G-Speed Pro Review (in Progress)
- Thread starter dr325i
- Start date
Anton
Legend
Put in a few hours today with some consistent rallying (though my partner was a weaker player and didn't really get me on the run much).
For comparison I also pulled out my modified Bio 300 (siliconed) and nCode 90, out of the three I definitely liked the feel of the Pro the least, it felt more buzzy and I could feel some flexing through the frame, while my Bio 300 and nCode 90 just felt one-piece sold and smooth.
BUT I still preferred playing with the Pro.
Hitting with it just felt like I can do no wrong, tons of consistency, great gas pedal and variety - I can flatten out and drive, I can go big spin, can hit short or long, high arch or low. Reminded me of Prince Tour 18x20 in that way, just a crisper, more solid version.
For comparison I also pulled out my modified Bio 300 (siliconed) and nCode 90, out of the three I definitely liked the feel of the Pro the least, it felt more buzzy and I could feel some flexing through the frame, while my Bio 300 and nCode 90 just felt one-piece sold and smooth.
BUT I still preferred playing with the Pro.
Hitting with it just felt like I can do no wrong, tons of consistency, great gas pedal and variety - I can flatten out and drive, I can go big spin, can hit short or long, high arch or low. Reminded me of Prince Tour 18x20 in that way, just a crisper, more solid version.
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Centerforward71
Rookie
hi all
i tested this frame last week.
strung with BB alu 24/23 kg.
a real disappointment to me. too stiff, less control despite balance and dense pattern in centre.
I expected more
I'll tell you how to get a lot more. Trash the garbage strings and put decent twines on there. Too Stiff and less control are not issues with this racquet.
Anton
Legend
Your opponent is terrible but you hit a nice ball. Seems like a quite powerful stick / string setup from the number of times you're tagging the baseline? Does this stick feel unwieldy at all given the tip and tail weighting?
Just wondering what you string set-up you're using? In addition, if you've had a chance to play with the Graphene Speed MP, would appreciate your thoughts.
Anton
Legend
Well it does have a nice plow at this weight.
It is strung at medium tension with silinco tour byte 17, I wouldn't call it powerful - the string bed feels somewhat tight. I will be swapping in multi/poly hybrid in next for a bit smoother feel.
I do have a bit of an inconsistent racket angle problem that I'm working on, sometimes the racket is more open than it should be, which launches the ball a bit higher and deeper than I would have wanted.
In this video I wasn't trying to control depth, but after watching it I started paying more attention and started aiming a bit past the service line instead.
I think this racket strikes a very good balance between control, spin and power. Loving the weight/balance too, got some heft to plow the ball but building up speed is easy.
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I've had more of a chance to hit with mine in the last few weeks too and am still liking it.
Playing back to back with my old Speed IG MP 315 16/19 I noticed a slightly hollower feel with the Graphene Speed Pro on hard groundies. But after a while just playing with the Speed Pro you get use to or just don't notice it. It also feels slightly stiffer than the IG MP but not by much and I haven't had any arm problems.
But back to back it feels noticeably more manoeuvrable than the IG MP, particularly at the net, and so much more stable off centre.
As for groundies I'm finding I can hit some very hard and flat forehands very deep into the corners that just skid on. The first time I managed to really pull one off the guy I was playing against said it was like trying to chase down a flat 150kmh serve.
Spin is still surprisingly good for such a tight string pattern and it gives nothing away to the IG 16/19 maybe due to how easy it is to just whip the racquet head around.
Serving is a breeze and it is the control I am loving but still not giving much away in raw speed. With the factory string I was probably getting close to 190kmh on the hardest of my flat first serves and I've been able to get some deep second serves to kick quite high.
Another big test has been playing with my kids using the low compression orange and green dot balls. One thing I hated about the IG MP was that slightly off centre shots with the low compression balls would just die or be hard to control. With the Speed Pro I've found that it is so much easier to control and keep the ball in play, particularly when I have to volley wayward shots when playing the half court with my youngest son.
