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From YoYo Wiki

Friction stickers are a common type of response system that increase the grip the sides of the yo-yo have on the string, enabling the yo-yo to return. Although there are a number of different types of friction stickers they tend to be similar sizes so you can experiment with different types in the same yo-yo. Pads are also very versatile so you can mix and match, or even only have pads on one side for low response.

Pads wear out relatively quickly and so must be replaced regularly. However many yo-yoers prefer pads after they have been 'broken in' so replace the pads one at a time so at least one pad is broken in at all times.

There are four standard pad sizes. Most yo-yo companies use standard sized pad recesses so that the yo-yoer can customize the yo-yo to his or hers desired response. The four standard recess sizes are small, large, .555, and silicone groove. Small sized pads only fit in yo-yos with an A sized bearing without a notable lip between the pad and the bearing. Large sized pads fit in yo-yos that have an A or D sized bearing and a lip between the bearing and pad. They also fit in a large bearing yo-yo without a notable lip between the bearing and pad. .555 pads are named because their inner diameter is .555 of an inch. .555 pads fit in large bearing yo-yos with a lip between the bearing and the pad. There is also the silicone groove. The silicone groove has no definite size but some companies such as YoYoJam, YoYoFactory, and One drop have made yo-yos that use silicone sticker in a flowable silicone groove.

[edit] AnY

The AnY Pads are made by the Korean yo-yo manufacturer AnY. The are made of blue color silicone, very durable, great for unresponsive play and provide very tight binds. These pads can be found in Air Rider, Free Rider, and MiRoC 2, also available exclusively at Yoyonation and Yoman Store. They are large sized.

[edit] Baz Pads

Baz Pads are a friction sticker created by Bazmonkey. They are currently made from a rubber product called Plasti-dip. They are large sized.

[edit] Chaz Pads

Chaz Pads are an updated version of Baz Pads. They are also made from Plasti-dip. They are .555 sized.

[edit] Custom

Custom yo-yos use their own replaceable friction stickers called Performance Rings (sometimes referred to as Speed Rings.) Originally made from Rubbermaid tub strips (self-adhesive friction strips made to prevent slipping in the bathtub) they were later changed to a smooth black rubber.

[edit] Dif-e-Yo

The Dif Pads made by Dif-e-Yo are made of a rubber like material. Although they come as standard in all Dif-e-Yo yo-yos they are also often added to other yo-yos by yo-yoers who want less response. They come in two different thicknesses: 0.015" and 0.03", referred to as 'thin' and 'thick' Dif Pads. Thick pads are more responsive than thin pads since they protrude farther into the gap. They come as both large and .555 sized.

[edit] Duncan

Duncan friction stickers (also known as friction biscuits) are very responsive at first, but get smoother, and then wear out completely. They are often replaced by other, longer lasting, pads, but when they are broken in they work fine. They come with most ball bearing Duncan yo-yos as standard. They are small sized

Brake Pads were originally designed by Playmaxx but became a Duncan product when they bought Playmaxx. They are made from cork and are responsive. Now, they are considered obsolete for even intermediate level yo-yos.

Duncan Silicone stickers are a silicone based pad designed for advanced players. They are mostly unresponsive but have great binds when recessed into the yo-yo. They come as both small and large sized.

[edit] General Yo

Gen Pads are a rubber pad made by General Yo. They have been engineered to have a very specific grip ability. Furthermore, you can buy them smooth or textured (like Kentaro Pads). They are .555 sized.

Hat Pads were made for their yo-yo the Hatrick. They are a silicone based pad. Hat Pads are available in thick and thin varieties. The thick pads come in both smooth and textured but the thin pads only come smooth. They are .555 sized.

[edit] Ghost Pads

Ghost Pads are a creation of Paul Yath. They are a clear, thick and durable pad with one side being adhesive. The pads are made of flowable silicone, and available in size large and .555.

[edit] Kentaro Pads

Kentaro Pads or Kimu Pads are made by Infinite Illusions employee as well as member of Team YoYoFactory, Kentaro Kimura. The pads are made from textured rubber and are believed to make strings dirtier with play. They come as large, silicone groove, and .555 sized.

[edit] K-Pads

K-Pads are another pad made by Kentaro Kimura. They are a silicone pad and are come stock in most new YoYoFactory yo-yos. They come as .555 and silicone groove sized.

[edit] Tom Kuhn

The Tom Kuhn Turbo Discs are the only stickers made from cloth and the unique interaction between the fibers of the string and the fibers of the sticker received its own patent. Supplied with all of his current ball bearing yo-yos, they can also be used on his older version of the SB2 and certainly put the B back into the Bullet. 3M Durapore medical tape would have the same effect as Turbo Discs. They are small sized.

[edit] Chu Pads

Chu Pads are very unique response system because they are very thin (thinner than Dif thin) and made of plastic. They gave very slight response which can be used with other kinds of pad. Players can replace the Duncan friction sticks with Chu pads without the insufficient feeling on stock Duncan yo-yos.

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