@86309]

John and Eddie, My wife and I are flying down from Missoula Montana to Mesa for Championship Sunday, hope to see you guys there.- Patrick. Additional note - I think your neutrality in the mess is warranted.

[@Colelaws]

If you can, next podcast, talk about each trufoam Genesis 1-3

[@bmeekma123]

Agreeeeed

[@kabob21]

They're limited until CRBN completely lifts the embargo on Trufoam details

[@AustinsThicc]

@@kabob21he has the crbn guys coming on the podcast next week so I’m sure they’ll be open to talk about everything

[@andresdavila4500]

Nobody ever talks about the Gearbox Ultimate Control paddle… weighted correctly hits harder than most paddles and still holds a great deal of control

[@stacy695]

Great paddle

[@ThePickleballBlast]

Love your guy's takes on these paddles!

[@AlaricBishop1993]

All my friends who use MOD have switched to other paddles, such as the Spartus Olympus, HUDEF Viva Pro Gen2 and Paddletek TKO-CX.

[@PTL4179]

Love it so much about JK’s investment into the Pbcore measurements and translate into power/pop metrics. This where the guy with a PhD shined the most ❤. If you need a volunteer to help out with the measurements, I bet a lot of people will raise their hands.

[@sirajkiller123]

Hey John, great episode again! wanted to ask about colder climates and how paddles and balls are affected by this, my assumption is everything is just faster? thanks!

[@65atBestPB]

Eddie is back … yeah. I got sick about 3 weeks ago. Wife gave me one of those COVID torture nose swabs. No COVID … having COVID might have been better than that nostril violation. 😛Guess it was a cold … but if so a bad one (don’t get sick very often, maybe I just don’t remember how fun colds can be). Do you two like the Lifetime ball better than the X-40? I didn’t at first (mainly because green and not yellow), but ended up liking it better because seemed to bounce better and faster. Tell that guy with the big arms to put Lifetime ball in his ball database, not sure if it’s harder than X-40.

[@therealad4342]

Would also love to know when a review on the pulse x will be coming? It’s a paddle im really looking forward to hearing about.

[@RenoDavenport]

How about adding a measurement of dB and Hz sound in your tests? Many of us are dealing with communities that require "quiet" or "quieter" paddles.

[@TheYankeesarebeastly]

Second half of Tom Barnes interview missing from podcast?

[@gww23]

I have a question about your classification of power paddles and your database. If you look up, for example, serve speed. The serve speed even punch speed on power paddles are really not much higher than control paddles. what else do you use to say something is a power paddle? seems a 4 to 5mph difference is not much of a change.

[@nmrtexas]

Power ratings of paddles are dependent on reviewer as well as paddle parameters. Since COR is now being tested, for me I would recommend adding COR to your data base. I would personally find it more useful to compare paddles.

[@Rock-cz5hv]

I am a little bit confused what is the difference between the TKO-C and the ESQ-C from Paddletek

[@tbtu1528]

Can you also test the vibration of a paddle which is a concern for tennis elbow?

[@mitch1766]

Totally agree! There is some mention of a paddle’s plushness and I think vibration is what they are talking about.

[@pickleMEpaddle]

Definitely getting the 11six24 power paddle!

[@nogarats]

Maybe you with your home lab, you could find the sweet spot size using a smaller ball and differents spots on the paddle. Just an idea I wanted to share.

[@timm4629]

John, Best wishes with your PBCoR setup!

[@cindywong7589]

Good to see Eddie back! What are you both maining now?

[@kylepickleball]

@@cindywong7589 in the video John said he's maining the 11SIX24 Power Vapor

[@lesterma1608]

Been using the GB HYPER, not a power paddle but mid power, good control and ok spin! and no quiet stamp

[@mrfofung]

Sunsetting in July. I'm gonna wait till may or June to look for any type of replacement

[@davidsellers5726]

John, What is your weight setup on the 11six24 Vapor?

[@jburton1419]

How does the 11six24 Vapor play compared to the Monarch All court?

[@jonathanbernard3122]

I tested and liked the Franklin Eco Beta ball. Did the FS Pro lose it's Eco properties?. Is it recyclable/biodegradable?

[@JP516]

Didn’t Joola take away when the Mod Ta15 was bought to receive the 50%off? I thought I read that somewhere?

[@terogan]

Wow! Can’t wait to see the tour of the basement lab. Any local engineering colleges nearby that students might want to help with the testing?

[@kylepickleball]

Interesting that the R1 Ripple was approved and goes on sale tomorrow

[@DinkMastery]

@@kylepickleball the one going into production tomorrow for members only (and the beta) will only be approved until May 2026 because they won't have approval stamps on them. The full launch will be approved long term

[@kylepickleball]

@DinkMastery right but May 2026 is a ways off in the lifespan of a paddle. Players who get it won't be concerned about the approval stamps.

[@gww23]

I do not see it listed on there site. the release i saw said it was for members only. so I would guess only those who were in their connect group that were allowed to buy the beta would be able to purchase these?