So after a month of playing with the Speed Pro after having tried a few different styles of racquets since returning to tennis last year I think I've finally found something that really suits me. Although no doubt similar specced 18/20 racquets like the Blade 98 and EXO Tour 100 would be good too.
Also I'd all but killed the factory strings I restrung it with some Sonic Pro 17 @ 50lbs a few days ago but have only hit with my kids since then. I've got some Sonic Pro Edge on the way that I am really looking forward to trying out as from some reviews it sounds like a perfect match for this frame.
Playing back to back with my old Speed IG MP 315 16/19 I noticed a slightly hollower feel with the Graphene Speed Pro on hard groundies. But after a while just playing with the Speed Pro you get use to or just don't notice it. It also feels slightly stiffer than the IG MP but not by much and I haven't had any arm problems.
But back to back it feels noticeably more manoeuvrable than the IG MP, particularly at the net, and so much more stable off centre.
As for groundies I'm finding I can hit some very hard and flat forehands very deep into the corners that just skid on. The first time I managed to really pull one off the guy I was playing against said it was like trying to chase down a flat 150kmh serve.
Spin is still surprisingly good for such a tight string pattern and it gives nothing away to the IG 16/19 maybe due to how easy it is to just whip the racquet head around.
Serving is a breeze and it is the control I am loving but still not giving much away in raw speed. With the factory string I was probably getting close to 190kmh on the hardest of my flat first serves and I've been able to get some deep second serves to kick quite high.
Another big test has been playing with my kids using the low compression orange and green dot balls. One thing I hated about the IG MP was that slightly off centre shots with the low compression balls would just die or be hard to control. With the Speed Pro I've found that it is so much easier to control and keep the ball in play, particularly when I have to volley wayward shots when playing the half court with my youngest son.
So after a month of playing with the Speed Pro after having tried a few different styles of racquets since returning to tennis last year I think I've finally found something that really suits me. Although no doubt similar specced 18/20 racquets like the Blade 98 and EXO Tour 100 would be good too.
Also I'd all but killed the factory strings I restrung it with some Sonic Pro 17 @ 50lbs a few days ago but have only hit with my kids since then. I've got some Sonic Pro Edge on the way that I am really looking forward to trying out as from some reviews it sounds like a perfect match for this frame.
Anton
Legend
Sorry haven't tried (and most likely will not)
stronzzi70
Professional
the other guy is a tennis pro at Cancun?
Anton
Legend
Yes...I take what I can get. He spends most of his time underhanding balls to noob tourists, so his game is rusty.
It's fine though, so long as I get a ball back I have something to work on.
Federerkblade
Hall of Fame
hey anton
i know you have put silicone in handle or at least the person you bought it off did and lead at the hoop
what about lead at 3 and 9 does it need any ?
i know you have put silicone in handle or at least the person you bought it off did and lead at the hoop
what about lead at 3 and 9 does it need any ?
Anton
Legend
The lead goes all around the loop from 4 all the way around to 8.
Yes, I personally think it does need lead, though this frame in aprticular is slightly under weight spec, so maybe it´s a bit less stable then other stock frames of this model.
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Federerkblade
Hall of Fame
Could you show a pic at all
What the weight and balance with all the lead
What the weight and balance with all the lead
Anton
Legend
have been hitting it for 6 hours with a multi mains poly cross hybrid. this is a fun racquet to hit groundstrokes with, good control, good spin and power.
as anton said, might have to work on the inconsistent ball trajectory. i have only add 4g of lead in the butt cap, none on the loop, and i find the stability still ok even when returning a hard ball.
my serve has however lost a few mph compared to my previous stick ig rad pro. should i lead up at 12 o'clock to improve this area? or any suggestions?
as anton said, might have to work on the inconsistent ball trajectory. i have only add 4g of lead in the butt cap, none on the loop, and i find the stability still ok even when returning a hard ball.
my serve has however lost a few mph compared to my previous stick ig rad pro. should i lead up at 12 o'clock to improve this area? or any suggestions?
Anton
Legend
I'd say adding some lead at 12 is worth a try, though for me personally serve is one of those things I can most often fix without changing anything on the racket, just gotta spend some time serving and tweaking the timing a bit.
