Head Radical Microgel OS strings

[acintya]

Hello

which strings should I use with my radical OS racquet? I dont know what i am using now but is a white string - i think it is head control or something @ 27kg. What is the best tension for a recreational player? I have also a aero pro drive cortex with pro hurricane tour @ 25 kg and it feels very cool but I like the radical more.

but I dont like the stiffnes of the radical.. Is this because of the string I use? When I hit with the babolat it feels so... alive...

Which string do you prefer for the radical os?

 

[HitItHarder]

The MG Radical OS is a pretty flexible frame, so it will play a little more muted than the APDC, which is a lot stiffer.

The string you are using, if it came in the racquet pre-strung, is likely Head PPS synthetic gut 16.

As for what string to use, a lot of it depends on how hard you hit and what you are looking for in a string.

First, since the string pattern is pretty dense (18x19), you should be able to drop down to a 17 or 17L string size without much of a drop off in durability. The thinner strings are usually a little more lively.

For a softer more powerful string, use a multi like Technifibre NRG2 or Babolat Xcel Power. Head FXP is also pretty good (just a little lower powered than the others I mentioned).

If you like poly strings I would suggest some of the better known co-poly strings like Weisscannon Turbotwist, Pro Supex Big Ace Micro, Polystar Energy, Pro Hurricane Tour (since you like that in the APDC), to name a few. Any off these will give you a good idea of how poly plays in your racquet.

The tension will also vary depending on the string. Most people prefer the polys strung 5-10 lbs lower than multis. Start in the mid range for your racquet, which is at 26kg if I did the conversion correctly from 57lbs. If you want more power, drop the tension a few lbs. If you need a little more control because the ball is flying on you a little, raise the tension a few pounds. After a few stringings with the same string, you will figure out what tension you prefer.

Good luck. I use full poly in my MG Radical OS racquets, usually strung between 50lbs and 55lbs. For the past few months I have been playing a full bed of TurboTwist at 54lbs and I really like the playability, durability, spin I can get from the setup.

 

[acintya]

The MG Radical OS is a pretty flexible frame, so it will play a little more muted than the APDC, which is a lot stiffer.

The string you are using, if it came in the racquet pre-strung, is likely Head PPS synthetic gut 16.

As for what string to use, a lot of it depends on how hard you hit and what you are looking for in a string.

First, since the string pattern is pretty dense (18x19), you should be able to drop down to a 17 or 17L string size without much of a drop off in durability. The thinner strings are usually a little more lively.

For a softer more powerful string, use a multi like Technifibre NRG2 or Babolat Xcel Power. Head FXP is also pretty good (just a little lower powered than the others I mentioned).

If you like poly strings I would suggest some of the better known co-poly strings like Weisscannon Turbotwist, Pro Supex Big Ace Micro, Polystar Energy, Pro Hurricane Tour (since you like that in the APDC), to name a few. Any off these will give you a good idea of how poly plays in your racquet.

The tension will also vary depending on the string. Most people prefer the polys strung 5-10 lbs lower than multis. Start in the mid range for your racquet, which is at 26kg if I did the conversion correctly from 57lbs. If you want more power, drop the tension a few lbs. If you need a little more control because the ball is flying on you a little, raise the tension a few pounds. After a few stringings with the same string, you will figure out what tension you prefer.

Good luck. I use full poly in my MG Radical OS racquets, usually strung between 50lbs and 55lbs. For the past few months I have been playing a full bed of TurboTwist at 54lbs and I really like the playability, durability, spin I can get from the setup.

Hello, I dont know how to say. THANK you. So long and quality post... thank you for your time... Since I am a amateur I dont know now what to use... I dont think I can get the Weisscannon Turbotwist string in our country... Because we are so small and we have only few shops... DO you know of some similar string?

I am a recreational player and I dont have too much $$$ for strings, so I also search for a durable string cause I change my string once in 2-3 months.... ? is this bad? I play lets say 3-4x a week for about 2 hours.

I also play like nadal(im a rightie and play leftie) and I really think I should lower my tension from 27kg down to 25... cause my left hand needs more power and I can get it with lowering the tension... I must say it took me 1 year to feel comfortable with my left hand but still I think 27kg is too big tension... It is good for my right but not for left, lack of power...

and there is another thing i would liek to ask you, do you know some similar racquets but a tick heavier? I think It would help me to properly learn the stroke if the racquet would a little heavier - lets say 10-20g heavier. is the radical OS a good racquet for beginners or not? some people say it is a difficult stick...

 

[HitItHarder]

If you are playing that often, need some additional power, and don't want to change your strings but every 2-3 months --- I would suggest using a good quality multi string such as Babolat XCEL Power, Wilson NXT, or Technifibre X-One Biphase, or Prince Premier LT. Those are pretty major brands that hopefully are available in your country. All of these hold tension pretty well after the initial break in period. So string it at your preferred tension and see how it goes. You can always raise or lower tension the next time if you want a little more control or more power.

