Who has switched from heavier to lighter frame?

B

bluetrain4

G.O.A.T.
What did you switch from, what did you get?

I start a thread like this every few months. I use my trusted Prince Diablo mids and generally love them.

But, unless in the groove, they are really unforgiving to use, as any players stick is. The weight can really become a burden over the course of a match and really presents a problems against bigger hitters. Although I can hit big because of my long and fast strokes, the frame is low-powered and it would be nice to have something with a little more oomph, though not a racket launcher, so I don't have to swing as hard.

I'm so use to a weighty frame, that I would never drastically reduce the static weight. A strung Diablo, before overgrip, etc., is about 12.2 oz. I wouldn't go lower than 11.7 oz. I focus more on the swingweight. Diablo is about 331. I'd like to get down to 315-322.

I've been considering MG Prestige Pro, MG Pestige MP, MG Radical Pro, Prince Ozone Pro Tour.

Any other suggestions?
 
Alafter

Alafter

Hall of Fame
bluetrain4 said:
What did you switch from, what did you get?

I start a thread like this every few months. I use my trusted Prince Diablo mids and generally love them.

But, unless in the groove, they are really unforgiving to use, as any players stick is. The weight can really become a burden over the course of a match and really presents a problems against bigger hitters. Although I can hit big because of my long and fast strokes, the frame is low-powered and it would be nice to have something with a little more oomph, though not a racket launcher, so I don't have to swing as hard.

I'm so use to a weighty frame, that I would never drastically reduce the static weight. A strung Diablo, before overgrip, etc., is about 12.2 oz. I wouldn't go lower than 11.7 oz. I focus more on the swingweight. Diablo is about 331. I'd like to get down to 315-322.

I've been considering MG Prestige Pro, MG Pestige MP, MG Radical Pro, Prince Ozone Pro Tour.

Any other suggestions?
Click to expand...

Diablo mp?
 
cknobman

cknobman

Legend
I went from KFactor KSix One back to Speedport Black.

Lost:
  • elbow/arm pain
  • needed weight for returning hard serves
  • volley feel
Gained:
  • racquet headspeed and power
  • huge spin generation
  • serve speed and kick
 
B

BaselinePlaya

Banned
For many years I played with the Head Radicals and have now been playing with Babolats Pure Drives... not a lot of weight lost but enough to gain mush more racquet head speed
 
Cup8489

Cup8489

G.O.A.T.
i've been using my NXG mids for about 3 years now, but recently i bought a pair of O3 Tour "mids", because i wanted to update..

i like the extra spin i can get with the pattern, and the lower swingweight is good, but im not sure im wild about how much lighter they are, and i think overall i still prefer my NXG's
 
P

PackardDell

Semi-Pro
cknobman said:
I went from KFactor KSix One back to Speedport Black.

Lost:
  • elbow/arm pain
  • needed weight for returning hard serves
  • volley feel
Gained:
  • racquet headspeed and power
  • huge spin generation
  • serve speed and kick
Click to expand...

that is why I want to switch from Pestige to Radical.
 
P

pmata814

Professional
I just recently switched from the Pure Storm Tour to the APDC (I used to play with the original APD). I had to switch because the storm tour gave me tennis elbow. I do miss the heft of the racquet, especially on returns, but I have to do it for the sake of my elbow.
 
T

tbini87

Hall of Fame
i was using tecnifibre t fight 335s with leather grip and overgrip... they were the heaviest racquets i had ever used.

recently switched to yonex RQiS Tour (with leather grip and overgrip... just can't beat that combo!). not a drastic change, just a little lighter, and the RQiS Tours are not as stiff. haven't noticed much as far as fatigue or anything... just like the feel of the RQiS tours more.
 
caesar66

caesar66

Professional
switched a while ago from n6.195/hyperprostaff 6.1 95s to kteams. Gained maneuverability, but lost feel, plowthrough, and serve speed. I want to switch back.
 
