New Graphene Radicals/Prestiges for 2014

JackB1

JackB1

G.O.A.T.
Zouph said:
nearby the 3 and 9 position right? Due to torsion, in the hoop will more be power I thought
Click to expand...

Yes 3/9 for stability.

True any lead in the hoop will add power, but depending on where and how much, you may or may not even perceive the difference. Lead at 12' will add the most power. But there is a point of diminishing returns where your swingspeed slows down.
 
cluckcluck

cluckcluck

Hall of Fame
I put on a Wilson leather grip plus 16grams at 3 & 9, I found this to be a bit too heavy; it was amazing on ground strokes but my serve suffered tremendously. I just couldn't get the racket up to make contact fast enough then my shoulder was fatigued after half a set.
I managed to take off about 8 grams or so and that was better for serving. I'll have to play around with the weight some more; there's a lot of potential with customization.
 
D

djnemo

Rookie
I'm probably making the switch to the graphene radical pro. I sold my IG radical pro's as I never got dialed in with the soft flex and lack of control and feedback. I still have my youtek radicals, which are great baseline bashing racquets, but now that I play less often I want something lighter that I can just pick up and play.

The G Rad Pro hits a nasty slice, deep and consistent, maybe due to the tight string pattern in the sweet spot or the stiff flex. A good blend of control and power for me, and no arm problems so far... I have it strung with vs touch 52 lbs in mains and yonex ptp at 50 in crosses.

I tried the graphene prestige pro and it wasn't for me. It's a beautiful racquet and does feel more solid than the radical, but less power and maneuverability from it was not a good fit for this western grip baseliner.

I will be testing out the graphene speed mp and the yonex AI 98 this weekend and will post comparisons.
 
R

reds17

Rookie
djnemo said:
The G Rad Pro hits a nasty slice, deep and consistent, maybe due to the tight string pattern in the sweet spot or the stiff flex. A good blend of control and power for me, and no arm problems so far... I have it strung with vs touch 52 lbs in mains and yonex ptp at 50 in crosses.
Click to expand...

Agreed, I've been able to generate a nice, consistent slice since going with this racquet.
 
Z

Zouph

New User
djnemo said:
I'm probably making the switch to the graphene radical pro. I sold my IG radical pro's as I never got dialed in with the soft flex and lack of control and feedback. I still have my youtek radicals, which are great baseline bashing racquets, but now that I play less often I want something lighter that I can just pick up and play.

The G Rad Pro hits a nasty slice, deep and consistent, maybe due to the tight string pattern in the sweet spot or the stiff flex. A good blend of control and power for me, and no arm problems so far... I have it strung with vs touch 52 lbs in mains and yonex ptp at 50 in crosses.

I tried the graphene prestige pro and it wasn't for me. It's a beautiful racquet and does feel more solid than the radical, but less power and maneuverability from it was not a good fit for this western grip baseliner.

I will be testing out the graphene speed mp and the yonex AI 98 this weekend and will post comparisons.
Click to expand...

Try the Speed Pro aswell :)
 
E

elias_ch

New User
djnemo said:
The G Rad Pro hits a nasty slice, deep and consistent, maybe due to the tight string pattern in the sweet spot or the stiff flex. A good blend of control and power for me, and no arm problems so far... I have it strung with vs touch 52 lbs in mains and yonex ptp at 50 in crosses.
Click to expand...
Couldn't agree more on the slices.

I strung it with vs touch 52/ 4G 50 & found spin potential to be above average as well... but a little bit too much power for me.

so I tried YPTP Spin at 52 and had to cut it after 5 hrs... (wrist pain)
now trying YPTP 1.2 at 52 - no pain but would like more spin.
Will try Solinco Tour Bite 16L @51

Have you tried it with different string setup?
 
Z

zebbe

New User
I will try different strings, but for now I like it a lot with Sonic Pro that it came with.
Strings that I will be trying :
BHB7, 1.25
Black Widow, 1.25
Focus Hex, 1.10
Signum Pro Hyperion, 1.18
I will let you know as soon as I cut the Sonic Pro out.
 
