Gearbox Pro Power Elongated vs Ronbus Nova R1
Both paddles measured on the same 15-trait Paddle DNA test. Ronbus Nova R1 takes the higher overall IQ score, but the right pick depends on which traits you value.
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Paddle DNA head-to-head
- 94Power87
- 74Control89
- 79Spin88
- 66Forgiveness85
- 68Sweet spot86
- 84Stability87
- 64Maneuverability73
- 95Pop83
- 68Touch86
- 76Consistency87
- 86Swing weight79
- 76Twist weight84
- 50Launch angle57
- 93Plow through85
- 44Softness85
Specs
| $200 | Price | $160 |
|---|---|---|
| 14 mm | Core | 16 mm |
| 8.5 oz | Weight | 8.1 oz |
| 126 | Swing weight | 116 |
| 6.3 | Twist weight | 6.4 |
| elongated | Shape | elongated |
| Solid-span carbon | Surface | Raw T700 carbon |
| 5.6 in | Handle | 5.5 in |
Gearbox Pro Power Elongated verdict
The coreless construction produces the hardest, most direct feel in the database. It is a specialist's tool, not a general recommendation.
Ronbus Nova R1 verdict
Ronbus keeps doing the same thing: premium specs, mid-tier price. The Nova R1 lands between a control and power build and does not embarrass itself in either direction.
The verdict
Measured on the same 15-trait test, the clearest separation is softness: Ronbus Nova R1 scores 85 against 44 for Gearbox Pro Power Elongated — a 41-point gap. They are effectively level on stability, so those traits should not decide the purchase. Ronbus Nova R1 is $40 cheaper at $160.
Softness
Ronbus Nova R1 leads by 41 points (85 vs 44).
Forgiveness
Ronbus Nova R1 leads by 19 points (85 vs 66).
Sweet spot
Ronbus Nova R1 leads by 18 points (86 vs 68).
Touch
Ronbus Nova R1 leads by 18 points (86 vs 68).
Which one should you buy?
Gearbox Pro Power Elongated
Take Gearbox Pro Power Elongated if you want pop (+12), plow through (+8), power (+7). Its swing weight of 126 kg·cm² and 14 mm core are what produce that profile.
Read the Gearbox Pro Power Elongated review →Ronbus Nova R1
Take Ronbus Nova R1 if you want softness (+41), forgiveness (+19), sweet spot (+18). Its swing weight of 116 kg·cm² and 16 mm core are what produce that profile.
Read the Ronbus Nova R1 review →Gearbox Pro Power Elongated vs Ronbus Nova R1 FAQ
- Which is better, the Gearbox Pro Power Elongated or the Ronbus Nova R1?
- Ronbus Nova R1 carries the higher overall Paddle IQ score (85.7 vs 76.6), but IQ is a weighted average. On the trait that separates them most — softness — Ronbus Nova R1 leads by 41 points.
- Which one is faster at the kitchen line?
- Ronbus Nova R1, at 116 kg·cm² swing weight against 126 for Gearbox Pro Power Elongated. Lower swing weight is the single best predictor of hand speed in fast exchanges.
- Which paddle has more power, the Gearbox Pro Power Elongated or the Ronbus Nova R1?
- Gearbox Pro Power Elongated measures 94 on power against 87 for Ronbus Nova R1. That comes from a 14 mm Coreless carbon core swinging at 126 kg·cm² — mass behind the ball, not face material.
- Which one gives more control and touch?
- Ronbus Nova R1 at 89 versus 74. Its 16 mm core holds the ball on the face slightly longer, which is what makes resets and dinks land shorter.
- Which paddle spins the ball more?
- Ronbus Nova R1 scores 88 for spin off its Raw T700 carbon face, against 79 for the Solid-span carbon face on Gearbox Pro Power Elongated. In practice a 9-point gap is noticeable on third-shot drives.
- Which is more forgiving on off-center hits?
- Ronbus Nova R1, with 6.4 twist weight against 6.3. Higher twist weight means the face rotates less when you miss the middle, and Ronbus Nova R1 carries the higher forgiveness score (85) as a result.
- Is the price difference worth it?
- Ronbus Nova R1 costs $160, $40 less. Whether that gap is worth closing depends on whether you actually use the traits it trades away — check the head-to-head DNA bars above before paying up.
- Do they use the same core and face?
- Gearbox Pro Power Elongated: 14 mm Coreless carbon core with a Solid-span carbon face. Ronbus Nova R1: 16 mm Foam-perimeter polymer core with a Raw T700 carbon face.
- Which is better for a two-handed backhand?
- Gearbox Pro Power Elongated, at 5.6 in of handle against 5.5 in. Anything under 5.25 in forces you to choke the bottom hand onto the face bevel, which Gearbox Pro Power Elongated avoids.
- Which one is better for beginners?
- Ronbus Nova R1 is the safer first paddle here: forgiveness 85 and sweet spot 86 mean fewer mishits while your contact point is still inconsistent. Gearbox Pro Power Elongated rewards a repeatable swing and can feel unstable before that.
- Which is lighter in the hand?
- Ronbus Nova R1 at 8.1 oz against 8.5 oz. Static weight matters for arm fatigue and elbow comfort; swing weight (116 vs 126) is what you feel mid-rally.
- Is it worth upgrading from the Gearbox Pro Power Elongated to the Ronbus Nova R1?
- Only if you need what it actually adds. Ronbus Nova R1 leads on softness by 41 points; everything else is within 19 points. At $200 vs $160, the money is better spent elsewhere unless that one trait is your weak spot.
Also worth comparing
Head-to-heads that share DNA with this matchup — useful if you're still deciding between shapes, cores or price tiers.
- Pro Power Elongated vs Bantam TKO-C 14
- Pro Power Elongated vs CX14E Ultimate Power
- Pro Power Elongated vs CRBN-1X Power Series
- Pro Power Elongated vs Hyperion CFS 16
Top alternatives to both
Paddles that beat one of these two on a specific trait or on price.
Read the full reviews: Gearbox Pro Power Elongated and Ronbus Nova R1. Or build a different comparison, browse the full database or find paddles within 5% of your current one.