I would suggest the size 17 string to begin with and if it breaks faster than you like, move up to the slightly thicker size 16. With the fairly dense string pattern, you shouldn't have too big of a problem breaking strings, but everyone is different.

I would stay away from polys if you aren't going to restring more often. They can be hard on your arm as they get some age on them.

As for your racquet, I personally think the Radical OS is a fine racquet for newer tennis players. Big sweet spot, good control, not too heavy, not extremely demanding, flexible so it is not hard on the arm. But it is also a racquet you can play with for several years as you improve. The most important thing is to find a racquet you like and stick to it so you can focus on improving your strokes and not constantly trying to adjust to different racquets. (The same goes for strings too)

As for the weight, that is something you can easily adjust with lead tape. I also thought the Radical OS felt a little light and needed some weight. The best thing to do is get a roll of lead tape and play around with it a little at a time to see what you like.

I hit with a good bit of topspin (which sounds like how you play as well). After trying several combonations, I ended up putting two 5 inch strips of lead tape at the top of the hoop of my racquet (12 o'clock position), which was an additional 5 grams of weight. I also put 5 grams of lead in the buttcap as a counter weight. This added 10 grams to the racquet but maintained the same balance. It made the racquet feel "whippier" if that makes sense. Hope this helps.

 

[acintya]

If you are playing that often, need some additional power, and don't want to change your strings but every 2-3 months --- I would suggest using a good quality multi string such as Babolat XCEL Power, Wilson NXT, or Technifibre X-One Biphase, or Prince Premier LT. Those are pretty major brands that hopefully are available in your country. All of these hold tension pretty well after the initial break in period. So string it at your preferred tension and see how it goes. You can always raise or lower tension the next time if you want a little more control or more power.

I would suggest the size 17 string to begin with and if it breaks faster than you like, move up to the slightly thicker size 16. With the fairly dense string pattern, you shouldn't have too big of a problem breaking strings, but everyone is different.

I would stay away from polys if you aren't going to restring more often. They can be hard on your arm as they get some age on them.

As for your racquet, I personally think the Radical OS is a fine racquet for newer tennis players. Big sweet spot, good control, not too heavy, not extremely demanding, flexible so it is not hard on the arm. But it is also a racquet you can play with for several years as you improve. The most important thing is to find a racquet you like and stick to it so you can focus on improving your strokes and not constantly trying to adjust to different racquets. (The same goes for strings too)

As for the weight, that is something you can easily adjust with lead tape. I also thought the Radical OS felt a little light and needed some weight. The best thing to do is get a roll of lead tape and play around with it a little at a time to see what you like.

I hit with a good bit of topspin (which sounds like how you play as well). After trying several combonations, I ended up putting two 5 inch strips of lead tape at the top of the hoop of my racquet (12 o'clock position), which was an additional 5 grams of weight. I also put 5 grams of lead in the buttcap as a counter weight. This added 10 grams to the racquet but maintained the same balance. It made the racquet feel "whippier" if that makes sense. Hope this helps.

From the listed strings I only can get Tecnifibre X-One Biphase 1.24mm or 1.30mm. Which one should I choose? And I will also buy Wilson Lead Tape but I dont know how I should add weight in the buttcap, are there some instructions? Or i will just ask the dealer. Tnx for info, I think I will try Biphase at 25.5 kg and it should work good. als I will add some weight.. tnx for the tip, this racquet ROX! and it is also good for two handed forehand I tried it and it is awesome, you can really play anything with this racquet

 

[HitItHarder]

From the listed strings I only can get Tecnifibre X-One Biphase 1.24mm or 1.30mm. Which one should I choose? And I will also buy Wilson Lead Tape but I dont know how I should add weight in the buttcap, are there some instructions? Or i will just ask the dealer. Tnx for info, I think I will try Biphase at 25.5 kg and it should work good. als I will add some weight.. tnx for the tip, this racquet ROX! and it is also good for two handed forehand I tried it and it is awesome, you can really play anything with this racquet

Start with the X-One Biphase 1.24mm. If that breaks too fast for you, move up to the thicker string. Also, one thing to keep in mind with X-One is that it has a break in period of about one to two hours. Some people don't like the string during this initial period, but don't give up and keep playing with it. After the break in the string plays very solid until it breaks.


To put lead weight in the buttcap, just pop off the black trap door, get some cotton balls, and put a few into the handle to plug the two sides. The staples holding the buttcap on usually will make sure you don't push them too far in. Then just make a lead weight ball or bar (I usually just stick 1/2 inch long pieces together to make a little bar shape) out of the tape in the right amount or get lead fishing weights/sinkers in the correct weight. Wrap the weight in more cotton so it doesn't rattle around in the handle. Put it inside. Fill any gap with a little more cotton and put the trap door back on the butt cap. All there is to it.