2013 Head Speeds

[TimothyO]

Originally Posted by Bartelby

Why? So Djoko's marketing of the speed reaches across all market segments.

I think the idea is that you identify with the pro and then select the style of racquet fit for you within that sub-brand.

So you need an easy Prestige so fans can play with a racquet like Simon's et al. So Prestige is no longer an exclusively player's marque.

Excellent point and the bane of my existence while using the 300 last year. Received many annoying comments along the lines of, "So, using Djoker's racquet, huh?"

[couch]

Originally Posted by Nostradamus

http://www.tennis-warehouse.com/Head...AD-HGPPWR.html


Is this good doubles racket ?

Yes, if "you" are good at doubles. LOL

[Automatix]

Originally Posted by Rock Strongo

Tried the Speed again, still hopeless for me from the baseline yet weirdly still a serve and volleyer's delight. Going to keep using it for that purpose...

Rock, care to elaborate?

It isn't exactly headlight (3HL), it has a nice open spin friendly string pattern etc.

I've found it quite solid from the baseline.

[vetinari]

Played 4 sets this mornings with the speed mp -- 2 singles and 2 doubles.

I also thought it was great from the baseline. Super solid and easy to swing. Was more consistent with it and better control than previous speed or the extreme which I've been playing with. Other shot I really liked was returns -- combination of solidity and maneuverability let me be a little more aggressive.

[Rock Strongo]

Originally Posted by Automatix

Rock, care to elaborate?

It isn't exactly headlight (3HL), it has a nice open spin friendly string pattern etc.

I've found it quite solid from the baseline.

I just get late on every groundstroke with it, and I rely more on timing than spin to get my power (though I won't deny that it has great spin potential). Hit a few groundies with it and then switched to the Max 200G (the 80's one) and I improved massively, getting the power I wanted coupled with the control I lacked with the Speed. I just get to the ball better and actually quicker with that than the Speed. Since return games are played on the baseline (and some second serves aswell), I just want something that works everywhere which makes me a bit sad that I smashed my Mega Age racquets... They had the power and control of the Max yet the forgiveness with a larger headsize.

The Max feels more plow-y in a weird and unexplanatory way, if you've ever played with one you know what I mean. I can just pick it up and use it on every area of the court with success. I'll perhaps tinker with some lead and a few overgrips and see if I can remedy the situation. Should be very heavy and very headlight.

Ah well. I am a serve and volleyer and it works for that purpose. I can always switch racquets when returning!

[Alex78]

Originally Posted by Automatix

...

Still I think Head should go down with the beam of the current Radicals.
So the Radical are again low powered, flexy, control oriented racquets.

...

If Head would downsize the beam of the current Radicals they would have:
- a true control oriented lightweight players frame - Radical MP
- a lightweight tweener with emphasis on control - Speed MP
- a power oriented tweener - Extreme MP

...

Oh my, that would be all my racket dreams come true... Any chance of this happening?

[Ross K]

Anyone else hit with the new G Speed MP? Would like to hear ppl's impressions...

[etd]

I hit with the Graphene Speed MP for an hour today. Very good 11 ounce racket that does everything well. Lots of power on serve. Solid and stable on groundstrokes. Very nice on volleys as well. Plays with a firm flex, but feels comfortable, even with the Sonic Pro poly string in my demo.

This is a total redo from the previous Speeds. The shaft/throat of the racket resembles the Youtek IG Radical MP. The beam in the head of the racket has a trapezoid profile. Head shape is now oval like a Radical or Prestige.

In fact, if you like the previous generation of Speeds, I suggest you stock up on them.

Only bad thing I noticed about the Graphene Speed MP is that the grommet strip looks fragile around the shared holes, particularly where the strings are inserted from opposite directions.

[parasailing]

That sounds promising that it plays like the Radical MP IG. Do you prefer the Radical MP IG or this one?

[etd]

Believe it or not "parasailing", I have never tried the IG Radical MP (but I have tried the IG Radical Pro and the IG Radical S)

I would guess that the Graphene Speed MP offers a greater level of power and possibly more feel. I thought that the Innegra fiber in the 2 Radicals mentioned above worked too well and reduced the feel. The new Graphene Speeds and Instincts no longer use Innegra.

I know people have mentioned that they wished they had access to a 16 x 19 Radical MP like the pros can get ... this would be a good start I guess.

