Extending a Gravity Pro
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McLovin
Legend
I’ve not, but I’ve extended an Extreme Tour, which thanks to Head and their pallets, is the same process:
- Get an “uncut” replacement pallet (easily acquired from a European retailer)
- Remove the old pallet
- Attach the new one
- Cut to desired length
- Backfill empty space with balsa wood or wood dowel
- Fill in any space between dowel and pallet with silicone
- Reattach butt cap using Epoxy
pico
Hall of Fame
Thank you. I created the wood extension piece. I was going to epoxy that to the end of my racquet. That is ok? Also, can I use the old butt cap? It just about contains the extended piece.
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pico
Hall of Fame
Here is a pic showing the end of my racquet and the extension piece is on the table. I inserted wood into my handle end so as to have something more to bond to.
McLovin
Legend
You can try, but I don’t know how much stress the epoxy can take. Worst case scenario is you try and it doesn’t hold. Then you buy an uncut pallet and go that route.
By saying you want to use the old pallet…are you asking about removing it, the reattaching it, but offsetting it by 1/2”? I guess it’s possible, but if you’ve never removed one before…well, let’s just say I ruined 4 before I got the hang of it.
You can do a better job with a few pieces of woven carbon sleeving added onto a shaped balsa or foam core inserted in the hole or holes in the original handle. It's a bit more integrated then.
The above method obviously works but you may be happier knowing that your actual handle structure is continuous rather than having a potential weak spot.
I always shape the foam core so that there is a flared section mimicking a butt cap and just use that instead of putting the old one back on.
I shave about two inches of the pallet foam off to the bare carbon and add the extension and then use Gorilla glue to blend the remaining pallet onto the added section. It can be shaped after it foams up and cures.
The above method obviously works but you may be happier knowing that your actual handle structure is continuous rather than having a potential weak spot.
I always shape the foam core so that there is a flared section mimicking a butt cap and just use that instead of putting the old one back on.
I shave about two inches of the pallet foam off to the bare carbon and add the extension and then use Gorilla glue to blend the remaining pallet onto the added section. It can be shaped after it foams up and cures.
fritzhimself
Professional
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pico
Hall of Fame
Looks like Yonex racquets are easier to extend compared to HEAD since they don't use pallets? I don't have access to a 3D printer though. I did think abt extending my SV 95.
fritzhimself
Professional
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pico
Hall of Fame
That is really awesome! I guess what I meant is that with the HEAD racquets, you have the step of needing to remove the pallet. I imagine then you put on a new one that is longer? With the YONEX racquets, since there are no pallets involved, that step is removed? But that hand crafted wood extension of yours is top-notch!!!!
fritzhimself
Professional
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I have extended both Gravity Pro and Tour and been playing systematically with them for about 6 months now.
Was testing a lot of racquets and noticed a big advantage with 28" frames for my style of playing. However, I couldn't stay away from the addicting buttery feel of the GP so I kept coming back to it despite the difference in power compared to the 28" frames I liked.
So I went for it and extended a GP to 28". This was done with epoxy/micro balloons molded together with the hairpin for best structural integrity. I made some air canals to reduce weight and also an indentation below the trap door so the stock trap door with the 5g weight would fit. Strung weight was slightly above 344 grams and swing weight through the roof. Tried for a while but couldn't handle it so I started cutting down 2 mm at a time until I reached a length and swing weight that worked. This happened to be 27.5". When I settled on 27.5, I extended the other GP and GT frames I had to the same length. I saved one GP at stock length for reference. I also swapped the trapdoor between GP and GT to even out the weights. -5g on the GPs and +5g on the Tours.
Swing weight is higher than anything one can buy except perhaps the 29" Gamma RZR Bubba. This requires some systematic physical maintenance for your upper body. However, the reward is fantastic. I now feel I have a serious power weapon AND full control and superb feel. Normal length racquets feel anemic and I have gotten fully used to this. I'm thinking of trying even longer again to see if it's now possible to handle for me. If Hsieh Sue-Wei can handle 29", why not me... At least, that was my thinking when I started. Optimally, one would want a more customizable pro stock frame as donor frame to keep swing weight under control.
Btw. Basilashvili uses almost the same recipe (27.4" I think I read here somewhere). I almost purchased one of his frames on E-bay but the grip was L4 and the price not worth it.
Was testing a lot of racquets and noticed a big advantage with 28" frames for my style of playing. However, I couldn't stay away from the addicting buttery feel of the GP so I kept coming back to it despite the difference in power compared to the 28" frames I liked.
So I went for it and extended a GP to 28". This was done with epoxy/micro balloons molded together with the hairpin for best structural integrity. I made some air canals to reduce weight and also an indentation below the trap door so the stock trap door with the 5g weight would fit. Strung weight was slightly above 344 grams and swing weight through the roof. Tried for a while but couldn't handle it so I started cutting down 2 mm at a time until I reached a length and swing weight that worked. This happened to be 27.5". When I settled on 27.5, I extended the other GP and GT frames I had to the same length. I saved one GP at stock length for reference. I also swapped the trapdoor between GP and GT to even out the weights. -5g on the GPs and +5g on the Tours.
Swing weight is higher than anything one can buy except perhaps the 29" Gamma RZR Bubba. This requires some systematic physical maintenance for your upper body. However, the reward is fantastic. I now feel I have a serious power weapon AND full control and superb feel. Normal length racquets feel anemic and I have gotten fully used to this. I'm thinking of trying even longer again to see if it's now possible to handle for me. If Hsieh Sue-Wei can handle 29", why not me... At least, that was my thinking when I started. Optimally, one would want a more customizable pro stock frame as donor frame to keep swing weight under control.
