{
  "id": "ronbus-ripple-beta",
  "url": "https://pointcast.xyz/paddles/ronbus-ripple-beta",
  "brand": "Ronbus",
  "model": "Ripple R1.14 / R2.14 (beta)",
  "year": 2024,
  "launch": {
    "date": "2024-09-20",
    "precision": "day",
    "label": "Sep 20"
  },
  "lifecycle": "limited",
  "listPriceUsd": 250,
  "listPriceLabel": "$250 list (beta sold to Connect members)",
  "build": "foam",
  "buildLabel": "Full foam (Gen 4)",
  "thickness": "14mm",
  "shapes": "Elongated (R1) · Widebody (R2)",
  "pro": "Zane Navratil praised the beta's power in early testing (The Dink)",
  "summary": "The first widely played non-honeycomb core: an elastomer/EVA block that Zane Navratil described as having rocket-like power. It shipped only as a members' beta, then stalled for months when production units exceeded USAP's new PBCoR ceiling, becoming the test case for the Nov 2024 standard. It previewed the full-foam Gen 4 wave of 2025.",
  "construction": "Ronbus's fourth-generation core: a patent-pending carbon-fiber-infused rebounding elastomer (FIRE), listed on the product page as 'Carbon Fiber Grid Infused EVA', replacing honeycomb entirely, under a raw Toray T700 face at 14mm.",
  "core": {
    "layers": [
      "carbon fiber grid infused EVA / FIRE elastomer core (14mm)",
      "raw Toray T700 carbon fiber textured face"
    ],
    "face": "Raw Toray T700 carbon fiber",
    "edge": "",
    "source": "https://ronbus.com/products/beta-ripple-r1-14"
  },
  "variants": [
    {
      "name": "Beta Ripple R1.14",
      "shape": "elongated",
      "lengthIn": 16.5,
      "widthIn": 7.5,
      "handleIn": 5.5,
      "thicknessMm": 14,
      "weightOz": "7.9 oz ±0.4",
      "sw": null,
      "tw": null,
      "specSource": "https://ronbus.com/products/beta-ripple-r1-14"
    },
    {
      "name": "Beta Ripple R2.14",
      "shape": "widebody",
      "lengthIn": null,
      "widthIn": null,
      "handleIn": null,
      "thicknessMm": 14,
      "weightOz": "",
      "sw": null,
      "tw": null,
      "specSource": null
    }
  ],
  "status": {
    "usap": "no",
    "usapSource": null,
    "upaa": "unknown",
    "upaaSource": null,
    "quiet": false,
    "patent": "none-known",
    "investigation": null,
    "lifecycle": "limited"
  },
  "certNote": "Beta R1.14 and R2.14 were added to USAP's approved list in Sept 2024. Production samples later failed PBCoR (above 0.44); USAP said all prior Ripple versions would be voluntarily removed effective July 1 2025, and the Ripple V2 later received PBCoR .43 approval. The beta page now reads 'Recreational play only'.",
  "timeline": [
    {
      "date": "2024-08-15",
      "precision": "month",
      "kind": "approval",
      "text": "Pickleball Studio (Aug 16 2024) notes the Ripple 14mm 'recently received USAP approval' while still in alpha testing.",
      "source": "https://pickleballstudio.beehiiv.com/p/joola-mod-ta15-new-gen-15-paddles"
    },
    {
      "date": "2024-09-20",
      "precision": "day",
      "kind": "launch",
      "text": "Ripple.R1.14 released to Connect members only as a beta; no pre-orders taken.",
      "source": "https://www.ronbus.com/Update-on-USAP-Approved-Ronbus-Ripple-Paddles_b_7.html"
    },
    {
      "date": "2024-09-27",
      "precision": "day",
      "kind": "variant",
      "text": "Ripple.R2.14 beta released to Connect members.",
      "source": "https://www.ronbus.com/Update-on-USAP-Approved-Ronbus-Ripple-Paddles_b_7.html"
    },
    {
      "date": "2025-05-09",
      "precision": "day",
      "kind": "delist",
      "text": "USAP: beta met initial tests but production samples did not pass PBCoR; prior Ripple versions removed effective July 1 2025.",
      "source": "https://usapickleball.org/equipment/an-update-from-usa-pickleball-on-the-ronbus-ripple-paddle/"
    }
  ],
  "labs": [
    {
      "lab": "Matt's Pickleball",
      "kind": "review",
      "url": "https://www.mattspickleball.com/paddle/r1-ripple-14mm"
    },
    {
      "lab": "other",
      "kind": "review",
      "url": "https://paddlereview.com/review-ronbus-ripple-r1-14-pickleball-paddle/"
    }
  ],
  "colorways": [],
  "madeIn": null,
  "warranty": null,
  "notes": "Matt's Pickleball review pages rate-limited during research; measured swingweight not captured. The Dink reported a planned Dec 6 2024 production release that slipped.",
  "productUrl": "https://ronbus.com/products/beta-ripple-r1-14",
  "sources": [
    "https://www.ronbus.com/Update-on-USAP-Approved-Ronbus-Ripple-Paddles_b_7.html",
    "https://ronbus.com/products/beta-ripple-r1-14",
    "https://usapickleball.org/equipment/an-update-from-usa-pickleball-on-the-ronbus-ripple-paddle/",
    "https://www.thedinkpickleball.com/popular-paddle-release-stalled-causing-confusion/",
    "https://pickleballstudio.beehiiv.com/p/joola-mod-ta15-new-gen-15-paddles",
    "https://www.mattspickleball.com/blog/ronbus-ripple-pickleball-paddles-beta-to-production-model-whats-changed"
  ],
  "confidence": "high",
  "image": "https://pointcast.xyz/images/og/paddles/ronbus-ripple-beta.png"
}