vandre

vandre

Hall of Fame
when i got back into tennis about a yr and a half ago, i had to ditch the old head trysis 250 i played with in college because it was killing my shoulder. i tried a head i s2 but it was way too light (my wife stole this racket from me anyway and now has a pair of them). i demoed a bunch of frames from my local club and got a couple from tw and then i picked up a pair of yonex rds003s.

recently, i've started experimenting with some oversize frames, which are a little heavier than the yonexs yet not as heavy as the trysis 250. with the os frames, i have the ability to throw a kickserve (not much action, but i'm still learning) which i was never able to do in college with the trysis. but i will say that my slice serve was better with the trysis. the flat serve was better in college but i'm not sure if that was the racquet or because i had more upper body strength then.
 
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stician

stician

Semi-Pro
I actually went the other way. Had PSO85s from 1993-2002 and used Pure Drives from 2002-2007 and now back but with a K90. I have rediscovered how generating power from the core instead of whipping the arm around is a more efficient way to play. Plus the control and feel with the K90 is pretty darn good when partnered up ToughGut 17 strung at 55lbs.
 
freelancer

freelancer

Rookie
I started with the Diablo Mid and switched to the Yonex RDX 500 (90), and from there to the Yonex RDS 100 (90). They're a little bit lighter than the Diablo, but they were still too heavy towards the end of a long tournement. So I switched to the RQS 11 and love it.

I still hit with my old racquets sometimes. I miss the angles I could get with my old racquets, but my elbow and shoulder don't miss anything about them.
 
jmsx521

jmsx521

Hall of Fame
I switched from Andy Roddick Cortex (27"), leaded up to 12.2 oz., to Andy Roddick Cortex Plus (27.5"), standard weight, 11.7 oz.
 
hoodjem

hoodjem

G.O.A.T.
I went from PS 6.0 85 (1989-2006) to nPS 95.

I can play a lot longer than with the PS 85, that is my arm does not wear out and get tired like it used to(not TE), but I do kinda miss the "magic feel" of that PS 85 sweetspot.

Now I am customizing with hybrid strings and lead tape to try to dial it in. (I also think my control is better with the 18 X 20 stringbed.)

I'll find that magic feel soon. . .
 
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timeisonmyside

timeisonmyside

Semi-Pro
Haven't made the switch yet, but planning on going from a Head FXP Prestige Mid to a MG Prestige Pro or MP.

I thought I was playing alright with the Mid, but after demoing the Pro and MP, the Mid feels like a club now.
 
nickb

nickb

Banned
I switched from the K90/N90 to Fischer Pro No1's a few months ago...I have not lost anything in the switch..only +s....hope I never go back.

Nick
 
B

bluetrain4

G.O.A.T.
Great answers.

I'm fully aware that changing rackets is all about tradeoffs.

I love that weighty, plowthrough of my Diablo when I'm on and in position. But, I know I can't expect that as much when I give up weight. That's why I won't go down too far in overall weight.

I overlooked Yonex in picking possible frames to demo, but a few of you mentioned them.
 
Babb

Babb

Professional
From PDR+ to Speedport Blue. Big difference. The only thing I might miss about the PDR+ is how well I could use it on one of my "on" days. Though, because it's a more demanding racquet, it can make you look like a beginner on one of your bad days. I like the forgiveness of the oversize frames.
 
A

alb1

Rookie
Years ago I used a Dunlop with specs similar to the Diablo Mid. Now I use the following lighter rackets: PK Ki5, Volkl DNX9, and a Fischer Retro Pro Classic.
They're in the 11.5-11.8 range, still fairly thin and are not too stiff.
 
JRProstaf9

JRProstaf9

Rookie
I played with the Prostaff 6.0 and then switched to the 6.1 in highschool college and continued on with the hyper 6.1.

Eventually I opted for a lighter frame and went with the Dunlop 300g for about 4 years and now I'm back with wilson but this time with the K6.1 team.

