Looking for a 16 x 20 racquet - suggestions welcome!

pico

Hall of Fame
I am looking to go back to a 16 x 20 pattern. I used to play the Yonex Duel G (330) but now looking for something lighter (to help with rhs on serve) and with a more classic head shape too. I am open to suggestions.
 

Big Bagel

Professional
I agree with the Pacific racquets 3loudboys mentioned; very solid, under appreciated racquets. Also, they have a great grip system, so if you know a Pacific guy, you can get any relatively recent racquet, even if it has the wrong grip size, and get the correct size from Pacific and attach it with minimal fuss. I've done that twice and it's fantastic.
 

McLovin

Legend
The Pacific X Tour 97 is probably closer to your Yonex than the X Force line. 16x20, but in a 20mm beam. It’s also 315g.
 

time_fly

Hall of Fame
I've played 3 16x20 sticks recently: the Beast 98, the Burn 95, and the Yonex SV 98+. The Beast and Burn have traditional head shapes; the Beast is a bit more maneuverable (especially the O3 variant) and I prefer them for doubles; the Burn hits a really solid ball from the baseline if you are more of a singles player but it swings a little slower and has a somewhat unforgiving oval head. I like the Yonex SV 98+ (standard length is also 16x20 but I've never tried it) but I understand you're trying to get away from that squared off head shape.
 
Diadem Elevate or VCORE 95 I just grabbed the Elevate and will be grabbing the VCORE 95 Mon/Tues. Feel free to shoot a PM about the Elevate, will get an initial review on it tomorrow after I string it.
 

fundrazer

G.O.A.T.
I don't know how well received they were, but the Pure Strike VS line is 16x20 I believe. Successor to the Pure Control I think? Pure Aero VS might be 16x20 as well but I'm not sure.

Other options have been mentioned such as some of the Pacific racquets and also the Diadem Elevate which I am curious about trying.
 

Zoolander

Hall of Fame
yeah the Bab pure aerostorm vs and the strike vs are 16x20. Liked the aerostorm but havent tried the strike vs.
 

SpinToWin

Talk Tennis Guru
Pure Strike VS I’d say. Light, traditional head shape, but lively enough at the lighter weight. You can add a bit of weight without making it hefty. Hits big sliders and kickers.

Many other frames mentioned here don’t really have traditional shapes.
 

DanF1961

Rookie
If I were a young man, I would have stocked up on Duel G 330's. I hit with it, but it was a little too heavy for me. However, I really like the Pro Kennex KiQ+5 Pro (310). I added 5 grams to the hoop, 2.5 grams at 3 & 9, and an overgrip. I use a #64 Rubberband instead of a dampener. It's a little lighter and more forgiving than a Duel G 330 and the PK is easy on the arm.
 

3loudboys

G.O.A.T.
I just picked up 3 of these NOS and love them. Also got 3 Head YouTek IG Prestiges and am having a retro renaissance with these "old" "new" frames. They give up nothing to the new sticks IMO.

Completely agree - had a hit with a friends Head PT630 today and just WOW! Whilst not a 16x20 this old classic felt fabulous.


Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk
 

SpinToWin

Talk Tennis Guru
If I were a young man, I would have stocked up on Duel G 330's. I hit with it, but it was a little too heavy for me. However, I really like the Pro Kennex KiQ+5 Pro (310). I added 5 grams to the hoop, 2.5 grams at 3 & 9, and an overgrip. I use a #64 Rubberband instead of a dampener. It's a little lighter and more forgiving than a Duel G 330 and the PK is easy on the arm.
Yep. Nice frame, especially the extended one. However, not a traditional design in the least
 

haqq777

Legend
+1 for Pure Storms and prior gen Pure Controls - latter if you like a more crisper hit. You can find Pure Storms new old stock or gently used very easily. Might have a harder time with PC Swirlys. No issue in finding grommets for either (same mold so all Pure Control grommets fit). Absolutely love them. The GT version Storms are especially amazing and can run circles around current Babs. My $0.02
 

Simon_the_furry

Hall of Fame
I am looking to go back to a 16 x 20 pattern. I used to play the Yonex Duel G (330) but now looking for something lighter (to help with rhs on serve) and with a more classic head shape too. I am open to suggestions.
ProKennex makes a couple of very nice 16x20s.
 

robincarlin

New User
Pure Strike VS I’d say. Light, traditional head shape, but lively enough at the lighter weight. You can add a bit of weight without making it hefty. Hits big sliders and kickers.

