For Floyd

MikeHitsHard93 · May 5, 2013

So I got to hit with my radical tonight... Poly was definitely the wrong choice for this frame. I also need to tail weight it because it feels a bit too HH for my liking. However, I found that if I time my strokes right and consistently find the sweetspot, I could hit a very heavy ball with decent control. I need more power though to be quite honest. Think the change in string would help?

The best part about this racket was the serve. Ohhhh my! Hahaha. I didn't double fault even once!

jackcrawford · May 5, 2013

MikeHitsHard93 said:
I need more power though to be quite honest. Think the change in string would help?

I'm not Floyd, but here's my 2 cents; http://www.tennis-warehouse.com/reviews/HGINST/HGINSTreview.html This is a great frame - hits like an MG radical MP, but lots more pop. If something like 17 guage multi doesn't give you enough pop in the rad, this would do the trick. Full poly at 48 # gives plenty of pop in the 18 X 19 pattern.

MikeHitsHard93 · May 5, 2013

jackcrawford said:
I'm not Floyd, but here's my 2 cents; http://www.tennis-warehouse.com/reviews/HGINST/HGINSTreview.html This is a great frame - hits like an MG radical MP, but lots more pop. If something like 17 guage multi doesn't give you enough pop in the rad, this would do the trick. Full poly at 48 # gives plenty of pop in the 18 X 19 pattern.

That's ok! Floyd was the person that convinced me to buy a pair and he wanted to know how I like them. I'm not quite sure if I like them or not though. They're actually a little too demanding for me at the moment. Mg instinct would be hard to find...

Larrysümmers · May 5, 2013

MULTI THAT BABY UP. im biased to nxt, but it felt and played like a beast in the rad

P.Floyd · May 5, 2013

MikeHitsHard93 said:
So I got to hit with my radical tonight... Poly was definitely the wrong choice for this frame. I also need to tail weight it because it feels a bit too HH for my liking. However, I found that if I time my strokes right and consistently find the sweetspot, I could hit a very heavy ball with decent control. I need more power though to be quite honest. Think the change in string would help?

The best part about this racket was the serve. Ohhhh my! Hahaha. I didn't double fault even once!

Ok, man, I do have some thoughts. First, yeah, poly was a bad choice and I didn't want to sound like a broken record, but definitely think you should try gut on at least one of them. Crazy as it sounds, synth gut was also really nice on this racquet. I liked OGSM on it, really nice pop. Again, this is presuming you want to take a step back from top-spin focus.

Natural Gut will give you more pop than the Cyclone at stock specs. You could also restring at a lower tension (have no idea what tension you went with). If all else fails, you could also add lead to the top of the hoop or between 9 and 3 o'clock. The MGRMP is 11 oz strung, that gives you a ton to work with to find your right balance and needed pop. Beyond that, you could probably go fully silicone into the handle, get crazy feel in the process and still way less than the 200 Tour you were just testing. That's the great thing about this racquet, you can turn it into pretty much whatever you want.

P.Floyd · May 5, 2013

MikeHitsHard93 said:
That's ok! Floyd was the person that convinced me to buy a pair and he wanted to know how I like them. I'm not quite sure if I like them or not though. They're actually a little too demanding for me at the moment. Mg instinct would be hard to find...

They should be way less demanding that the 200 Tour; not the case?

MikeHitsHard93 · May 5, 2013

P.Floyd said:
They should be way less demanding that the 200 Tour; not the case?

I'm not sure if it was the racket or just me, but it was really hard to find the sweet spot and the power was really low. Strung @50lbs.

RE weighting, this definitely needs weight in the grip. I don't think I'll string gut man haha I just am scared to put that much money into strings. And, tbh, I'm not sure if I really like the head grip shape anymore

ugh maybe I just suck at tennis and should give up lol.

MikeHitsHard93 · May 5, 2013

MikeHitsHard93 said:
I'm not sure if it was the racket or just me, but it was really hard to find the sweet spot and the power was really low. Strung @50lbs.

RE weighting, this definitely needs weight in the grip. I don't think I'll string gut man haha I just am scared to put that much money into strings. And, tbh, I'm not sure if I really like the head grip shape anymore ugh maybe I just suck at tennis and should give up lol.

Oh and to answer your question, they were only slightly less demanding.