Since moving to the lighter frames (300g/6.1team) my tennis elbow and wrist pain has gone down significantly and I'm able to generate spin with less effort and its easier to maneuver up at net.

The only trade-off I've found playing with the lighter frame is the lack of stability on off-center hits. Although I will say I do miss the stability and feel of the heavier frames.
 
bad_call

bad_call

Legend
went from the wilson ps 85 to the volkl tour 10 v mid. can't recall the specs but think i lost .1 oz or so. no complaints...only grins. :mrgreen:
 
origmarm

origmarm

Hall of Fame
Recently moved from a PSC 6.1 (12.6oz) to RDS003 (11.1oz). I definitely lost something on the plowthrough and return of serve and the feel is very different but otherwise I'm happy. The RDS003 seems to swing a lot heavier than the specs would suggest however so perhaps that helps. I am aware of less fatigue over the course of a match, especially serving
 
Supernatural_Serve

Supernatural_Serve

Professional
JRProstaf9 said:
The only trade-off I've found playing with the lighter frame is the lack of stability on off-center hits. Although I will say I do miss the stability and feel of the heavier frames.
Click to expand...
That seems to be the universal trade-off we make to enjoy the benefit of lighter racquets.

Heavy serves, heavy balls at net, and the stability isn't there especially when hitting off center.
 
F

fuzz nation

G.O.A.T.
When I started looking around at different racquets a couple of years ago, I was under the impression that I needed something lighter so that I could be quicker and rip off big strokes with a low to high motion - just like the dudes on TV! A couple of the frames that I tried out were over an ounce lighter than my 12.8 oz. Prostaffs, but the result was sort of like trying to throw a wiffle ball as hard as a real baseball; it hurt my shoulder. The other revelation was that I'm hooked on the stability of hefty racquets about as badly as I'm hooked on good coffee!

The racquets that I've found the most success with are in the same neighborhood of weight, but also offer a lot more flex. I suppose we all have formative tennis years where we sort of acclimate to a certain range of weight. After that, heftier gear feels like contruction equipment and lighter racquets make you feel like a super-hero when you swing them.
 
Django

Django

Rookie
I used to play the Volkl 10 series (C-10, Tour 10 Gen II, Catapult 10, etc) which are all around 12 ounces. But I moved to the 11.5-oz DNX 9 and was instantly surprised by the much quicker racquethead speed and, with it, increased spin potential. I've since gone even lighter and stiffer, to the DNX 7 lead-taped to 11 ounces.

Sure, there are tradeoffs, but if you suspect the heavier sticks are limiting your speed, you might be willing to give up some of that "plow" feeling.
 
B

bluetrain4

G.O.A.T.
fuzz nation said:
The other revelation was that I'm hooked on the stability of hefty racquets about as badly as I'm hooked on good coffee!

The racquets that I've found the most success with are in the same neighborhood of weight, but also offer a lot more flex. I suppose we all have formative tennis years where we sort of acclimate to a certain range of weight. After that, heftier gear feels like contruction equipment and lighter racquets make you feel like a super-hero when you swing them.
Click to expand...

I totally agree. Every time I try to change, there is a grace period where everything is great and the lighter racquet is freeing and all the positive aspects seem apparent. But, after a while I get sick of the instability and lack of weight and desire the benefits of a weightier frame.

That said, I am still trying to switch from my Diablo mid (of course I've been trying to do this for year and I never do), but as stated earlier, I don't think I could give up that much weight. Down to 11.7, 11.8 (before grip and dampener) at most. I'm more focused on making a good drop in swingweight.

I guess I could just pull out my Hotmelt 200gs which are 11.9 oz, 316 swingweight. Haven't used them in awhile. Would save me a lot of money.

I guess in the end, it's all about feel, which specs will never really tell you. So, I guess I shouldn't limit the specs of racquets that I try out. There may be a 12.2 oz racquet that feels easier to use than my Diablo, or there may be an 11.4 oz racquet that has enough stability to make the tradeoff worth it.
 
