T Fight 315 Ltd: 16M or 18M?

[TimothyO]

This thread isn't intended to replace to the other T Fight 315 thread. It's strictly intended to quantify the difference in popularity of the 16 and 18 main versions of this amazing racquet.

Which Tecnifibre T-Fight 315 Ltd are you using, the one with 16 mains or 18 mains? (If you'd like to add any thoughts on your choice if you demo'd both, please do so or add those comments to the existing thread).

 

[anubis]

16m. Never tried the 18m.

 

[TimothyO]

16m. Never tried the 18m.

I didn't either and that's why I'm sort of curious about this issue. There's some discussion in the other thread but I thought it might be helpful to isolate this one particular issue for discussion.

 

[darklore009]

i tried both of them and i ended up liking both. each of them have it's pros and cons. it just a matter which string pattern you would like. i prefer the 16x19, cuz i dont have to work as hard to get the ball in and get good spin.

these rackets are great platform racket to customize. i could get the 16m and make it to my custom PSBLX90 specs

 

[spinovic]

Generally speaking, I've found I prefer the open patterns so I never tried the 18M version. I got the 16M and loved it and that was that.

That said, I'd still love to try the 18M version someday.

 

[mad dog1]

i tried both of them and i ended up liking both. each of them have it's pros and cons. it just a matter which string pattern you would like. i prefer the 16x19, cuz i dont have to work as hard to get the ball in and get good spin.

i, too, tried both and agree with dl009. for me, the 18x20 hits a flatter ball and offers a bit more control. had to steepen my swing path to get more spin. the 18M stick feels alot like the PT280.

 

[anubis]

I didn't either and that's why I'm sort of curious about this issue. There's some discussion in the other thread but I thought it might be helpful to isolate this one particular issue for discussion.

Honestly, I've never really connected with dense string patterns. i have a hard enough time producing spin with a full bed of low tension poly and an open string pattern. When I use a dense string pattern, pretty much every shot is dead flat and sails long.

I haven't yet found a situation where I really needed a closed string pattern, but that's just me.

 

[TimothyO]

Honestly, I've never really connected with dense string patterns. i have a hard enough time producing spin with a full bed of low tension poly and an open string pattern. When I use a dense string pattern, pretty much every shot is dead flat and sails long.

I haven't yet found a situation where I really needed a closed string pattern, but that's just me.

When I used the PSLGT I found that really thin gauges did the trick...mostly. I also got decent spin from the 4D 200 using thinner strings. But nothing like 16 mains. Otherwise my experience has been similar to yours.

The obvious trade off is reduced control with 16 mains but a tighter string bed helps there.

But the 18M 315 with 18g poly crosses and VS Team in the mains would be interesting...

 

[TimothyO]

i, too, tried both and agree with dl009. for me, the 18x20 hits a flatter ball and offers a bit more control. had to steepen my swing path to get more spin. the 18M stick feels alot like the PT280.

Any issues on depth control with the reduced spin potential?

Had you tried the 16M version?

 

[RollTrackTake]

Started with the 18M, played it for 3 months. Switched to the 16 M about 2 months ago. I find more power/spin with the 16 M, consistent with a more open pattern. When really unloading on a forehand with the 18M I felt i was hitting more penetrating shots. i also felt i had better accuracy on serves with the 18M with only a minimal loss in spin in comparison to the 16M. Control was better with the 18M but the 16 is not far off. Ball trajectory was closer to the net with the 18M.
good news is both have the same super plush feel.

 

[nyc]

Started with the 18M, played it for 3 months. Switched to the 16 M about 2 months ago. I find more power/spin with the 16 M, consistent with a more open pattern. When really unloading on a forehand with the 18M I felt i was hitting more penetrating shots. i also felt i had better accuracy on serves with the 18M with only a minimal loss in spin in comparison to the 16M. Control was better with the 18M but the 16 is not far off. Ball trajectory was closer to the net with the 18M.
good news is both have the same super plush feel.

Reads to me like you preferred the 18.

 

[Crisp]

16m or 18m

From the get go I will state I don't have a Tecni 315, however I do use a pt57a and it is the first time I have liked a 18m frame. The reason why I am contributing here is because many people have compared the Tecni to the pt57a so that being said I thought it may be helpful to throw my opinion out there on this one. Don't be to quick to disregard the 18m just because you have always liked 16m if this racquet truly is like the pt 57a you might be surprised to find that you prefer to use the 18m on this kind of stick. Good luck to those that using the Tecni it is a frame I would really like to try but alas are unavailable here in Aus. ( even through Tecnifibre directly)

 

[bt johnson]

Any issues on depth control with the reduced spin potential?

Had you tried the 16M version?

I've tried both. I let two other former college players hit with both as well. We all three liked the 18M better, we did not have any issues on depth control or reduced spin potential. If anything sometimes I feel like there is more spin due to feeling comfortable taking a bigger rip through the ball

 

[RollTrackTake]

Reads to me like you preferred the 18.

the reason why i switched to the 16M is never having played with an 18x20 before, I'm not used to the slightly lower trajectory.

 

[mad dog1]

i, too, tried both and agree with dl009. for me, the 18x20 hits a flatter ball and offers a bit more control. had to steepen my swing path to get more spin. the 18M stick feels alot like the PT280.

Any issues on depth control with the reduced spin potential?

Had you tried the 16M version?

had the 18M and sold it. prefer the 16M and still own it. it's not my primary stick though. not enough time as i've been having way too much fun and success tinkering w/ my APDO, Storm Team, Storm GT and most recently the Angell TC-95. once i get the Angell dialed in, my next project will be to get the 315 16M dialed in.

 

[Chico]

I don't have it yet, but I am getting 16M. I generally prefer 16M over 18M.

 

[JGads]

I've always been an 18m guy and yet I prefer the 16m here. Just easier, more variety.

 

[Power Player]

It's more about what trajectory you prefer. It was a tough call for me, but I have gravitated to the 16 mains. I could use either one, but the 16 seems to suit my swing path better.

 

[YesTennis]

Count me as another for the 16M. I've only played with it for about a week, and am thoroughly enjoying the racquet. I haven't tried the 18M, and probably won't even try it due to my play with the 16M.

 

[nyc]

This poll would be more meaningful if every voter would state their NTRP ranking.

 

[TimothyO]

This poll would be more meaningful if every voter would state their NTRP ranking.

Why? What does NTRP have to do with the number of mains in a frame?

Has the USTA issued a rule on the number or mains allowed at a given level?