And the best tweenerish frame out there that won't shred your arm to pieces is...?

[arrowtowntennisclub]

ross k, regarding the prince racquets such as the O3 white and warrior,

when i first got back into the game, i played with a EXO3 white for 6 months and at the time i thought it was great!! but after playing with old and new head mps (pt630, bumblebee radical and original speeds) plus my foray into yonex racquets in terms of ball feel the prince racquets just didnt match up.

yes the prince frames were very easy to play with, sweetspot was unparalleled and spin action was crazy with easy power, yet accurate ball feel and consistent response are attributes of a racquet i feel are must haves and the frames im used to playing with now beat the prince in these attributes. having said that i have only played with the EXO3 white, EXO3 black and an O3 original red.

for my money if i was looking to switch to a "tweenerish frame that won't shred your arm to pieces" my picks in no particular order would be:
vcore 100s
donnay x-p dual black 102
speed 300


imo there are just so many choices of frames in this category that you really do have to just be super selective, know what you like and perhaps choose racquets that are a little bit special.

wildcard entry: EXO3 tour team

[ArliHawk]

I find it interesting that the Warrior comes up so much in this thread, because the review wasn't that great.

[T.P3D0R]

Originally Posted by ArliHawk

I find it interesting that the Warrior comes up so much in this thread, because the review wasn't that great.

I'm surprised the Warrior is brought up frequently on these boards.

I played with it for a set, felt terrible. I guess if you're into O-ports and EXO3 ports, then go for it, but having played with Head for a while, there is just no feel.

[JackB1]

Originally Posted by ArliHawk

I find it interesting that the Warrior comes up so much in this thread, because the review wasn't that great.

What people need to realize is that the review is just 4 different people!
There have been many racquets that got sub average reviews on TW that I loved and vice versa. The only opinion that really matters is your own.

[SystemicAnomaly]

^ Anything to add to what I said about the Juice 108 in posts #58 and #80?

[Ross K]

Originally Posted by arrowtowntennisclub

ross k, regarding the prince racquets such as the O3 white and warrior,

when i first got back into the game, i played with a EXO3 white for 6 months and at the time i thought it was great!! but after playing with old and new head mps (pt630, bumblebee radical and original speeds) plus my foray into yonex racquets in terms of ball feel the prince racquets just didnt match up.

yes the prince frames were very easy to play with, sweetspot was unparalleled and spin action was crazy with easy power, yet accurate ball feel and consistent response are attributes of a racquet i feel are must haves and the frames im used to playing with now beat the prince in these attributes. having said that i have only played with the EXO3 white, EXO3 black and an O3 original red.

for my money if i was looking to switch to a "tweenerish frame that won't shred your arm to pieces" my picks in no particular order would be:
vcore 100s
donnay x-p dual black 102
speed 300


imo there are just so many choices of frames in this category that you really do have to just be super selective, know what you like and perhaps choose racquets that are a little bit special.

wildcard entry: EXO3 tour team

Quoted for truth... super selective, absolutely.

Re Princes, previously I've appreciated that easy swinging, big power and spin and grip shape. Couldn't quite get with the EXo Tour 100 though (turned me into Road Runner continually zooming around getting the ball back but not putting it away).

Like you though, in the past I've had more of a thing for quality build/sweet swinging ways/solidness etc of Head MPs (Pres Pro, PT630, i Prestige, etc). It's taken years to figure out but TBH these are a bit too demanding for me and my game suits tweenerish frames a little better. I've never played any of the Speeds.

[RollTrackTake]

Originally Posted by Ross K

QSNS for RollTrackTake (or others):

. Which one of the above serves with the most pop?
. Which one suits medium-swing, loopy motion etc?
. Which is the easiest to swing?

TIA

In my hands the Pro Open had the most pop on serve. Not by a wide margin though. The Warrior & F100 can bring the heat as well.
For the swing style & ease of swing I hesitate to say the Formula 100 may be the pick of the 3 because its swing weight is the heaviest yet it's still easy to swing. If you said you have a fast, low to hi swing I would point toward the pro open but these are more or less 3 peas in a pod. You just have to see which feels best when you hit. The Pro Open has that 'Wilson' feel I like. The Warrior is very muted IMO. The Donnay sits in between.

