Prince RipStick 300 - coming soon!
- Thread starter Harry_Wild
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Hall of Fame
Power Player
Bionic Poster
I can’t compare it to any Prince frames except maybe the older 03 models which Im not as familiar with. In my mind it is a far more comfortable pure drive. I haven’t hit with a recent Prince frame that is like this one.
Dartagnan64
G.O.A.T.
I suspect they were wanting to compete with the Clash. Not too many rackets in the comfort & Power niche.
tim-ay
Legend
I think Prince (well, their designers) has it’s own idea about how to create a power frame with the tech they’ve had for a long time. Ports, frame flex, textreme, taper/changes to beam width. So I don’t think they went out to compete with the Clash, but rather with the PD, PA, and tweener frames of the world.
That said, you are right....it is an option for someone looking for a softer power frame and the Clash is also, but in such a different design kind of way. I’m not one of the people that hate the Clash tech, I kind of like it, but the Prince plays way closer to what I like in a frame. It’s much more connected and - for me - controlled. It’s so versatile and really gives you access to all the shots you want to make: heavy spin, flatter drives, slice, redirects, squash, drop shots, decent at the net.... it’s a super all around frame.
Dartagnan64
G.O.A.T.
I agree that the Clash and Ripstick use different tech at the end of the day but they still get to the same place. Easy power without the harsh stiffness of most power tweeners.
and you better be looking to compete with the Clash. By far the most popular frame I see at the club these days. It’s been ages since I saw a new PD/PA in someone’s hands.
and you better be looking to compete with the Clash. By far the most popular frame I see at the club these days. It’s been ages since I saw a new PD/PA in someone’s hands.
tim-ay
Legend
There are armies of people playing the PD/PA’s.... man, way more people playing them here all over Orlando. I’m sure there is a club somewhere with a pro pushing Wilson and I know that the Clash is indeed popular, but it’s like a Windows installed base vs. google docs. 50 to 1.
Edit - I’m playing matches around the city with people from low 20’s up to maybe late 40’s. I’d say the PA is the most popular racket here by a factor of 3 or 4x anything else. I face so many banana’s it’s crazy. I don’t think I’ve played more than 1 person using a clash version (98). Not sure why as it’s a great frame, but the people I’m playing are usually modern spin players. I see way more blades also, on the Wilson side of things.
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Power Player
Bionic Poster
Yeah i know the clash is a big seller with a lot of newer players but i see a lot of folks with pd/pa or blade more than anything.
cant say its been ages since ive seen a pa. I can go to any decent level tournament or usta match and the babs are the dominant frame easily.
cant say its been ages since ive seen a pa. I can go to any decent level tournament or usta match and the babs are the dominant frame easily.
Dartagnan64
G.O.A.T.
Likely a demographic thing. Most of my tennis mates are in the 40-60 year old range. Largely playing in the 3.5-4.0 levels. They are the TE/GE demographic. The Clash is by far and away the most popular frame I see in that group. 7 years ago it was most certainly the APD/PD. But it's been a surprising shift by word of mouth mostly. I don't think any coaches or pro shops in my neck of the woods are pushing it.
I'd expect younger players with bullet proof arms are still playing babolats as they still are great performing frames. I do see a few older men in their 70's with the stiff tweeners like the PA/PD/Ultra but they aren't swinging hard.
Power Player
Bionic Poster
You dont need a bulletproof arm anymore for the recent Babolat releases, especially the PA19. It’s a great frame. But I’ve never seen a demographic anywhere where no one uses Babolat frames at all.
Dartagnan64
G.O.A.T.
It's not "no one". It's just far fewer than the Clashes I see. And far fewer than what I saw 7 years ago when everyone and his dog was using one of 4 rackets: APD, PD, Prostaff, Blade.
I think a lot of people got burned by the old stiff babolats (present company included) so they are less likely to look at the new ones when buying new frames. That and the word of mouth about the Clash and it's arm friendly power.
In my immediate playing circle I can think of 6 people playing with the Clash and one person with an APD and one person with a PA and one guy with a PD. Of course I know about 5 that are playing Prostaffs of varying versions. Only one with a v13.
