4 Radical Users: LM Radical MP vis-a-vis MG Radical MP? Summary of differences?

msmullin

New User
How would you summarize the differences between the Liquidmetal Radical MP and the MicroGel Radical MP? I can read the differences in specs, but I was hoping to get some insight into differences in feel and playability. What shots are harder/easier with each, etc?

Thanks a bunch!

msmullin
---------------
Trying to pick a new racket.
 

86golf

Semi-Pro
I think the difference is about $20. Seriously though, I can switch back and forth between them in a game and not see any major differences. LM is a bit more head heavy and a touch stiffer. Both well worth the 69 and 89 dollars respectively. Just buy one of each.
 

RyKnocks

Semi-Pro
I have to disagree a bit with 86golf. I'm new to tennis but I've played table tennis for years so I know how to look for differences in equipment.

I'd say the LM Radical is more than just a "touch" stiffer, it's noticeably stiffer. That's not to say that it isn't comfortable to hit with, but compared to the MG version, the MG is just a better and more solid racquet all around. It's well worth the extra money you pay for it, which isn't much.

I demo'd the LM Radical and was pretty much set on buying it. I was lucky enough to find the MG Radical on an auction site for cheap (the seller didn't mark it as an MG so it didn't get much attention but the picture clearly showed it was an MG). People on these boards had talked about how soft and plush the feel was, and I was a bit skeptical because I demo'd a Dunlop Aerogel 800 which is supposed to have a soft feel as well and I hated it. When I took the MG out onto the court and hit with it for the first time, I couldn't have been happier. Same great control as the LM Rad, but more solid/soft/plush/comfortable feel overall.

It's also more solid with off-center shots. When I hit off center with the LM Rad, you knew because the ball would go into some crazy direction and there was a lot of feedback from the racquet. This was a bit off putting to me at first because it showed my true noob-ness, but I had decided to stick with it because I figured it would force me to hit the sweet spot every time. With the MG, off center shots are more solid and stay in the general direction that you're hitting towards, and you don't get as much of that warping feedback that you would with the LM.

Overall, if you have $20 extra, put it towards getting the MG. The ONLY thing I despise about the MG is the horrid paint job LOL. Hope that helps.
 

RyKnocks

Semi-Pro
Also, buy a pack of lead tape. The great thing about these radicals is that they're easily customizable to fit your needs. It really helps to open up the racquets sweet spot and add a little more swing weight and plow through.
 

flashfire276

Hall of Fame
I have to disagree a bit with 86golf. I'm new to tennis but I've played table tennis for years so I know how to look for differences in equipment.

I'd say the LM Radical is more than just a "touch" stiffer, it's noticeably stiffer. That's not to say that it isn't comfortable to hit with, but compared to the MG version, the MG is just a better and more solid racquet all around. It's well worth the extra money you pay for it, which isn't much.

I demo'd the LM Radical and was pretty much set on buying it. I was lucky enough to find the MG Radical on an auction site for cheap (the seller didn't mark it as an MG so it didn't get much attention but the picture clearly showed it was an MG). People on these boards had talked about how soft and plush the feel was, and I was a bit skeptical because I demo'd a Dunlop Aerogel 800 which is supposed to have a soft feel as well and I hated it. When I took the MG out onto the court and hit with it for the first time, I couldn't have been happier. Same great control as the LM Rad, but more solid/soft/plush/comfortable feel overall.

It's also more solid with off-center shots. When I hit off center with the LM Rad, you knew because the ball would go into some crazy direction and there was a lot of feedback from the racquet. This was a bit off putting to me at first because it showed my true noob-ness, but I had decided to stick with it because I figured it would force me to hit the sweet spot every time. With the MG, off center shots are more solid and stay in the general direction that you're hitting towards, and you don't get as much of that warping feedback that you would with the LM.

Overall, if you have $20 extra, put it towards getting the MG. The ONLY thing I despise about the MG is the horrid paint job LOL. Hope that helps.

+1!
Looks like you did take my suggestions. You went for the MG Radical MP?
 

steve728

Rookie
How is the MG on serve? Is it better than LM?

+1. And the slice backhand? That's one shot that's inconsistent for me (i.e., floaters) with the YT radical. So wondering how the MG and LM compare in the serve and slice departments.
 

dgoran

Hall of Fame
Also, buy a pack of lead tape. The great thing about these radicals is that they're easily customizable to fit your needs. It really helps to open up the racquets sweet spot and add a little more swing weight and plow through.

I have to disagree with both RyKnock and 86golf and offer you a third perspective.

The only thing we all agree is DEFINITELY BUY A PACK OF LEAD TAPE. but IMHO LM radical is a better player by a country mile. I have lots of HEAD rackets and they are my favorite i have or had PT630, LM Radical, MG Radical(sold) YT Radical Prestige Mid MP etc...

LM Radical is a great player in stock form that turns beastly with lead tape added while MG radical is DEAD on arrival and no amounts of lead tape helped drastically like it did on LM.

LM simply turns into a beast if you place lead all around the hoop simulating CAP system.

