Prince Rebel 98 + string hole inserts

snoopy

Professional
The Rebel is mentioned by Matt21 in post #5:

http://tt.tennis-warehouse.com/showthread.php?p=6428686#post6428686


I haven't used any of these frames but I'm interested in the Rebel. The specs look good.

I wish the string hole inserts would also eliminate all the space created by the ports. They still leave space which will probably lead to that weird wiffing feeling through the air that u get with Prince ported frames.
 
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counterpuncher

Hall of Fame
Given that TW lists "Prince Exo3 Rebel Team & Team 98 Hole grommets", I would think that these would fit the regular Rebel 98, given the same beam width, head size and string pattern.
 

JackB1

G.O.A.T.
Given that TW lists "Prince Exo3 Rebel Team & Team 98 Hole grommets", I would think that these would fit the regular Rebel 98, given the same beam width, head size and string pattern.

I saw that but wondered if the Team 98 would be the same?
 

counterpuncher

Hall of Fame
Like I said the Team version has the same beam width, head size and string pattern, so I would think they would fit. You could ask TW before ordering to be 100% sure.
 
I've had experiences with the tour 100 and string hole grommets. IMO made a huge difference in feel. Gives it a less "weird" feeling. I say try it!
 

KoaUka

Rookie
anyone know if the hole inserts are available for the Rebel 98?

I currently have one rebel 98 with the hole grommets and two w/ the ports. My 1st rebel came w/ the hole grommets and I loved it. Now I have two brand new rebels w/ the ports and so far am not really liking it compared to the hole grommets.... but I'm gonna give it a fair shot, at least another couple weeks to see if i start liking it more.

FYI, all the hole grommets I ordered from TW were the "rebel 98 team hole inserts". Like someone said, it's the same beam, head shape/size....

Right now, I think the hole grommets have better feel, I get a much nicer pop sound when I hit it good. The ports have a more muted feeling, possibly a bit more power.

On a side note, I just ordered more hole inserts for my rebels, next I'm gonna try putting the hole inserts on the sides and leave the ports on the top. Hoping this will add more feel, but still have good pop towards the tip of the racquet, and of course make stringing the crosses easier.. just trying to get the best of both worlds I guess
 

JackB1

G.O.A.T.
I currently have one rebel 98 with the hole grommets and two w/ the ports. My 1st rebel came w/ the hole grommets and I loved it. Now I have two brand new rebels w/ the ports and so far am not really liking it compared to the hole grommets.... but I'm gonna give it a fair shot, at least another couple weeks to see if i start liking it more.

FYI, all the hole grommets I ordered from TW were the "rebel 98 team hole inserts". Like someone said, it's the same beam, head shape/size....

Right now, I think the hole grommets have better feel, I get a much nicer pop sound when I hit it good. The ports have a more muted feeling, possibly a bit more power.

On a side note, I just ordered more hole inserts for my rebels, next I'm gonna try putting the hole inserts on the sides and leave the ports on the top. Hoping this will add more feel, but still have good pop towards the tip of the racquet, and of course make stringing the crosses easier.. just trying to get the best of both worlds I guess

let us know how that works out!
 

counterpuncher

Hall of Fame
.. next I'm gonna try putting the hole inserts on the sides and leave the ports on the top. Hoping this will add more feel, but still have good pop towards the tip of the racquet, and of course make stringing the crosses easier...

I agree, I believe you will have better feel in a port mains, holes crosses arrangement than all port but not as much as all hole. However what I was thinking about the other day was the reverse, hole mains and port crosses.

The reason for this combination would be more spin. I think there would be more spin as per the Steam 99S principle, where the crosses would have more freedom to slide. I also had first hand experience at seeing this in action a while ago with the Hybrid tour, which had ports on the side only. I got some of the most wicked topspin ever, but never was sure why until recently when I started hearing about the few cross string theory.
 

JackB1

G.O.A.T.
I agree, I believe you will have better feel in a port mains, holes crosses arrangement than all port but not as much as all hole. However what I was thinking about the other day was the reverse, hole mains and port crosses.

The reason for this combination would be more spin. I think there would be more spin as per the Steam 99S principle, where the crosses would have more freedom to slide. I also had first hand experience at seeing this in action a while ago with the Hybrid tour, which had ports on the side only. I got some of the most wicked topspin ever, but never was sure why until recently when I started hearing about the few cross string theory.

I think you got it reversed. The mains slide on the crosses. Less crosses creates less friction for the mains to slide more. The mains need more room to move and slide over the crosses....not the other way around.
 

counterpuncher

Hall of Fame
I think you got it reversed. The mains slide on the crosses. Less crosses creates less friction for the mains to slide more. The mains need more room to move and slide over the crosses....not the other way around.

On reflection, I agree. Ports on mains and holes on crosses should give more spin.
 

tlm

G.O.A.T.
Can you put hole inserts in the 2012 rebel 98 team rackets? I didn't think that they made them for that racket.
 

tlm

G.O.A.T.
TW has them for the 98 Team. Just search for "rebel inserts" on the TW page.

Thanks I ordered a set to try out but I was wondering if this was a misprint or something. I checked on this when I first purchased the 98 team and was told that it only came with ports.

I sure hope it is true, in any of my past prince rackets that I used if they had the option I always preferred the string hole. It gives the racket more of a direct hit feel to it and better control than the ports.
 

KoaUka

Rookie
let us know how that works out!

Ok, played with the ports on the top and grommets on the side. Loving it so far. Still got a nice feel, but w/ a little added oomph. Can definitely feel it on the 1st serve. Will test racquet 'A' for a while before switching all of them.
 

Victor88

New User
So I know what the string grommets are and how it looks like, but what are the benefits? I know the feel differs (Spencer said before). Does it mean there is no more "free string movement" what the Exo3 tech is so known for? Is it just a conventional grommet system or is there still free string movement but with a different feel? Is the sweetspot smaller when you use string grommets cause there is no "free string movement" anymore?

Why would you buy a racquet with O ports if you gonna install string grommets anyways (in the sense of feel)? Im interested and curious. Do you still get the benefits of exo3 technology if you use string grommets (like big sweetspot/free string movement/great forgiveness at net)? I ask this cause I see that the Bryan brothers and Monfils all use string grommets. Thank you in advance. From all time Prince user
 
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