The Project X Even Flow Riptide goes for about $50 to $100 used right now, and it’s a smart buy if you already know your weight and flex. It’s not a shaft I’d buy blind, and the blue CB version is a completely different job.
Is the Project X Even Flow Riptide Shaft worth buying?
Here’s the thing with the Riptide. Project X stopped listing it, but there are still a lot of them out there. And that’s the whole appeal. A 2020 Project X shaft now sells for a fraction of a new one, a lot of the time with an adapter and grip already on it.
But there are two Riptides, and they don’t do the same job. The standard one is black, gray and gold. The CB is blue, and it’s counterbalanced, which means extra weight up in the handle. Grab the wrong one off a used listing and you just changed how your driver swings.
So I’m going to break down both, tell you which one I’d buy, and tell you what to check before you pay for either.
Quick Overview
- The Riptide is a 2020 Project X Even Flow graphite shaft for drivers and fairway woods, built for mid launch and mid spin.
- There are two versions: the standard Riptide in 50 to 80 grams and the counterbalanced Riptide CB in 40 to 70 grams.
- Both have a .335-inch tip, so they fit standard driver and fairway hosels with the right adapter.
- True Temper doesn’t list either one in its current Project X wood shaft lineup, and it hasn’t named a replacement.
- Used and leftover shafts run about $50 to $100, depending on the weight, flex, adapter and condition.
Project X Even Flow Riptide Specs
Both shafts share the Riptide name, the .335-inch tip and the mid-launch, mid-spin target. The difference is where the weight sits and how light they go.
| Specification | Riptide (standard) | Riptide CB |
|---|---|---|
| Release year | 2020 | 2020 |
| Club | Driver, fairway wood | Driver, fairway wood |
| Launch / spin | Mid / mid | Mid / mid |
| Balance | Standard | Counterbalanced (extra mass toward the butt) |
| Weight classes | 50g, 60g, 70g, 80g | 40g, 50g, 60g, 70g |
| Flexes | 5.5, 6.0, 6.5 and 6.5TX, by weight | 4.0, 5.0, 5.5, 6.0, 6.5 and 6.5TX, by weight |
| Torque (published rows) | 5.4 degrees (50g), 4.4 degrees (60g), 4.0 to 4.2 degrees (70g) | 5.0 to 5.5 degrees (40g), 5.1 degrees (50g), 3.9 to 4.0 degrees (60g) |
| Tip diameter | .335 in | .335 in |
| Raw length | Not published | 46 in |
| Color | Black, gray and gold | Blue |
| Current status | Not in the current Project X lineup | Not in the current Project X lineup |
| Street price | $49.99 to $99.99 used or with an adapter | $48.90 to $51.99 raw, $99.95 assembled |
Look at that torque row. A 50-gram standard Riptide is a lot more active than a 70-gram one, so read the weight and flex printed on the shaft before you read anything else.
The video below isn’t a Riptide video. It’s my PXG Gen 6 driver fitting, where we brought the swing weight down, and it shows why the build matters as much as the shaft.
The Standard Riptide Is a Smooth Shaft With a More Stable Bottom Half
Project X has two big wood shaft families. HZRDUS is for golfers who load the shaft hard and fast. Even Flow is the smoother side, built for a golfer with a smoother tempo.
The Riptide was the second generation of Even Flow. It keeps the even bend profile, so the shaft releases smoothly from the handle to the tip. Then Project X added what it calls Torsional Stability Optimization to firm up the middle and the tip. So you still get that active, smooth kick, but the lower half doesn’t move around as much as the earlier Even Flow shafts.
The launch and spin target is mid and mid. That’s the most versatile spot to be in, because it’s not trying to knock your ball down or throw it up in the air.
So who’s it for? A golfer with a smooth transition who wants the shaft to help a little without the ball getting away from him. If you’re quick and aggressive from the top, the HZRDUS family is where Project X wants you, not this.
But don’t pick it off a swing speed chart. Speed doesn’t settle it. You can swing it fast and still be smooth, or swing it slower and be violent at the top. And mid launch, mid spin is a label, not a promise. Your head, your loft and your strike decide what shows up on the launch monitor. If you’re still working out which profile you need, start with my guide on what shaft to use in your driver.
The Riptide CB Is a Balance Fix, Not a Straighter Riptide
The CB is the same Riptide family with extra weight moved up toward the grip. That brings the swing weight down, so a club builder can use a heavier head or build the driver longer without it feeling like a sledgehammer.
I’ve seen how much swing weight matters. When I got fitted for my PXG Gen 6 driver, the fitter said my Ping was at about E1, which he called very heavy for a driver. We took a little length off and took some weight out of the head to get down to about D5. My club head speed went up almost 3 mph, about 2.8.
Now, I’m not going to tell you the swing weight did that by itself. We also changed the head, the shaft and the loft, going from 10.5 degrees down to 9. But it showed me that the balance of a driver isn’t some fitter trivia. It changes how you swing it.
A CB shaft goes after the same thing from the other end. Instead of pulling weight out of the head, it adds weight to the handle. Just don’t expect it to move the needle like a full fitting does.
And here’s the catch. More weight in the handle can change how you deliver the club. The head feels lighter, so some golfers swing it differently. That can mean higher launch and less spin, and it doesn’t automatically mean straighter. If you like to feel the head during your swing, the CB can feel vague.
The CB also goes lighter. It starts at 40 grams with softer 4.0 and 5.0 flexes, where the standard line starts at 50 grams. So if you need a light build, the CB has options the standard one doesn’t.