MikeHitsHard93 · May 5, 2013

Larrysümmers said:
MULTI THAT BABY UP. im biased to nxt, but it felt and played like a beast in the rad

Thanks Larry. Will consider it.

BIGJ98 · May 5, 2013

Just give the mg radical some time. It has a lot of control but you will then get used to it and then swing harder. I have two and love them. They allow me to go for my shots. A powerful string should help a lot too.

BIGJ98 · May 5, 2013

Also a I have mine with two leather grips which helps make it more head light.

P.Floyd · May 5, 2013

MikeHitsHard93 said:
Oh and to answer your question, they were only slightly less demanding.

Hmm, I just typed up a bunch of stuff and deleted it. Now I'm concerned that perhaps you are expecting this to play like a tempered pure drive or aeropro. Is that what you were hoping for?

If so, it never will. I mean, you can definitely dial in the right power combo with this frame, and keep weight very reasonable, but it's never going to be a 10.5 oz cannon. Again, adding some lead will definitely improve the power, as will the strings, but it's not going to be THAT much different. So, do you think you're pretty close or pretty far?

Beyond that, did you like the feel?

P.Floyd · May 5, 2013

BIGJ98 said:
Just give the mg radical some time. It has a lot of control but you will then get used to it and then swing harder. I have two and love them. They allow me to go for my shots. A powerful string should help a lot too.

Yeah, at 315 SW, you really need to swing quickly.

MikeHitsHard93 · May 5, 2013

P.Floyd said:
Hmm, I just typed up a bunch of stuff and deleted it. Now I'm concerned that perhaps you are expecting this to play like a tempered pure drive or aeropro. Is that what you were hoping for?

If so, it never will. I mean, you can definitely dial in the right power combo with this frame, and keep weight very reasonable, but it's never going to be a 10.5 oz cannon. Again, adding some lead will definitely improve the power, as will the strings, but it's not going to be THAT much different. So, do you think you're pretty close or pretty far?

Beyond that, did you like the feel?

Loved the feel actually. Nice and flexy.

I think that I have been looking for rackets that are actually too demanding for me. Something with a much larger sweet spot would probably be beneficial. Idk man. This racket seemed to swallow me up tonight...

P.Floyd · May 5, 2013

MikeHitsHard93 said:
Loved the feel actually. Nice and flexy.

I think that I have been looking for rackets that are actually too demanding for me. Something with a much larger sweet spot would probably be beneficial. Idk man

When you say too demanding, do you mean just the lack of pop or are you framing the ball, or just totally uncontrollable with your shots?

The fact that you love the feel is really important; everything else can usually be fixed up or at least somewhat improved.

MikeHitsHard93 · May 5, 2013

P.Floyd said:
When you say too demanding, do you mean just the lack of pop or are you framing the ball, or just totally uncontrollable with your shots?

The fact that you love the feel is really important; everything else can usually be fixed up or at least somewhat improved.

Re demanding, all of the above. I even tried to set up early and still managed to hit off center or launched the ball or framed it.

P.Floyd · May 5, 2013

MikeHitsHard93 said:
Re demanding, all of the above. I even tried to set up early and still managed to hit off center or launched the ball or framed it.

Frankly, just sounds like you're not used to them. If you were striking cleanly and still not getting much pop, I think that would be more of a concern. Were you framing with the PD or APD, as those are only 2 sq.in. larger in terms of the stringbed?

P.Floyd · May 5, 2013

MikeHitsHard93 said:
Re demanding, all of the above. I even tried to set up early and still managed to hit off center or launched the ball or framed it.

Wait, wait, wait, how in the world were you playing with a Prestige MP then?

MikeHitsHard93 · May 5, 2013

P.Floyd said:
Frankly, just sounds like you're not used to them. If you were striking cleanly and still not getting much pop, I think that would be more of a concern. Were you framing with the PD or APD, as those are only 2 sq.in. larger in terms of the stringbed?

I was not framing much at all with those rackets, no. Btw really appreciate this as always.

MikeHitsHard93 · May 5, 2013

P.Floyd said:
Wait, wait, wait, how in the world were you playing with a Prestige MP then?

I think it has something to do with the SW tbh! The ig prestige mp felt less demanding than the ig radical mp...

P.Floyd · May 5, 2013

MikeHitsHard93 said:
I think it has something to do with the SW tbh! The ig prestige mp felt less demanding than the ig radical mp...