Stiffness make it tad more powerful but control oriented players stick like stiffer version of pt630
 

msmullin

New User
I have to disagree with both RyKnock and 86golf and offer you a third perspective.

The only thing we all agree is DEFINITELY BUY A PACK OF LEAD TAPE. but IMHO LM radical is a better player by a country mile. I have lots of HEAD rackets and they are my favorite i have or had PT630, LM Radical, MG Radical(sold) YT Radical Prestige Mid MP etc...

LM Radical is a great player in stock form that turns beastly with lead tape added while MG radical is DEAD on arrival and no amounts of lead tape helped drastically like it did on LM.

LM simply turns into a beast if you place lead all around the hoop simulating CAP system.

Stiffness make it tad more powerful but control oriented players stick like stiffer version of pt630

I'm only about a 3.5 right now and probably won't get past a 4.0. (40 years old, returning to the game.) Does that matter in your evaluation?
 

dgoran

Hall of Fame
Well there are definitely easier rackets to play with at 3, 3.5 level than 98 that is really 95 sq inch head but like I said if you are stuck between those two, lm radical is easier to use stock since its stiffer and has more power and if you get better you can add lead tape when you learn what specs you like and what would you like to improve but again stock lm radical its much easier to play with than mg hands down.

If you have to choose between those two and you have sensitive arm than I would suggest mg over lm radical due to stiffness and if you miss sweet spot a lot liquid metal will be read bit more jarring...
 

OldButGame

Hall of Fame
Here they are for me,..side to side,..

Power- LM>MG
Control-MG>LM
Serve-LM>MG
Stability-LM>MG
Touch-MG>LM
Returns-LM>MG
Comfort-MG>LM
Volleys-LM>MG

Both excellent sticks in their own rights,...I'd buy both if You're able,..
 

Doubles

Legend
I've got to disagree dgoran, the MG is far superior to the LM Radical, in my opinion. It just does everything better...
 

BobFL

Hall of Fame
It cannot be any clearer than this: lm>>>mg. It is not even close. LM is overwhelmingly superior frame. MG is very unique in the sense that it almost showed zero sensitivity to lead. It just stayed completely dead and anemic.
 

Doubles

Legend
It cannot be any clearer than this: lm>>>mg. It is not even close. LM is overwhelmingly superior frame. MG is very unique in the sense that it almost showed zero sensitivity to lead. It just stayed completely dead and anemic.

Again, I have to disagree. To me, the MG flexed in all of the right places and just has great feel for a doubles player like myself. The only change that I made to it was a leather grip...
 

BobFL

Hall of Fame
Doubles, you don't have to disagree every time you see discrepancy with your own opinion. Once is more than enough :) I personally don't post to agree/disagree but to answer OPs question and/or share my view.
 

Doubles

Legend
Doubles, you don't have to disagree every time you see discrepancy with your own opinion. Once is more than enough :) I personally don't post to agree/disagree but to answer OPs question and/or share my view.

Okay, next time I'll make sure to do things your way because they're clearly right:) Forgive me for wanting to point out what I liked about my racket, compared to the LM version...
 

NLBwell

Legend
The MG will feel more comfortable, damped (or, if you don't like it - mushy). The LM will feel more crisp, give more feedback (or, if you dont like it - harsh). I used to play with Head rackets until they put in intellifibers, liquid metal, and drilled holes in perfectly good rackets (flexpoint). With the microgel, Head actually had a good feeling racket instead of a harsh racket, so I went back to Head.
 

BobFL

Hall of Fame
Okay, next time I'll make sure to do things your way because they're clearly right:) Forgive me for wanting to point out what I liked about my racket, compared to the LM version...

Hahahha, it is not my way :) You just said "again, ...." and that's why I said what I said. Nothing sinister :)
 

msmullin

New User
The MG will feel more comfortable, damped (or, if you don't like it - mushy). The LM will feel more crisp, give more feedback (or, if you dont like it - harsh). I used to play with Head rackets until they put in intellifibers, liquid metal, and drilled holes in perfectly good rackets (flexpoint). With the microgel, Head actually had a good feeling racket instead of a harsh racket, so I went back to Head.

I've mostly played with Wilsons plus a dampener, so sounds like the MicgroGel might be a better option for me. Would you agree with that NLBwell?
 

Doubles

Legend
Hahahha, it is not my way :) You just said "again, ...." and that's why I said what I said. Nothing sinister :)

It's all good:) But getting back to the racket, I just felt that the LM was stiff, tinny, and hollow. The MG, however, was soft and more forgiving. That said, racket selection is really subjective...
 

hrstrat57

Hall of Fame
Both excellent sticks in their own rights,...I'd buy both if You're able,..

Buy both, TW prices are excellent at the moment.

Sell the one you like least on c list, the big auction site or here on the forums and buy a 2nd frame of the one you like better.

Easy peezy lemon squeezy!
 

TimothyO

Hall of Fame
It cannot be any clearer than this: lm>>>mg. It is not even close. LM is overwhelmingly superior frame. MG is very unique in the sense that it almost showed zero sensitivity to lead. It just stayed completely dead and anemic.

How did you have the MG strung?

Just ordered the MG Radical OS. Larger head but I'm still curious.
 
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