[JackB1]

Originally Posted by RollTrackTake

In my hands the Pro Open had the most pop on serve. Not by a wide margin though. The Warrior & F100 can bring the heat as well.
For the swing style & ease of swing I hesitate to say the Formula 100 may be the pick of the 3 because its swing weight is the heaviest yet it's still easy to swing. If you said you have a fast, low to hi swing I would point toward the pro open but these are more or less 3 peas in a pod. You just have to see which feels best when you hit. The Pro Open has that 'Wilson' feel I like. The Warrior is very muted IMO. The Donnay sits in between.

Agree. Those 3 are so similar and they will all work. Just depends on which you personally like best.

[hrstrat57]

Took one of my daughter's frames for another spin today during a couple of sets of recreational tennis.

Had 2 i Prestige MP in the bag today with the V1 Classic as a third and was able to mix it in a bit without a lot of adjustment, it was a similar hit, much bigger sweetspot than the 18x20 MP's tho certainly a bit lighter.

If you have previously dialed in to Head 630 18x20 MP's I think the Classic is a must on your try list. It will feel like an old friend only easier to hit. If I had arm problems I would switch today....but I don't for now so I will press on with the Head MP's.

Good luck and let us know what you decide!

[my76]

Here is more praise for the V1 classic, there is absolutely no vibration felt with this racket, you get all the benefits of a stiff racket with the highest level of comfort. This is because of the handle technology. It does everything well and when I first hit with it I couldn't believe how solid it felt, it requires no customization because it is more solid feeling than any 12+ ounce racket I've used, including : Pro staff ROK, Prestige Mid, K6.1 90, PB 10 mid, and PSL to mention a few of the rackets I've owned.
Every once in a while I pick up one of my flexible rackets and hit a few balls with it but quickly put it down because the recoil and vibration transferred to my arm causes pain. Then, after I hit a few balls with the V1, I grin with slight disbelief at how a racket can feel so amazing. Put this one on your demo list for sure.

[klementine79]

Hello there Ross....

Some good suggestions in this thread for the comfy tweener...

I'll throw mine out there... the Dunlop Bio500t. The 100sq.in. head runs long from 12o'clock to 6, more oval. Comfortable frame, nice pop on serve and the back side (which I know is a personal must).

As for the warrior100, it's a nice frame for sure. Comfy, wide open and easy access to spin BUT as with all Prince frames, it just feels as if there is no substance to it, despite the weight or mods. The ball feel attributes to this big time.

The Vcore100s is a nice frame for sure. So solid feeling and great, correction, spectacular from the back-hand side (as with all Yonex frames 98sq.in. and above, the real estate is generous). But it is stiff, first time in my life I've experienced elbow pain was with this frame. If you tend to never hit the top portion of the string-bed on serve and forehand, it could be a winner. So responsive and crisp, maybe too much so, balls were flying off the face a little too hot for me, but a nice racquet.

I actually want to take the Form100 out for a test drive after reading this thread, good reviews and comments.

[Fed Kennedy]

Based on the criteria in your first post Ross, I would go with the ezone xi. If you are after build quality, pop spin and most of all good feel, I would take this one. I know you like full beds of shaped poly in the low 50s, thats perfect for this frame, power level almost identical to the apd, insane stability, more pop on serve etc...you dont have to customize.

I saw vandeweghe play serena live with this frame, coco was hitting bigger...

The formula 100 is nothing special, dodgy qc, if you have an old pd with silicone in the handle thats exactly what it is.

[Ross K]

Originally Posted by Fed Kennedy

Based on the criteria in your first post Ross, I would go with the ezone xi. If you are after build quality, pop spin and most of all good feel, I would take this one. I know you like full beds of shaped poly in the low 50s, thats perfect for this frame, power level almost identical to the apd, insane stability, more pop on serve etc...you dont have to customize.

I saw vandeweghe play serena live with this frame, coco was hitting bigger...

The formula 100 is nothing special, dodgy qc, if you have an old pd with silicone in the handle thats exactly what it is.

In the immortal words of Dora The Explorer... "Oh maaaaan!"

Don't say this to me FK, I'm literally about 20 minutes away from pulling the trigger on buying a Formula 100!

