Paddletek Bantam ALW-C 14 vs Ronbus Nova R1
Both paddles are scored using the same 15-trait Paddle DNA model. Paddletek Bantam ALW-C 14 takes the higher overall IQ score, but the right pick depends on which traits you value.
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Quick answer
Ronbus Nova R1 wins this matchup for most players: it takes spin and value on Paddle DNA against the Paddletek Bantam ALW-C 14, which costs $200.
Power
Too close to call
87 vs 85
Spin
88 vs 84
Control
Too close to call
90 vs 89
Forgiveness
Too close to call
88 vs 85
Hand speed
105 vs 116 kg·cm² swing weight
Value
$160 at IQ 85.7 vs $200 at IQ 86.3
Overall pick: Ronbus Nova R1 · $160 · IQ 85.7
Paddle DNA head-to-head
- 85Power87
- 90Control89
- 84Spin88
- 88Forgiveness85
- 89Sweet spot86
- 85Stability87
- 84Maneuverability73
- 84Pop83
- 88Touch86
- 89Consistency87
- 66Swing weight79
- 84Twist weight84
- 54Launch angle57
- 74Plow through85
- 86Softness85
Paddletek Bantam ALW-C 14 vs Ronbus Nova R1 specs
Every spec side by side. Highlighted values are the better of the two where one is objectively better.
| Spec | Paddletek Bantam ALW-C 14 | Ronbus Nova R1 |
|---|---|---|
| Street price(USD) | $200 | $160 — better |
| IQ score(/ 100) | 86.3 — better | 85.7 |
| Weight(oz) | 7.7 | 8.1 |
| Core thickness(mm) | 14 | 16 |
| Swing weight(kg·cm²)Lower swings faster | 105 | 116 |
| Twist weight(kg·cm²)Higher is more stable | 6.9 — better | 6.4 |
| Shape | standard | elongated |
| Face length(in) | 16 | 16.5 |
| Face width(in) | 7.9 | 7.5 |
| Handle length(in) | 5.25 | 5.5 |
| Grip circumference(in) | 4.375 | 4.25 |
| Surface | Textured carbon | Raw T700 carbon |
| Core material | Bantam polymer core | Foam-perimeter polymer |
Paddletek Bantam ALW-C 14 verdict
The lightweight Bantam. At 7.7 oz it is one of the fastest paddles in the database through hands battles, and Paddletek's core keeps the feel soft rather than tinny.
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
Scored on the same 15-trait Paddle DNA model, the clearest separation is swing weight: Ronbus Nova R1 scores 79 against 66 for Paddletek Bantam ALW-C 14 — a 13-point gap. They are effectively level on forgiveness, sweet spot, launch angle, so those traits should not decide the purchase. Ronbus Nova R1 is $40 cheaper at $160.
Swing weight
Ronbus Nova R1 leads by 13 points (79 vs 66).
Maneuverability
Paddletek Bantam ALW-C 14 leads by 11 points (84 vs 73).
Plow through
Ronbus Nova R1 leads by 11 points (85 vs 74).
Spin
Ronbus Nova R1 leads by 4 points (88 vs 84).
Which one is right for your level?
Each call below re-weights the Paddle DNA traits that matter at that level, so the winner can differ from the overall pick.
Beginner
New to 3.0 — still building a consistent contact point
Too close to call on the traits that matter here (87.5 vs 86 on the weighted index). Take Ronbus Nova R1 and keep the $40.
- Forgiveness
- Sweet spot
- Consistency
Intermediate
3.0–3.9 — playing organised rec and early tournaments
Paddletek Bantam ALW-C 14
Paddletek Bantam ALW-C 14 is a narrow pick at this level — maneuverability 84 vs 73, forgiveness 88 vs 85, touch 88 vs 86. At 105 kg·cm² swing weight it stays quick enough for hands battles.
