Rubik's Cube Speedsolving

[xVaLoRx]

So I'm currently learning how to solve the rubiks cube, but I really want to get into speedsolving. Does anyone here speedsolve and do you have any tips that you can give? Is there any way I could mod my cube so it can cut corners and not lock up, or should I just save time and buy a Dayan Guhong / Zhanchi? This has basically replaced sm for me recently and I really want to get fast at it.

[jductape]

Re: Rubik's Cube Speedsolving

definitely save time getting one of those cubes. I can solve the cube in like 3-5 mins, so speedsolving isn't really something i'm very interested in. However a friend of mine is, and his ZhanChi is incredible. If you are going to get into speedsolving do not use a normal cube. It'd be like swimming with swim trunks and a full head of hair. Fun to do, but not worth it competitively.

[igotrhythm]

Re: Rubik's Cube Speedsolving

The first thing you should do when speedsolving is to "lube the cube." Turn one of the faces 45 degrees, get your finger under one of the corners to pop it off, then put a little petroleum jelly in there, then move around each of the faces to spread it around.

Also, some algorithms are faster than others. Dan Brown's method takes pains to avoid back-face manipulation, and there aren't too many shortcuts you can use with it, so while it's good for learning how to solve for the first time, it's not good for speed.

If you want more advice, I think qqwref is into that stuff.

[Elite Ninja]

Re: Rubik's Cube Speedsolving

I just stuck with a terrible Walmart Rubiks cube and only learned the beginner method to solve it and my speedsolves were between 30 and 50 seconds lol. For lubing I used this Heavy Duty Silicon spray which worked out pretty well. That's about all I know.

And yeah qqwref definetly knows a lot when it comes to Rubiks cubes.

[Reincarnate]

Re: Rubik's Cube Speedsolving

Idk what people use nowadays (I stopped cubing in ~2005) but I was able to get down to ~12 seconds or so using a silicone-lubed DIY cube from the official Rubik's site + solving with the Fridrich Method (Cross + F2L + OLL + PLL).

[Charlo]

Re: Rubik's Cube Speedsolving

My brother is getting pretty deep into speedcubing. His average on the 3x3 is down to 24 seconds or something. He's asleep ATM so I can't ask his advice, but he always mentions that the best cubers do hundreds of solves a day, whereas I don't think he's ever done a hundred in one day. So if you're serious about getting good, be ready to solve that dang cube a lot. Also, learn the Fridrich method right away. The "beginner method" that most people learn first is easy, but not very effective. I think the best cubers using that method can get their averages down to thirty seconds at best.

I personally never got past the "beginner method" so my solves are always over a minute, even when I'm trying to solve quickly.

[leonid]

Re: Rubik's Cube Speedsolving

Guhong is really nice. Get one.
I recommend the "stickerless" version, shown in the following video of mine.

[xVaLoRx]

Re: Rubik's Cube Speedsolving

I just ordered a ZhanChi and a GhostHand 2x2x2, but isn't the ZhanChi better than the Guhong? Or is there only miniscule differences between the two?

[leonid]

Re: Rubik's Cube Speedsolving

There's little difference between ZhanChi and Guhong from what I heard. (IDK exactly because I have never used ZhanChi)

If you are just beginning to learn speedcubing though... it shouldn't matter at all xd both are really nice.

[xVaLoRx]

Re: Rubik's Cube Speedsolving

Yeah, I've just started cubing in general not too long ago so I guess it won't matter too much. I can't wait for it to arrive though, my GhostHand came today and it feels really nice to use.