Diary of a Racketaholic

[JGads]

Originally Posted by Dave M

I'm sitting here at the moment looking at that and the stepanek mid.............wonder how flexy his is.

Yep, that was the other one I was thinking about, given my love of Mids. As I said to MD, though, at such a low starting weight: the leading up of that one could be totally fun to get it exactly where you want, or a total nightmare.

How flexy was the stock V-Engine Tour 10 Mid? Anyone? I know a lot of people raved about that stick, but never paid much attention to what its characteristics were.

[bad_call]

Originally Posted by JGads

Yep, that was the other one I was thinking about, given my love of Mids. As I said to MD, though, at such a low starting weight: the leading up of that one could be totally fun to get it exactly where you want, or a total nightmare.

How flexy was the stock V-Engine Tour 10 Mid? Anyone? I know a lot of people raved about that stick, but never paid much attention to what its characteristics were.

owned and hit the C10 Pro and T10 V Mid. the T10Vm was quite flexy and didn't have enough "teeth" for this player. didn't lead up either stick. not sure what the gains are leading up the T10V mid. C10Pro didn't need lead for this player.

[Power Player]

Gads you are such a mad scientist of sticks. I love it.

I put red alert in the mains and crossed it with cofocus poly. I will be honest, this is pretty darn cool. Not on the level of gut poly, but the feel is perfect in the 200 at least. I need more time with it, but the string movement was pretty minimal and I think a lot of you guys may like this setup. It's very inexpensive but it plays with pretty good spin and is a perfect match for a flexy racquet and probably a stiff one as well.

[JGads]

Originally Posted by Power Player

Gads you are such a mad scientist of sticks. I love it.

I put red alert in the mains and crossed it with cofocus poly. I will be honest, this is pretty darn cool. Not on the level of gut poly, but the feel is perfect in the 200 at least. I need more time with it, but the string movement was pretty minimal and I think a lot of you guys may like this setup. It's very inexpensive but it plays with pretty good spin and is a perfect match for a flexy racquet and probably a stiff one as well.

"Mad" would definitely be accurate. Related to that, I lost giant leads in two different sets the other night, losing a match I twice had total control over; was so angry at how poorly I played that I slapped the wind screen with my stick in frustration after it was over. No big deal, I thought. Then I went out to play the other night, grabbed my 7G, headed to the baseline and noticed, for the first time, a giant crack in the frame. Couldn't believe it.

So.. so much for the three-of-the-same-stick threshold. Sure am glad I just picked up the other two. Also, if I'm going to break a frame, would rather have gone Gulbis on the thing for at least some anger-relief. Had never gotten so mad, ever; usually keep a cool head out there even in defeat. But this - seeing the cracked frame well after the fact, and after a slap, a SLAP? -- thoroughly unsatisfying.

[Ross K]

Originally Posted by Power Player

Gads you are such a mad scientist of sticks. I love it.

^ Quoted for truth ... mad stick scientists, original thinkers and innovators abound on this thread... Gads is our very own 'Gadsylleo', Meags too definitely with his dissertations on string theory and quantum perfect frame mechanics... klem, Fed, PED, Power, Dave and more besides... racketaholic artists and pioneers one and all.

[Meaghan]

Originally Posted by JGads

Yep, that was the other one I was thinking about, given my love of Mids. As I said to MD, though, at such a low starting weight: the leading up of that one could be totally fun to get it exactly where you want, or a total nightmare.

How flexy was the stock V-Engine Tour 10 Mid? Anyone? I know a lot of people raved about that stick, but never paid much attention to what its characteristics were.

Specs on tw http://www.tennis-warehouse.com/Revi...10VReview.html

The great thing about the pro stock is that its an open pattern, I hit with the retail one last year and it felt very similar to my dnx10 mid, if I had the money I'd buy three.

[PED]

Originally Posted by klementine79

^Well played sir. Never understood the posters who acquire pro-stocks and never hit with them. Would you say the weight of the frame is centered (yoke-throat) or at the poles?

-----------------------------

PED--?
I'm curious about the power level of the IgRadPro-- been following your posts. Are you satisfied with the frame or have 'wandering eyes'?

