G-Speed Pro Review (in Progress)

[Power Player]

I have no issue with OP leading his stick. In fact I am a bit jealous that he has found his ideal specs because that is a wonderful thing to have - consistency. If he had played the stick stock, it most likely would have been a short review.

Currently been using the same sticks and strings for months now and I finally am able to experiment with some lead again.

[movdqa]

Yeah, I absolutely hate the process of finding what I like the best. It means putting some one, playing a match or two, making adjustments, doing that for a while and then when you're done, trying to duplicate that in your other frames. I have two frames at the same specs (static, balance) but they play differently and I could never get the two to line up as I wanted.

Knowing what to get the racquets to is nice. Maybe dr325 has access to an RDC machine too. He's one of those kid-in-a-candy-store people on SF that gets to try out a lot of exotic stuff.

[dr325i]

Originally Posted by movdqa

I'm with dr325, it has to weigh at least 12.5 oz for me to play with or else I need to change my strokes. If it's stiff, the light stuff will probably bother my arm. So I look for the heavier stuff, preferably already modified but I'll modify it if I need to.

So why are you giving this a try if you're reasonably happy with your Pro Stocks? Just playing around? I find that it is so much work to find something that I like that once I like it, I try to stick with it for a while.

Yeah, man, just playing around -- the habit/desease I cannot get over
Also, making sure I have enough of the TGK263's to last me some time...

[dr325i]

Originally Posted by movdqa

Yeah, I absolutely hate the process of finding what I like the best. It means putting some one, playing a match or two, making adjustments, doing that for a while and then when you're done, trying to duplicate that in your other frames. I have two frames at the same specs (static, balance) but they play differently and I could never get the two to line up as I wanted.

Knowing what to get the racquets to is nice. Maybe dr325 has access to an RDC machine too. He's one of those kid-in-a-candy-store people on SF that gets to try out a lot of exotic stuff.

Unfortunately, since I moved back to the USA, I don't get to play with the exotics any more...
Latest I tried is one of Cilic's frames, last week in Shanghai...

[rlau]

Originally Posted by Power Player

If he had played the stick stock, it most likely would have been a short review.

It might have been a different review, but not necessarily a short review, I'd say....?

[AYone]

dr325. What string set ups and tension do you have for both speeds?

[dr325i]

Originally Posted by AYone

dr325. What string set ups and tension do you have for both speeds?

Solinco Tour Bite 17g 54/52 lbs.

[parasailing]

I demoed the Graphene Speed Pro and found it to be one of the best 18x20 string pattern but in the end, I still preferred a 16x19 or 16x20 string bed pattern.

This racquet is very solid and got a good amount of oomph but didn't like how polarized it felt.

[Bartelby]

There is no point in calling it a review if it's modified. It should be called 'Graphene Speed Pro Modification (in progress)'.

[movdqa]

> There is no point in calling it a review if it's modified. It should be
> called 'Graphene Speed Pro Modification (in progress)'.

vsbabolat started the huge IG Prestige Mid and MP thread but he mods his frames similar to many of us. Still there are a lot of people interested in his views and it generated a huge amount of discussion.

[Bartelby]

Modification simply alerts people to the true nature of the review.

Its like putting 'graphene' in the title so it can be found more easily.

It's no big deal but it gives makes people more accurate information.

[dr325i]

OK, done with the review. I have updated a few things...

Whoever is interested in the stick, check out the FS section

[cork_screw]

I gotta say, I think I might go back to the IG too. I was really disappointed in the mold change. They took the speed and revamped the mold to where it now feels like a IG Rad Pro or a IG Instinct. It has all those pointed traced angular edges and the head beam has a flat wide edge like the pure drive or the aero pro. They did away with the nice simple rounded off bevel beam of the IG and made it a little awkward to hold. I can't seem to get a comfortable grip with all the protrusions and it also doesn't help that it's thicker as well.

The thickness of the 99s is is something that I also didn't like. I can't wrap my hand around it with my off hand (something I like to do). Other than that, the spin is less pronunced. And with the new graphene the overall head shape is less oval and tear drop. They trimmed the head shape and made it more elongated similar to the prestige mp than the rounder traditional Speed. I think that's where the spin drop off comes apparent because the strings got tighter when it is squished in and the former rounder head allowed more string spacing, thus allowing more spin.

Not a fan of this model. Actually feels cheapish in production compared to the older IG. Didn't like the hexagonal protrusions of the Graphene illustrations as well. I am probably going to stock up on IG's before they get discontinued.

[Anton]

I bought Dr325s racket and will take on the review process form here

[Maroon_Tenniskid]

Originally Posted by cork_screw

I gotta say, I think I might go back to the IG too. I was really disappointed in the mold change. They took the speed and revamped the mold to where it now feels like a IG Rad Pro or a IG Instinct. It has all those pointed traced angular edges and the head beam has a flat wide edge like the pure drive or the aero pro. They did away with the nice simple rounded off bevel beam of the IG and made it a little awkward to hold. I can't seem to get a comfortable grip with all the protrusions and it also doesn't help that it's thicker as well.

The thickness of the 99s is is something that I also didn't like. I can't wrap my hand around it with my off hand (something I like to do). Other than that, the spin is less pronunced. And with the new graphene the overall head shape is less oval and tear drop. They trimmed the head shape and made it more elongated similar to the prestige mp than the rounder traditional Speed. I think that's where the spin drop off comes apparent because the strings got tighter when it is squished in and the former rounder head allowed more string spacing, thus allowing more spin.

Not a fan of this model. Actually feels cheapish in production compared to the older IG. Didn't like the hexagonal protrusions of the Graphene illustrations as well. I am probably going to stock up on IG's before they get discontinued.

At first I kind of agreed with this, but the spacing on the new MP is actually farther apart than the old 16x19, and I also remember the IG's feeling cheap at first, but after a week of hitting I loved it, and after a week of hitting the graphene, I love it too! I'm happy there was a change because it is a little more stable and has more pop.

[dr325i]

Originally Posted by Maroon_Tenniskid

At first I kind of agreed with this, but the spacing on the new MP is actually farther apart than the old 16x19, and I also remember the IG's feeling cheap at first, but after a week of hitting I loved it, and after a week of hitting the graphene, I love it too! I'm happy there was a change because it is a little more stable and has more pop.

The Graphene Speed Pro definitely did NOT feel cheap! A solid, stable racket. Great job by Head. I just did not see the benefits of it over my current sticks...

[ka1m1ng]

I tried playing the graphene speed pro in stock. the frame is powerful for a 18x20 but as spinny compared to my ig radical pro. can easily rip flat forehand winners with the speed. it feels heavier than my current stick and sometimes i get trouble maneuvering it when out of position. although thicker beam and stiffer, i didn't get any elbow problem after 2 hours and its really quite plush and comfortable to rip the ball.

overall good racket. i need a bit of transition time. maybe i'll need to add weight to the handle.

[Anton]

I'm a little confused on the "power" feedback, some people are saying it is low power, others say it's powerful like APD?

Stiffness would indicate a lot of power...I guess I'll see for myself in a few days.

[NetNinja68]

Originally Posted by Anton

I'm a little confused on the "power" feedback, some people are saying it is low power, others say it's powerful like APD?

Stiffness would indicate a lot of power...I guess I'll see for myself in a few days.

I have found it (the MP) to be both powerful and spinny but not heavy enough in stock form, so I leaded both the head and handle.

[Federerkblade]

Anton

Looking forward to hearing your set up and thoughts