DaYan V Zhanchi 3x3x3

DaYan V Zhanchi 3x3x3

The Zhanchi is DaYan's fifth design, hence the "V" in its name. It was released in early 2011, and for the next few years the DaYan V Zhanchi 3x3x3 was one of the most popular speedcubing cubes. Feliks Zemdegs used it to set the then world record single of 5.66 s. It is a classic 57 mm cube without magnets. Today, it is mostly bought by people who want to try a cube with a history and enjoy setting up the mechanism themselves.

How it turns

The Zhanchi is fast and light, and its feel is usually described as airy and slightly snappy. With well-adjusted tension, corner cutting reaches about 45 degrees. That is a good result for a cube from that era, although modern designs are more forgiving. Under the edges there are so-called torpedoes, small extensions that stop pieces from popping out. Pops are rare, but they can still happen with very loose tension and aggressive turning. Lockups also occur, especially when your turns are not precise.

Out of the box, the cube may be dry and set too tight. To get the most out of it, you need to lube it and adjust the screws. If they are too tight, turning feels heavy and "rubbery". If they are too loose, the risk of pops increases.

Zhanchi vs. modern cubes

The Zhanchi has no magnets and none of the newer adjustment systems. You change the tension the classic way, with the screws in the core. Modern magnetic 3x3 cubes are much more stable and need far less setup. Don't confuse this model with the new DaYan Zhanchi V5 M. Despite the similar name, it is a completely different, magnetic design.

Who is it for?

For collectors, for anyone who wants to find out how a cube from the era of the first sub-6-second records turned, and for cubers who enjoy experimenting with setup and lube. For a child's first cube or as a main for training, a modern magnetic model is a better choice. It is more stable and ready to solve straight away.

Specifications

• Type: 3x3x3 cube without magnets
• Manufacturer: DaYan
• Size: 57 mm
• Anti-pop protection: torpedoes
• Adjustment: tension via screws in the core
• Colour variant: Red