-----------------------------

Gads?.... did we change our sigs with Gulbis quotes at the same time??... GMTA.

The power level is really nice. I like a powerful frame if it makes my life easier. So many people on this board (but not this thread) think its manly to play with a stick that makes things harder....lol. I'm not in that camp.

The problem I had with the flex was solved by starting my take back a little earlier and now I don't notice it all.

You can hammer on the ball for two hours with stiff poly and not feel a single twinge and I really like that. It took me long enough to get settled but it was worth the wait.

[klementine79]

^Every 'flexy' frame out there automatically catches my eye. Still believe I play my most consistent tennis with the exo3Tour100 and the likes. Had a session with it Friday night, great frame. Flexy frames are still maneuverable and comfortable, even in the 12.0-12.6oz range.

Can't gel with volkl/becker frames (for some reason), even though they are superb in terms of feel/touch. The IgRadPro has caught my eye. Just worried about that IG/D3o stuff. Seems like there is less of a traditional graphite feel present with the current line of Head racquets. IgRadPro could be different in this regard though.

The ProStock McEnroe and Dent Volkl's are all sold out!!! Wow. Still looking for those 16x19 PrestigeMids T-dub had got a hold of awhile back. Check daily for those.

Originally Posted by Ross K

^ Quoted for truth ... mad stick scientists, original thinkers and innovators abound on this thread... Gads is our very own 'Gadsylleo', Meags too definitely with his dissertations on string theory and quantum perfect frame mechanics... klem, Fed, PED, Power, Dave and more besides... racketaholic artists and pioneers one and all.

Truly a magnificent post Ross. This pic has become my wall-paper.
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Who's England rooting for at the moment.... Spain... Italy? ... I assume Spain. I've got to go with Italy, Spain's had all the glory as of late, even though they're down one at the moment.

[aimr75]

Originally Posted by klementine79

Still looking for those 16x19 PrestigeMids

I have two of them if youre interested

[Power Player]

Loving the rdis 200 with 2 grams of lead at 12 still. Reworking my serve and I am a actually hitting bigger serves than I did with my pdr. Some of it is just refined technique, but this racquet is just really easy to serve with. Definitley can hit flat serves that just explode off the court. The feel with syn gut mains or gut mains crossed with poly is just awesome too.

My buddy went all in and bought the juice pro. He loved it instantly. Kind of cool to see a guy coming from older sticks and going through the demo process like I did a few years back. Anyway, I will revisit these things for a few hits I am sure next time we hit.

[Meaghan]

Club doubles competition yesterday, got ourselves in a great position needing a draw from eight games to move into the semis. Our opponents not very good already beaten 7-1 by our group rivals that we had beat ourselves. Anyways we lost, horribly, the bonus is that they went on to win the competition, how I don't know, so I decided to have a few bevvies, several in fact, wife came and poured one over my head, don't know how I got home, as you can imagine I'm feeling rather jolly today!

[Ross K]

klem,

Thanks. Glad you liked that post. It's kind of how I see us all, constantly searching, analyzing, experimenting.


PP,

Do post your thoughts on the Juice Pro. Just curious...


All,

Something I have a query about my fellow RHs - the Dunlop Bio racks... Anyone hit with some of this range and care to give a general POV, or some thoughts re which one ppl really like? I've never hit with any of these and never really consider Dunnies, however, a mate of mine has made me a bit curious as he reckons the Bio 200 is the best frame he's played with in years, awesome control, or so he says. But... yes... the 200, the 300, the Tour, the 400, etc... what did you lot make of any these?

[Dave M]

i managed not to buy a volkl so far, quite proud of myself!

[Meaghan]

Originally Posted by Dave M

i managed not to buy a volkl so far, quite proud of myself!

get two mids then sell them to me in a couple of months please Dave

[Dave M]

Originally Posted by Meaghan

get two mids then sell them to me in a couple of months please Dave

people keep saying things like that to me.........

[crosscourt]

Ross

On the Dunlop Biomimetics I have hit extensively with the 200. It is a great racket. Fantastic feel and control and amazingly comfortable. A full bed of poly is even comfortable. It is also extremely stable and very good at the net, easy to serve with, and good from the baseline.

