lilxjohnyy
Hall of Fame
what are to pros and cons of each??why do u like which ever one u like??? does it make a big difference if you go for the 16x18 or 18x20 on how u play???i dont kno a lot about string pattern
ncode 6.1 16x18 or 18x20
- Thread starter lilxjohnyy
- Start date
rooski
Professional
You should do a search on this. It's been discussed ad nauseum.
Bottom line:
18x20 = a little more control and a little less power; firmer stringbed feel
16x18 = a little more power, a tiny bit less control, more spin; plusher feel
Demo them for yourself to see which one you play the best with
stormholloway
Legend
I still disagree on power. I think 18x20 patterns have more of it.
A
Alex132
Guest
yeah i played recently with 18x20 and it does have pretty good power for its string pattern.
beernutz
Hall of Fame
<my $.02>
I have both the 16x19 and the 18x20 and they are strung exactly the same way (Prince Premier with Softflex @ 57#s) and the 16x19 feels to me like it has noticeably more power. The 18x20 feels like it has more control and also the strings don't move nearly as much as they do on the 16x19. Not that the 18x20 is underpowered by any means but it does feel less powerful than the 16x19.
I have both the 16x19 and the 18x20 and they are strung exactly the same way (Prince Premier with Softflex @ 57#s) and the 16x19 feels to me like it has noticeably more power. The 18x20 feels like it has more control and also the strings don't move nearly as much as they do on the 16x19. Not that the 18x20 is underpowered by any means but it does feel less powerful than the 16x19.
rooski
Professional
In order to really compare the two you can't string them at the same tension. A 16x18 frame can feel buttery plush at 60 while the 18x20 at the same tension can feel boardy and have a lot less power. Ping your rackets together and I will bet the 18x20 sounds like it is significantly tighter even thought they are both strung at 57. The 18x20 will always string up tighter.
The way to really compare these two frames is to string your 16x18 at 57 and your 18x20 at 54. Then your power comparison would be more valid.
I also have both versions and I think the power difference is minor between the two if the are strung at realistically comparable tensions (as stated above).
fgs
Hall of Fame
rooski made the right point - if you string them the same tension, the 18x20 will play tighter and give you the illusion of better control due to less stringbed deflection. so in order to make a true comparison, the tension should be slightly different, that is tighter on the 16mains pattern.
the differences are really minor and they very much depend on the style of play, the string characteristics and the tensions employed. it is a matter of personal preference and technique. i have played the 18x20 for a year and am a heavy topspinner. so, while it is basically correct to say that a 16mains stringpattern will give you more spin, the difference is very very small if you are going, as in the case above, with the same racquet.
the differences are really minor and they very much depend on the style of play, the string characteristics and the tensions employed. it is a matter of personal preference and technique. i have played the 18x20 for a year and am a heavy topspinner. so, while it is basically correct to say that a 16mains stringpattern will give you more spin, the difference is very very small if you are going, as in the case above, with the same racquet.
As others have said, you can make these frames very comparable by adjusting string tension. I have always been a fan of 18x20 stringbeds because I feel they give more control on volleys and they are much easier on strings. But my son (17) uses the 16x18 frame and its a terrific racquet with mucho power and spin. But he breaks polys in 3-4 hours.
smoothtennis
Hall of Fame
I just demoed the ncode 6.1 95 16x18, and the 18x20, both strung at 2 lbs. over mid. My normal stick is the Wilson Hypercarbon PS 6.1.
The first thing I'll say is that the ncodes were head heavier than the HCPS.
Ok, the immediate impression I had, and confirmed with two other hitting partners (4.0 players), is that the 18x20 had a great *feel* to it off the ground. For me, who has hit with 16x18 for six years, it was night and day. And in a good way. I absolutely feel in love with the way the ball felt coming off the strings! The only catch, is that they strung this with poly string, so I am not sure if it is the string or the pattern.
The 16x18 definately, in my case, had more pop on volleys. Volleys with the 18x20 needed to be clean with good form to get the ball moving well, but I was able to volley so outstanding in a match yesterday with it, I was shocked. I played a 3.5 tournament player, which turned out to be great for this demo. He constantly hit short balls off my serves, and I could approach with accuracy, and volley to the both corners with accuracy. And accuracy that I seriously have never had to that degree. Was it the magic feather or the string pattern?
I went ahead and bought the 18x20 because it just feel so darned good to hit with. I am also a heavy topspiner, and this racket puts as much spin on the ball as I needed, no issue there at all. Oh, and I slice off the backhand a lot, and this thing performed amazing on slices! Very accurate, plenty of depth and drive through the court.
You guys...I can't get over the difference in the feel off the stringbed! Has anyone else found the feel that different from the 16x18? I mean, I hope it is the string pattern, because if it is....I know a lot more now about what I prefer as far as feel.
The only other racket I had that had such great feel, was the one I started with 11 yrs ago, the Prince Mono that Connor's used. I checked, and it has a tight sting pattern too...am I onto something here?
The first thing I'll say is that the ncodes were head heavier than the HCPS.
Ok, the immediate impression I had, and confirmed with two other hitting partners (4.0 players), is that the 18x20 had a great *feel* to it off the ground. For me, who has hit with 16x18 for six years, it was night and day. And in a good way. I absolutely feel in love with the way the ball felt coming off the strings! The only catch, is that they strung this with poly string, so I am not sure if it is the string or the pattern.
The 16x18 definately, in my case, had more pop on volleys. Volleys with the 18x20 needed to be clean with good form to get the ball moving well, but I was able to volley so outstanding in a match yesterday with it, I was shocked. I played a 3.5 tournament player, which turned out to be great for this demo. He constantly hit short balls off my serves, and I could approach with accuracy, and volley to the both corners with accuracy. And accuracy that I seriously have never had to that degree. Was it the magic feather or the string pattern?
I went ahead and bought the 18x20 because it just feel so darned good to hit with. I am also a heavy topspiner, and this racket puts as much spin on the ball as I needed, no issue there at all. Oh, and I slice off the backhand a lot, and this thing performed amazing on slices! Very accurate, plenty of depth and drive through the court.
You guys...I can't get over the difference in the feel off the stringbed! Has anyone else found the feel that different from the 16x18? I mean, I hope it is the string pattern, because if it is....I know a lot more now about what I prefer as far as feel.
The only other racket I had that had such great feel, was the one I started with 11 yrs ago, the Prince Mono that Connor's used. I checked, and it has a tight sting pattern too...am I onto something here?
