Bargain $70 HEAD Radical Classic - the Wal-Mart PT630/Prestige ? (PICS PICS PICS)

MAXXply · Dec 17, 2012

Mention has been made on these boards of the hidden appeal of selected cheap, Wal-Mart-style frames sold from non-tennis big-box general retailers. The potential for customisation and the ability to use the frames as a cheap platform with which to achieve your ideal set-up are the benefits touted.

I recently picked up from such a retailer the pre-strung HEAD "Radical Classic". It shares the same specs as the current Radical MP but in the familiar boxy mold as seen on earlier generations of the Radical. It does not feature the thinner aerodynamic mold as per the current Radical MP. I'm no expert on the lineage of the Radical and PT630's/280's but I'm sure HEAD simply raided the parts bin to whip up this frame as a retail Special Make Up (SMU).

I think the "Classic" moniker was a conscious sales decision that this frame was intended to appeal to a wide retail audience. I've yet to fully play with the stick and will comment later, but at AUD$70 BNWT it was a no-brainer purchase. I also saw cheapies sharing the Extreme mold but those were 270-280gm frames.

Unstrung 295gm/Bal 325mm/18x20/21mm/L4 swing rating/98sq.in. - as per usual, a compact headshape, similar in size to my TW POG Mid 93. The headguard is the same flimsy one as per recent Radicals.

Have you seen this "Classic" in North America or EU markets? Or is it known by any number of other generic names?

The gray frame below is another cheapie, the HEAD Ti Carbon 1000 (18x19). Might that be based on the PT630? The headguard is imprinted TK61.

Anton · Dec 17, 2012

Looks like MG Radical to me

MAXXply · Dec 17, 2012

^ Gotcha, so I guess they just trotted out the MG Radical with an updated YT PJ

TimothyO · Dec 17, 2012

MG Radicals are being sold pre-strung at our local authority on sports big box store for about $70.

TheLambsheadrep · Dec 17, 2012

MAXXply said:
The gray frame below is another cheapie, the HEAD Ti Carbon 1000 (18x19). Might that be based on the PT630? The headguard is imprinted TK61.

Interesting find. I have a Ti. Carbon 1000 One, great stick. Did some research on the boards, it's the same as the Ti. Carbon 5000, 5001, 6000, etc. It was said to be the 102sq in version of the Ti Radical (box beam, head shape, twin tube technology), and after it's leaded up, I can def say that it's a solid stick. I have searched for years, and while I have found a few other racquets with the same grommets, they were factory issued and do not have replacements (even though I did see replacement grommets sold for a racquet I'm 99% sure used TK61's). Where did you get your ti carbon?

ProRadTour · Dec 17, 2012

Hey MAXXply, just curious where did you buy the frame from? In Melbourne, would love to pick up a couple of these.

hoodjem · Dec 17, 2012

MAXXply said:
Mention has been made on these boards of the hidden appeal of selected cheap, Wal-Mart-style frames sold from non-tennis big-box general retailers. The potential for customisation and the ability to use the frames as a cheap platform with which to achieve your ideal set-up are the benefits touted.

I recently picked up from such a retailer the pre-strung HEAD "Radical Classic". It shares the same specs as the current Radical MP but in the familiar boxy mold as seen on earlier generations of the Radical. It does not feature the thinner aerodynamic mold as per the current Radical MP. I'm no expert on the lineage of the Radical and PT630's/280's but I'm sure HEAD simply raided the parts bin to whip up this frame as a retail Special Make Up (SMU).

I think the "Classic" moniker was a conscious sales decision that this frame was intended to appeal to a wide retail audience. I've yet to fully play with the stick and will comment later, but at AUD$70 BNWT it was a no-brainer purchase. I also saw cheapies sharing the Extreme mold but those were 270-280gm frames.

Unstrung 295gm/Bal 325mm/18x20/21mm/L4 swing rating/98sq.in. - as per usual, a compact headshape, similar in size to my TW POG Mid 93. The headguard is the same flimsy one as per recent Radicals.

Have you seen this "Classic" in North America or EU markets? Or is it known by any number of other generic names?

The gray frame below is another cheapie, the HEAD Ti Carbon 1000 (18x19). Might that be based on the PT630? The headguard is imprinted TK61.

I lust after a "cheap, Wal-mart style frame."

zapvor · Dec 17, 2012

thats not cheap, and 2 you paid way too much

DownTheLineWith90 · Dec 17, 2012

I've seen this in several local ***** stores in New Hampshire
Still thought 70 was a bit high, but didn't really notice the mold..

pshulam · Dec 17, 2012

TimothyO said:
MG Radicals are being sold pre-strung at our local authority on sports big box store for about $70.

It's below $50 (before tax), a dirt-cheap price, at a local store.

Mick3391 · Dec 17, 2012

MAXXply said:
Mention has been made on these boards of the hidden appeal of selected cheap, Wal-Mart-style frames sold from non-tennis big-box general retailers. The potential for customisation and the ability to use the frames as a cheap platform with which to achieve your ideal set-up are the benefits touted.

I recently picked up from such a retailer the pre-strung HEAD "Radical Classic". It shares the same specs as the current Radical MP but in the familiar boxy mold as seen on earlier generations of the Radical. It does not feature the thinner aerodynamic mold as per the current Radical MP. I'm no expert on the lineage of the Radical and PT630's/280's but I'm sure HEAD simply raided the parts bin to whip up this frame as a retail Special Make Up (SMU).

