Managed to read the entire thread, hehe)) See quite a lot of mentions about Ai 98 being in same class as Blade 98, but didn't see detailed side by side comparison of these two. I assume "same class" means only that both racquets are equally demanding in terms of technique and physical abilities and that they provide similarly great feedback if their demands met? That doesn't mean they play the same though... Note that I'm interested about comparison to 18x20 version of Blade 98 only!
I'm average 4.0-4.5 (from 5.0 for groundstrokes and tactics and 3.0 for serve/volleys, hehe). Tall and skinny (never lifted weights), but capable of hitting some pretty heavy shots on both sides when my timing is OK and when opponent hits hard enough - heavily rely on using opponent's power to my advantage and have difficulties with putting away "sitters". Hitting mostly flat and hard, but enjoy injecting some heavy spin on angles and slice and generally mix up my shots, but always going perilously close to lines. Rarely ever step back from baseline, so hitting on the rise quite often, therefore need a fast and very stable racquet to keep balls in.
Currently using stock BLX Blade 98 as my main racquet (switch between full bed of various poly @25-26 kg and multi @28kg). Enjoy the plowthrough and stability of Blade, as well as pinpoint accuracy when hitting ball right, but find it too sluggish and tiresome for a long match due to high swingweight, especially on serve. Access to spin is generally low as well due to tight string pattern and low maneuverability, therefore often overhitting for 5-15 cm when cannot apply proper spin (which comes by default with such sticks as Prince O3 White or Yonex VCore 100S). The same goes for volleys - just find Blade too demanding on these for the same reasons, though know that it's rather me than racquet.
Looking at Ai 98 as a more versatile and heftier, but more maneuverable alternative to my Blade. Wonder if anybody can compare Blade 98 and Ai 98 in following compartments:
a) Higher Ai 98 static weight vs. higher Blade 98 swingweight:
- does the weight of two feel comparable on swing? I assume Ai 98 should swing easier
- does swinging Ai 98 feels less tiring than Blade 98 because of aerodynamics and weight distribution? I guess this requires comparison at end of long match. What I mean is that I feel much more tired after a match with Blade 98 than after similar match with easier swinging, but equally weighting Prince O3 White
- does Ai 98 feels as hefty on impact as Blade 98? from my experience Blade almost doesn't require applying any muscle power to generate heavy shot as long as you manage to bring it into hitting point in time, not the case with some heavier but more HL racquets
b) Access to spin - can apply some heavy top-spin with Blade as well, but require to spend more muscle power than with most other sticks, including 18x20-patterned (e.g. older Blades - those were easier to swing so were easier to spin with, but were less stable than BLX)
Also, could anybody compare flexibility of Ai 98 vs. Head (Flexpoint, Microgel, Youtek) Radical MP - does Ai 98 require as much "muscling" the ball as Radicals? Find latter too "deadened" in comparison to Blades, afraid to meet the same in Ai 98.
Just wanted to mention that I have no chance on demoing these, so will need to rely on your feedback.
Thanks in advance! Appreciate detailed answer!
