Why are racquetball racquets so crazy and stupid

[Belmonte13]

indeed very informative mpenders! exactly what i was looking for, but because i understand it better now doesn't mean i like stringing them any better! and i also dont see the logic in the IGS system....just another hassle

[iplaybetter]

Originally Posted by jamauss

Haha, it's funny that someone started a thread about this. I just had to string an E-Force Bedlam last night. Whenever I get them I know I'm going to be in for an hour-long string job using a drinking straw, pliers, a vacuum, fishing weights, duct tape, and whatever other tools are used to make stringing E-Force racquets easier.

Maybe I should just refuse to continue stringing E-Force rball racquets. I wouldn't be the only shop in town to do so.

i want to hear a writeup of that

[SW Stringer]

Originally Posted by mpenders

With that explained - I must say that I have no appreciation or understanding of the logic behind the IGS (inner grommet system) for the crosses on the Head rball racquets. Just a PITA with no redeeming value, if you ask me...

The racquet manufacturers make changes every year so they'll have something different to sell. The IGS on the crosses is an extension of the IGS at the throat from a manufacturing viewpoint. It might make the frame a little bit stronger with fewer holes being drilled - but mostly, it's just different.

[mpenders]

Originally Posted by SW Stringer

The racquet manufacturers make changes every year so they'll have something different to sell. The IGS on the crosses is an extension of the IGS at the throat from a manufacturing viewpoint. It might make the frame a little bit stronger with fewer holes being drilled - but mostly, it's just different.

Oh, I completely understand and appreciate that it's mostly marketing at it's finest, and that some new "technology" must be presented with each season's new frames.

I don't mind the IGS system at the throat of the rball frames. It can be awkward accessing them while the frame is mounted to the machine, but pretty simple if you prestring the mains before mounting. It's not too difficult, considering that all mains will be tensioned at the head. But to put the IGS in for the crosses too didn't make much sense to me - especially from a stringer's standpoint.

From a playability point of view, the IGS models were very well thought of, players loved them. However, they broke...very easily...very frequently.

The 165g model was quickly discontinued due to it's nature to almost self-destruct. The IGS system in the crosses was also discontinued at the same time...just a coincidence? I don't know that the IGS system in the crosses provided for a stronger, more durable frame. More powerful? Perhaps - I can't really comment on that.

[meowmix]

This will show my complete lack of understanding of racketball: do you string racketball rackets on the same machine as you would a tennis racket? Ex a Klippermate or Gamma XE6?

[mpenders]

Originally Posted by meowmix

This will show my complete lack of understanding of racketball: do you string racketball rackets on the same machine as you would a tennis racket? Ex a Klippermate or Gamma XE6?

Yup. However, with the "ridiculous patterns" that are common, fixed swivel clamps make life MUCH easier...

[dennis10is]

Originally Posted by mpenders

Yup. However, with the "ridiculous patterns" that are common, fixed swivel clamps make life MUCH easier...

MP,

I was about to reply to the OP but your answer is much superior to what mine would have been. I string my own tennis racket but I would never bother to have my racquetball racket restrung. Life is too short.

[mpenders]

Originally Posted by dennis10is

MP,

I was about to reply to the OP but your answer is much superior to what mine would have been. I string my own tennis racket but I would never bother to have my racquetball racket restrung. Life is too short.

I would assume that most casual rball players don't get their racquets restrung either. Why would you when you can buy another one brand new from wallyworld, SA or Big5 for almost the same price as a string job?

I can understand that. My kids have a cheapo badminton set they use out on the front lawn. It can be amusing, but not competitive in any way (IMO, anyway). Could I restring the badminton racquets (rackets?) if I wanted to? Probably - my machine is more than capable. Would I even consider it? Not a chance in hell. In my opinion, they are disposable and will be replaced long before I would even try to find where to get string for them.

I play rball competitively - so do many of the players I string for. I can assure you that my racquets can not be found at wally's, and are far from disposable. When you've made a significant investment in your equipment, you expect it to peform at it's highest level. Fresh strings make a HUGE difference. Remember, rball is all about power. Old, lifeless strings don't provide it.

All rball racquets are sold prestrung, unlike most tennis frames. There's no telling how long the strings have been in the frame, losing elasticity. Serious players are likely to cut them out before ever hitting with them, and have it restrung with their preferred string & tensions.

If you're ready to upgrade, I can steer you in the direction of a relatively inexpensive, high-end rball racquet that has a standard, non-fan pattern. It's as easy to string as any tennis frame you've done, and might make the game a bit more enjoyable for you.

[jamauss]

So wouldn't you know it...

I string up a crazy E-Force racquet (SuperLite 170) and the guy refuses to accept it because it had one section where the strings overlapped outside of the frame.

I hate having to re-string any racquet, let alone an E-Force.

[chiapants226]

lol do you charge more for the restringing of racquetball racquets??

[jamauss]

Nope...however...

I just made a new price change because of this...

labor cost on E-Force racquets where the strings go down around the bottom of the handle is $20 instead of $15 because it takes me much longer to string them.

Time is $....

[chiapants226]

haha you should charge more if it takes you longer to restring it, you should charge more! thats what i would do. being the cheap asian that i am

[meowmix]

This thread amuses me... bump

[djones]

Originally Posted by jazar

raquetball is just a ******** form of squash

Indeed
What a lousy, clumsy non-athletic sport it is.
Why bother playing a silly sport like that!?

[arche3]

There is a little bag for racquetball racquets as well. Looks just like a smaller tennis bag. And the racquets are expensive. Around 150

[Rock Strongo]

Because this thread is bumped I have to say that this:

Haha, it's funny that someone started a thread about this. I just had to string an E-Force Bedlam last night. Whenever I get them I know I'm going to be in for an hour-long string job using a drinking straw, pliers, a vacuum, fishing weights, duct tape, and whatever other tools are used to make stringing E-Force racquets easier.

Sounds like something MacGyver would do to create some form of weapon of mass destruction.

[db10s]

This is good humor.