Anton
Legend
This reminded me, I filmed some serves too:
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=tayVQ_S1J64&feature=share&list=UURvQkhpbqgRyRpvORvRYogg
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=tayVQ_S1J64&feature=share&list=UURvQkhpbqgRyRpvORvRYogg
nice, guess i'd have to work on that and add some lead and see how it goes.
Anton
Legend
Update: Still top of the list.
Switching back and forth between my various rackets I keep being impressed how easy it is to play consistently with this racket. I can just swing relaxed and smooth and still get good spin, depth and pace...but when the time is right I can really kick it up a gear and go for that flat winner :twisted:. It's 12.3 oz but this is by far the easiest swinging 12.3 ouncer I've ever played.
Results confirm, played some competitive matches and did well above my usual against these players.
I've probably put on about 25 hours on this racket and I'm yet to pop the strings :shock:, I'd cut them out...except they still play great.
Switching back and forth between my various rackets I keep being impressed how easy it is to play consistently with this racket. I can just swing relaxed and smooth and still get good spin, depth and pace...but when the time is right I can really kick it up a gear and go for that flat winner :twisted:. It's 12.3 oz but this is by far the easiest swinging 12.3 ouncer I've ever played.
Results confirm, played some competitive matches and did well above my usual against these players.
I've probably put on about 25 hours on this racket and I'm yet to pop the strings :shock:, I'd cut them out...except they still play great.
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dr325i
G.O.A.T.
Anton
Legend
Yep, they were a bit boardy at first but once the tension dropped some they've been playing really good.
I still want to try NRG2 mains and Hyperion cross and see how that goes...I should prolly get a second Graphine Pro
Federerkblade
Hall of Fame
Anton what did you string tour bite 16 l in at originally ? Is that the gauge ubused ?
Anton
Legend
16g would be too thick for this racket, I bought it strung with 17g tour bite at what felt like 60lbs.
Dr325i do you remember tension you strung it at?
dr325i
G.O.A.T.
parasailing
Legend
I just got the racquet and wanted to know what tension you guys would suggest for gut mains and poly cross. I usually string it up my PSTGT at 58/52 but given the 18x20 string pattern, I should probably string it at a lower tension say 54/48?
Anton
Legend
Well it is a tight pattern racket and it was like 35-40 degrees when I first played with it so ill go with TW's stringing competence on this one
Anton
Legend
I use 16g for 16x19 and 17g for 18x20, I also reduce tension by about 5lbs, but may depend on a racket.
mrrockstar
New User
I played with Youtek IG Prestige Pro (16x19) with Volkl Cyclone 17 at 55lbs (full bed), feel is lively and lots of pop.
Recently , changed to Graphene Speed Pro strung with full bed of Volkl Cyclone 17 at 54lbs and 52lbs (strung twice), and found it hard hit with, feel is dead (like hitting a hard board), difficult to produce topsin even in groundstroke, no pops, sweetspot is small.
I suspect is the tension problem, as noticed many of you highly rated this stick. What tension you guys strung with full bed of soft poly?
Thanks!
Recently , changed to Graphene Speed Pro strung with full bed of Volkl Cyclone 17 at 54lbs and 52lbs (strung twice), and found it hard hit with, feel is dead (like hitting a hard board), difficult to produce topsin even in groundstroke, no pops, sweetspot is small.
I suspect is the tension problem, as noticed many of you highly rated this stick. What tension you guys strung with full bed of soft poly?
Thanks!
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Anton
Legend
I played with Youtek IG Prestige Pro (16x19) with Volkl Cyclone 17 at 55lbs (full bed), feel is lively and lots of pop.
Recently , changed to Graphene Speed Pro strung with full bed of Volkl Cyclone 17 at 54lbs and 52lbs (strung twice), and found it hard hit with, feel is dead (like hitting a hard board), difficult to produce topsin even in groundstroke, no pops, sweetspot is small.
I suspect is the tension problem, as noticed many of you highly rated this stick. What tension you guys strung with full bed of soft poly?
Thanks!