I think the "Classic" moniker was a conscious sales decision that this frame was intended to appeal to a wide retail audience. I've yet to fully play with the stick and will comment later, but at AUD$70 BNWT it was a no-brainer purchase. I also saw cheapies sharing the Extreme mold but those were 270-280gm frames.

Unstrung 295gm/Bal 325mm/18x20/21mm/L4 swing rating/98sq.in. - as per usual, a compact headshape, similar in size to my TW POG Mid 93. The headguard is the same flimsy one as per recent Radicals.

Have you seen this "Classic" in North America or EU markets? Or is it known by any number of other generic names?

The gray frame below is another cheapie, the HEAD Ti Carbon 1000 (18x19). Might that be based on the PT630? The headguard is imprinted TK61.

You paid way too much for it, it's a piece of crap, a racquet you start a 8 year old on.

It REALLY angers me when Wilson, Head, etc put pictures of Fed, Djoke on these cheap pieces of crap and parents think they are the real deal. They make the Fed one look like the REAL Fed one, unless you are into Tennis you wouldn't know, as you evidentelly don't, no offense at all, sorry if that came off wrong.

MAXXply · Dec 17, 2012

TheLambsheadrep said:
Interesting find. Where did you get your ti carbon?

$5 bucks from my local thrift store. 10 out of 10 condition. Like you I leaded it up but have since removed some of it. Still very solid 'eh?

ProRadTour said:
Hey MAXXply, just curious where did you buy the frame from? In Melbourne, would love to pick up a couple of these.

Rebel Clearance Outlet, which for you would be Harbourtown Docklands.

zapvor said:
thats not cheap, and 2 you paid way too much

Regular flipping subsidises my new purchases, so what's a few bucks here and there? But mostly, I'm more contented to live in a place with universal healthcare and effective gun control.

Mick3391 said:
You paid way too much for it, it's a piece of crap, a racquet you start a 8 year old on. It REALLY angers me when Wilson, Head, etc put pictures of Fed, Djoke on these cheap pieces of crap and parents think they are the real deal. They make the Fed one look like the REAL Fed one, unless you are into Tennis you wouldn't know, as you evidentelly don't, no offense at all, sorry if that came off wrong.

Yes it came off wrong as I know my tennis, more than you, and would happily engage you in a Cagefight Deathmatch on "Tennis Jeopardy!", if such a quizshow existed. For starters it's an adult racket and not an obvious choice to start an 8yo child on. I chose the frame because it ticked my boxes specs-wise and was being sold for what I deemed to be a reasonable price in my market, not yours. I could care less that the frame's perceived low-rent pedigree and chain store roots makes it unsuitable for serious play. You're talking to the wrong guy about being sucked in by marketing B.S.

3fees · Dec 17, 2012

Manufacturers think of bucks first, I see the same thing, $20-40 racquets with pro pics on them,,its a joke.

MAXXply · Dec 17, 2012

^^ I might add, the intention of my OP was to trumpet these chain store frames as an avenue for cheap platforms to customise and tinker with.

zapvor · Dec 17, 2012

MAXXply said:
$5 buc

Regular flipping subsidises my new purchases, so what's a few bucks here and there? But mostly, I'm more contented to live in a place with universal healthcare and effective gun control.

Yes it came off wrong as I know my tennis, more than you, and would happily engage you in a Cagefight Deathmatch on "Tennis Jeopardy!", if such a quizshow existed. For starters it's an adult racket and not an obvious choice to start an 8yo child on. I chose the frame because it ticked my boxes specs-wise and was being sold for what I deemed to be a reasonable price in my market, not yours. I could care less that the frame's perceived low-rent pedigree and chain store roots makes it unsuitable for serious play. You're talking to the wrong guy about being sucked in by marketing B.S.

MAXXply said:
^^ I might add, the intention of my OP was to trumpet these chain store frames as an avenue for cheap platforms to customise and tinker with.

you are not correct however. these rackets are mass produced very very cheaply and have about $1 worth of material in them, if that. they are not even designed for tennis. they are designed to make money. but if you like to use it as a 'platform' to create a real tennis racket, be my guest.

Mick3391 · Dec 18, 2012

3fees said:
Manufacturers think of bucks first, I see the same thing, $20-40 racquets with pro pics on them,,its a joke.

Yea you see the mom seeing the picture of Fed on the racquet at like Big 5 or The Sports Authority, it looks like the real one, then she buys it for her son. It really does bother me, I mean I feel sorry for the kid.

robbo1970 · Dec 18, 2012

That's Murray and Djokovic on that racket, not Fed?

Looks a decent enough frame to me. The amount of times I read about so called 'higher end' frames either breaking or having poor quality control, I don't see how this one could be that bad to be honest. I picked up one of the 'lower end' Prince composite rackets, re-strung it and stuck a leather grip on, and its as good as any other racket Ive used. I think these sorts of rackets are a pretty good base to have a good tinker with some different specs.

dreamneedle · Dec 18, 2012

Yep, I doubt there's any Prestige-like graphite in those frames.

Bargain $70 HEAD Radical Classic - the Wal-Mart PT630/Prestige ? (PICS PICS PICS)

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