Ok, then it's likely the balance. On average, the IGPMP is 310 SW and 337 grams. The MGRMP s 315 SW and only 312 grams. Despite the SW being 5 points higher, the static weight of the IGPMP should alone make it more cumbersome but for that 6 points HL balance. Not sure if you have access to lead, but some slight modifications should get the balance issue sorted and perhaps remedy the pop/sweetspot issue (although I think that's more to do with the strings).

MikeHitsHard93 · May 5, 2013

P.Floyd said:
Ok, then it's likely the balance. On average, the IGPMP is 310 SW and 337 grams. The MGRMP s 315 SW and only 312 grams. Despite the SW being 5 points higher, the static weight of the IGPMP should alone make it more cumbersome but for that 6 points HL balance. Not sure if you have access to lead, but some slight modifications should get the balance issue sorted and perhaps remedy the pop/sweetspot issue (although I think that's more to do with the strings).

Alright. Next mods being performed: adding a couple over grips. If that doesn't work, idk what will

P.Floyd · May 5, 2013

MikeHitsHard93 said:
Alright. Next mods being performed: adding a couple over grips. If that doesn't work, idk what will

Well make sure to measure so that you're not going too HL, or that it's not staying too HH. You can always try taping a nickel or dime (or perhaps two) in the buttcap/handle for a quick fix.

But remember, if you need more power, then you have to change your strings, add lead or just swing faster.

MikeHitsHard93 · May 5, 2013

P.Floyd said:
Well make sure to measure so that you're not going too HL, or that it's not staying too HH. You can always try taping a nickel or dime (or perhaps two) in the buttcap/handle for a quick fix.

But remember, if you need more power, then you have to change your strings, add lead or just swing faster.

Alright man. Thanks. Geez this is frustrating.

MikeHitsHard93 · May 5, 2013

I think I'm just looking at rackets above my skill level actually. Just like jackb1, maybe I should take a look at some lighter rackets with a big sweet spot and slightly larger head? Like the blade 104.

P.Floyd · May 5, 2013

MikeHitsHard93 said:
I think I'm just looking at rackets above my skill level actually. Just like jackb1, maybe I should take a look at some lighter rackets with a big sweet spot and slightly larger head? Like the blade 104.

My friend, that's something only you can answer.

MikeHitsHard93 · May 5, 2013

P.Floyd said:
My friend, that's something only you can answer.

Spoken for truth. Tuesday ill try a lighter racket and see how it goes. I just realized that my favorite rackets I've ever used have been pretty light: ig instinct, bio 300T, igpmp felt really light to me, pd 2012.

Maddening, this is.

spinovic · May 6, 2013

Have you tried the HEAD Extreme Pro 2.0 or MP 2.0? I think you might find that you like one or both of those.

There are some "heavier" racquets that aren't as demanding as some that you've tried, IMO.

But, if you like lighter, I think the Volkl V1 MP would be worth a look. It gets great reviews, is 102 in and right around 11 oz strung. I believe it is Siobahn who loved that racquet in the playtest, and I believe she's the one who loves the Pure Drive.

If you're racquet search isn't over, I'd suggest trying the Extreme Pro and V1 MP.

MikeHitsHard93 · May 6, 2013

spinovic said:
Have you tried the HEAD Extreme Pro 2.0 or MP 2.0? I think you might find that you like one or both of those.

There are some "heavier" racquets that aren't as demanding as some that you've tried, IMO.

But, if you like lighter, I think the Volkl V1 MP would be worth a look. It gets great reviews, is 102 in and right around 11 oz strung. I believe it is Siobahn who loved that racquet in the playtest, and I believe she's the one who loves the Pure Drive.

If you're racquet search isn't over, I'd suggest trying the Extreme Pro and V1 MP.

Thanks spin. I just added 3grams of lead to the base along with an over grip to my rad. If that doesn't work, then I'm sending them back and demoing more. I will keep the extremes in mind as well as the volkl.

Korso · May 6, 2013

I highly recommend putting some lead at 3 and 9 along with the tail weighting to open up the sweet spot. This racket does play well with a multi in it. I prefer a multi or hybrid over a full poly set up in this racket. Tension will very on the power you can achieve on your own.

jackcrawford · May 6, 2013

MikeHitsHard93 said:
Thanks spin. I just added 3grams of lead to the base along with an over grip to my rad. If that doesn't work, then I'm sending them back and demoing more. I will keep the extremes in mind as well as the volkl.