Many other frames mentioned here don’t really have traditional shapes.
I would agree with all of this but I’ll say in my experience it’s not a very forgiving racquet.

@pico If you want something that’s similar but more forgiving (and probably more comfortable too) I’d give the PA VS a try. Excellent frame, it’s very good stock and is an awesome platform for customization. And by today’s standards you won’t really find a forgiving racquet softer than it, especially with weight added. It’s only weakness is not the most powerful serves.
 

pico

Hall of Fame
Thanks guys. I made an impulsive buy of a used Babolat Pure Control Tour today but I will check out the Pure Aero VS too.
 
how do they compare ?
I haven’t got the chance to hit with the Elevate. I’m going to play for an hour and a half later and will post later tonight. Unfortunately my local shop hasn’t got my VCORE 95 in yet, but will also post my thoughts. The Diadem from shadow swinging feels awesome.
 
I haven’t got the chance to hit with the Elevate. I’m going to play for an hour and a half later and will post later tonight. Unfortunately my local shop hasn’t got my VCORE 95 in yet, but will also post my thoughts. The Diadem from shadow swinging feels awesome.
Really enjoyed the setup I have on there it's very soft which I love. I am using the racquet stock with a hybrid setup 50/52 of Diadem Solstice Power x Technifibre X1-BiPhase. Racquet is very maneuverable, has great power for 16 x 20 and served pretty well with it. I haven't played with it enough to give a great review, but from initial play I like it a lot.
 

snoflewis

Legend
of the heavier tour version babolat 16x20s that i've tried, Pure Control Tour > Aerostorm Tour GT > Pure Storm Tour GT > Pure Aero VS Tour > Pure Strike VS Tour. Both VS Tours were very underwhelming for me.
 

McEncock

Professional
wilson Hammer tour 95, or Ntour 95... All what is tour and 95 is good.
Lots on the bay
Comes very handle light but with decent swing weight as it's a bit longer.
Mine a filled with silicone and nails. 345 strung with OG.
 
Fischer used to make some awesome 16 x 20 frames and Pacific now uses those same molds in their current frames - X Force Pro, X Force Pro No. 1 and X Tour Pro 97. All are great and less weighty than your Vcore 330.

Otherwise, I enjoyed the old Vcore 95D (which has a 16 x 20) and so I think you should consider the SV95 or the new Vcore 95 (which apparently uses a similar mold) as other options. I currently play with the SV98+ which is a great racquet (and which also has the 16 x 20 pattern).
 

pico

Hall of Fame
Diadem Elevate or VCORE 95 I just grabbed the Elevate and will be grabbing the VCORE 95 Mon/Tues. Feel free to shoot a PM about the Elevate, will get an initial review on it tomorrow after I string it.
How are you finding the Diadem Elevate? Is it the Tour version?
 

mad dog1

G.O.A.T.
+1 for Pure Storms and prior gen Pure Controls - latter if you like a more crisper hit. You can find Pure Storms new old stock or gently used very easily. Might have a harder time with PC Swirlys. No issue in finding grommets for either (same mold so all Pure Control grommets fit). Absolutely love them. The GT version Storms are especially amazing and can run circles around current Babs. My $0.02
Agreed. Think I have like 6 pure storm gt and a couple of pure storm team gt still.
 

Oldstorm

Rookie
I was a pure storm tour user since I started and recently switched to vcore pro 310 since my storms had a crack in the frames.

It’s not the same but it’s good enough with some lead at 12 and weight in the handle
 

mad dog1

G.O.A.T.
I was a pure storm tour user since I started and recently switched to vcore pro 310 since my storms had a crack in the frames.

It’s not the same but it’s good enough with some lead at 12 and weight in the handle
If you were playing the pure storm tour, the vcp97 330 might be better than the 310 version.
 
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