Adidas NTP 105 - What on earth is this!!?(pics)

[goldenyama]

I had no idea Adidas made an OS...I am intrigued! This doesn't look like a PJ of any frame I have ever seen - I'm thinking it's unique!

Has anybody played with this or any Adidas NTP series? Any idea how it might play? Heavy, flexy, stiff...?

 

[goldenyama]

Well, the seller let me buy one of the three so I went ahead and got it - $65 new is not too bad I guess. I will post a mini review after i've hit with it if anybody is interested!

I also got a Head Ultimate Competition from the same seller...I need help with my racquet addiction:? Is there anyhere I can go?

 

[tennis005]

You could give all your money to my "I need a new SV Prostaff" fund. No more money equals no more racket buying. Think about it. One simple money transfer and your cured.

 

[goldenyama]

You could give all your money to my "I need a new SV Prostaff" fund. No more money equals no more racket buying. Think about it. One simple money transfer and your cured.

Hmmm I think you've identified the wrong cause of the problem - it's the money going out, not the racquets coming in

At least I have it easier than you...I use mainly oversize frames so I got my SV Prostaff(Largehead) for only $50:twisted:

 

[Deleted member 21996]

Yama. lets us know what you think. as you know i'm mainly a 102 and above user, so i am really interested in that frame too. at least one for my OS collection.

 

[schu47]

Goldenyama,

I've got an Adidas NTP 90C, identical to yours but the midsize version. I got it by chance, but it's one of my favorites.

Kuebler's book has a little bit about the NTP series. It came out in 1989, and featured rubber inlays in the handle and "extended heart-construction (dampening members of rubber integrated into the heart)." I assume that's a red rubber piece, in fact, under the grommet strip on the bottom of the head on yours. I have the same thing. The series included a 105 Graphite, 105 Kevlar, 90 Graphite and 90 Kevlar. You and I have the C edition, which I'd guess stands for Carbon Graphite. The K version was Kevlar. They also made an NTP Junior.

Maybe some other folks on the boards know something more about Adidas' history and could add to that. I don't know if Adidas had any pros under contract at that point who might have used the NTP series. I also don't imagine it was a big seller, at least in the US, since I've rarely seen them anywhere.

But my 90C is a great racquet. I don't have the specs, but can tell you a few things. It's carbon graphite, stiff, heavy (must be 12 oz. plus), has a straight beam of about 22 mm., is headlight, and has a 16x19 string pattern. I used to play a Wilson Sting midsize in my younger days, and this is slightly larger but very comparable in feel. Very solid. I suppose the rubber inlays were intended to dampen it, but it doesn't seem very dampened to me, at least not in modern terms.

Hope that helps. I think you should string it up and go for it -- I bet you'll like it. Good luck.

Here are a few photos of mine:

 

[goldenyama]

Wow thanks for the great info schu47!

I am thinking it's going to be a great hit - but is it an arm killer? I have a tender arm so I hope it's not toooo stiff. I am certainly going to use a soft string anyhow.

 

[schu47]

Wow thanks for the great info schu47!

I am thinking it's going to be a great hit - but is it an arm killer? I have a tender arm so I hope it's not toooo stiff. I am certainly going to use a soft string anyhow.

I suppose everyone's experience with arm and elbow problems is unique, but I've always figured that solid, heavier racquets like this, which drive though the ball, protect elbows and shoulders better than lightweights anyway.

Have you found a racquet that seems to keep you pain-free?

 

[goldenyama]

I suppose everyone's experience with arm and elbow problems is unique, but I've always figured that solid, heavier racquets like this, which drive though the ball, protect elbows and shoulders better than lightweights anyway.

Have you found a racquet that seems to keep you pain-free?

Yeah heavy and solid is good, but not always enough for me. The best frames for my elbow that I own are:
Head Satellite Tour
Head Trysis 260 Radical OS
Head Twin Tube Radical OS
Fischer Mag Tour & Mag Pro 105
Donnay Pro One OS Blue/Yellow
Prince Graphite Comp
Yonex RD-7 & RD-27
Bridgestone Probeam 105

I can use a (very) soft poly hybrid with these frames and stay 95% pain free. If I use syn gut, multi or gut with these then I am 100% pain free.

Could you compare the stiffness and comfort of your NTP-C with some well-known frames of today or yesteryear? All this info is much appreciated

 

[tennis005]

What kind of soft poly do you use? By the way, very nice looking racket.