D

djnemo

Rookie
elias_ch said:
Couldn't agree more on the slices.

I strung it with vs touch 52/ 4G 50 & found spin potential to be above average as well... but a little bit too much power for me.

so I tried YPTP Spin at 52 and had to cut it after 5 hrs... (wrist pain)
now trying YPTP 1.2 at 52 - no pain but would like more spin.
Will try Solinco Tour Bite 16L @51

Have you tried it with different string setup?
Click to expand...

Interesting that you had more spin with 4G as the cross. The only other set up I have tried was a full bed of Sonic Pro Edge at 48 lbs. Great spin and comfortable for a poly. Overall liked it about the same as the vs touch/yptp hybrid, but the hybrid plays better for longer. With the Sonic Pro Edge, I noticed a drop in control after about 8 hours.
 
Kal-El 34

Kal-El 34

Hall of Fame
new prestige kills my elbow. i hit with an uncustomized one for a few hours over the weekend. my shoulder was getting tired of playing with my mid after 6.5 straight hours of hitting lessons.

so i just hit with some juniors for a bit at the end of my day with the MP and my elbow next day was destroyed... still hurts
 
4sound

4sound

Semi-Pro
Kal-El 34 said:
new prestige kills my elbow. i hit with an uncustomized one for a few hours over the weekend. my shoulder was getting tired of playing with my mid after 6.5 straight hours of hitting lessons.

so i just hit with some juniors for a bit at the end of my day with the MP and my elbow next day was destroyed... still hurts
Click to expand...

What mid?
What MP setup? String/type tension?
 
Kal-El 34

Kal-El 34

Hall of Fame
i play the prestige mid. played them all. currently a TGT292.1

had the MP stock with solinco outlast at 55lbs - i have one leaded up to my TGT specs, but my arm was dead after hitting all day. ive never had any kind of elbow pain playing tennis ever
 
burn1986

burn1986

Banned
Kal-El 34 said:
i play the prestige mid. played them all. currently a TGT292.1

had the MP stock with solinco outlast at 55lbs - i have one leaded up to my TGT specs, but my arm was dead after hitting all day. ive never had any kind of elbow pain playing tennis ever
Click to expand...

That's because Head injected more vibration and less forgiveness with the Graphene (metal). There are way better racquets out there for the money.
 
Sup2Dresq

Sup2Dresq

Hall of Fame
Kal-El

Thank you.. this thread need more pics (like it needs more cowbell)!

6a00d8345285b669e2016760d3dd4e970b-pi
 
Kal-El 34

Kal-El 34

Hall of Fame
and speaking to prestiges and radicals :)




elektra pro, elite pro, iquidmetal radical tour MIA, 12 PT57, 5 TGK 238.1, 5 TGT 292.1 w/ black caps, i.prestige MP MIA, and that new one on the end they are calling a prestige :)
 
datsveryinterestin

datsveryinterestin

Professional
Graphene Prestige MP demo

I've been trying to get along with the Graphene Prestige MP for a week.
came strung with TNT16 @56lbs
felt boardy but i played some great indoor doubles with it.
hit the biggest serve of my life and hit 2 crushing returns that
almost killed the netman and hit a couple amazingly soft angled volleys!
i took it out to hit against a wall and hit some serves and it felt way too underpowered for singles though.
so i restrung it with a SonicPro/Maxim touch @52lbs
just as boardy feeling and now my elbow was hurting after hitting only a few practice serves!
so i restung it again with Maxim Touch/Gosen Micro @53/52lbs
Still extremely boardy and no power and my elbow can throb for a while after hitting a few serves still.

So, I probably should just FORGET this P.O.S! however those few sweet shots and its... umm how do i say... the great feel of just swinging it through the air in my basement(?) makes me want to keep messing with it. Maybe I'll restring it with full maxim touch @48lbs and see if it becomes magical? I'd ideally like to throw some poly in there to help with spin but I also need to get some easier power because I am swinging out of my shoes right now to get any depth.

