Hey everyone, Phoenix here.

This thread is mainly for speedcubers, and I'm wondering which method you like to use and what kind of times you usually get.

As for myself, I use a modified Roux, which I call "Half-Roux". It basically solves the 1x2x3 blocks on both sides, then permutates the edges so that the first two layers are finished. This entire step can be achieved using U/M moves and it usually takes 8 to 10 seconds. Then, I solve the last layer using 2-look OLL+PLL, which takes usually 5-6 seconds.

My best record is 11.34 (lucky), 13.26 (non-lucky), and my Average is 17-18xx seconds.

I know Fridrich is the most popular, but Roux is BOSS. And it looks cool when solving. What do you guys use?

--JC--

Modified Petrus F2L plus normal 3-Look Friedrich.

I'm a very intuitive person and I hate memorizing algorithms. But, in order to be a speedcuber you have to learn algorithms or you just can't get competition-fast. The Modified Petrus F2L was originally an accident. I felt the cross was slowing me down and that I completely unconsciously match up the F2L slots while I make the cross anyway, so usually the Petrus blocks get made on accident (though I occasionally end with with diagonal slots to match). Flipping bad edges in Petrus takes a few more moves and a little more time than just using 2-Look OLL to fix the edges and then corners. PLL Algorithms are the only ones I use.

EDIT:
Oh, times.
Petrus 2x2x3 block - 5 seconds
Last 2 slots - 5 seconds
2-Look OLL - 3 seconds
PLL - 2 seconds
Overall it takes 17 seconds due to required examination. Lucky times usually directly reflect subtracting these numbers from the total time.

Oh, and let's add this bit of contribution to the thread: What you can improve on. That way we can help each other out.
I can best improve by: Quicker F2L. I usually plan the 2x2x2 block and predict the location of an edge to start the 2x2x3 block during examination time, but once that clock starts my look-ahead drops dramatically.

Using 3-look Fridrich right now, trying to learn tripod though. (Tripod is getting a 2x2x2 block, then getting three 2x2x1 blocks off of it, then solving a corner-edge pair all intuitively. Then, you're left with five pieces to solve, which can be done in one alg if you know them all.)

The way I do it though is cross, 3 F2L pairs, get a 2x2x1 on the top face, solve the last F2L slot, and then finally solve the last five pieces (although I don't know the algs yet). Not many people use this method, and I think only one or two use it as their main method, but I think it has potential.

Just basic intermediate Fridrich for me. Intuitive F2L and...I guess 4 look LL. My fastest is 23.05 and I've been averaging around 30 for years.... My cross takes me forever and I can't seem to improve at all with it. Any suggestions?

I use Fridrich with cross on top and 2-look OLL. My fastest time is 6.43 seconds, with my AO5 being 10.70, and my AO12 being 11.6x. I believe there is a reason why Fridrich is so popular.

I use classic fridrich with two look LL. I average 14-15 seconds. my PB average is 13.xx and single 8.45.

Petrus is my suggestion. Get started on that F2L while you solve that cross. It makes up for slow crosses in a long run.

Fridrich, 2LLL, Single best time 8.69, average of 5 11.57, total average between 13 and 14 seconds.
I'm happy with it

Phoenix can you please record a video of a speed solve? I would love to see Roux in action

I use Friedrich 2LLL and probably avergae around 20 seconds.

I will actually be getting a YouTube account very soon, so I will be sure to upload it.

Thanks for your feedback, everyone!

--JC--

Couldn't fit all this epicness into one signature, so posted them here.
(feel free to post your own records)

puzzle - best time - method - cube used

3x3 - 13.26 - Roux - Ghost Hand II
2x2 - 3.96 - Ortega - Ghost Hand I
4x4 - 3.24.x - Cage - Rubik's Revenge
5x5 - 5.23.x - Beginner's - Meffert's
Bump - 58.48 - Roux - Gold
Avg of 12 - 18.7 - Roux - Ghost Hand II

--JC--

I use Fridrich with no inspection, intuitive F2L, 2-look OLL, and full PLL. I average around 40 seconds with a PB of 24.86.