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Aretera AO2 Shaft Review: Speed, Stability, Exotic Materials

Nippon Shafts
The EI curves being so similar matches another brand that I've been playing with. It's pretty cool that companies are able to make such finite adjustments to their products now.

Graphics are freaking killer as well
 
I would do a lot to get my hands on a 45/4. But that's me and my journey of going light in driver shafts. Someday it will happen.

I eagerly await for some tour adoption of these shafts.
 
Chow said:
I would do a lot to get my hands on a 45/4. But that's me and my journey of going light in driver shafts. Someday it will happen.

I eagerly await for some tour adoption of these shafts.
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I’d love to see what a 45/4 does for you!
 
This is a fantastic article @Jman. The difference only being in the tip, just like the EC1, is something really impressive. And it sounds like it retains the EC1 feel while having a more stable mid section for more aggressive swings. At least I'm assuming this would be a bit more beneficial for aggressive tempos.

It's also a stunning looking shaft. Holy wow.
 
amarkabove said:
This is a fantastic article @Jman. The difference only being in the tip, just like the EC1, is something really impressive. And it sounds like it retains the EC1 feel while having a more stable mid section for more aggressive swings. At least I'm assuming this would be a bit more beneficial for aggressive tempos.

It's also a stunning looking shaft. Holy wow.
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Yea they really stepped up the graphics! I felt like the EC1 was a little too classy and understated for my taste.
 
Great write up @Jman

Having played both the A01 and A02, are they similar? Is there an area where one stands out over the other?
 
I can't wait to dive into this one a bit later this evening!
 
I like a lot about the different profile in these shafts. I was lukewarm on the EC1, and really don’t know why. I really never could put a finger on what I didn’t get along with. I think it was the handle portion, but I’m not sure.

I need to give these a swing sometime if I can find one. From a looks standpoint these are superb. A step stiffer and lower torque rep than the EC1 may be a good deal.
 
JTinMO said:
I like a lot about the different profile in these shafts. I was lukewarm on the EC1, and really don’t know why. I really never could put a finger on what I didn’t get along with. I think it was the handle portion, but I’m not sure.

I need to give these a swing sometime if I can find one. From a looks standpoint these are superb. A step stiffer and lower torque rep than the EC1 may be a good deal.
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Biggest thing is they need to not be compared to the EC1 as they really are different profiles. I know it’s natural for us to do, but they’re different beasts altogether.
 
Jman said:
Biggest thing is they need to not be compared to the EC1 as they really are different profiles. I know it’s natural for us to do, but they’re different beasts altogether.
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So if I REALLY like the EC1, is it likely that the AO2 would be a poor fit for me? Or hard to tell without trying? (I’m gonna find one to try anyway 🤣)
 
Golf Jones said:
Great write up @Jman

Having played both the A01 and A02, are they similar? Is there an area where one stands out over the other?
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In Aretera’s mind, the Alpha One isn’t a benchmark for anything, doesn’t have any place in their current direction, and isn’t a basis for anything to with the AO2, other than that name similarity hahaha

In mine, it’s a more fluid feel, but with the same stability, flight is a little easier launching overall as well, for me.
 
kind of a random first thought, but I absolutely love the header photo. It's such a great way to introduce an article.
 
Mayor McCheese said:
So if I REALLY like the EC1, is it likely that the AO2 would be a poor fit for me? Or hard to tell without trying? (I’m gonna find one to try anyway 🤣)
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Impossible for me to say, really.

I do think the EC1 aims at the biggest portion of the bell curve though, where this is a little more nuanced.

Well worth trying if you can however. Absolutely.
 
I've always loved the concept of "new company" with massive amounts of industry and design knowledge hiding behind it.

Fresh ideas, unlocked potential, years of trial and error is how I read that.
 
Canadan said:
I've always loved the concept of "new company" with massive amounts of industry and design knowledge hiding behind it.

Fresh ideas, unlocked potential, years of trial and error is how I read that.
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I’ve listened to some interviews/podcasts with Alex on there and he just sounds so excited to be able to try to attack problems like the relationship between torque and feel in totally new ways
 
It's pretty impressive to have two shafts sitting slightly apart on the Ei profile and producing slightly different results presenting a similar tier of feedback during swapped out testing. I would think that is not easy to achieve.
 
Jman said:
In Aretera’s mind, the Alpha One isn’t a benchmark for anything, doesn’t have any place in their current direction, and isn’t a basis for anything to with the AO2, other than that name similarity hahaha

In mine, it’s a more fluid feel, but with the same stability, flight is a little easier launching overall as well, for me.
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Interesting. I had some good times with the A01, so it may be worth giving the A02 a try
 
We've seen that somewhat familiar "soft" tip section in builds over the years, and I woulda assume you've got a pretty good idea of what I am referring to @Jman - How does it handle it in the 5 flex with not being too boardy in the hands while still letting the shaft do the work?

Did the gray have more of an upward arc to peak height or was it similarly as flat getting to max height?
 
Thank you @Jman for this review. The playability between each of these is pretty impressive and as a player who has never paid attention to Aretera, I feel like that needs to change. This specifically caught my attention


\"Aretera AO2 EI Curve
By then applying the materials in a way which has 16-20 layers (plies) within the AO2 compared to the 5-7 of most other shafts, Aretera has unlocked the flex versus feel conundrum.\"
 
Golf Jones said:
Interesting. I had some good times with the A01, so it may be worth giving the A02 a try
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Same, but they’re very focused on this and the EC1 being the true start to the brands lineup. Kinda makes sense.
 
Jman said:
It’s part of their key technologies in application that allows that, and yes, it’s why you can’t just look at torque.

Traditionally made shafts have 6-7 layers or material, here there is over double that. Within that, historically you had to choose feel OR stability given the layer numbers and application.

With spread tow and even more exotic materials, the added layers available both in weight and strength/stiffness they have decoupled that old choice. It’s why I’ve so long talked about the “Aretera Feel” in the review of this as well as the EC1 homepage and forum reviews.

It breaks preconceived molds and connotations of things like torque rating.
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My limited knowledge of shaft design and how "flags" are placed usually play a big part in feel, playability and overall performance. Since these are using almost double, and have managed to maintain a favorable feel and still perform, did you get any details on how the layers are being applied to achieve this? Does this come down to the materials being used versus what other OEM's are using?
 
Jman said:
Same, but they’re very focused on this and the EC1 being the true start to the brands lineup. Kinda makes sense.
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With everything that has transpired, I get it. But the A01 will always be the touchstone for their brand for me.
 
MikeG said:
My limited knowledge of shaft design and how "flags" are placed usually play a big part in feel, playability and overall performance. Since these are using almost double, and have managed to maintain a favorable feel and still perform, did you get any details on how the layers are being applied to achieve this? Does this come down to the materials being used versus what other OEM's are using?
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The key is the materials, according to Aretera. Based on their information, the types of exotic materials they’re applying are thinner and lighter, which allow for such things.

Now, it’s not to say others aren’t using similar exotic materials or their own processes for applying the plies in a non traditional way, because they are, some are innovating insanely hard there, but this is Aretera’s story for theirs. For which I personally, with no evidence at all, take as a shot to those like Fuji more than others.
 
Golf Jones said:
With everything that has transpired, I get it. But the A01 will always be the touchstone for their brand for me.
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I agree, but they don’t want us to feel that way hahaha
 
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