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N

NLBwell

Legend
I've tried to play with lighter rackets. I had a Radical Ti I played with for about a year, but gave up on it after I found I played better and better with more and more lead on it. Now I'm back to the 14oz Kennex Black Ace like I used after college.
Keep trying if you think it might benefit you, but I think you will end up with the Diablo.
 
Bud

Bud

Bionic Poster
Cup8489 said:
i've been using my NXG mids for about 3 years now, but recently i bought a pair of O3 Tour "mids", because i wanted to update..

i like the extra spin i can get with the pattern, and the lower swingweight is good, but im not sure im wild about how much lighter they are, and i think overall i still prefer my NXG's
Click to expand...

Ya, the NXG Mid, although a great racquet, has a very tight string pattern. The headsize is 92 Sq. In. and the pattern is 18x20. It's not a spin-monster.
 
LanEvo

LanEvo

Hall of Fame
well for me its the opposite i went from a regular triad t5 OS at 10oz. 298sw to a leaded up triad t5 OS at 11.5oz and 320-330 sq
 
E

empee

New User
I went from PS Classic (to heavy) to Liquidmetal Radical (to stiff, to dense string pattern). Then to Ncode 6.1 (also a bit to heavy). ANd now switched to Pure Drive Standard w/cortex. Could not be happier, I think I have found my weapon, at least for a while.
 
B

bluetrain4

G.O.A.T.
Well, I didn't have to even buy new racquets.

After starting this thread, I started using my Dunlop Hotmelt 200g again and for the most part they have been everything I'm looking for.

So switching from the Diablo mid, I went from 12.2 to 11.9 oz (both stock weights strung) and from 331 to 316 SW.
Absolutely the decrease in weight and swingweight I was looking for without giving up too much mass.

Flexibility went from 66 to 60
Diablo was strung with Kevlar and 16g syn gut - tight (a VERY boardy set up). My Dunlops are strung with 17g syn gut.

So, the racquets are fairly different, but I've always been able to switch between these two frames with only a small adjustment period. But, I'm really liking the Dunlops and the fact that they are a little more user friendly than the Diablo mid. Much more power (controllable power) without having to rip my arm off. Though, obviously, I could have done a lot with the strings in the Diablo to get more power.

I may buy some racquets this summer, but for now, I guess I don't need to demo anything to make my change. I have 3 Dunlops in excellent condition.

I also have 2 Fisher Pro No. 1s (I'm a racquet junkie) in mint condition that I could have sleceted for a lighter racquet, but I think I'll stay with the Dunlops for a while.
 
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C

Chauvalito

Hall of Fame
k 95 18x20 to M fil 200 2006 to Leaded volkl C7 to leaded M fil 200 2006...etc. etc.

bluetrain4 said:
I totally agree. Every time I try to change, there is a grace period where everything is great and the lighter racquet is freeing and all the positive aspects seem apparent. But, after a while I get sick of the instability and lack of weight and desire the benefits of a weightier frame.

That said, I am still trying to switch from my Diablo mid (of course I've been trying to do this for year and I never do), but as stated earlier, I don't think I could give up that much weight. Down to 11.7, 11.8 (before grip and dampener) at most. I'm more focused on making a good drop in swingweight.

I guess I could just pull out my Hotmelt 200gs which are 11.9 oz, 316 swingweight. Haven't used them in awhile. Would save me a lot of money.

I guess in the end, it's all about feel, which specs will never really tell you. So, I guess I shouldn't limit the specs of racquets that I try out. There may be a 12.2 oz racquet that feels easier to use than my Diablo, or there may be an 11.4 oz racquet that has enough stability to make the tradeoff worth it.
Click to expand...

The same has happened to me as well. The k 95 is great for about 35 minutes and then my lack of conditioning catches up with me and I feel like I am swinging a log.

