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Choosing a diabolo

7 questions
Fixed axle or bearing axle — which should I choose?

This is the one decision to make before anything else — and neither option is “better”. They are two different kinds of play.

Fixed axle: the string grips the axle, so you feel and steer the diabolo directly. It is the home of the classic tricks — including the string climb (“elevator”) and suicides — and the only way into playing two or three diabolos at once. Lighter, cheaper, nothing to maintain.

Bearing axle: spins much longer on a single pull, in one direction only — which is what vertical play (“vertax”), long combos, grinds and body moves are built on. Children often prefer it: the diabolo keeps going, so the reward comes sooner. Tricks that rely on string friction, like the elevator, don’t work on a bearing, and the nuts need re-tightening now and then.

A bearing is not an upgrade of a fixed axle — it is a different style. If you are undecided, or teaching a group, start fixed: the technique carries over to a bearing far more easily than the other way round. Browse fixed-axle diabolos and bearing diabolos.

Which diabolo should I start with?

Decide the axle first (see the question above) — then the model is easy.

Fixed axle: the EVO G2 with soft cups. It is the most stable diabolo we sell: the sharp edge of its stability ring means the string touches a single point when you correct, and the low-friction cups keep the spin. It is what we recommend at every level, from a first diabolo to stage and multi-diabolo work. On a tighter budget, or for a school set, the Echo is the robust entry model.

Bearing axle: the Falcon with a triple-bearing axle — semi-flexible cups that take outdoor use well, and an edge that makes corrections easy. If you want the smoothest and sturdiest bearing, the Magforce.

Add 32 cm carbon sticks and Sundia string and you are set. Standard-size diabolos suit children from primary-school age; for very small children, ask us first. Not sure? Email info@diabolofocus.com and tell us how long you have been playing — we would rather point you at the right one than the expensive one.

What is the difference between EVO G2 and EVO G3?

The EVO G2 has soft cups and solid colours; the EVO G3 has hard cups and transparent colours. A few exceptions aside, both share the same design.

In Europe we recommend the G2: in cold weather, soft cups hold up better. In Asia the G3 is popular because hard cups perform better in warm, humid weather. One technical note: the 5-bearing axle only fits the G3’s rings and hard cups.

Triple bearing, 5-bearing or Magforce — which axle?

Triple bearing (3-B) is our recommendation for training at every level: the best balance of stability and durability, and the axle every bearing model is built around.

5-bearing (5-B) was developed for competitions in Taiwan, where a routine lasts one minute and the diabolo has to accelerate extremely fast. Its parts are smaller, which makes it more fragile in the long run — and for most players the difference in acceleration is barely noticeable.

Magforce is a triple bearing with small magnetic rings: it runs even more smoothly than a standard 3-B, is far sturdier than a 5-B and sits 2 mm larger, which makes it a little steadier in rotation. It costs more, but it is the bearing we would pick for ourselves.

Which handsticks should I get?

32 cm carbon sticks are the standard: the best balance of low weight and durability, which is why nearly every experienced player uses them. The 30 cm carbon sticks are thinner (7 mm) and a touch lighter — a good fit for smaller hands.

If you play hard vertax, the sticks take a lot of stress: go for the thicker 8 mm or 10 mm versions in 32 cm. Fiberglass sticks are the value pick for a first set, and plastic or wooden sticks are the cheapest way to try the diabolo out or to equip a group. Browse carbon sticks and fiberglass sticks.

Which string should I use, and how often do I replace it?

We use Sundia’s thin white string ourselves: fast and smooth — and a higher price tag doesn’t mean better play. Henrys string has more grip and friction, which some players prefer; it is a matter of feel, not quality.

String is a consumable. Replace it as soon as it looks fuzzy or frayed: a fixed axle wears it faster than a bearing, and a beginner’s string goes faster still. Keep a spare roll at hand.

Can I combine soft cups with a bearing axle?

No — and that is by design, not a limitation of the configurator. Hard cups shield a bearing axle from the shocks of a drop; soft cups pass those shocks straight to the bearings and can bend the bolt over time. Sundia limits these combinations to keep the axle alive, so a bearing axle always comes with the harder cups — Falcon, Magforce, EVO G3 and the others.

Care, parts & repairs

7 questions
My bearing diabolo clicks or wobbles — is that normal?