[Fed Kennedy]

Haha. Its just my opinion. All the donnays feel dead and gooey to me. Chris from tw loved it and I trust his opinion too.

[SystemicAnomaly]

Originally Posted by my76

Here is more praise for the V1 classic, there is absolutely no vibration felt with this racket, you get all the benefits of a stiff racket with the highest level of comfort. This is because of the handle technology. It does everything well and when I first hit with it I couldn't believe how solid it felt, it requires no customization because it is more solid feeling than any 12+ ounce racket I've used, including : Pro staff ROK, Prestige Mid, K6.1 90, PB 10 mid, and PSL to mention a few of the rackets I've owned.
Every once in a while I pick up one of my flexible rackets and hit a few balls with it but quickly put it down because the recoil and vibration transferred to my arm causes pain. Then, after I hit a few balls with the V1, I grin with slight disbelief at how a racket can feel so amazing. Put this one on your demo list for sure.

It would appear that the OP is ignoring the high praise of the V1 Classic even tho' several of us have mentioned it. Could it be that he can't get past the high RA spec and can't believe that it might be one of the most arm-friendliest racquets on the planet?

[Ross K]

Fed - It was obviously not meant to be then with the F100. Thought I had it sewn up there on fboy but I was pipped at the post by a fellow UKRH and fellow TTer.

Systemic and my - No, I'm not ignoring the kudos for the V1. I've read up on it. Liked what I've read. And it's competing for prominence with the not small number of superb choices many here have pointed me in the direction of.

BTW, I wish I could demo more easily, but the UK is pretty useless re demoing, and therefore it's hard for me to check these frames in the manner that is the everyday practice in places like the States.

[JackB1]

Originally Posted by Ross K

In the immortal words of Dora The Explorer... "Oh maaaaan!"

Don't say this to me FK, I'm literally about 20 minutes away from pulling the trigger on buying a Formula 100!

He's wrong as can be

[Murray_fan1]

Originally Posted by Ross K

By tweener I mean something like my APD Original... 100" head-size, lightish, designed for power/spin/baseline play.

As well as a tad more control, feel, solidness and build quality, the important aspect for me is frame stiffness, RA. I know the way frames are categorized in this regard can be imprecise or up for debate whatever, but FWIW, 67 or 68 or so, that seems to be a stiff as I like a frame.

Reports on the APD 2013 having a 74 RA scares me... The Juice 100 appeals to me, but the 72 RA does not... There are certain frames I've played in the past (TF 315, MG Extreme Pro, PDR) that all seem to be about 70 RA and I just haven't been able to tolerate the harsh vibrations etc... The new Extreme 2.0 slightly intrigues me (though memories of that older Extreme are bad)... but The Yonex 100S is kind interesting me again.

Anyhow, there seems to be a fair number of tweenerish frames out there that would probably suit me - but a lot of them are like 70 or 70+ stiffness.

So... and the best tweenerish frame out there that won't shred your arm to pieces is...?

TIA

Ross,

What is your static weight and swing weight preference on a tweener stick?

[Ross K]

^^^ Murray, I'm used to 320g + and about 330 SW, but I could come down on these specs. I am prone to tinkering. I definitely don't want to go too hefty, though I have a horrible habbit of liking/exploring more players type frames with a tad more solidness (such as the one in your signature.) I'm also a sucker for a frame that swings sweetly (C10 Pro, being a good example).

[Murray_fan1]

Originally Posted by Ross K

^^^ Murray, I'm used to 320g + and about 330 SW, but I could come down on these specs. I am prone to tinkering. I definitely don't want to go too hefty, though I have a horrible habbit of liking/exploring more players type frames with a tad more solidness (such as the one in your signature.) I'm also a sucker for a frame that swings sweetly (C10 Pro, being a good example).

Not to get too off topic but I do have two not so tweenerish suggestions. As Meaghan had suggested in the Holics thread the Volkl X10 has the sweet swinging feel of the C10 but with the (end the point now)power of a tweener type frame. Also the IG Prestige Pro the leather removed and a Babolat skin feel installed brings down the static weight to a more user friendly 11.9-12 ounce(with overgrip) and gets the balance closer to about 5 points hl. Still plenty solid and powerful as the balance helps make up for the loss of static weight.