Anyway, I have used the PC600 and Microgel Prestige mid and demoed the IG Prestige MP and didn't have these kinds of issues. So I guess TalkTennis consensus was right that graphene prestige just isn't very good... but I am hoping it just needs very low tension and it becomes the G.O.A.T for me. I played with the Vcore89 last year and I had easy power and played great with it for a while. But the swingweight and long throat messed with me when returning 1st serves and hitting serves... so the Prestige MP just feels more natural... IF it had more juice!

that is my Prestige MP review... so far it kills my arm and has no power but i have hit a few of my best shots ever somehow with it while testing it. Weird! I guess maybe because the string bed feels like its 80lbs so when i have hit dead center while swinging fast it has produced some bombs but most of the time it is just way too boardy.
I've demoed the IG Prestige MP with full poly too and it wasn't bad at all.
But I preferred the Vcore89 over it back then.
The new racquet quest has officially become a nightmare.
I currently use a leaded AeroPro Drive 2013 and while my results are good with it... I just kind of hate using only topspin. I can't slice at all with it and I just spin serves in with it. Volleys are pretty meh too. But for singles baseline bashing it works fine.. I just wish I had an 11.7+oz ,22mm or less, HL frame, that allowed me to hit more kinds of shots yet still play topspin aggressive tennis when i want to too!
Sigh.... time to demo more racquets I guess. I'll update after I lower the string tension on the Graphene Prestige MP and use full multi.
 
T

Torres

Banned
^ The problem is that you're comparing apples to oranges. The GPMP is in a different weight category to the YTPMP. And how do you know that the specs of the one that you had was representative? From what I've seen, the specs of the Graphenes vary quite considerably. In any event, the YTPMP was pretty half baked in stock form in terms of power and SW. Once you 3/9/12 you're in the 350g class of racquet. Not really comparable to a 330g GPMP.

datsveryinterestin said:
I just wish I had an 11.7+oz ,22mm or less, HL frame, that allowed me to hit more kinds of shots yet still play topspin aggressive tennis when i want to too!
Click to expand...

That would be a higher weight specced Graphene Prestige Pro.

datsveryinterestin said:
I currently use a leaded AeroPro Drive 2013 and while my results are good with it... I just kind of hate using only topspin. I can't slice at all with it and I just spin serves in with it. Volleys are pretty meh too. But for singles baseline bashing it works fine..
Click to expand...

I think you're mixing up too many playing issues and styles with equipment. I know an Aussie guy at my club - one of the coaches - who probably has the best S&V game out of anyone I've ever seen. He plays with an APDC.
 
Last edited:
Knife

Knife

Professional
Biggest change/update for Radicals/Prestiges 2014:

Ugliest versions up to now. Those red caps look unappealing and cheap. Radical with tapered beam? Close to blasphemy. Nuff said.
 
T

Torres

Banned
Not that looks are particularly important but I think it's a great paint job on the Prestiges. The red caps don't look cheap at all. Bold and modern.
 
M

MoShow

New User
@datsveryinterestin

Prestige MP is low powered (Microgel, Youtek, IG, Graphene, doesn't mather). But to low powered for singles???? NO WAY LOL ;)

Work on your technique, swingspeed, preparation and go to the gym, before this babies start shining

I've got my new graphene MP's stringed with full bed 55/53lbs yonex pro poly tour 1.25mm

Just love the polarized set-up, much better for high pace rallies
 
datsveryinterestin

datsveryinterestin

Professional
Hey mosho, thanks for the tips pal. Hope you realize you know nothing about my game...either equipment experience or skill... and I was reporting on the feeling of the string tension...not that the racquet cant play singles at all..that doesnt even make sense.
You sound pretty condescending which I would hold back on a bit.
Not saying I couldn't work out or improve my technique because I am always trying to improve.
Whatever works for u. Maybe one of our stringers needs calibrating..who knows.
I restrung it 53/48 with multi and its started to
have a little pop. Still a little brassy feeling off center though.
I like the way it swings but if it doesnt play a lot better tonight... im moving on.
I heard a LOT of bad things about the Graphene Prestige racquets and I was hoping others were wrong but I must agree for the most part with the consensus so far.
not all bad but very string sensitive and materials used seem tough on the arm too.
If it plays lights out tonight, I'll be sure to update this....after I lift zome weights . Har
 
M

MoShow

New User
Did not mean to sound condescending!