[@kylepickleball]

@@gww23 Connect members tomorrow, general release later this month or early Feb

[@DinkMastery]

​@@gww23 correct the release tomorrow is for members only. Official release will have approval stamp

[@christianeprice]

John what about the REV ZEUS as power paddle? It hits almost as hard as the joolas and has that similar hollow feel and surprising control as well. Retails for $150.

[@OrganicHealer]

Gearbox Pro Power Integra Pickleball Paddle FTW

[@fjg8340]

😂😂

[@ArianaWilson-]

Thanks for the podcast. So when will CRBN Trufoam be available? I feel like the hype has been going on too long.

[@86309]

what paddle is Joola doing to replace the MOD? you think its going to hit harder than the 3s's??

[@jetjaguar5198]

So what your saying is purchase a Mod TA-15 and break it out & dominate Rec Play starting July 2...got it. 🤣

[@jetjaguar5198]

That CRBN Truefoam looks awesome

[@grantcopple7853]

Dear JohnKew, I want to help so badly with the updates the the paddle database, visualizations for the analytics, and creating a data model for the paddle testing. #AnalysisIsLife

[@NathanWang1]

Would love a full review of the Alecto3!

[@byrongreen7225]

Do you have any news of when the new Pulse X will get released? Also how does it compare to the V/S?

[@alexandercochran806]

Interesting thoughts on the trufoam. When I hit the elongated for a game I found it to be heavy for a foam paddle and really stiff so maybe John’s broke in as the one I hit was only a week old. Didn’t feel any dwell time etc on the one I hit. But that’s good news bc felt very harsh and stiff compared to the nice plush feeling R1/R2. Might’ve had power but didn’t sense its power and sweet spot didn’t feel great. So Johns probably opened up or the one I hit was just a bit different than his.

[@parky6031]

What happened to the second half of Tom Barnes interview?

[@garygorgo3600]

You didn't mention the Holbrook Metallic Pro. and how it would compare to the 11six24 Vapor?

[@ernest4483]

Another great content and podcast gentlemen, Ronbus Ripple R1 got approval from USAPA and R2 is being reviewed for approval from USAPA

[@kabob21]

There's a graphic at 24:05 with the Ripple approval info

[@prasiththammasithiboon4194]

Will the Joola 3S be USAP approved or will we need to wait on the 4?

[@BobbyHood-d2e]

Good question…what about Joola 3s? Just keep until maybe upcoming USAP approval?

[@kabob21]

Don't see why Joola would when the Perseus IV Pro with dual stamp approval is releasing in 2 months.

[@BobbyHood-d2e]

Yep that’s what I thgt

[@cardinals5516]

What are the swing weights and twist weights for the Vapor Power and Pegasus Power?

[@EddieK-PB]

I'm getting 113 and 7.0 for the Vapor. 112 and 7.6 for Pegasus. 117 and 6.4 for Hurache X --Eddie

[@cardinals5516]

@@EddieK-PB Thanks Eddie!

[@jaycohen5482]

Any idea on pricing of new Franklin ball? thanks

[@DominationRD]

Seems to me that the Joola3S actually would be the clear replacement for the MOD. Interesting that the most obvious answer wasn’t mentioned.

[@65atBestPB]

So John has a PBcor cannon being shipped to his house, and Eddie will be seen in airports torturing his paddle with a Lacrosse ball. You two will be on watch lists and will never be able to travel again. Two dudes going mad in realtime will be the best tv series ever. First there was Breaking Bad, now Breaking Mad. 😉 The Kew question about adding weight to a paddle was a good one imo. If what we want to know is power, and weighting up a paddle to 10 oz doesn’t change PBcor, is PBcor relevant/useful? I actually think that muscled up Williams arm and a radar gun is probably way more useful in the goal of weeding out too much power. Question: Is there such a thing as a paddle that isn’t too powerful from the baseline, but is too much pop from the kitchen? It seems to me regulating baseline full swing power is all you need. Yes, you will still have different levels of pop, but if not too powerful on full swings, by definition won’t be too dangerous at kitchen. fyi … perimeter weight question made me go lookup baseball bat and golf club regulation. Heavy as you want … that surprised me. Another surprise … MLP bats typically weigh 30+ oz … a 12 oz tennis racquet is considered heavy by most rec players.

[@PBAnt1416]

John what’s the info on that shirt? I want it!

[@alexpazmino4762]

Is the pkln 3 paddles usap approved ?

[@johnkewpickleball]

@@alexpazmino4762 yes it’s USAP approved

[@Houjixful]

You want it to be over so who do you side with? USAP or UPAA?

[@JaxxCrash]

The crbn trufoam sounds like the perfect paddle when you describe it... weird it's not your mains

[@scottfrancis13]

Chris and Brayden are maining the CRBN TF 2

[@JaxxCrash]

@scottfrancis13 oh hm

[@RenoDavenport]

The Komodo Bioball on Amazon can't be shipped to California. Strange.

[@gww23]

has there been any information on what the expected price of 11six24 Vapor?