Drop to 47lbs an see how it goes, cyclone is a tough string
If you add weight on the loop that will also help give the string bed more playable feel with more stability and spin.
parasailing
Legend
I strung up the Graphene Pro with natural gut mains at 52lbs and Ltec 4S at 46lbs and for me, it is a good starting point.
The racquet does play way different than any other 18x20 string pattern racqet I have tried, offering a good amount of power and control. If you can generate the racquet speed, this racquet will take care of the rest.
I never like polarized setup but somehow this felt pretty HL and didn't feel sluggish. It's not as powerful as the PSTGT for those that might be wondering but offers more control than the PSTGT.
Will post back when I get a chance to hit with it more and also serve with it.
The racquet does play way different than any other 18x20 string pattern racqet I have tried, offering a good amount of power and control. If you can generate the racquet speed, this racquet will take care of the rest.
I never like polarized setup but somehow this felt pretty HL and didn't feel sluggish. It's not as powerful as the PSTGT for those that might be wondering but offers more control than the PSTGT.
Will post back when I get a chance to hit with it more and also serve with it.
Anton
Legend
BTW I got my second and third Speed GPro, so I got to hit with a stock one.
Feels different in weight distribution, less polarized, doesn't carry through the stroke like my original customized one, creating spin from wrist load-up takes more effort, whereas before it was almost automatic.
Only upside is it's a bit more stable low in the stringbed and maybe a bit better for flat-driving.
Stock racket balances at what looks like a point more headlight and is 11.9oz with overgrip and a rubber band vs 12.3 on my customized racket and yet my 12.3ozer is simply swifter and easier to play with.
Feels different in weight distribution, less polarized, doesn't carry through the stroke like my original customized one, creating spin from wrist load-up takes more effort, whereas before it was almost automatic.
Only upside is it's a bit more stable low in the stringbed and maybe a bit better for flat-driving.
Stock racket balances at what looks like a point more headlight and is 11.9oz with overgrip and a rubber band vs 12.3 on my customized racket and yet my 12.3ozer is simply swifter and easier to play with.
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Nice stick
Had a chance to try out this racquet today. Stiffness reminds me of the Prince Ozone Tour, but less sluggish overall. The polarization makes it feel like it might be heavy when you're just wiggling it, but once you actually hit with it, feels fast and light. Not as plush as a Prestige of course, but not hollow or tinny as most non-player racquets.
Interesting racquet overall--a sort of mish-mash of characteristics, down to its half box beam profile.
Had a chance to try out this racquet today. Stiffness reminds me of the Prince Ozone Tour, but less sluggish overall. The polarization makes it feel like it might be heavy when you're just wiggling it, but once you actually hit with it, feels fast and light. Not as plush as a Prestige of course, but not hollow or tinny as most non-player racquets.
Interesting racquet overall--a sort of mish-mash of characteristics, down to its half box beam profile.
Anton
Legend
Yep - I feel like I get it all in this racket (except maybe that silky smooth feel, but good enough).
I wouldn't be inclined to go higher on the mains. That tends to decrease spin potential from the strings. If anything, I'd have the same tensions or go fractionally lower on the mains; helps the mains more freely (than 54/52) and allows for more spin potential for this flatter hitting, closed patterned stick.
Anton
Legend
What makes you say that?
Higher tension on mains allows it to snap back better, while lower tension on cross should let the main move more freely.
But besides that, he wasn't saying he stung 54/52, he was saying he strung once at 54 once at 52
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That isn't my playing experience, nor the view of several pro stringers I've spoken to.
parasailing
Legend
After a few more hours hitting on the court, I think I need to up the string tension to 54lbs and 48lbs instead of 52/46. It felt a bit springy though still offered me more control than my previous PSTGT.
Mateo
Rookie
Well, in my local shop they have Gpro, but they don't have demo one, so If I want Gpro I have to buy one.
Currently I play with exo (from signature) and it is ok, but flat shots and serve are flying on me so much that it is frustrating, everything I can do is play top spin, but that is not my game.
If I am going to pull the trigger and buy pro, what strings should I install, would hybrid be good choice, good poly in main, and multi cross?