It is just that I disagree a little bit with the hype to say bad things about the Graphene Prestige MP, because the MP is the only Prestige which is not f*** up by head and is a serious upgrade with the polarization... So i defend them lol

The Rev Pro and S are just laughable so bad, (In stock)

Post an update plz, maybe they start shining on u tonight ;-)
 
JackB1

JackB1

G.O.A.T.
MoShow said:
Did not mean to sound condescending!

It is just that I disagree a little bit with the hype to say bad things about the Graphene Prestige MP, because the MP is the only Prestige which is not f*** up by head and is a serious upgrade with the polarization... So i defend them lol

The Rev Pro and S are just laughable so bad, (In stock)

Post an update plz, maybe they start shining on u tonight ;-)
Click to expand...

WHat's bad about the S? I thought it was quite a nice upgrade. TW just posted their video review on it and they seemed to like it as well. I also quite liked the Rad MP, but ultimately preferred the Speed MP. To me, Head's biggest problem is that they have so many similar racquets now.
 
M

MoShow

New User
JackB1 said:
WHat's bad about the S? I thought it was quite a nice upgrade. TW just posted their video review on it and they seemed to like it as well. I also quite liked the Rad MP, but ultimately preferred the Speed MP. To me, Head's biggest problem is that they have so many similar racquets now.
Click to expand...

Well ok, I totally agree with you here.

But from a Prestige perspective, where 3 years ago you only had MID, MP, or PRO which were all three advanced player sticks, when I picked up a S or a Rev Pro I started laughing, totally missed it. And like u say, If you can't or don't like to play with a prestige MP/PRO, just pick up one of the radical or speed ones, they are far better imo then Prestige S/rev pro...
 
JackB1

JackB1

G.O.A.T.
MoShow said:
Well ok, I totally agree with you here.

But from a Prestige perspective, where 3 years ago you only had MID, MP, or PRO which were all three advanced player sticks, when I picked up a S or a Rev Pro I started laughing, totally missed it. And like u say, If you can't or don't like to play with a prestige MP/PRO, just pick up one of the radical or speed ones, they are far better imo then Prestige S/rev pro...
Click to expand...

Again I ask....what's wrong with the Graphene Prestige S?
Yes it's not a real "Prestige" like the Pro or MP's of year's past,
but it's a solid playing 98" light player's stick that's makes the Prestige line more accesible to intermediates.

I also don't agree that the Radical is "better" than the "S". It's just slightly different feeling. A little more control and flex. But yes, the Graphene Rad MP, Speed MP and Prestige S all have almost the same specs.
 
datsveryinterestin

datsveryinterestin

Professional
no graphene for me!

I really struggled with the graph prestige mp again tonight. Although my game has really been thrown off by switching between this and my APD because I swing differently with these racquets.
Once I put down the prestige for good my game finally got better.
I let another player try the prestige and his first few shots with it were insanely heavy
and he seemed to like it a lot. We played some points and I won with the APD but he still said he preferred the prestige with his 1hbh. So somebody liked it!

Anyway, my demo session is over and I really shouldnt even look at more racquets because I play pretty well with the APD but I might try a vcore95d or 98d to see if one of them adds solid volleys without taking away my depth and spin.
 
M

monomer

Rookie
MoShow said:
Well ok, I totally agree with you here.

But from a Prestige perspective, where 3 years ago you only had MID, MP, or PRO which were all three advanced player sticks, when I picked up a S or a Rev Pro I started laughing, totally missed it. And like u say, If you can't or don't like to play with a prestige MP/PRO, just pick up one of the radical or speed ones, they are far better imo then Prestige S/rev pro...
Click to expand...

I tried the Radicals and didn't like them at all. I love the Prestige S. It just comes down to what works for you.