- Maneuverability
- Forgiveness
- Touch
Advanced / tournament
4.0+ — repeatable swing, fast hands battles
Too close to call on the traits that matter here (84 vs 85.2 on the weighted index). Take Ronbus Nova R1 and keep the $40.
- Plow through
- Spin
- Power
Arm-sensitive players
Anyone managing tennis elbow or shoulder load
Too close to call on the traits that matter here (86.2 vs 84.8 on the weighted index). Take Ronbus Nova R1 and keep the $40.
- Forgiveness
- Softness
Which one should you buy?
Paddletek Bantam ALW-C 14
Take Paddletek Bantam ALW-C 14 if you want maneuverability (+11). Its swing weight of 105 kg·cm² and 14 mm core are what produce that profile.
Read the Paddletek Bantam ALW-C 14 review →Ronbus Nova R1
Take Ronbus Nova R1 if you want swing weight (+13), plow through (+11), spin (+4). Its swing weight of 116 kg·cm² and 16 mm core are what produce that profile.
Read the Ronbus Nova R1 review →Paddletek Bantam ALW-C 14 vs Ronbus Nova R1 FAQ
- Which is better, the Paddletek Bantam ALW-C 14 or the Ronbus Nova R1?
- Paddletek Bantam ALW-C 14 carries the higher overall Paddle IQ score (86.3 vs 85.7), but IQ is a weighted average. On the trait that separates them most — swing weight — Ronbus Nova R1 leads by 13 points.
- Which one is faster at the kitchen line?
- Paddletek Bantam ALW-C 14, at 105 kg·cm² swing weight against 116 for Ronbus Nova R1. Lower swing weight is the single best predictor of hand speed in fast exchanges.
- Which paddle has more power, the Paddletek Bantam ALW-C 14 or the Ronbus Nova R1?
- Ronbus Nova R1 scores 87 for power against 85 for Paddletek Bantam ALW-C 14. That comes from a 16 mm Foam-perimeter polymer core swinging at 116 kg·cm² — mass behind the ball, not face material.
- Which one gives more control and touch?
- Paddletek Bantam ALW-C 14 at 90 versus 89. Its 14 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 84 for the Textured carbon face on Paddletek Bantam ALW-C 14. In practice a 4-point gap is small enough that technique matters more.
- Which is more forgiving on off-center hits?
- Paddletek Bantam ALW-C 14, with the higher forgiveness score (88 vs 85). Its 6.9 twist weight against 6.4 is what drives it — higher twist weight means the face rotates less when you miss the middle.
- 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?
- Paddletek Bantam ALW-C 14: 14 mm Bantam polymer core with a Textured 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?
- Ronbus Nova R1, at 5.5 in of handle against 5.25 in. Anything under 5.25 in forces you to choke the bottom hand onto the face bevel, which Ronbus Nova R1 avoids.
- Which one is better for beginners?
- Paddletek Bantam ALW-C 14 is the safer first paddle here: forgiveness 88 and sweet spot 89 mean fewer mishits while your contact point is still inconsistent. Ronbus Nova R1 rewards a repeatable swing and can feel less stable before that.
- Which is lighter in the hand?
- Paddletek Bantam ALW-C 14 at 7.7 oz against 8.1 oz. Static weight matters for arm fatigue and elbow comfort; swing weight (105 vs 116) is what you feel mid-rally.
- Is it worth upgrading from the Ronbus Nova R1 to the Paddletek Bantam ALW-C 14?
- Only if you need what it actually adds. Ronbus Nova R1 leads on swing weight by 13 points; everything else is within 11 points. At $200 vs $160, the money is better spent elsewhere unless that one trait is your weak spot.
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Guides featuring these paddles
Still deciding? These buying guides put Paddletek Bantam ALW-C 14 and Ronbus Nova R1 in context against the rest of the database.
Read the full reviews: Paddletek Bantam ALW-C 14 and Ronbus Nova R1. Or build a different comparison, browse the full database or find paddles within 5% of your current one.