I hit with a leather gripped and heavily leaded m fil 200 2006 the other day and played very well with it for a couple of hours. I was quite surprised, but it still lacked enough mass to handle heavy hitting, so I am going to counterweight with lead in the handle, hopefully that will take care of the problem.

My favorite so far is my leaded volkl C7....I can bludgeon the ball with that racket and because of poly I still get plenty of spin from the dense string pattern. I have hit some of my biggest shots with that racket.
 
C

Chauvalito

Hall of Fame
Bud said:
Slap a leather grip and CAP grommets on a Radical Mid+ and it's a great stick.
Click to expand...

I need to do this at some point for fun...I have no motivation to play with a radical stock, but the idea of CAPS on it is enticing.

did you start a thread about how to do this?
 
Applesauceman

Applesauceman

Semi-Pro
bluetrain4, check out the Prince Ozone Pro Tour. Very similar specs to the Prince Diablo Mid, slightly lighter, larger stringbed. I demoed one last weekend, really liked it. I too currently play with the Prince Diablo Mid, and stability is very important to me, which is why it's hard to sacrifice stability in a heavier racquet for racquet speed in a lighter racquet.
 
Applesauceman

Applesauceman

Semi-Pro
Also, the O-ports are supposed to increase racquet speed, thereby in theory giving you the speed of a lighter racquet and the stability of a heavier one. And no, I don't work for Prince :)
 
samej07

samej07

Rookie
I went from the nCode 90 (it was about 12.9oz, 8pts head light) to the AeroPro Drive w/ Cortex (about 335grams, 3-4pts head light).

I broke my wrist on springbreak last year and needed a frame that was lighter and more forgiving on my wrist. if i mishit a ball on my backhand with the 90 it felt like i was breaking my arm all over again.

Plus, i got all i needed to learn playing with the 90 and the bigger head size of the apdc is definately a plus playing college tennis.
 
Rasta

Rasta

Rookie
I started with a Wilson Sting OS then changed to a Prince Graphite OS which were both 12oz. plus, I think. Now I use Yonex Super RQ Ti 1500 which is around 11oz. The big thing for me was not the weight but flex. I needed to find a lighter racquet with similar flex. and I have that in the Yonex.
 
1

1099593

New User
i went from a babolat PDR+ leaded up to 350g, to a stock yonex rds 001 mp. haven't really weighted it yet, but it felt lighter when i first held it. I didn't think it would be THAT bad...


Man, was I wrong. I missed all my forehands and backhands. My volleys barely got over, and my serves were all double faults. I plan on adding lead tape to it.
 
Micky

Micky

Semi-Pro
Hola Blue,

I went from the Diablo Mid to the PD+ and the last few months to the APDC.

The extra effort hitting with the Diablo was killing my left knee (had arthroscopic surgery done to it). I play with the Diablo once a month just to see how much I improved jejeje.

And yes...I miss the serves and the angles and overheads. But I don't miss it for my two-hand backhands and for games that last longer than 15 minutes :).
 
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D

Delamix

New User
I recently switched from the Babolat Pure Drive Roddick+ to the Prince speedport Black. Its really improved my game.
 
S

shiva29

Rookie
i sitched six month ago rom the Head prestige flexpoint midplus to the head microgel radical MP.

I'm actually considering the switch to the head mg prestige mp because i'm having pain with my wrist!!
I'm also having control's problems on flat shots and returns because of the lack of stability! so that's the main reason i'll go back to a heavier frame!
 
B

bcast66

Rookie
i switched from prestige to radical and my serve is the only thing that changed. i hit with more power and higher consistency which is odd. i really love the balance of the racquet.
 
L

lawrence

Hall of Fame
dont know if this makes sense but when i used a lighter racket i felt like i was playing a counterpunchers game. easy and consistent but i couldnt put it away
switched to a heavier stick and it tired me out faster but hit more winners
 
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