I have the S weighted up to the same weight as an off the shelf Pro. It is just more HL which is what I like. I'll take a lightweight racquet with room for customization any day.
 
M

monomer

Rookie
I added a Wilson Shock Shield which is about the same weight as a leather grip. With some Blu Tack putty under the buttcap it's about 11.6 oz / 8 pts HL. I did the same with a second one and it's up to 11.7 oz. to get it 8 pts. HL
 
dl125

dl125

Rookie
My brother just bought the prestige s after a demo program. Very similar specs to the youtek ig radical he's been using for a couple years. I've been noticing his serve and winner percentage up now. I had to get one myself and will make a switch if I can't figure out my strike 100 and pure control (just experimenting with strings right now to get them more shoulder friendly)
 
D

dosu

New User
elias_ch said:
Couldn't agree more on the slices.

I strung it with vs touch 52/ 4G 50 & found spin potential to be above average as well... but a little bit too much power for me.

so I tried YPTP Spin at 52 and had to cut it after 5 hrs... (wrist pain)
now trying YPTP 1.2 at 52 - no pain but would like more spin.
Will try Solinco Tour Bite 16L @51

Have you tried it with different string setup?
Click to expand...

I have JUST switched- with much success and elevation in play for now-to the previous generation (YouTek IG) of the Radical pro that happened to be already strung at 70 ibs (yes, 70) with full bed of luxilon alu rough. first hit was basically love at first sight. i could 'feel' the ball as I grazed the ball up for the topspin generation and motion. i had to mention this in this thread (even though this is a thread for the 2014 lineup) because of my unexpected success and no arm problems thus far with the radical pro with such high string tension, which I presume, is assisted well in comfort by its very low stiffness/high flex, along with my affinity towards even-balance racquets. my friend who sold this racquet to me (who did not like it as much as me) told me that my compatibility with the high tension w/ the rad pro is attributed to my long swing motion on my groundstrokes-no problems with my 2HBH (although can be a bit too powerful if I do not swing through the entire motion); serve returns has been amazing, as well as my serve.

the only things I find having myself adjust to are the volleys, which seem to cause more instability than i presumed because of the tight string bed I presume. and the slice-which is the reason why the purported enhancements in slice with the new graphene rad pro

BUT, before I proceed with a demo, what are your thoughts with my potential demo/experience with the graphene rad pros? Part of me want to just stop wasting time tinkering with racquets, stick with the things that work, and invest more money into purchasing more IG rad pros and match them accordingly. on the other hand, my coach has been suggesting that I should consider a more heavier (or in other words head-light) racquet so that I allow more efficiency in generating controlled power from the racquet itself rather than my arm.so naturally I am eyeing the new Graphene rad pro like crazy but do you think stringing the Graphene rad pro at 70 will pose any problems? since the stiffness rating has increased a bit, is 60 ibs a reasonable adjustment? unfortunately I can't request for a 60 lbs strung demo hence my question to you guys. Finally, does the shift in balance really make a big difference in feel between the G pro and the IG pro? and if so, for better or for worse?

Thanks ahead of time guys
 
D

dosu

New User
Nevermind guys (I did not have the time nor energy to go through this monster thread), but I fortunately randomly encountered this earlier post (pasted below)- which has convinced me to just stick with the IG Rad pros as I have no problems with them and for now, content with the balance of the racquet in respect to my skill level- also Troy's (TW playtester) comments on the polarizing difference between the IG and G versions were most salient to me from the TW reviews.

parasailing said:
Graphene improved the Speed line especially the Pro as it feels a lot more solid, offers better control, and improved the stability of the racquet.

But the IG Radical plays better than the Graphene mainly because the Radicals historically were softer and now the Graphene models have made them stiffer and more Babolat Pure Drive or Aero Pro like which is not bad if you like that sorta thing.

But those that love how the Radical line felt, should grab the IG version as the new ones are no longer the beloved Radicals many have come to known.
Click to expand...
 
