Some more K90/Asian K90 talk

[geesechops]

I don't know about this Asian K90. I had a chance to hit indoors tonight with my 4.0-4.5 crew and my backhand was a mess. Volleying was pretty sweet with the lighter weight, which that is why I wanted it in the first place. It's great for those pick up balls close to the service line, but the smokers from the baseline are lacking. I still haven't put my usually full gut job in it yet so hopefully this will help, currently there's a gut/poly hybrid (how it came from kbui).

I wanted to know if anyone has used both of these (US and Asian versions) extensively (I know allot of you have). What were your takes and which one did you end up with and why. And the one you liked more what custom weight mods did you make if any. And mind you I'm a 4.0 and don't need a 13+ oz racquet to absorb 110+ mph serves all day. Thanks y'all.

[BreakPoint]

I've used both extensively and I ended up with the AK90. The US K90 may offer a bit more stability and power but since I don't face 120mph serves everyday, I don't really need that much stability nor power. I'd rather take the trade-off of faster racquet head speed, greater maneuverability, and less tiring and stress to the arm and shoulder with the AK90. Besides, I find the AK90 to still be pretty stable for its weight and the control is excellent.

I can actually hit my 1HBH better with the AK90 than with the US K90, and serves are about the same because although there's less weight, I can generate greater racquet head speed on serves so the pace of my serves are about the same, just less soreness in the shoulder the next day.

BTW, I play with my AK90's stock with just an overgrip and a small "O" dampener.

[Sentinel]

OP, what have u used before this?

BP, not to hijack, but if I had to chose between an AK 90 and an asian ncode 90 which would u suggest. No demos allowed. My current rack is the PS 6.0 95, with about 7gms added on frame.
(Ordering Slazenger, Dunlop, Donnay from US/UK is too expensive due to shipping charges to Asia). My choices here are only Wilson and Head.

My current racket (PS) is 12+ oz (350-360 gms) . The AK90 is 11.x oz.

[BreakPoint]

Sentinel,

The Asian nCode 90 swings a bit heavier than the AK90, so if you prefer a bit more swingweight, then the AnCode 90 is better for you. The AnCode 90 is also more powerful and a bit stiffer than the AK90.

[Sentinel]

Originally Posted by BreakPoint

Sentinel,

The Asian nCode 90 swings a bit heavier than the AK90, so if you prefer a bit more swingweight, then the AnCode 90 is better for you. The AnCode 90 is also more powerful and a bit stiffer than the AK90.

Thanks BP, could you give me a quick comment on these 2 points I have heard here:
1. the K90 (don;t know if this also holds for AK90) has the closest to the classic feel of the PS racks. The ncode 90 due to its ncode does not ?

2. A lot of people have similarly touted the K90 as being the best Wilson racket, wilson finally getting it correct. Actually, praps this i the same point as the above one.

3. oh yes, the other comment i keep hearing is that the K95 is a piece of crap !

The ncode 90 is a lot cheaper here too. I could stock up a few if i like it. Thanks for your thoughts.

[BreakPoint]

The PS 6.0 and the K90 do not contain HyperCarbon, while the nCode 90 does, that's why the K90 feels more like the PS 6.0. However, the addition of HyperCarbon makes the nCode 90 more powerful. That's the purpose of HyperCarbon.

[nickb]

Originally Posted by BreakPoint

The PS 6.0 and the K90 do not contain HyperCarbon, while the nCode 90 does, that's why the K90 feels more like the PS 6.0. However, the addition of HyperCarbon makes the nCode 90 more powerful. That's the purpose of HyperCarbon.

Can you prove that?

[geesechops]

HyperCarbon is some made up name like Karophite. And unless BP is a chemist and melted down a ncode he won't be exactly sure whats in it, however he has pretty good sources and has extensively researched and discussed this numerous times. Believe what you may, carbon fiber or graphite fiber in general is a stiff, strong, lite material, that used in a racquet would yield more power (due to stiffness), while dispersing force throughout the fiber matrix (muted feel). This whole hyper carbon thing can be argued ad nauseam, but BP's theory is a sound one and for whatever structural reason the fact still remains that the ncode and k-factor racquets do have these discernible differences.

BP, I'm going to get my AK90 strung today with TONIC 15L. I usually go 54-56 lbs on my US K90, should I stick with the same tension on the AK90? I'm thinking of going a little tighter. Thanks

[the Town Sherif]

waiting for alpinecadet post.....
waitng....waiting....

[kbui]

Hey Rob, I just slapped some lead at 3 & 9 and I was good to go!

Have you tried some lead at various spots ?

[geesechops]

I prob will after I get the full gut job. I seen the lead on there from before, that might be the fix. Or it could be from the string, I'm just a spoiled gut brat and have to string it in all my racquets or they don't feel right. Although, I'm only gonna mess with one variable at a time.

