I'm a 5.0 player, age 55, fit, and playing 3 - 5 times a week for about two hours each session. I sometime drill steady, sometimes doubles and sometime practice singles sets. I've been playing with the RF97 Autograph for about a month, love it, but still adjusting coming off a Babolate Aero Pro for 4 years. I'd like to customize it to be more manueverable, so I know weight near the handle, but exactly where and how much? Thanks!
Customizing Weight on a Wilson Pro Staff RF97 Autograph
- Thread starter Garrardo
- Start date
I don't think adding weight will help with this racquet. What are you using for strings? If you use a thinner gauge it can make a decent impact on lowering the weight.
In my RF my normal setup is gut/poly, I tried Cylcone 19 and it decreased weight by 5 grams. Definitely quite a bit more manueverable but I have since went back to gut/poly as I like it better for comfort and felt would have to restring too often with full poly.
In my RF my normal setup is gut/poly, I tried Cylcone 19 and it decreased weight by 5 grams. Definitely quite a bit more manueverable but I have since went back to gut/poly as I like it better for comfort and felt would have to restring too often with full poly.
Irvin
Talk Tennis Guru
If you look at the specs for that racket SW 335, weight 357, and balance 31.5 the MgR/I value come out to be 21.0. That is a good starting number for a player about 6' tall but it depends a lot on how you grip the racket, how big your hands are and other things. The first thing I would do is check the specs before adding weight anywhere. If you find an MgR/I value lower than 21 adding weight to the handle will bring it up.
You missed my point. Thinner gauge strings will make the racquet more manueverable. So say you use 16 gauge, 18 gauge will shed some weight.
robbo1970
Hall of Fame
I play with a Prince EXO3 93, which comes in at 345g and a 330SW in stock form. It was ok, but at times it felt a little cumbersome in my hand on some shots. What I did was remove the leather grip and replace it just with a synth grip on its own.
The loss of just a few grams in my hand did make a difference. It sounds strange to think that a loss of about 7-8g in the handle can make a difference, but it did for me.
Of course, if you like the feel of the leather on the RF97, then my experience is pretty useless to you, but best intentions and all that
Thanks!
Irvin
Talk Tennis Guru
If you find your real specs and want help with MgR/I let me know.
Formula is Mass in Kg, Radius (balance point from butt) in cm, gravity 980.5. And Inertia at butt cap. Swing Weight, mass, and radius are all used to calculate Inertia at 0 cm.
MgR/I = (980.5MR)/(SW+20MR-100M)
Formula is Mass in Kg, Radius (balance point from butt) in cm, gravity 980.5. And Inertia at butt cap. Swing Weight, mass, and radius are all used to calculate Inertia at 0 cm.
MgR/I = (980.5MR)/(SW+20MR-100M)
S
Stupendous1HBH
Guest
RF97 is already a beast in stock form. Then once you add an overgrip and optional dampener (if you play with one), it raises the total weight to 12.9 oz and probably a 340-ish swingweight. It'll feel like a sledgehammer if you try to do anymore with it IMO.
Thanks! I'll just keep up the fitness regimen for better grip and forearm strength.
S
Stupendous1HBH
Guest
Yeah that's what I would do. You could probably add a few grams to the buttcap but i wouldn't do very much. I guess you could get some BluTak stuff or whatever it's called and experiment possibly if you really wanted to make it more HL.
movdqa
Talk Tennis Guru
THe RF97 is already pretty headlight (at least the one I have is). I don't think that adding weight to the already hefty handle will help with what you want.
I do like the idea of going with thinner strings - my recent experience with different gauges has been quite the eye-opener.
The RF97 has a pretty decent twistweight which is good for comfort but can hinder maneuverability. Not really much that you can do about that. I find that lower twistweight frames are better on maneuverability but less comfortable. I usually suggest going with the minimum twistweight that you need for comfort.
I think that it would be easier to go from an APD to what you want (that is adding weight to it) than it is removing from the RF97 to get there.
I do like the idea of going with thinner strings - my recent experience with different gauges has been quite the eye-opener.
The RF97 has a pretty decent twistweight which is good for comfort but can hinder maneuverability. Not really much that you can do about that. I find that lower twistweight frames are better on maneuverability but less comfortable. I usually suggest going with the minimum twistweight that you need for comfort.
I think that it would be easier to go from an APD to what you want (that is adding weight to it) than it is removing from the RF97 to get there.
Forgive my ignorance, but aren't specs the specs as Wilson lists them since my sticks are stock?