Btw. Basilashvili uses almost the same recipe (27.4" I think I read here somewhere). I almost purchased one of his frames on E-bay but the grip was L4 and the price not worth it.
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pedrogcr
Semi-Pro
Hi, just purchased a really cheap Gravity MP Lite and plan to extend it to 27.5.
The reasons I got the MP Lite and not the regular MP is because of the lower SW that will allow me more room to customize it to my specs.
And, of course, the fact that It was considerably cheaper at $67.50 shipped.
I have some XTP buttcaps around, but was thinking of just adding a 0.5 inch spacer inside the original buttcap and re-staple it to end of the original pallet.
My ideal grip is usually L3 (4 3/8), but I purchased an L2 (4 1/4) so I can add a build up sleeve over it to make everything even more secure.
After that's done, I will weight it and adjust the specs with lead if/where needed.
Do you guys think this will work? Or should I just use the XTP and add the sleeve just keep the whole handle leveled? If I go this route, I will not have the benefit of the sleeve covering the buttcap.
Any thoughts or experience is really appreciated.
The reasons I got the MP Lite and not the regular MP is because of the lower SW that will allow me more room to customize it to my specs.
And, of course, the fact that It was considerably cheaper at $67.50 shipped.
I have some XTP buttcaps around, but was thinking of just adding a 0.5 inch spacer inside the original buttcap and re-staple it to end of the original pallet.
My ideal grip is usually L3 (4 3/8), but I purchased an L2 (4 1/4) so I can add a build up sleeve over it to make everything even more secure.
After that's done, I will weight it and adjust the specs with lead if/where needed.
Do you guys think this will work? Or should I just use the XTP and add the sleeve just keep the whole handle leveled? If I go this route, I will not have the benefit of the sleeve covering the buttcap.
Any thoughts or experience is really appreciated.
WYK
Hall of Fame
The most I found I could get away with that method was about. 2". More than that and it tends to fail.
pedrogcr
Semi-Pro
I agree, but I don't have the tools (or skill) to make something like that.
The reason I believe I may be able to get away with it is the addition of the heat shrink sleeve.
Was hoping someone had added a sleeve over an extended handle and would be able to tell me if it helps holding the extension in place.
WYK
Hall of Fame
YMMV. I was actually doing it as a test. Trying to see what I could get away with. I did try wraps, epoxy, etc.
It's not worth it. If you are afraid of adding weight, a better way is to simply dig out the lead in the grip as the XTP will add 8-10g's or so.
Or remove the handle and use a head pallet, which is what I often do if I need to keep the weight down.
Nowadays I plan accordingly and always buy the lighter version of the racquet I want, and then just throw the xtp on the end. I happen to have gotten used to the swell it adds and prefer it now(she said).
Here's a RipStick I did where I sanded down the bottom of the existing grip to make the XTP more flush:
tt.tennis-warehouse.com
It's not worth it. If you are afraid of adding weight, a better way is to simply dig out the lead in the grip as the XTP will add 8-10g's or so.
Or remove the handle and use a head pallet, which is what I often do if I need to keep the weight down.
Nowadays I plan accordingly and always buy the lighter version of the racquet I want, and then just throw the xtp on the end. I happen to have gotten used to the swell it adds and prefer it now(she said).
Here's a RipStick I did where I sanded down the bottom of the existing grip to make the XTP more flush:
Will It Pallet?
And why the hell does Wilson need to come up with so many different damn hairpin shapes?!? long ago they bought a German racquet company for their tech. One of the things they did was mold the graphite of the hairpin to the grip size. The profile, hammer, steam and other lines all had...
tt.tennis-warehouse.com
StringStrungStrang
Professional
I have thought I would like this racket, but was hesitant since I prefer extended length racquets. This has made me think I'll try one and if I really like it - then extend it. Thanks I do enjoy 27.5.
pedrogcr
Semi-Pro
YMMV. I was actually doing it as a test. Trying to see what I could get away with. I did try wraps, epoxy, etc.
It's not worth it. If you are afraid of adding weight, a better way is to simply dig out the lead in the grip as the XTP will add 8-10g's or so.
Or remove the handle and use a head pallet, which is what I often do if I need to keep the weight down.
Nowadays I plan accordingly and always buy the lighter version of the racquet I want, and then just throw the xtp on the end. I happen to have gotten used to the swell it adds and prefer it now(she said).
Here's a RipStick I did where I sanded down the bottom of the existing grip to make the XTP more flush:
Will It Pallet?
And why the hell does Wilson need to come up with so many different damn hairpin shapes?!? long ago they bought a German racquet company for their tech. One of the things they did was mold the graphite of the hairpin to the grip size. The profile, hammer, steam and other lines all had...
What a great thread, thanks for the link!
Regarding my racquet, weight is not the issue! The reason I got the MP Lite is because it only weights 280g and has the same 16x20 pattern and 22mm straight beam as the regular MP.
So I actually expect to have a lot of room to add extra lead in the handle and the hoop, even after extending it.
The reason I was thinking about not using the XTP is because I didn't really like it when I tried them in my PCG100s, but maybe if I add the build up sleeve on the top part of the handle it will feel better.
It's really rather easy. A heat shrink sleeve doesn't add structural strength.
pedrogcr
Semi-Pro
Just picked up the sleeve from my friend (never used one) and I think you're right, as it's too thin to add much in terms of structure by itself, but it might help to keep the buttcap in place if it's stapled and glued with epoxy.
But after looking at WYK's RipStick I'm thinking maybe the XTP is my easiest/surest bet. But instead of shaving the pallet to make it flush, I will use the sleeve to make the grip level.
And, if none of that works, I'll try the uncut Head pallet route.
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