Spalding Taxi II

jyjyj · Aug 31, 2009

Hi everyone.

After about 20 years, I've decided to switch from my Spalding Taxi IIs. I've been demoing some other midsize racquets, but nothing feels very similar (which isn't a bad thing...). Other than the headsize, I realized I don't know much about my Taxis spec-wise, and I don't have easy access to a scale. I figured some of you experts out there might know more about my racquet than I do.

Thanks for any help you might be able to offer.

VGP · Aug 31, 2009

Oh, the Spalding Taxis......

You brought back a vague memory for me there.

Sorry I can't help you with the specs.

audioaffliction · Aug 31, 2009

Sorry, I can't help you with specs either. Although I do remember the Spalding Taxi--that's one crazy paintjob! You could actually get easy access to a scale by simply walking into a post office. That should at least give you a weight to begin with.

schu47 · Sep 1, 2009

I don't know the specs of the Taxi II either. The only information on the frame is that it is 90 sq. in. and a graphite composite. I'd guess the weight at 11-12 oz., balance even or even a bit head heavy, beam about 20-21 mm.

Here are a couple of pictures, for those who have asked.

If nothing else, the paintjob is interesting, although kind of weird. I mean, was there a big demand for a tennis racquet that was painted to look like a taxicab?

I have another Spalding called the Denim, which is painted to look like it's made out of blue jean material, even down to the orange stitching. That's even stranger.

I think the Spalding designers in those days must have been smoking something.

Bud · Sep 1, 2009

jyjyj said:
Hi everyone.

After about 20 years, I've decided to switch from my Spalding Taxi IIs. I've been demoing some other midsize racquets, but nothing feels very similar (which isn't a bad thing...). Other than the headsize, I realized I don't know much about my Taxis spec-wise, and I don't have easy access to a scale. I figured some of you experts out there might know more about my racquet than I do.

Thanks for any help you might be able to offer.

Didn't spalding also make a racquet with a blue jean theme?

dancraig · Sep 1, 2009

Bud said:
Didn't spalding also make a racquet with a blue jean theme?

From above post:

I have another Spalding called the Denim, which is painted to look like it's made out of blue jean material, even down to the orange stitching. That's even stranger.

jyjyj · Sep 2, 2009

The tennis pro from the dinky pro shop at the courts where I played as a kid had this racquet and undoubtedly recommended/sold it to me. That's my excuse. And, I'll admit it, I like yellow.

I have a hunch that Spalding wanted to capitalize on interest in Jimmy Connors' yellow Estusa, which came out around the same time.

vsbabolat · Sep 2, 2009

Here is the orginal Taxi from 1988. Photos from the bay

Back in 1988 Spalding made a big push to try to increase their market share with a whole new line of racquets. There was another racquet just like the Taxi except it was white with grey checkerboard on it but for the life of me I am drawing a blank on the name. Unfortunately the widebody craze hit and all of those racquet had a very short life span.

jimbo333 · Sep 2, 2009

jyjyj said:
I have a hunch that Spalding wanted to capitalize on interest in Jimmy Connors' yellow Estusa, which came out around the same time.

Go Jimbo

Bud · Sep 2, 2009

dancraig said:
From above post:

I quoted the OP and posed my question prior to reading the remaining thread

Ultra 2 · Oct 16, 2019

Reviving an ancient thread since I came across a NOS one of these. Taxi II that is. Does anyone still use one of these!

retrowagen · Oct 16, 2019

Ultra 2 said:
Reviving an ancient thread since I came across a NOS one of these. Taxi II that is. Does anyone still use one of these!

No, everyone has switched to the Spalding Über! Hahahaha

coachrick · Oct 17, 2019

Ultra 2 said:
Reviving an ancient thread since I came across a NOS one of these. Taxi II that is. Does anyone still use one of these!

Not since 1990

atatu · Oct 21, 2019

They made a special Robert Deniro edition that was really good though.

retrowagen · Oct 21, 2019

atatu said:
They made a special Robert Deniro edition that was really good though.

You can’t chip the ball with it, though. That version is designed to drive the ball.

graycrait · Oct 21, 2019

Pictures??

esgee48 · Oct 21, 2019

Very straight forward stringing instructions for both frames:
Frame Taxi II & Taxi
Range 50-60
Pattern 16x19
Skip 8T & 8H
MTO 6T
Lengths 19'M x 16'C
1st X 8H
Last X 8T
XTO 7H, 11T

Ultra 2 · Oct 21, 2019

esgee48 said:
Very straight forward stringing instructions for both frames:
Frame Taxi II & Taxi
Range 50-60
Pattern 16x19
Skip 8T & 8H
MTO 6T
Lengths 19'M x 16'C
1st X 8H
Last X 8T
XTO 7H, 11T

Much obliged @esgee48. ..Always trying to find the lost wand back home to the right sorcerer.

coachrick · Oct 22, 2019

esgee48 said:
Very straight forward stringing instructions for both frames:
Frame Taxi II & Taxi
Range 50-60
Pattern 16x19
Skip 8T & 8H
MTO 6T
Lengths 19'M x 16'C
1st X 8H
Last X 8T
XTO 7H, 11T

I strung mine with red mains and blue crosses(or vice versa). Put on the strangest 'Gripsy' grip I could find. We called it the "ugly stick".

Ultra 2 · Oct 28, 2019

graycrait said:
Pictures??

https://flic.kr/p/2hBRfcj

https://flic.kr/p/2hBReLQ

https://flic.kr/p/2hBReL4

coachrick · Oct 28, 2019

Yep...that's the one! Those grommet strips were interesting...a fair bit more flexible/forgiving and theoretically shock absorbing.

Ultra 2 · Oct 28, 2019

coachrick said:
Yep...that's the one! Those grommet strips were interesting...a fair bit more flexible/forgiving and theoretically shock absorbing.

Yeah, grommets are made of Sensathane, brought to you by the same people that made Soorbothane. BITD when cushioning in shoes were not to snuff, I would use their black heel inserts. Good stuff, a bit on the heavy side.

1HBHfanatic · Oct 29, 2019

coachrick said:
Yep...that's the one! Those grommet strips were interesting...a fair bit more flexible/forgiving and theoretically shock absorbing.

this explains why the ones I bough (years ago now, no longer in my collection), "spalding taxi comp"
grommets dis-integrated when i got them
seemed like the grommets dried out!!
rubbery type of plastic would dry out in short order..

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