Irvin
Talk Tennis Guru
Odds of finding two wilson rackets with the same specs are slim and none. Someone just bought 6 matched RF97A frames and none of them were the same. The matching service you pay $10 ($60 for 6 rackets) for if for rackets close in specs. Why would anyone pay $10 extra when all the rackets are the same.
Irvin
Talk Tennis Guru
Got it. Dim bulb me , I'm so old school I didn't know such a thing existed! Thanks again
movdqa
Talk Tennis Guru
I had a set of five Wilson KPS88s a long time ago. The heaviest was 13.1 ounces. The lightest was 12.5 ounces. They were all within Wilson's tolerances. The lightest didn't play anything like the heaviest. BTW, many other companies have the same issues.
Anton
Legend
RF97 is already decently head light and heavy, so beyond ridiculous stuff like punching out holes in the head guard you are down to only one option - lighter strings.
Natural gut tends to be lighter than poly at same gauge, so if you play with full bed of 16g poly you can do 16g natural gut mains with 16L poly crosses the way Fed does it.
If you still want to try more weight on the handle - TW sells it's won brand 1.5mm replacement leather grip that would be a bit heavier and much more comfortable than the thin, tough leather RF97 comes with.
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jsm1373
Rookie
This is a great case of YMMV (your mileage may vary)... Would suggest doing what I did - try multiple amounts of lead in different places until you find what works best for you. I tried at : 12 o'clock, 9 & 3, at the top of grip/bottom of the grip & inside buttcap until it just felt "right". Of course my "right" may be completely different than yours. There's no perfect answer, just see what good old trial & error produces!
The RF97 is currently called a "beast", but throw some popular sticks from the 80's and early 90's on a gram scale to see what heavy really is! In middle school I started playing with an aluminum Dunlop XLT-15 that's so heavy -- to do such a thing to an 8 year old would be considered child abuse today
The RF97 is currently called a "beast", but throw some popular sticks from the 80's and early 90's on a gram scale to see what heavy really is! In middle school I started playing with an aluminum Dunlop XLT-15 that's so heavy -- to do such a thing to an 8 year old would be considered child abuse today
Great news! Doc says no rotator cuff damage, but bursitis in the deltoid and tendons leading to the joint. So, RICE, anti-inflamatories/temporary oral steroid, stretch/strengthening (including grip and forearm) and hit the ball consistently in front where I'm supposed to anyway! Also, cudos to Mark here at TW who spoke with me on phone and reminded me about keeping the racquet tip up on the backswing prep and turn until you're ready to drop it under the ball for forward swing. Knew that but wasn't doing it consistently. Just finished hitting drills or over 1.5 hours and it was better! Sitting here with ice pack now...doing the next right thing! Thanks everyone for your posts and guidance!
asifallasleep
Hall of Fame
19g volkl cyclone at 40 made my frames perfect. Thin gauge strings are the way to go.
J
joohan
Guest
Hello. Sorry for using this thread for my own question, I hope it's not a problem - is it worth replacing a grip on RF97? I mean - TWE has RF97 on sale but only size 1 grip. I could ask them to pick one with lower SW (benefit of buying a new frame from retailer) and, provided that that process is not too complicated, I could replace the grip with my proper size.
Thanks for any input.
Thanks for any input.
MajesticMoose
Hall of Fame
Adding weight to an already heavy RF97 will turn it into Thor's hammer. No thanks.
TennisHound
Legend
I came up with 52.5
Irvin
Talk Tennis Guru
Your calculations have an error. What is your SW, mass, and balance?
TennisHound
Legend
That can't be, I did everything correct!
Irvin
Talk Tennis Guru
What is you SW, mass and balance?That can't be, I did everything correct
TennisHound
Legend
Oh you're right, I messed up on the gR/I portion. I'll have to redo it
leejayh
Rookie
Reviving this thread. Other than removing the obvious: replace grip, heavy vibrasorb, remove head tape, lighter strings with thinner gauge - is there any other way to remove weight.
I believe that it was said that there is weight in the middle above the handle, but i don't think that one can get to that.
How about the bumper guard, worth trying to shave or drill some of that away?
I believe that it was said that there is weight in the middle above the handle, but i don't think that one can get to that.
How about the bumper guard, worth trying to shave or drill some of that away?
anfield
Semi-Pro
I put in lighter strings 17g syngut mains, 18 poly cross. Then put on Syntec lite grip, got it to 340g with OG. But have added 4g at 7" on handle and it gives it extra solidity. You can't go too light with this frame because it needs a certain amount of energy to get the most out of it. When you really hit a shot, you actually get nice feel and feedback, but at 340g I did not.
