Work of TTGearLab :
(1) The concept of blade family
(2) Designing the constructions of plywoods (using performance indices)
(3) Designing the head shape and handle shape
(4) Refinement of the graphic design of logo for each model
(5) Graphic design of handles
By the launching of FiberTec series, adidas could get basic line-up of fiber blades that is able to respond the needs from global customers. The next step was to expand the range of standard all-wood blades. For it, ReDATT planned ‘Challenge’ series. This project is close to the project of Xiom ‘Novus Classic’ series. But, more refined technic for blade design was applied to Challenge series. Regarding graphic design, new design concept that is different from the concept of C, V and FiberTec serieses started to be applied from Challenge series.
Challenge series consists of three models – Challenge Speed, Challenge Force and Challenge Light.
Challenge Speed is a thick 7-ply wood blade for power players. It was the first 7-ply wood blade in adidas blade range. It was planned to respond to the voices from players who ask for the blade that can be compared with Stiga Clipper Wood or Butterfly SK7. After launching of Challenge Speed, many adidas players selected it as their weapon.
Challenge Force is a very standard 5-ply wood offensive blade. It solved the problem that former five 5-ply wood blades in adidas range were to much biased to specific playing style. Differently from former ones, Challenge Force was introduced as a blade for everybody. Thanks to its high versatility and low price, Challenge Force was also recommended for starters who don’t know which blade is proper for their style.
Challenge Light is a very light 5-ply all-round blade. It is a slow blade, but instead it provides extreme ability of control. Because it was a very well balanced blade, every technic could be performed very precisely with Challenge Light. As its name expresses, light weight was one of the most important characteristics of Challenge Light.
Differently from many existing all-round blades such as Stiga Allround Classic whose top layers are Limba, its top layer is Ayous. It made very unique feeling of Challenge Light although Challenge Light is a very easy-to-use blade which can be recommended for beginners.
During development, the thickness of each layer of the construction was carefully adjusted by TTGearLab (= ReDATT at that time). The new head shape and new handle shape were designed by TTGearLab, and were started to be applied to adidas blades from Challenge series. Besides engineering, TTGearLab made the graphic design of handles, and decided the arrangement of printing on the head. TTGearLab also made the new design of ‘rubber positioning system’ that is printed close to handle.
Following is the performance indices of FiberTec series :
Challenge Speed
– Ep = 2.45
– Ec = 2.30 (Ec/Ep = 0.94)
– Vp = 1.38
– Vl = 1.27 (Vl/Vp = 0.92)
Challenge Force
– Ep = 1.47
– Ec = 1.32 (Ec/Ep = 0.90)
– Vp = 1.13
– Vl = 1.28 (Vl/Vp = 1.13)
Challenge Light
– Ep = 0.91
– Ec = 0.91 (Ec/Ep = 1.00)
– Vp = 0.96
– Vl = 0.97 (Vl/Vp = 1.02)
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