Tecnifibre 320 question

[bruinduke]

I recently demoed the 2012 red/black version of the tfight 320 and felt a real connection to the frame. I was hoping that someone familiar with the recent versions of the frame play can give feedback on the frames. Specifically I hope someone can give feedback on the 16x20 Pre VO2, samurai paint job VO2, and current 2012 playing differences and similarities.

Thanks in advance...

[Overheadsmash]

I have the 325 and 305 in the samurai paint jobs and I love them both. Very solid all around sticks. I string with Tourna Big Hitter Black 7 at 50 lbs full bed and they both play beautifully. Well worth the 129 bucks.

[SoCalJay]

As far as I can tell, the samurai PJ VO2 and the 2012 VO2 are identical, spec-wise. I have both in the 325 variety and am always amazed at the ridiculous amount of topspin generation from the 18x19 when strung with Tour Bite at 57 lbs. It feels like a perfect storm (spin+feel+control). If you like the 325, I recommend hitting a Volkl Power Bridge 10 mid to compare before you buy. It feels very similar but is a bit flexier and I've found it to be a little easier on my arm than my beloved 325s.

[bruinduke]

Originally Posted by SoCalJay

As far as I can tell, the samurai PJ VO2 and the 2012 VO2 are identical, spec-wise. I have both in the 325 variety and am always amazed at the ridiculous amount of topspin generation from the 18x19 when strung with Tour Bite at 57 lbs. It feels like a perfect storm (spin+feel+control). If you like the 325, I recommend hitting a Volkl Power Bridge 10 mid to compare before you buy. It feels very similar but is a bit flexier and I've found it to be a little easier on my arm than my beloved 325s.

Great. I have a couple of PB 10s coming from a trade, so that will be a good comparison.

I was told perhaps the black/red 2012 version may have gel injected in the handle whereas the samurai paint job doesn't. Would anyone be able to confirm?

[Circa 1762]

Having hit with the Samurai and 2012 versions of both the 320 and the 325, I'm not convinced the only difference is cosmetic. Could have just been the age of the frames (2012 frames were obviously almost new, Samurai frames had probably been used for 2-3 years), but the 2012 versions felt firmer, less lively, and less maneuverable. (Maneuverability could have been due to an off-spec frame, though.) The difference wasn't enormous - and as I said, could have been due to something like age - but I actually preferred the Samurai versions.

[Bartelby]

Any tf racquet with a yellows strip around the butt cap has the gel, so the latest one does and I think the earlier one did, but I'm not very sure.

Originally Posted by bruinduke

Great. I have a couple of PB 10s coming from a trade, so that will be a good comparison.

I was told perhaps the black/red 2012 version may have gel injected in the handle whereas the samurai paint job doesn't. Would anyone be able to confirm?

[bruinduke]

Originally Posted by Bartelby

Any tf racquet with a yellows strip around the butt cap has the gel, so the latest one does and I think the earlier one did, but I'm not very sure.

Thank you. I just picked up the samurai paint job and it doesn't have the yellow strip, so thanks for the tip.

I think I've also tracked down a 16x20 Pre VO2 version do I hope to have a better idea how it differs, if at all.

[Bartelby]

The pre VO2 version is actually the Dunlop 300 tour, believe it or not.

[mdjenders]

TF calls the silicone handle "tour prepared". the 320 includes this preparation in both the samurai and 2012 paint jobs.

[Bartelby]

Woth the new line, they have introduced the yellow edged butt cap for easy identification.

[bruinduke]

Originally Posted by Bartelby

The pre VO2 version is actually the Dunlop 300 tour, believe it or not.

Hmm, that's interesting. Were both 16x20? I'll still give it a try to see what it feels like.

So the yellow band is just for easy identification, but both paint schemes have silicone? Thanks for sharing.

[Mig1NC]

The pro-vo2 was offered in two different string patterns.

18x20 and 16x20.

The Dunlop 300 Tour continues the 18x20 pattern.