A click when the diabolo changes direction is normal on every bearing model: it comes from a tiny gap between the axle and the hub parts, which is technically necessary for the freewheel to work.

A wobble usually means the nuts have worked loose. Tighten them evenly on both sides — bearing diabolos need this from time to time, while a fixed axle should stay tight. If a nut keeps loosening, one drop of glue on the end of the thread stops it. Still wobbling after that? Email info@diabolofocus.com and we will sort it out.

How do I look after a bearing axle?

Ideally, don’t open it at all: even the smallest dust particles shorten how long it spins. Keep it out of sand and off wet ground, and it will run for years.

If it does start running rough, clean out the old lubricant completely and add a single drop of Long Spin Oil — never grease, which slows the bearing down.

Can my diabolo break?

A diabolo can break in cold weather or after a hard drop onto a solid surface, so it’s worth being mindful of both.

Soft-cup diabolos are less likely to break than hard-cup ones, and with normal care a diabolo can easily last more than 5 years, even with heavy use.

Is there a warranty on my diabolo?

Sundia does not offer a manufacturer’s warranty — but every purchase comes with your statutory rights: within the EU, two years of legal warranty against defects that were present when the item was delivered. That cannot be waived, and we don’t try to.

In practice: a defect that shows up early is replaced or refunded, usually within a day of your email. Normal wear, drops onto hard ground, cracks from cold and sticks broken in heavy vertax are not defects and are not covered. Send photos to info@diabolofocus.com and we will tell you straight away what we can do.

Can I order a single diabolo cup?

Yes. Single cups aren’t listed on the website, but you can request one by emailing info@diabolofocus.com. We confirm the price first — usually around €13 to €14, depending on model and colour — match the colour against our stock, and send an invoice once you agree.

Can I order Sundia parts that aren't on the website?

Yes — if a Sundia product, spare part or accessory isn’t listed on DiaboloFocus, email info@diabolofocus.com and we will do our best to source it. Two details worth knowing when you order an axle bolt: the standard fixed-axle bolt is 56 mm, and the 59 mm bolt is only for diabolos fitted with LED kits.

How do I charge the LED kits?

Only with a standard charger under 20 W. Phone and laptop fast chargers are not supported: they wear the batteries out early, and that is the one cause of a weak LED kit we cannot cover.

Delivery

5 questions
How long does delivery take?

We hand orders to DHL within 1–2 business days of payment (Monday to Friday, German public holidays excepted). Then it’s DHL’s transit time: 2–4 days within Germany, 4–8 days to most EU countries and to Switzerland and the UK, and 2–3 weeks to the rest of the world — or about 4–5 days with DHL Express.

You receive a tracking number by email the moment your parcel is on its way. The full table by country is on Shipping and Returns.

How much is shipping, and when is it free?

Shipping starts at €6.50 within Germany and €14 to most of the EU, and is free from €159 for Germany and the EU zones. Outside the EU — Switzerland, the UK, the rest of the world — shipping is always charged, because customs and import taxes come on top. Your exact rate is on Shipping and Returns and in the cart’s delivery estimate.

Do you ship to my country?

Yes — we ship worldwide with DHL from Berlin. Rates and delivery times are grouped by zone: Germany, the EU, Switzerland and the UK, and the rest of the world, where you can choose between economical shipping (2–3 weeks) and DHL Express (about 4–5 days). Pick your country on Shipping and Returns to see the exact figures.

How do I track my order?

As soon as your parcel leaves, you get a shipping confirmation email with the DHL tracking number. If you ordered with an account, the same tracking link is under your orders; guest orders use the link in the email. Nothing yet? Give it 2 business days from payment before you worry — then email us.

Will I have to pay customs or import taxes?

EU: no. All prices include VAT and nothing is charged on delivery.

United Kingdom: we are not registered for UK VAT, so a minimum order value of €170 in products applies, and UK import VAT plus any duties are collected by DHL on delivery. Switzerland: Swiss import VAT (currently 8.1 %) and a carrier clearance fee may be collected on delivery. Everywhere else: import duties and taxes may apply; we cannot predict the amount. Details on Shipping and Returns.

Returns & refunds

3 questions
How do I return or exchange something?

Not the right fit? You can return or exchange it within 30 days of delivery as long as it is unused and in its original packaging. Independently of that, EU law gives you 14 days to withdraw from the purchase even after trying the item — only handling beyond what you could do in a shop may be deducted from the refund.

