Rally Flare Graphite vs Vulcan V1100 16
Both paddles measured on the same 15-trait Paddle DNA test. Vulcan V1100 16 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
- 74Power78
- 76Control91
- 72Spin90
- 84Forgiveness75
- 84Sweet spot73
- 68Stability76
- 90Maneuverability73
- 86Pop70
- 74Touch92
- 74Consistency81
- 46Swing weight71
- 66Twist weight62
- 68Launch angle46
- 54Plow through82
- 74Softness90
Specs
| $50 | Price | $70 |
|---|---|---|
| 11 mm | Core | 16 mm |
| 7.5 oz | Weight | 8.4 oz |
| 100 | Swing weight | 113 |
| 5.8 | Twist weight | 6 |
| standard | Shape | elongated |
| Carbon fiber with peel-ply texture | Surface | T700 Raw Carbon Surface |
| 5.3 in | Handle | 5.5 in |
Rally Flare Graphite verdict
A $50 carbon-faced paddle with a thin 11 mm core: poppy, light and easy to swing. It is a starter paddle, and the thin core shows the moment you try to reset a hard drive.
Vulcan V1100 16 verdict
A T700 raw-carbon elongated paddle that sells for about a quarter of its MSRP. On measured specs it competes with paddles at triple the street price.
The verdict
Measured on the same 15-trait test, the clearest separation is plow through: Vulcan V1100 16 scores 82 against 54 for Rally Flare Graphite — a 28-point gap. Rally Flare Graphite is $20 cheaper at $50.
Plow through
Vulcan V1100 16 leads by 28 points (82 vs 54).
Swing weight
Vulcan V1100 16 leads by 25 points (71 vs 46).
Launch angle
Rally Flare Graphite leads by 22 points (68 vs 46).
Spin
Vulcan V1100 16 leads by 18 points (90 vs 72).
Which one should you buy?
Rally Flare Graphite
Take Rally Flare Graphite if you want launch angle (+22), maneuverability (+17), pop (+16). Its swing weight of 100 kg·cm² and 11 mm core are what produce that profile.
Read the Rally Flare Graphite review →Vulcan V1100 16
Take Vulcan V1100 16 if you want plow through (+28), swing weight (+25), spin (+18). Its swing weight of 113 kg·cm² and 16 mm core are what produce that profile.
Read the Vulcan V1100 16 review →Rally Flare Graphite vs Vulcan V1100 16 FAQ
- Which is better, the Rally Flare Graphite or the Vulcan V1100 16?
- Vulcan V1100 16 carries the higher overall Paddle IQ score (79.7 vs 75.7), but IQ is a weighted average. On the trait that separates them most — plow through — Vulcan V1100 16 leads by 28 points.
- Which one is faster at the kitchen line?
- Rally Flare Graphite, at 100 kg·cm² swing weight against 113 for Vulcan V1100 16. Lower swing weight is the single best predictor of hand speed in fast exchanges.
- Which paddle has more power, the Rally Flare Graphite or the Vulcan V1100 16?
- Vulcan V1100 16 measures 78 on power against 74 for Rally Flare Graphite. That comes from a 16 mm Polypropylene Honeycomb core swinging at 113 kg·cm² — mass behind the ball, not face material.
- Which one gives more control and touch?
- Vulcan V1100 16 at 91 versus 76. 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?
- Vulcan V1100 16 scores 90 for spin off its T700 Raw Carbon Surface face, against 72 for the Carbon fiber with peel-ply texture face on Rally Flare Graphite. In practice a 18-point gap is noticeable on third-shot drives.
- Which is more forgiving on off-center hits?
- Vulcan V1100 16, with 6 twist weight against 5.8. Higher twist weight means the face rotates less when you miss the middle, and Rally Flare Graphite carries the higher forgiveness score (84) as a result.
- Is the price difference worth it?
- Rally Flare Graphite costs $50, $20 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?
- Rally Flare Graphite: 11 mm Polymer honeycomb core with a Carbon fiber with peel-ply texture face. Vulcan V1100 16: 16 mm Polypropylene Honeycomb core with a T700 Raw Carbon Surface face.
- Which is better for a two-handed backhand?
- Vulcan V1100 16, at 5.5 in of handle against 5.3 in. Anything under 5.25 in forces you to choke the bottom hand onto the face bevel, which Vulcan V1100 16 avoids.
- Which one is better for beginners?
- Rally Flare Graphite is the safer first paddle here: forgiveness 84 and sweet spot 84 mean fewer mishits while your contact point is still inconsistent. Vulcan V1100 16 rewards a repeatable swing and can feel unstable before that.
- Which is lighter in the hand?
- Rally Flare Graphite at 7.5 oz against 8.4 oz. Static weight matters for arm fatigue and elbow comfort; swing weight (100 vs 113) is what you feel mid-rally.
- Is it worth upgrading from the Rally Flare Graphite to the Vulcan V1100 16?
- Only if you need what it actually adds. Vulcan V1100 16 leads on plow through by 28 points; everything else is within 25 points. At $50 vs $70, 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.
- Flare Graphite vs Z5 Graphite
- Flare Graphite vs Ben Johns Signature Pro
- Flare Graphite vs SLK Evo Hybrid 2.0
- Flare Graphite vs Strike 4F
- V1100 16 vs Signature 16
- V1100 16 vs Hyperion C2 CFS 16
- V1100 16 vs BALLR+ 16
- V1100 16 vs Omni Elongated 16
Top alternatives to both
Paddles that beat one of these two on a specific trait or on price.
Read the full reviews: Rally Flare Graphite and Vulcan V1100 16. Or build a different comparison, browse the full database or find paddles within 5% of your current one.