But, it isn't light to start with and if you want to pep up the power with a little extra weight you can quite easily end up with a racket in the region of 355 grams where another racket may get the same job done with less heft - albeit with less comfort as well. And you may well want to increase power.

The pro stock Volkls have made me think further about stock weight. I recall Nate Ferguson said on these boards that most players benefit from a little weight at 10 and 2. I think he is right. The Volkls suggest that it is better to start with a lighter racket and add more weight than to start with a heavier racket and have less scope for modification. Obvious stuff I know but every so often these things seem very clear.

This is what I have found with the Mantis 315. It is a traditional players racket and like the Dunlop you may well think that you want some extra power. You can get that by adding weight at 10 and 2 (and in fact I have some in the throat as well) but starting from a lighter weight you do it without getting up to heavyweight class. Essentially you have more scope to find the right balance for you between swing weight and racket head speed than you do buying a heavier racket.

Obviously there are lots of manufacturers who now give you a 95 head in a lighter weight to allow for customisation. The feel and control of the Mantis are exceptional and it makes a very good basis for experimentation. I have only hit very briefly with the Mantis 305 which is a competitor for the PD that similarly allows for some modification. I can't say whether modding it would work as well as for the 315. The 315 is a Dunlop 200 type racket if you are a fan of that range.

I also hit with the Biomimetic 200 Tour. I know people who love it. Stock it comes in close to where my modded 200 came in. I didn't like it as much. The more open string pattern doesn't work as well for me in heavier rackets. I suppose I think that if you have a lot of weight behind the ball you might as well have a lot of strings to maximise the work on the ball. This probably isn't very scientific. But the feel is better from the closed pattern.

Beyond that I can't help. As always there are so many rackets in the range that it is difficult to keep up. There is for example an XL 300 that someone at my club swears by (with a little extra weight). I don't know where you can even buy them.

CC

[Power Player]

Ross the dunlop 200 is epic and awesome. I just do not think it would suit your game in any way. It is very low powered and weighs a fair amount. Mine was 355 with a 333ish swingweight.

The bio I did not use, but I was told by a dunlop rep that it would stay in that 200 tradition, so I doubt too much changed there.

The feel is of course great..reminds me of wilson and yonex..just real solid but nice on the arm.

[PED]

Originally Posted by Ross K

k as he reckons the Bio 200 is the best frame he's played with in years, awesome control, or so he says. But... yes... the 200, the 300, the Tour, the 400, etc... what did you lot make of any these?

Re the 200. The biggest hitting partner I have is a mid 30's 5.5. He hammers the ball off both wings and serves at 125 plus.

He moved away from the 200 series this year. I asked him why and he said he couldn't swing it fast enough to be effective.

He's using a Juice now, not the pro but the Juice. His ball is still just as nasty. It's all about stick speed.

That really stuck with me: if he can't swing it fast enough, than I know that I sure as hell can't....lol That's what ultimately started me looking at lighter sticks.

[klementine79]

^ I've come to that realization as well , even before my injury but especially now. Always wondered how the coaches I've come across used stock frames ranging from 11.0oz-11.6 tops and still ripped the $h!t out of the ball.

Got a 2012 BLX 95 6.1 team on the way. Sent back the 95d and might send the 200 back as well.

Demo'd some frames last night. IgRadPro, 6.1team and the Bio500tour. The 6.1team won me over. Great frame, quick, solid and just enough inherent power.

Originally Posted by Power Player

Ross the dunlop 200 is epic and awesome. I just do not think it would suit your game in any way. It is very low powered and weighs a fair amount. Mine was 355 with a 333ish swingweight.

The bio I did not use, but I was told by a dunlop rep that it would stay in that 200 tradition, so I doubt too much changed there.

The feel is of course great..reminds me of wilson and yonex..just real solid but nice on the arm.

^Good correlation. Dunlops are solid, comfortable frames that remind of wilson's sticks. Ross..... aerogel 4d 500tour... awesome frame and is not string sensitive.

[PED]

^^Another buddy of mine uses the blx 6.1 team: hits a MASSIVE ball with it. Very whippy and nice feel. The team has a tendency to break strings really quickly though so bear that in mind.