Power Player
Bionic Poster
Well this is progress. A few posts up you said it had been ages since you saw someone using these new PA/PD frames. Since there are only 2 PA versaions released so far, I have to assume they haven’t gotten the memo about the 2019 version yet.
tim-ay
Legend
I think playing full poly with the latest generation of strings is such a huge advantage that if you are susceptible to arm pain at all, the Clash is really a great option. I would probably get a 100 and put 6-8 grams on the head and bash tour sniper all day long if I had arm problems.
Now for tweener-town options without risk to the arm with full poly, the ripstick is leading the pack in my view. The PA19 seems to be there as well (I’ve kicked myself a few times for selling mine as I should have played with it more). I really love the PD, but I just don’t think it’s smart for me to play full time with it. The 2015 PD+ was one of my favs ever, but eventually took it’s toll after a year. I think the new one is less risk, but still.
Now for tweener-town options without risk to the arm with full poly, the ripstick is leading the pack in my view. The PA19 seems to be there as well (I’ve kicked myself a few times for selling mine as I should have played with it more). I really love the PD, but I just don’t think it’s smart for me to play full time with it. The 2015 PD+ was one of my favs ever, but eventually took it’s toll after a year. I think the new one is less risk, but still.
Dartagnan64
G.O.A.T.
Well it has been ages since I haven't seen the one guy in my playing circle that uses a PA in months.
That was the one that did my elbow in the first time. Great serving racket, but the TE it started took me over a year to recover from. You get a little gun shy after that kind of experience.
Nollid
Professional
It’s totally different than the 93P. The 93P is a scalpel and a true player’s frame that’s super demanding to get the most from it. The Ripstick is more of a tweener that offers more forgiveness if your strokes / contact is not perfect. It also offers more free power. I have demoed all of the 93P’s and played with the very similar Angell TC95. I really like the Ripstick. So far I find it to be a superb racquet that has suited me well.
lefty10spro
Semi-Pro
Despite the Tour 310 having a 65 RA and the Ripstick coming in at 64, I would say that the Ripper is stiffer feeling. Probably the CTS that firms it up at the tip is the reason.
Power Player
Bionic Poster
As said the 93P and Ripstick are totally different frames. I mean, totally different.
The ripstick offers players frame touch and control in a power tweener package. It’s quite awesome, but also will be an adjustment coming from a 93P.
Dartagnan64
G.O.A.T.
Can't imagine they would be at all similar as Nollid says. I love my 93P but it is a precision tool not a power tweener. You will get more pop and spin from the Ripstick at the cost of control compared to the 93P.
irulan
Rookie
Yeah, I have the EZones as a more forgiving option for when I just want to win points. My guess is that the Ripstick will be even tweenier than the EZ98, which sounds like fun. I'm convinced, ordering one right now
D
Deleted member 744889
Guest
I’ve ordered a Ripstick and some Tour Hex (1.23). Can anyone suggest a string tension range for this combo? Thx!
Nollid
Professional
I’ve tried a full bed of poly (17g red code and kirschbaum proline evolution) at 56 and 52 lbs so far. I started at 56 lbs which is my usual starting reference point. Both were comfortable. I found 52 lbs still controllable and like it a little better than 56 lbs.
D
Deleted member 744889
Guest
Thanks Nollid! Is your usual 56 lbs tension for the ezone98?
JOSHL
Hall of Fame
Love the Toroline combo!This is a beautiful stick, I don't think I did it justice with the green/pink strings (Toroline Wasabi at 50).
Can't wait to take it for a spin, har har. Maybe I should put a set of these in next time.
Dartagnan64
G.O.A.T.
That would be something good to hear as I think the target audience is those coming from Beast/Warrior lines.
irulan
Rookie
I have my old O3 Tour midplus in my bag as a loaner racquet for friends, would that be a useful comparison?
In any case, I’d love to read your comparison, as I have the old (original) O3 Tour MP too. Thanks
PBODY99
Legend
I have an O3 Tour 110 27.5" in my bag, but it is less stiff & under powered compared to my O3 Beast 104.
irulan
Rookie
Ripstick: Toroline Wasabi Horseradish | Toroline Wasabi Ginger at 50/50:
This stick is a spin monster. Oh man, everything jumps so much with this, even though Wasabi is a pretty middle-of-the-pack shaped poly when it comes to spin. I definitely need to crank up tension a few pounds, and the string setup really doesn't do the racquet justice. I'll give this one more set of match play before cutting it out.