I love my V1 - you can counterpunch with it, and do not have to swing fast. My experience, light thin-beamed frames like the rad in stock form require a fast swing. This may be why the Prestige seemed easier to play with for you. I remember the i.Prestige series, mid and mp, just overpowered the ball. Also, frames like the V1 with a thicker beam, do feel different, but even many pros play with what are called tweeners. Good luck with your mods, I know it can seem frustrating.

MikeHitsHard93 · May 6, 2013

jackcrawford said:
I love my V1 - you can counterpunch with it, and do not have to swing fast. My experience, light thin-beamed frames like the rad in stock form require a fast swing. This may be why the Prestige seemed easier to play with for you. I remember the i.Prestige series, mid and mp, just overpowered the ball. Also, frames like the V1 with a thicker beam, do feel different, but even many pros play with what are called tweeners. Good luck with your mods, I know it can seem frustrating.

Thanks jack. I think you're onto something here. I'm probably not as good as I thought, and require a more forgiving and easy swinging racket.

P.Floyd · May 6, 2013

MikeHitsHard93 said:
Thanks jack. I think you're onto something here. I'm probably not as good as I thought, and require a more forgiving and easy swinging racket.

Just return it and get a Pure Drive; you can pick up the GT for less than $100 a pop. It may not be very popular on here, but there is a reason why it's so popular in the real world. Forget the anti-babolat snobs on here and just enjoy your tennis.

MikeHitsHard93 · May 6, 2013

P.Floyd said:
Just return it and get a Pure Drive; you can pick up the GT for less than $100 a pop. It may not be very popular on here, but there is a reason why it's so popular in the real world. Forget the anti-babolat snobs on here and just enjoy your tennis.

Giving up on me?

Lilguy1456 · May 6, 2013

If you like the feel, but it was to demanding....why not try the Radical OS?

Lilguy1456 · May 6, 2013

Rebel 98 has a similar feel too...

sunof tennis · May 6, 2013

MikeHitsHard93 said:
Alright man. Thanks. Geez this is frustrating.

At least you bought racquets that modify extremely well. I would buy a leather grip, over grip and start with just a little lead at 10 and 2.
Also, since this is not a power racquet, it plays well with a multi or when I played with them I had a mid level gut in the mains and a soft poly in hte crosses.

P.Floyd · May 6, 2013

MikeHitsHard93 said:
Giving up on me?

Haha, no way man, it's just that you have drank from the cup of Babolat and there is no turning back. If you remember, I thought your best bet was the pure drive GT, especially at that price.

You can definitely increase the power here, but it'll never be a pure drive. I think that's what your shrouding your comments in; not that the MG is a particularly hard racquet to use, but that the pure drive is just so darn easy to use.

MikeHitsHard93 · May 6, 2013

Lilguy1456 said:
If you like the feel, but it was to demanding....why not try the Radical OS?

Thought about this

MikeHitsHard93 · May 6, 2013

Lilguy1456 said:
Rebel 98 has a similar feel too...

Hate this racket lol thanks though.

MikeHitsHard93 · May 6, 2013

sunof tennis said:
At least you bought racquets that modify extremely well. I would buy a leather grip, over grip and start with just a little lead at 10 and 2.
Also, since this is not a power racquet, it plays well with a multi or when I played with them I had a mid level gut in the mains and a soft poly in hte crosses.

320 is the highest SW that I want at the moment, but I have put 3 grams of lead at the base of the base grip and wrapped an OG over it. Essentially 10 grams. Hopefully that works.

MikeHitsHard93 · May 6, 2013

P.Floyd said:
Haha, no way man, it's just that you have drank from the cup of Babolat and there is no turning back. If you remember, I thought your best bet was the pure drive GT, especially at that price.

You can definitely increase the power here, but it'll never be a pure drive. I think that's what your shrouding your comments in; not that the MG is a particularly hard racquet to use, but that the pure drive is just so darn easy to use.

Haha yeah you're probably right. I enjoy easy power and spin. I actually feel a slight twinge in my arm today...not a good sign. That tells you how many times I shanked a ball or hit off center last night lol...