The pre-vo2 was also offered in .25" extended and .5" extended length wheras the Dunlop was/is not.

[Bartelby]

See the sixth picture down on the tf 320 tw page to see where the yellow is on the butt cap.

[PED]

I had two of the 2012 320s with the yellow stripe.

Popped off the buttcap but no silicone in there.

The stick plays great and hits a big ball

[Bartelby]

Robbers - no silicone.

It may be higher in the handle, perhaps?

[TennisCJC]

Originally Posted by bruinduke

Thank you. I just picked up the samurai paint job and it doesn't have the yellow strip, so thanks for the tip.

I think I've also tracked down a 16x20 Pre VO2 version do I hope to have a better idea how it differs, if at all.

I think you are talking about the more square beam and thinner beam that predates the V02. This is a great racket. I played it about 2-3 years. I demo-ed the V02 Sammie version and it is also a very good racket but I have switched to volkl org 10 295 customized.

The old thin beamed 320 16x20 has a traditional players racket feel. To me it is close to the old wilson pro staff 95 but a touch softer. I added about 5-6 grams of lead to the head and it made it much better for me - easier power and loads of spin.

The V02 upgrades made it stiffer and more powerful in stock form. It is a very lively stringbed stock due to the thicker beam and open string pattern. It is more of a modern frame now - still volleys well but really good for baseline topspinners.

For me, I liked the older thin beam version but both are very solid frames.

I don't like the Sammie pj - not for me. I would try the new pj.

[bruinduke]

Originally Posted by TennisCJC

I think you are talking about the more square beam and thinner beam that predates the V02. This is a great racket. I played it about 2-3 years. I demo-ed the V02 Sammie version and it is also a very good racket but I have switched to volkl org 10 295 customized.

The old thin beamed 320 16x20 has a traditional players racket feel. To me it is close to the old wilson pro staff 95 but a touch softer. I added about 5-6 grams of lead to the head and it made it much better for me - easier power and loads of spin.

The V02 upgrades made it stiffer and more powerful in stock form. It is a very lively stringbed stock due to the thicker beam and open string pattern. It is more of a modern frame now - still volleys well but really good for baseline topspinners.

For me, I liked the older thin beam version but both are very solid frames.

I don't like the Sammie pj - not for me. I would try the new pj.

Thanks for the insight. I hope I can find some of the 16x20 versions so that I can make a good comparison. Ironically the V02 version offers some free power that I appreciate, but a softer ps95 sounds like it could be a game changer.

[tfighter]

Originally Posted by TennisCJC

I think you are talking about the more square beam and thinner beam that predates the V02. This is a great racket. I played it about 2-3 years. I demo-ed the V02 Sammie version and it is also a very good racket but I have switched to volkl org 10 295 customized.

The old thin beamed 320 16x20 has a traditional players racket feel. To me it is close to the old wilson pro staff 95 but a touch softer. I added about 5-6 grams of lead to the head and it made it much better for me - easier power and loads of spin.

The V02 upgrades made it stiffer and more powerful in stock form. It is a very lively stringbed stock due to the thicker beam and open string pattern. It is more of a modern frame now - still volleys well but really good for baseline topspinners.

For me, I liked the older thin beam version but both are very solid frames.

I don't like the Sammie pj - not for me. I would try the new pj.

Hey TennisCJC - you are knowledgeable on tfights and you also have experience with the pre V02 Tfight 320 16X20. I'd like to ask for your opinion, please and thanks
I am rated 4.0 and can carry myself very well at 4.5. I have been playing the pre V02 Tfight 320 16X20 for about 4 years and really like this frame. Great serve, great volley and very maneuverable. I am toying with the notion of trying some new frames with the objective of not sacrificing any of the qualities of the pre V02 Tfight but with hopes of improving control...what do you think of my trying the following and what should I expect?

Babolat Pure Storm Tour GT

Pacific X Force Pro 16X20

[tfighter]

should have mentioned using full bed of natty gut