Somebody asked for a comparison of the Ripstick against the old O3 Tour MP (strung with Trionic 18 | OGSG at 50 lbs, which is probably my favorite string setup so far (tied with V-Square / Max Power).
Spin: Ripstick >>> O3 Tour
Touch volleys: O3 Tour > Ripstick, potentially due to me being more in tune with the strings on the O3
Power: Ripstick slightly more, though both were very controllable
Control / Feel: Ripstick especially when going full blast forehand/backhand. It felt so good to just swing for the fences with my backhand and still watch the ball loop in comfortably. Hit some great putaway flat shots with the Ripstick too
I did hit better dropshots and touch volleys with the O3 Tour MP, but my groundstrokes, serves and smashes were miles better with the Ripstick. This is a great tweener for aggressive baseliners, and I'm definitely in love.
A_Instead
Legend
Both the Ripstick and Power Twist 100 are impressive rackets. I preferred the Power Twist to the Ripstick due to its traditional non port design..
The Power Twist is more in line the Clash which why I tried it and like it.
If Prince would make a Ripstick in a non port design..that would be great at least for me.
The Power Twist is more in line the Clash which why I tried it and like it.
If Prince would make a Ripstick in a non port design..that would be great at least for me.
tim-ay
Legend
But the ports are where a lot of the comfort and spin come from in the ripstick. For me, it really works in this frame and I was not a port fan in the past. Also, I love the SW which is in a different class than the clash or power twist. For those that like lighter SW, the 280 ripstick might be a better comparison than the 300 - I don’t know as I’ve only hit the 300. The 300 has a little taste of player frame in it while being all pure drive acting for show.
tim-ay
Legend
Curious what you weighted your clash and power twist up to. I hit a clash 100 with I think 3 grams @12 and 4grams 3/9 and it transformed what I thought of the frame. It won’t knock the ripstick out of my hands but I walked away impressed if I ever need a real arm friendly option that isn’t the ripstick.
Nollid
Professional
Yeah. Way more control and less muted.
tim-ay
Legend
+1
SonRK
Semi-Pro
Just when I thought I could escape Prince, they tempt me back.
I use a weighted up Clash 100 now (approx 4g to head, 10g to butt), and was using Speedport Tour + Warrior/Beast line for years. I just picked up a Ripstick to collect (for the paintjob). Obviously I will hit with it, so if it hits well, looks like I'll be buying some more...
I use a weighted up Clash 100 now (approx 4g to head, 10g to butt), and was using Speedport Tour + Warrior/Beast line for years. I just picked up a Ripstick to collect (for the paintjob). Obviously I will hit with it, so if it hits well, looks like I'll be buying some more...
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irulan
Rookie
I found Toroline Wasabi to be a thoroughly meh string [12/20] when I reviewed it on my 93P, but after putting in 8 hours on the Wasabi on my ripstick, I felt that the least I could do was give it a short review.
Ripstick: Toroline Wasabi Horseradish | Toroline Wasabi Ginger at 50/50:
Hours Played: 8
Is this mediocre string better when on a Ripstick? Yes, yes it is.
Total: 18/20
THWACK: 4.5 Perfectly manageable power in the Ripstick. I could have gone maybe 2 lbs higher on the mains for a tad more control, but this worked quite well
LAUNCH: 4.5 The ripstick takes a fairly mediocre biting square string and kicks it up a notch. Balls kicked like crazy, even mostly-dead ones that just belong in the serve basket.
SHAPE: 5 I was able to take full rips and still control the ball, whether I was hitting flat or trying for sharp angles.
COMFORT: 4 Plush, comfortable and full of pizazz. A superbly fun stick to use for hitting as well as match play. However, the feedback is not as pronounced as on racquets that more players' stick-y.
Thoughts:
I did not like Wasabi at all in my 93p. I felt bad cutting it out before it lost tension in the Ripstick.