I'll hopefully play again tomorrow, and if I don't like the mg, I gotta send both of em back. I won't get my 100% back though which is the bad part.

P.Floyd · May 6, 2013

MikeHitsHard93 said:
Haha yeah you're probably right. I enjoy easy power and spin. I actually feel a slight twinge in my arm today...not a good sign. That tells you how many times I shanked a ball or hit off center last night lol...

I'll hopefully play again tomorrow, and if I don't like the mg, I gotta send both of em back. I won't get my 100% back though which is the bad part.

Please tell me you didn't remove the wrapper from the handle on the second one! They should treat it as brand new even if strung, so long as the plastic is still on it.

Twinge in the arm from the MG? Wow, that gives me some concern with the PD; hopefully it was just from framing it! Nonetheless, hope the seas part for you tomorrow and you find your racquet match!

By the way, I think your safe with Cyclone in the PD.

MikeHitsHard93 · May 6, 2013

P.Floyd said:
Please tell me you didn't remove the wrapper from the handle on the second one! They should treat it as brand new even if strung, so long as the plastic is still on it.

Twinge in the arm from the MG? Wow, that gives me some concern with the PD; hopefully it was just from framing it! Nonetheless, hope the seas part for you tomorrow and you find your racquet match!

By the way, I think your safe with Cyclone in the PD.

Yeah I was stupid and removed it

Lilguy1456 · May 6, 2013

MikeHitsHard93 said:
Yeah I was stupid and removed it

It sounds like you bought 2 new racquets (having never played with them), all on the advice of a stranger on the TT forums, took the plastic wrap off BOTH sticks, and can't play with them......but I know THAT can't be true.....

Luckily, this very forum has a section for such unwanted sticks

P.Floyd · May 6, 2013

Lilguy1456 said:
It sounds like you bought 2 new racquets (having never played with them), all on the advice of a stranger on the TT forums, took the plastic wrap off BOTH sticks, and can't play with them......but I know THAT can't be true.....

Luckily, this very forum has a section for such unwanted sticks

Come on, be cool. It's not like he posted absolutely ridiculous self-made music videos of Bruno Mars covers on you tube! I mean, that really couldn't be true either right? :shock:

Lilguy1456 · May 6, 2013

P.Floyd said:
Come on, be cool. It's not like he posted absolutely ridiculous self-made music videos of Bruno Mars covers on you tube! I mean, that really couldn't be true either right? :shock:

ROFL!!!! Stalking much? That cover was an absolute success and served its purpose. All you've served is a waste of money for your forum buddy.

Lilguy1456 · May 6, 2013

P.Floyd said:
Come on, be cool. It's not like he posted absolutely ridiculous self-made music videos of Bruno Mars covers on you tube! I mean, that really couldn't be true either right? :shock:

hahaha i'm still dying over this....you do realize this means that at some point, you literally TYPED my screen name in some kind of search box with the purpose of finding something you can hang your hat on...and the best you could do was a (very well done) cover of a pop song? Cmon dude...

I will say this though...you're VERY good at searching for TT screen names on youtube and wasting your friends' money. That you're VERY good at lol

P.Floyd · May 6, 2013

Lilguy1456 said:
hahaha i'm still dying over this....you do realize this means that at some point, you literally TYPED my screen name in some kind of search box with the purpose of finding something you can hang your hat on...and the best you could do was a (very well done) cover of a pop song? Cmon dude...

I will say this though...you're VERY good at searching for TT screen names on youtube and wasting your friends' money. That you're VERY good at lol

Wasting my friends' money? Yes, a MG Radical MP is really an awful racquet and poor general recommendation for someone starting out and looking not to spend too much money on a racquet.

Hey, I didn't criticize. I think you did a great job, in fact you should probably post it on here.

Is it your point to be rude to others on here? It's pretty habitual for you.

Lilguy1456 · May 6, 2013

P.Floyd said:
Wasting my friends' money? Yes, a MG Radical MP is really an awful racquet and poor general recommendation for someone starting out and looking not to spend too much money on a racquet.

Hey, I didn't criticize. I think you did a great job, in fact you should probably post it on here.

Is it your point to be rude to others on here? It's pretty habitual for you.

Calling it "absolutely ridiculous" isn't criticizing? I'm just saying...

I don't wanna be rude.....let's be friends. In fact, can you suggest a stick for me?

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