Email info@diabolofocus.com first so we know what is coming, then send the parcel to our returns address, which is on Shipping and Returns. Return shipping is paid by you; the withdrawal form is on the withdrawal page.

When do I get my refund?

Within 14 days of the return reaching us and being checked — usually much sooner — to the payment method you used. For an exchange, the replacement ships as soon as the return is approved.

My order arrived damaged or with the wrong item — what now?

Email info@diabolofocus.com within a few days of delivery with a photo of the item and, if the parcel was damaged, of the packaging. We replace or refund, and we tell you whether anything needs to come back — for small items it often doesn’t.

Orders & payment

6 questions
What payment methods do you accept?

At checkout: PayPal, Visa, Mastercard, Apple Pay, Google Pay, iDEAL, Wero and SEPA. If you would rather pay by bank transfer, email us and we send a payment link or our IBAN instead. All prices include VAT.

Do I need an account to order?

No — you can check out as a guest. An account keeps your orders, tracking and invoices in one place, adds a wishlist and a faster checkout next time, and takes a few seconds to create with Google or an email address.

Can I cancel or change my order?

Email info@diabolofocus.com as quickly as you can — we dispatch within 1–2 business days, and until the parcel leaves we can change a colour or the address, or cancel outright. Once it has shipped, use the normal return process.

Can I add products to an order after I’ve placed it?

Yes — if you want to add items right after placing an order, email info@diabolofocus.com as soon as possible. If your order hasn’t shipped yet, we can send a second invoice; once that’s paid, we’ll add the items and ship everything together.

Where do I find my invoice?

If you ordered with an account, every invoice is under your invoices. For a guest order, email us your order number and we send it over. Need an invoice made out to a company, with its VAT number? Tell us the details and we issue it.

How do I use a discount code or a gift card?

Enter the code in the promo-code field at checkout and the discount is applied before you pay. Gift cards work the same way: enter the card code at checkout, and any remaining balance stays on the card for next time.

About DiaboloFocus

5 questions
Who is DiaboloFocus?

DiaboloFocus was founded in 2019 and specializes in diabolo, offering the full range of Sundia products and accessories alongside workshops and tutorials.

It’s run by Guillaume Karpowicz, a diabolo artist known for his world-class performances and technical level. Formerly sponsored by Babache and Henrys, he moved to Sundia for the greater stability of their diabolos — a partnership that helped DiaboloFocus become the leading Sundia distributor in Europe.

Who is Sundia?

Sundia is a Taiwanese company dedicated entirely to diabolo, where most manufacturers spread their resources across many juggling props.

Diabolo carries real cultural weight in Taiwan — it’s a mandatory part of the school curriculum from age 12 — and Sundia treats that as a responsibility. They pioneered bearing axles in 2005 and were the first to produce a magnetic bearing axle, drawing on feedback from professional players, and today offer the widest range of diabolo colors, models, and accessories of any brand.

Do you have a shop or a pickup point in Berlin?

No — DiaboloFocus is an online shop run from Berlin, with no showroom and no pickup. Every order ships with DHL, within Germany usually in 2–4 days. If you want to see a diabolo before buying, every product page has photos of each colour, and we answer questions on WhatsApp and by email.

Can I build my own colour combination?

Yes. The diabolo configurator lets you combine cups, rings, washers and axle from everything in stock, shows you a preview of the result and puts it straight in the cart — and you can share a link to your design.

Do you use AI?

In one place: the ask box at the top of this help center. It answers with an AI language model, and every answer it writes is labelled as AI-generated. Everything else is ours — the product descriptions, the answers you are reading here, and every reply you get by email or WhatsApp is written by a person.

The box searches our own help pages and product catalogue and answers from those. It cannot see your account, your orders or your cart, so please do not type personal details into it: for anything about your own order, write to info@diabolofocus.com instead. And it can be wrong — prices, stock and delivery times count only as shown on the product page.

Your question goes to Cloudflare and to Anthropic’s Claude model. Neither uses it to train AI. We keep the questions asked so we can write better help pages, with email addresses and long numbers automatically stripped out first; the detail is in our privacy policy.

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Guillaume, who answers the messages

Still have questions?

A human at the other end of the string. I’m Guillaume. Write to me and I’ll get back to you, usually within one business day.

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