Ripstick: Mayami Big Spin | Mayami Magic Twist at 53/50
The bumblebee aesthetic looks great on the Ripstick. Can't wait to see how much spin this monster puts out.
Ripstick: Toroline Wasabi Horseradish | Toroline Wasabi Ginger at 50/50:
Hours Played: 8
Is this mediocre string better when on a Ripstick? Yes, yes it is.
Total: 18/20
THWACK: 4.5 Perfectly manageable power in the Ripstick. I could have gone maybe 2 lbs higher on the mains for a tad more control, but this worked quite well
LAUNCH: 4.5 The ripstick takes a fairly mediocre biting square string and kicks it up a notch. Balls kicked like crazy, even mostly-dead ones that just belong in the serve basket.
SHAPE: 5 I was able to take full rips and still control the ball, whether I was hitting flat or trying for sharp angles.
COMFORT: 4 Plush, comfortable and full of pizazz. A superbly fun stick to use for hitting as well as match play. However, the feedback is not as pronounced as on racquets that more players' stick-y.
Thoughts:
I did not like Wasabi at all in my 93p. I felt bad cutting it out before it lost tension in the Ripstick.
Ripstick: Mayami Big Spin | Mayami Magic Twist at 53/50
The bumblebee aesthetic looks great on the Ripstick. Can't wait to see how much spin this monster puts out.
Holdfast44ID
Semi-Pro
The only thing that throws me off a bit with the Prince line is the roundish head shape. I did play with the Prince Pro (aluminum crap) in HS (80's) and the Prince CTS Lightning 90 a bit in the 90's. I need to get used to it. I do think the head shape can be good for returns. Agassi played pretty well with a Prince back in the day.
SonRK
Semi-Pro
Just strung it up with VS Touch (Blue) Mains at 54 lbs and Yonex Poly Tour Air at 51 lbs.
Hoop looks very thicc compared to my Clash, which is 24mm, which looks massive to the other racquets I've used over the years. Not sure what to expect, but won't be able to test it until Saturday. I'll keep it stock for now, but I'll prolly add 5-10g to the handle since I prefer more head light balances now. Ooh the suspense!
irulan
Rookie
Lemme know how the gut/poly hybrid does when it comes to spin generation! I've got some gut on hand that I can try in my ripstick after the Big Twist test
PrinceMoron
Legend
Just bought 2 expect delivery 2nd week April
RPM Blast 17 @52
Might add some lead to handle
Not much point in buying something that the 93p does better
Hoping for something that plays like a tecnifibre 300TFlash but more solid
RPM Blast 17 @52
Might add some lead to handle
Not much point in buying something that the 93p does better
Hoping for something that plays like a tecnifibre 300TFlash but more solid
ccmtennis
Semi-Pro
I wrote the following in another thread about my experience with Ripstick which I am attempting to switch too as well
"Ripstick is definitely not "straight up spin". More power and comfort than TXT line but with a much lower launch angle and less spin friendly than either the tour 310, 100X to name a few. For a 300g stick I have not found one with better plow through and the ports are clearly there to improve the maneuverability given its rather higher swing weight and its certainly the most tight 16x18 pattern I have ever seen. The best analogy I can use it is like the older Aeropro drive cortex but ported, also lower launch and amazing plow for a lighter stick"
TW just released their written review finally. I think Jason is way way off . Launch angle is low not anything close to high. Eric nails the review and he compared it to the pure aero at the end while I feel it is closer to the APDC
www.tennis-warehouse.com
"Ripstick is definitely not "straight up spin". More power and comfort than TXT line but with a much lower launch angle and less spin friendly than either the tour 310, 100X to name a few. For a 300g stick I have not found one with better plow through and the ports are clearly there to improve the maneuverability given its rather higher swing weight and its certainly the most tight 16x18 pattern I have ever seen. The best analogy I can use it is like the older Aeropro drive cortex but ported, also lower launch and amazing plow for a lighter stick"
TW just released their written review finally. I think Jason is way way off . Launch angle is low not anything close to high. Eric nails the review and he compared it to the pure aero at the end while I feel it is closer to the APDC
Prince Ripstick 100 300g Racquet Review - Tennis Warehouse
www.tennis-warehouse.com