Anton
Legend
17g syngut mains? Waste of money, poly will cut it within a hour.
Natural gut is better AND cheaper considering you’ll get 10+ hours
anfield
Semi-Pro
I thought I mentioned I snapped them. But I’m getting my threads mixed up. I’m using VS now, but my overall point is there are ways to reduce weight in the hoop with lighter stings.
Took the leather grips off of my RF97’s and replaced with light weight synthetic. Overwrap, dampener and they weigh 12.4 strung. More maneuverable on serve and volleys. Did the same thing to all of my RF97’s. Easy adjustment.
Playing Wilson Syn Gut Power 1.30/Wilson Revolve 1.25. Get the standard 3-4 hours of play out of it just like any string I have put in the racquet.
Playing Wilson Syn Gut Power 1.30/Wilson Revolve 1.25. Get the standard 3-4 hours of play out of it just like any string I have put in the racquet.
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Shroud
G.O.A.T.
Lol. Mine ended up at 425g when it was all said and done. Was a beast but ultimately too flexy for me
That would be too much weight on one end of the racquet or both making it flex. Have added weight before to frames and created that kind of flex.
Shroud
G.O.A.T.
Sure that had something to do with it but my 6.1 95 didnt have that issue or my Burn or gamma or Profile or BLx 2, etc. the Rf97a was variably flexy. Some times it was stiff sometimes not it was different every shot it seemed. Very strange. Though it was the only one of the bunch I didnt string tight and stayed in recommeded ranges. Could hace just been the loose stringbed. But it often felt like the hoop
ronaktennis2020
New User
Stop advising people to weight up PS97. It wont be the same as RF, RF is the only proper racket Wilson sells.
That is strange.
Shroud
G.O.A.T.
Its MgR/i. You can make a stick come through contact faster by adding weight at 7” from the buttcap. This works if you have a loose grip. Add 30g at 7” and seeIt might be easier to start with a PS97 and add weight though I'd guess that the OP doesn't want to do that. I don't see how adding weight gets the OP to something more maneuverable. BTW, here's my RF97 customized:
Shroud
G.O.A.T.
P
yeah been adding tons of weight to all kind of sticks and that one was super strange. Wish I would have strung it tight but it was a playtest one and I knew I was giving it back.
Haven’t had that experience with the frame nor has anyone I know. It is one of the most stable racquets I’ve ever hit with and amazing plow through. Only complaints I’ve heard about the racquet is that the weight was tough to wield, too stiff, and I’ve heard some of the 85, 90 guys say it didn’t have the control of the smaller frame. It’s not supposed to. Was designed to generate more power than the previous Federer frames.
The majority of collegiate players that I know play with the lighter Wilson stock frames (PS97, Blade, Ultra) due to the weight of the stock RF97.
The majority of collegiate players that I know play with the lighter Wilson stock frames (PS97, Blade, Ultra) due to the weight of the stock RF97.
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Shroud
G.O.A.T.
I dont doubt it. But remember i was coming from a heavier stiffer more solid stick so relative to what i was used to it was flexy.
v-verb
Hall of Fame
Yep anything is flexy compared to the Profile and ThunderStick mid
Shroud
G.O.A.T.
Well said. Lol. I ditched the Burn 100s because it wasnt stiff enough...
Sardines
Hall of Fame
The problem with removing weight is that it's usually in the grip, so the balance goes awry. Part of the great appeal of the RF97 is the heft that comes in a headlight package. If you are having difficulty handling the heft for more than a set, then the racquet is just too heavy for you
leejayh
Rookie
I have 3 of these rackets - and contrary to what everyone says, they are exactly the same with very tight tolerances. WI have switched the grips to Babolat Skin Feel + Tourna Tac overgrip (i am half way between and 3/8 and 1/2 - so i buy 1/2 and use Skin Feel. I have the rackets strung with Cream, and 2 with Gut/Poly. All three come to 12.5oz strung. I typically play with a Donnay Pro One weighted to 12.2 so i am trying to get to that same weight with this racket if it is possible. My Pro One balance point is about the same 32.5
I will try an 18 gauge string. That might get me to 12.4 or 12.3.
The balance point on all three is 32 - so about where i want it.
I will try an 18 gauge string. That might get me to 12.4 or 12.3.
The balance point on all three is 32 - so about where i want it.