A

Absolute

New User
It looks like the optional cap grommets for radicals are available, they can be found under tools and supplies where you can purchase grommets
 
Power Player

Power Player

Bionic Poster
zapvor said:
lol i like how you are still following my posts. what about following up on the one about the $1000 bet? i mean, since you are so sure of yourself, its easy money for you right
Click to expand...

I have no idea what you are talking about, but it is probably something odd. Link me.
 
B

B Cubed

Semi-Pro
I am just now getting back into tennis after a multi-year hiatus. My old sticks were a Flex Point OS and a LM MP. I tried to get into the LM, trying to get used to a smaller head size, but just couldn't deal with the 18x20. I liked the semi-closed pattern of the Rad OS's.

I recently went for it, after reading a lot of reviews and went with the G Rad Pro. I have to say, as one switching from the OS, it is a good transition. The graphene weight polarization in the hoop feels more habitual for me similar to a big hoop of an OS. I also used and Loved the POG OS's. the G rad pro sweet spot shots have been very smooth on solid shots. I need to get back into the rhythm more, as well as further adjust to an mp size. However, I've liked the string pattern of the newer rad pro's. I'd be tempted to go back and see how the IG pro feels.
 
Power Player

Power Player

Bionic Poster
I have a broken stringing machine. Hence I am dropping off my yonex ai 98 to get restrung and will be grabbing a few demos so I can play in the meantime.

My choices are the prestige S and Pro - if available. Any opinions on these sticks now that these have settled down and people have logged some more time? The specs are all over the place on these things. So far read Jacks, Torres, Murrayfans accounts of these racquets.

On paper, the Pro sounds like a plug and play solution as long the SW is not 344 as Tennis magazine suggested. Thats a hefty SW.

But then other reviewers prefer the S, which I guess is not exactly the same frame as the pro...weird.

Then VSBabolat say that these are not 98s but 95s. So som of this stuff I will try and sort out for myself, but that is assuming both sticks are there for a demo.

A friend of mine played some of his best tennis I have seen with the S. I barely logged any time with it, and then he didn't bring it back. I keep telling him to switch to it because he was clearly better with it than his PD. I think he may end up doing it. Kind of hope not because he was so much more precise. lol
 
Last edited:
T

Torres

Banned
Power Player said:
Then VSBabolat say that these are not 98s but 95s.
Click to expand...

On the assumption that the 6.1 is a 95 and using it as a comparison, the G-Pres Pro hoop/stringbed plays bigger than a 95.

However, it does play smaller than the YT PMP hoop/stringbed area, again, on the assumption that the YT PMP is a 98.
 
vsbabolat

vsbabolat

G.O.A.T.
Torres said:
On the assumption that the 6.1 is a 95 and using it as a comparison, the G-Pres Pro hoop/stringbed plays bigger than a 95.

However, it does play smaller than the YT PMP hoop/stringbed area, again, on the assumption that the YT PMP is a 98.
Click to expand...

YT PMP is also really 95.
 
T

Torres

Banned
^ I'm not convinced that that outright sq" is the key issue. Hoop shape of the YTPMP is rounder than the G-PP. Much of the YTPMP stringbed area is very usable, whereas with the G-PP you're looking at a smaller usable area (irrespective of whether the hoop is sightly bigger/smaller/more oval etc) and a smaller sweetspot with power dying or it feeling nowhere near as plush outside that mid to lower mid stringbed area. Personally, I don't find it a problem, but the usable stringbed areas are slightly different.
 
Last edited:
You must log in or register to reply here.

Similar threads

dantespark33
List of rackets that can be capped/ capping guide
9 10 11
Replies
509
Views
126K
mg_teaneck
mg_teaneck
P
Specs for the new Head racquets (MG Prestige line)
Replies
6
Views
1K
vinnier6
V
E
New XT Prestiges!
Replies
14
Views
2K
TennisHound
TennisHound
bleno567
flexpoint pretige non C.A.P. grommet
Replies
23
Views
2K
bleno567
bleno567
P
Which racquet is more arm friendly?
Replies
3
Views
832
LeeD
L
Top