[@jeffbarton0306]

PB Studio Podcast said $170 before discount codes

[@mbr05c]

Lifetime is currently the best ball. They need to just make it take over.

[@garrisonbennett2693]

Gotta call the new basement setup “Kewi Labs”!

[@cww180]

They have until July on the MOD TA, why is it incredulous to keep using it until then.

[@jsully23]

Just use a massage gun instead of the lax ball

[@sg19579]

Any info on the new Franklin paddle? Sounds like foam.

[@killahboutdooradventures]

Definitely foam…

[@ryanfritschy4439]

Double channel foam around the edge. Not nearly as foamy as many of the other foam paddles.

[@kimleith1378]

Give the FIREFLY a look. Made in DUBAI, all foam core. For paddles needing a "break in" period needed, could using a "thumper" type massage gun with the harder tip attachment, work to break down the face in a "even'' way.?? LaCross ball is been the norm I'm hearing. PBCore in the basement!! Extra NERD points for sure, since BIG PICKLE is so non-transparent. LIke the new Franklin ball tech.

[@gseacat]

After I buy a $150 paddle I’m probably not gonna chuck a lacrosse ball at it 1000 times

[@MikeHopkins-e3y]

A11N has introduced a ball S40 that our club has changed to. Much better than the Franklin X40.

[@huddy025]

Eddie we have till July 1st

[@MrJgoodwin7]

New Franklin vs Gearbox?

[@douglasmurdoch7247]

Mods aren’t banned until July 1st, so no reason to drop them yet. The news has hit, and the news is that they’ll be banned 6 months from now.

[@therealad4342]

The swing weight of the gearbox is going to turn so many people off. No idea why anyone would want that

[@PBAnt1416]

Where’s the Tom Barnes part 2?

[@Uncle-Nacho]

Ha. I wonder what the chiropractor charges insurance companies for X-rays. I hope you’re not paying those prices!

[@robstever3896]

Me and my wife had the flu and our son had strep and something else

[@jamesaguirre2537]

Do other racquet sport companies (tennis, squash, etc) have to pay their perspective tours a fee allowing their pros to wear their brand logos on their apparel? Should pickleball companies charge PPA a fee for promoting their brand on pickleball company apparel? Doesn’t make any sense.

[@NyLaLv]

Eddie, you should try a massage gun instead of a lacrosse ball to acclerate break in.

[@jonnygibaud7954]

What? No OM Aero1.

[@alexandercochran806]

R1 ripple approved so I guess there’s the answer to this question

[@scottfrancis13]

yeah and? R2 isnt.

[@alexandercochran806]

@ isn’t…yet. Can’t imagine a standard shape not being approved when the elongated has. Look at the Gearbox. Standard was and elongated wasn’t. Can’t see it being the other way around. R1 to me has more juice than r2 but I haven’t hit production models. New R1 gets to me Tuesday. Be interesting to see what the fuss was about. R2 beta is still the most interesting, best and most unique paddle I’ve ever had as my main paddle. But for the answer to Kews question, if folks are looking for a power paddle that replaces the ones he is talking about that got delisted then it’s the R1. If the question is what’s the best power paddle? Then the answer is way more subjective. I like the R2 beta but maybe it some will say the more tamped down power and all court type reviews of vapor power will be the answer. Honolulu J2 too. And CRBN which I actually have hit but wasn’t in love with. Can’t wait to hit final and see if different to one I hit. Lots of new and interesting things coming in next month to try out and debate.

[@jb1557]

So no 3s? 😹

[@dackerman123]

People who play rec do not care if a paddle is banned or not...and they shouldn't.

[@clintroberts1]

So Joola caved, what happened to the $200 million lawsuit?

[@kylepickleball]

Did I miss the winners announced from the last big paddle giveaway?

[@saigonproducer]

You’re over 50yo?!

[@gg80108]

seniors?

[@zeruth467]

WHY is the ripple passing if it’s possibly the hottest paddle on the market? Is it because they’re shorter?

[@kylepickleball]

@@zeruth467 the Ripple isn't a short paddle, the R1 is 16.4" long

[@scottfrancis13]

@@kylepickleballand pretty heavy SW

[@mlee9049]

I think the Olympus is an awful paddle. It's very unreliable. It has an extremely small sweet spot. Any hits outside the tiny sweet spot are met with a thump and a dead ball. Very much thought mine was defective because I've never had a paddle play so bad. Sent it back to Olympus for review, and they thought it was normal. Had to pay a 25% restocking fee. In my opinion, there are better paddles on the market. With the Olympus, you may find yourself thinking more about the paddle than your game.

[@HowieB-isMe3885]

What happed to 6.0? They are becoming irrelevant.

[@RobMarler]

The Ripple has been approved. Either you guys recorded this last month or provide really shitty and poor information

[@scottfrancis13]

Here comes the Ronbus fanboys

[@Syndrome88]

Selkirk is definitely lying

[@killahboutdooradventures]

Yah, makes sense to pay 100s of thousands in fees, paid in full for 2 years and then not let your pro’s use. Think about that for a second