My thinking for tension is 54/48 like parasailing said...
Currently I play with exo (from signature) and it is ok, but flat shots and serve are flying on me so much that it is frustrating, everything I can do is play top spin, but that is not my game.
If I am going to pull the trigger and buy pro, what strings should I install, would hybrid be good choice, good poly in main, and multi cross?
My thinking for tension is 54/48 like parasailing said...
Mateo
Rookie
I hope that Gpro would be good choice, as I have bad experience with prestige mp ig, good racquet, but for prestige you have to be on court every day in training to get all that it can give, and that is not case with me (every weekend and maybe one day in a week, over summer little more), aren't enough to be on that level of training and body shape.
So I need something like Gpro, head control stick, but with some spin and added power (versus prestige). I have played with every model of Radical, but couldn't get just to light weight even with lead.
But could I compare power level with IG rad mp versus Gpro?
So I need something like Gpro, head control stick, but with some spin and added power (versus prestige). I have played with every model of Radical, but couldn't get just to light weight even with lead.
But could I compare power level with IG rad mp versus Gpro?
Mateo
Rookie
Hey Anton, I hope so because I am pretty pumped up for Gpro.
As for prince 18x20, I barely found one because in my town prince is not such represented brand for small shops, I managed to find one and I was not crazy about feel, and power, control was there and power level was little or like prestige. If you are 100% on the shot the prince preformed great like prestige, but if I played in sunny summer day against good player I had problem, like balls landing short or couldn’t get power on demand so I could turn game from defense to offence. Than I have started to mix up with tension, lead at 12 and strings, and one day on serve racquet flew out of my hand and that was an end with 18x20. It snapped like toothpick.
I expect from Gpro to be low powered with control but with larger sweet spot and with some help on defense shots or to be at least powerful enough to work for me when I am running from left to right.
Radical has good power from my point of view, and guys on tw say that it is low powered so…
My exo is about 350g with lead, so heft from Gpro would be even better if stability is like you and everybody says it is. I have to string exo like 57 lbs to restrain the ball launch.
As I said spin is great, but when I have to pull the trigger like flat forehand down the line, the ball just launch without any control.
Sorry for novel that I wrote, but I am Pumped up, and I think that this week Gpro will be in my prince bag.
I was watching your video on youtube, and I could say that we are on same tennis level, so your advice is very much appreciated.
And yes I am 30y old, so prestige and my pro tours 630 from junior days are on the shelf…resting as I am after two sets un summer
Anton
Legend
I played with weighted up Tour 18x20 for a while. GPro definitely has some more pop and just feels like a more solid stick all around. It also doesn't play as soft so for people looking for more comfort Tour would be better - for me that's not a concern.
I ended up switching from Tour 18x20 because it was bad on defensive play and volleys. Also, those rackets were so soft they started deforming too. GPro has none of those downsides, while giving me versatile play and control I liked about Tour.
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Mateo
Rookie
What about strings..On exo I have full poly, do you think that hybrid of poly and multi would do the trick in low tension the best?
parasailing
Legend
Having played with the Prince Exo3 tour, this racquet is nothing like it. The Graphene Pro is stiffer and probably the only 18x20 string pattern I have hit with that offers a substantial amount of power. I find the Exo3 Tour 16x18 string pattern version to be quite springy and never quite figured out a good tension that would work for it but even a full set of poly on the Exo3 Tour was plush.
I would say if you are looking for a stiffer racquet with a good amount of power and control, the Graphene Pro is it. After a few hours hitting with it at 52/46, I feel I am going to have to up the tension to 54-55/48-50 to reduce the springy feel. I might also add some silicone in the handle to dampen the racquet a bit as I do feel a slight ping not as much as other racquets but definitely not as solid as the PSTGT.
I
Anton
Legend
I'm yet to play around with strings much but Silinco Tour bite 17 has been very good after initial ~10 hour break in from 56/52 stringjob.
second racket I got has Luxilon poly cross and some head multi on mains, I'm yet to hit seriously with that one due to crap weather.