Next time, I will take both the IG Radical MP and the Graphene Speed MP out together for a demo. My local shop is pretty much out of demos now as they sold almost all of them after Christmas and are stringing up new ones for this year.

[vetinari]

Parasailing

I've tried the radical mp and I think the speed mp is similar. To me it feels like a crisper 16x19 radical mp. In fact this was my first impression of this racquet about a month ago when I got to hit with it.

http://tt.tennis-warehouse.com/showp...6&postcount=98

[dr325i]

Originally Posted by parasailing

That sounds promising that it plays like the Radical MP IG. Do you prefer the Radical MP IG or this one?

Who said it PLAYS like IG Radical MP???

Anyway, I was surprised to see how much thicker it is compared to the IG/YT versions...

[parasailing]

Originally Posted by etd

Believe it or not "parasailing", I have never tried the IG Radical MP (but I have tried the IG Radical Pro and the IG Radical S)

I would guess that the Graphene Speed MP offers a greater level of power and possibly more feel. I thought that the Innegra fiber in the 2 Radicals mentioned above worked too well and reduced the feel. The new Graphene Speeds and Instincts no longer use Innegra.

I know people have mentioned that they wished they had access to a 16 x 19 Radical MP like the pros can get ... this would be a good start I guess.

Next time, I will take both the IG Radical MP and the Graphene Speed MP out together for a demo. My local shop is pretty much out of demos now as they sold almost all of them after Christmas and are stringing up new ones for this year.

Yes, we all wish Head would come out with a retail 16x19 version of the Radical MP instead of having us hunt down the more expensive Pro Stock TGK 260.2.

I have the IG Rad S and it's not in the same league given it's way lighter and probably more of a racquet for customization. For it's weight, it's one of the more solid ones out there which I find the Radical series.

Originally Posted by dr325i

Who said it PLAYS like IG Radical MP???


Anyway, I was surprised to see how much thicker it is compared to the IG/YT versions...

I guess I was jumping the gun based on what post 238 mentioned and it appears maybe poster Vetinari mentioned it plays similar.

Originally Posted by vetinari

Parasailing

I've tried the radical mp and I think the speed mp is similar. To me it feels like a crisper 16x19 radical mp. In fact this was my first impression of this racquet about a month ago when I got to hit with it.

http://tt.tennis-warehouse.com/showp...6&postcount=98

[etd]

Just curious, has anyone tried the Graphene Speed S which is the replacement for the IG Speed Elite? Looking for a lighter racquet for my Dad. Thanks!

[vetinari]

Just to be clear, when I'm saying the speed mp plays like the radical, what I mean is it plays like I would imagine the radical mp would play like if it were stiffer and had a 16/19 string pattern. Also I've only played with the IG radical mp, not any other version.

[Peter_G]

Picked up the Pro this afternoon and strung with my current setup (Lux Power Rough in mains and VS Natural in crosses). First hit tomorrow am and will report back with thoughts.

One thing that jumps out at you is the tighter 18x20 pattern than the previous Speed. Dig the new look and paint job

More later....

[mrc]

I hit the Graphene Speed Pro today. Strung with 4G Mains Poly at 50lbs and Nat Gut at 55 Crosses. Just not my thing, too stiff, thick, light, and hollow feeling.If you want to break 200MPH on your forehand..great stick. Reminds me a bit of Head Radical IG Pro which I hit for a few minutes.

[djdannyj25]

Originally Posted by mrc

I hit the Graphene Speed Pro today. Strung with 4G Mains Poly at 50lbs and Nat Gut at 55 Crosses. Just not my thing, too stiff, thick, light, and hollow feeling.If you want to break 200MPH on your forehand..great stick. Reminds me a bit of Head Radical IG Pro which I hit for a few minutes.

Just saying, there's no need to post this message in every speed thread, and then make a new thread, all with the exact same message...

[rlau]

Originally Posted by mrc

I hit the Graphene Speed Pro today. Strung with 4G Mains Poly at 50lbs and Nat Gut at 55 Crosses. Just not my thing, too stiff, thick, light, and hollow feeling.

Perhaps it would have been better if you had reversed the strings: gut mains, poly crosses?

[Federerkblade]

definitely wrong way round that was in regard to mains and crosses