RPM Q2 Elongated vs RPM Friction Pro V2 (Ignatowich)
RPM Q2 Elongated vs RPM Friction Pro V2 16mm (Ignatowich): two RPM elongated 16mm paddles at almost the same price ($357.50 and $358), both with a CarbonBite carbon face, so the real question is generation and core. The Q2 Elongated is RPM's newer Gen 4 paddle: an EPP full-foam core with 3mm groove channels, lighter at 221 g, with a lower swing weight of 114 for a quicker, more manoeuvrable head. The Friction Pro V2 16mm is the Gen 3 James Ignatowich signature: a tri-density honeycomb plus EVA foam core, heavier at 224 g, with a higher swing weight of 117 and a higher twist weight of 6.5 for more plow-through and a more forgiving head. Want the newer full-foam feel, a lighter and quicker head? The Q2 is the pick. Want more plow-through, the more stable head and the Ignatowich signature build? The Friction Pro V2 is the one. This page compares the two elongated frames; if you want the widebody Friction Pro instead, we cover that separately. Every real spec is below, then our honest take on who each suits.
We stock both at Pickld. Here is the honest read.
RPM Q2 Elongated vs Friction Pro V2 16mm: specs side by side
| Spec | RPM Q2 Elongated 16mm | Friction Pro V2 16mm (Ignatowich) |
|---|---|---|
| Price (RRP) | $357.50 | $358.00 |
| Weight | 221 g (7.8 oz) | 224 g (7.9 oz) |
| Swing weight | 114 | 117 |
| Twist weight | 6.1 | 6.5 |
| Spin | Not published | Not published |
| Core | EPP full-foam (3 mm groove channels) | Tri-density honeycomb plus EVA foam |
| Face | CarbonBite carbon fibre | CarbonBite carbon (Axial Carbon Layup) |
| Core thickness | 16 mm | 16 mm |
| Shape | Elongated | Elongated |
| Grip | 5.5 in length, 4.125 in circumference | 5.5 in length, 4.125 in circumference |
| Generation | Gen 4 | Gen 3 |
| Skill tier | Professional | Professional |
| Play style | Power, Spin | Power, Spin |
| Availability at Pickld | In stock; the product page is the live figure | In stock; the product page is the live figure |
| Warranty | RPM manufacturer warranty (handled by Pickld) | RPM manufacturer warranty (handled by Pickld) |
Specs are the manufacturer figures we hold on each product page. Where a number is not published by the maker, we say so rather than guess. Availability moves, so the product page is always the live answer.
How they actually play
RPM Q2 Elongated 16mm
The Q2 is RPM's newer paddle, a Gen 4 build, and it is the quicker, lighter of the two. Its core is an EPP full-foam with 3mm groove channels, a different construction to the Friction Pro's honeycomb-and-foam, and it comes in at 221 g with a swing weight of 114. That lower swing weight makes the head faster to move, so it resets and counters more easily in quick exchanges, and the elongated frame still gives you reach. Its twist weight of 6.1 is the lower of the two, so it asks for slightly cleaner contact than the Friction Pro. It shares the same CarbonBite carbon face and sits at effectively the same price. If you want the newer full-foam feel and a lighter, quicker head, the Q2 is the pick.
RPM Friction Pro V2 16mm (James Ignatowich)
The Friction Pro V2 is the Gen 3 James Ignatowich signature, and it is the more plow-through and more forgiving of the two. Its tri-density honeycomb plus EVA foam core carries a higher swing weight of 117 and a higher twist weight of 6.5, so it drives with a touch more mass behind it and is the steadier head on off-centre contact. At 224 g it is 3 g heavier than the Q2. It shares the same CarbonBite carbon face and the same elongated 16mm frame, at effectively the same price. If you want more plow-through on drives, a more forgiving sweet spot and the Ignatowich signature build, this is the one.
The verdict: which should you buy?
- Pick the RPM Q2 Elongated if you want RPM's newer Gen 4 full-foam build, a lighter and quicker head (221 g, 114 swing weight) that resets and counters fast, and you are happy to make cleaner contact for it.
- Pick the RPM Friction Pro V2 16mm (Ignatowich) if you want more plow-through on drives, the more forgiving head here (117 swing weight, 6.5 twist weight) and the Ignatowich signature build.
And who each one is not for
Skip the Q2 if you want the most forgiveness and plow-through. Its 6.1 twist weight is the lower of the two, so it asks for cleaner contact, and the Friction Pro V2 drives with more mass and a steadier head.
Skip the Friction Pro V2 if you want the quickest, lightest head and the newer construction. The Q2 is 3 g lighter with a lower swing weight, so it moves faster in hands battles and carries RPM's Gen 4 full-foam core.
Both are RPM elongated 16mm paddles at effectively the same price, so this is a generation-and-core call. Prefer a widebody frame? See our RPM Q2 vs RPM Friction Pro Widebody comparison. To see the wider bracket, browse our professional paddles, power paddles and spin paddles collections, or the full paddle range.
More paddle comparisons
- RPM Q2 vs RPM Friction Pro Widebody
- RPM Friction Pro V2 16mm vs 14mm
- RPM Q2 vs Selkirk Omni
- RPM Q2 vs Six Zero Coral
Frequently asked questions
What is the difference between the RPM Q2 Elongated and the Friction Pro V2 16mm?
Both are RPM elongated 16mm paddles with a CarbonBite carbon face at effectively the same price ($357.50 and $358), so the difference is generation and core. The Q2 is the newer Gen 4 build with an EPP full-foam core, lighter at 221 g with a lower swing weight of 114, so it is quicker and more manoeuvrable. The Friction Pro V2 is the Gen 3 Ignatowich signature with a tri-density honeycomb plus EVA foam core, heavier at 224 g with a higher swing weight of 117 and a higher twist weight of 6.5, so it plows through more and is more forgiving.
Which RPM paddle is more forgiving?
The Friction Pro V2 16mm is the more forgiving of the two, with a twist weight of 6.5 versus the Q2's 6.1. Higher twist weight means the head resists rotating on an off-centre hit, so contact away from the sweet spot stays truer. The Q2 asks for slightly cleaner contact in exchange for its lighter, quicker head.
Is the RPM Q2 newer than the Friction Pro?
Yes. The Q2 is RPM's Gen 4 build with an EPP full-foam core, while the Friction Pro V2 is a Gen 3 build with a tri-density honeycomb plus EVA foam core. Newer does not automatically mean better for you: the Q2 is lighter and quicker, the Friction Pro V2 plows through more and is more forgiving, and they cost effectively the same.
Should I get the elongated or widebody Friction Pro against the Q2?
This page compares the Q2 Elongated against the elongated Friction Pro V2, so both are the same shape and the decision is generation and core. If you would rather compare the Q2 against the widebody Friction Pro, which is a shorter, more forgiving frame, we cover that in a separate comparison linked above.