So buy the CB when you have a reason: a heavy head, a longer build, or you’ve already played one and liked it. Don’t buy it because the blue looks cool.
Weight and Flex Matter More Than the Riptide Name
Here’s where people get burned on a used shaft. “Riptide” covers everything from a 40-gram CB in a 4.0 flex up to an 80-gram standard in 6.5TX. Those aren’t the same shaft with a different sticker. They’re completely different builds.
So read what’s printed on the shaft. The weight class and the flex tell you way more than the name does.
Then look at what’s attached to it. A lot of used Riptides come with an adapter and grip already on, cut to the length somebody else wanted. One standard Riptide 50 in regular was listed at $49.99 with a TaylorMade adapter and a 44.25-inch finished length. That’s a great price if you play a TaylorMade head at that length. If you don’t, it’s a project.
Before you pay, check five things: the weight, the flex, the adapter, the finished length and the condition. If you’re not sure which flex you belong in, here’s how to determine your shaft flex before you shop.
At $50 to $100, It’s a Cheap Way to Try a Smooth Mid-Launch Profile
This is the real reason to look at a Riptide in 2026. The price.
Used standard Riptides were going for $49.99 to $99.99. Raw, uncut CB shafts were around $48.90 to $51.99, and an assembled CB with an adapter and grip was $99.95. The one I’m linking is a standard Riptide 60-gram regular with a TaylorMade adapter and grip. It was about $70 on Amazon on November 4, 2026, and there were only two left.
Now compare that to new. The Project X Denali Frost Blue is $225 direct from True Temper. A new Fujikura Ventus Blue was listed at $350. And if you want a current counterbalanced shaft, the Mitsubishi TENSEI 1K Pro Orange was $360.
One thing to be clear on. Denali Frost Blue is not the official Riptide replacement. True Temper never said that. It’s a current Project X shaft with a mid launch and mid spin target, so it’s worth testing next to a Riptide, but don’t buy it expecting the same feel.
If it doesn’t work, you’re out $70, not $350.
Check what a golf club fitting costs before you decide a fitting isn’t worth it.
What I Don’t Love
There’s a catch. There’s always a catch. And with the Riptide, it’s that you’re on your own.
Project X doesn’t list it anymore, and it hasn’t named a replacement. So there’s no new shaft to demo on a fitting cart, no clear warranty on a discontinued shaft, and no guarantee your weight and flex will still be out there next month.
The used market is all over the place, too. You’re sorting through different weights, flexes, adapters, grips, lengths and conditions, and the cheapest listing is usually the wrong one for you.
And the price on the listing isn’t always the price of a playable club. A raw shaft still needs an adapter, a grip and a build. If you’re doing it yourself, read up on cutting a graphite shaft so you don’t wreck it.
Last thing. If you need a firm handle or a low-launch, low-spin shaft, the Riptide’s active feel is going to be the wrong fit, no matter how cheap it is. No Riptide is a distance fix by itself.
Who It’s For
Buy it if:
- You already know the weight and flex you want, from a fitting or from a driver you already like.
- You have a smooth tempo and want a mid-launch, mid-spin shaft for well under $225.
- You’re replacing a Riptide you already play in the same weight and flex.
- You need to bring the swing weight down on a heavy or long build. That’s the CB.
Skip it if:
- You want a new shaft with a current warranty and a fitting cart to demo it on.
- You’re quick and aggressive from the top, or you need a low-launch, low-spin shaft.
- You’re hoping a cheap shaft will add distance or fix your slice by itself.
Frequently Asked Questions
Is the Project X Even Flow Riptide discontinued?
It’s a legacy shaft. True Temper doesn’t list the Riptide or the Riptide CB in its current Project X wood shaft lineup or its legacy collection. You can still buy them used and as leftover stock, but there’s no current new-shaft support behind them.
What’s the difference between the Riptide and the Riptide CB?
The CB is counterbalanced. It puts extra weight toward the grip, which lowers the swing weight and lets a builder use a heavier head or a longer build. The standard Riptide runs 50 to 80 grams, and the CB runs 40 to 70 grams with softer flexes in the light weights.
What replaced the Project X Riptide?
Nothing official. True Temper hasn’t named a replacement. The Project X Denali Frost Blue is a current shaft with a similar mid-launch, mid-spin target at $225, so it’s worth testing next to a Riptide, but it isn’t a one-for-one swap.
Is the Riptide a good shaft for a fast swing?
Swing speed alone doesn’t answer that. Even Flow is built for smoother tempos, while Project X’s HZRDUS family is for golfers who load the shaft hard. A fast but smooth swinger can fit a Riptide in a heavier weight like the 70 or 80 gram, and an aggressive swinger usually won’t.
Is a used Riptide worth buying?
Yes, when you know the exact weight, flex and adapter you need. Check the finished length, the grip and the condition, and add the cost of any adapter, grip or build. If you’re guessing at the specs, the low price won’t save you.
Final Thoughts: Project X Even Flow Riptide Shaft Review
Here’s where I land. If you know your build and you have a smooth tempo, a used standard Riptide is one of the cheapest ways to get a good mid-launch Project X shaft in your driver. Buy the CB only when your build needs the weight in the handle. And if you’re guessing at weight and flex, get fitted first, because the wrong $70 shaft is still the wrong shaft.
About the author
Paul Liberatore
Paul Liberatore is the founder of Golfers Authority and a former three-year golf gear contributor to Sports Illustrated. He tests golf equipment hands-on to help golfers make better buying decisions.