[kbui]

Rob, the best combo for me has been Tonic/Gosen. I get the same playability of gut but at 1/2 the cost. For the MG Prestige Mids, I've been doing Klip Legend 17/gosen, and it's been great too

Keep us posted my brother!

[PeterFig]

Originally Posted by BreakPoint

I've used both extensively and I ended up with the AK90. The US K90 may offer a bit more stability and power but since I don't face 120mph serves everyday, I don't really need that much stability nor power. I'd rather take the trade-off of faster racquet head speed, greater maneuverability, and less tiring and stress to the arm and shoulder with the AK90. Besides, I find the AK90 to still be pretty stable for its weight and the control is excellent.

I can actually hit my 1HBH better with the AK90 than with the US K90, and serves are about the same because although there's less weight, I can generate greater racquet head speed on serves so the pace of my serves are about the same, just less soreness in the shoulder the next day.

BTW, I play with my AK90's stock with just an overgrip and a small "O" dampener.

That's funny, your post above is something I would have written myself word for word. I have had the exact same experience and to top it off I play my AK90's stock with an overgrip and a "O" dampener.

The more I play with the AK90 the more I love it. Great racquet - one I think I can stick with for a while to come.

[lilxjohnyy]

ak90 is still available in asia right ?

[BreakPoint]

Originally Posted by geesechops

HyperCarbon is some made up name like Karophite. And unless BP is a chemist and melted down a ncode he won't be exactly sure whats in it, however he has pretty good sources and has extensively researched and discussed this numerous times. Believe what you may, carbon fiber or graphite fiber in general is a stiff, strong, lite material, that used in a racquet would yield more power (due to stiffness), while dispersing force throughout the fiber matrix (muted feel). This whole hyper carbon thing can be argued ad nauseam, but BP's theory is a sound one and for whatever structural reason the fact still remains that the ncode and k-factor racquets do have these discernible differences.

BP, I'm going to get my AK90 strung today with TONIC 15L. I usually go 54-56 lbs on my US K90, should I stick with the same tension on the AK90? I'm thinking of going a little tighter. Thanks

However, HyperCarbon actually exists as it's a brand name for Ultra High Modulus Graphite, whereas, I don't think Karophite actually exists.
http://www.tennis-warehouse.com/revi...percarbon.html

I would actually string the AK90 a bit looser than the US K90 because the AK90 is less powerful so you can compensate for that with a slightly more powerful stringbed (lower tension).

[BreakPoint]

Originally Posted by nickb

Can you prove that?

Look up the composition of the nCode 90. It contains 10% HyperCarbon. Then look up the composition of the K90. It contains no HyperCarbon.

Another tip off is the the nCode 90 is Double Braided, whereas, the K90 is not. You only need Double Braiding when you add HyperCarbon because you need to have one braid of regular graphite and another braid of HyperCarbon to integrate the two. The PS 6.0 was also NOT Double Braided because it was only 80% graphite and 20% kevlar with no HyperCarbon.

Here are the composition differences between the 3:

PS 6.0 85/95: 80% Graphite/ 20% Kevlar

nCode 90: 10% nCoded HyperCarbon/ 70% nCoded Graphite/ 20% Kevlar

K90: 80% nCoded Graphite/ 20% Kevlar

[BreakPoint]

Originally Posted by lilxjohnyy

ak90 is still available in asia right ?

Yes, they are still available.

[geesechops]

BP, just like always, you've got all your facts straight, nice work. But, I gotta run...there's a freshly strung AK90 sitting in my office waiting to crack some one-handers. mmmm...that fresh new gut smell.

[geesechops]

Well I'm cured. All it took was some sweet TONIC 15L. I don't know what it is about this string, but it makes all my racquets shine (US K90 and PS 85) . Bottom line, just about every one of my shots are better with this AK90. I get way more control, maneuverability and much more feedback. The flex is crazy too, I never felt a racquet flex this much, I love it. I think the whole power thing is a wash because I'm swinging faster and with more confidence so my shots actually have more zing then with the heavier K90. I think the only advantage the US K90 would have for me is a smoking flat shot were I could absorb a little more pace in returning, but otherwise I think I'm gonna stick with the AK90 for a while and see how it goes. Once again (like the PS 85 back in 2006) the great members of the TW forums have opened my eyes to a new racquet I would have otherwise never bothered to hit with, thus giving me more enjoyment for this game. Isn't that what its all about anyway.

[BreakPoint]

Glad to hear you're enjoying the AK90 with your new set-up, geesechops!

Just remember that this is the last generation of the Asian version, so if you really like it, you may want to stock up on a few while they're still available.

Good luck.