 

[goldenyama]

What kind of soft poly do you use? By the way, very nice looking racket.

I have found Big Ace(particularly Micro) or Cyberblue 1.20 in the mains with a soft multi like Topspin Fibre Touch or Kirschbaum Touch in the crosses at mid/low tensions to be very easy on the arm. The only issue I have is that they start to move after a while and they can be a touch too powerful, depending on the racquet.

Any suggestions for a very soft poly with low/mid power and good control that doesn't move are welcome!

 

[schu47]

Yeah heavy and solid is good, but not always enough for me. The best frames for my elbow that I own are:
Head Satellite Tour
Head Trysis 260 Radical OS
Head Twin Tube Radical OS
Fischer Mag Tour & Mag Pro 105
Donnay Pro One OS Blue/Yellow
Prince Graphite Comp
Yonex RD-7 & RD-27
Bridgestone Probeam 105

Could you compare the stiffness and comfort of your NTP-C with some well-known frames of today or yesteryear? All this info is much appreciated

I don't know if I can be of any help, but I'll give it a whirl. I'm a collector, an average player and a dabbler, and by no means an expert. I have lots of racquets of all types, and I try to take all of them out at one time or another, so I'll sometimes lug a dozen out to the court, much to the chagrin of my main hitting partner, my 18-year-old son. My favorites:

Volkl Tour 10 V-Engine mid
Dunlop Muscle Weave 200G 95
Donnay Pro One International
Yonex RD-7
Prince Precision Equipe
Wilson Pro Staff 6.1 Classic


I would say that the NTP 90 falls in between the softer racquets above, like the MW 200G, Volkl, Dunlop and Yonex, and the stiffer ones, like the Equipe and 6.1 Classic. I could hit the Muscle Weave for hours -- it seems really forgiving. But the 6.1 Classic, which is a great racquet, tires my arm out. The NTP falls in between those two. So if you like the RD-7, I think you'll find that the NTP is a little stiffer.

 

[goldenyama]

I don't know if I can be of any help, but I'll give it a whirl. I'm a collector, an average player and a dabbler, and by no means an expert. I have lots of racquets of all types, and I try to take all of them out at one time or another, so I'll sometimes lug a dozen out to the court, much to the chagrin of my main hitting partner, my 18-year-old son. My favorites:

Volkl Tour 10 V-Engine mid
Dunlop Muscle Weave 200G 95
Donnay Pro One International
Yonex RD-7
Prince Precision Equipe
Wilson Pro Staff 6.1 Classic


I would say that the NTP 90 falls in between the softer racquets above, like the MW 200G, Volkl, Dunlop and Yonex, and the stiffer ones, like the Equipe and 6.1 Classic. I could hit the Muscle Weave for hours -- it seems really forgiving. But the 6.1 Classic, which is a great racquet, tires my arm out. The NTP falls in between those two. So if you like the RD-7, I think you'll find that the NTP is a little stiffer.

Thanks for the comparisons. If it is a bit flexier than the Classic 6.1 I might be able to handle it.

I used to use a 6.1 Classic and later 'upgraded' to the Hyper Pro Staff 6.1...the HPS 6.1 gave me my TE The Classic is less of an arm killer than the HPS though.

I'm gonna go syn gut/multi hybrid. I have some purple syn gut that will look cool in the NTP

 

[goldenyama]

I have now had 2 sessions with the Adidas. I strung it up with Gosen OG Micro and Topspin Fibre Touch at 56/58 and...I love it!! It is an amazing baseline basher. Rock solid and very easy to swing despite its weight of 350g strung with overgrip. It is very very headlight. For the second session I added 5 grams from 11-1 to give it a touch more pop. This thing is a monster, especially for the 2HBH.

Now the downside...it is a touch stiff. It is by no means an uncomfortable frame, this is only a problem for me because of my very sensitive arm, I usually use very flexy racquets. I felt the tell-tale dull ache in my elbow after the 2nd session that tells me that this beast is not viable in the long term. A real pity because its one of the best frames I have ever used. The feel is just sooooo solid it feels like nothing around today. Reminded me a bit of a slightly less stiff, less powerful Yamaha Secret.

It's too good a frame to leave sitting around so I think I'll give it to somebody who will use it

 

[zapvor]

you are going to give it away?

 

[goldenyama]

you are going to give it away?

Well, maybe not give it away on second thoughts

I'd be willing to trade it, looking for an POG OS 1 or 4 stripe but would consider other good 100+ head frames preferably in 3/8 or 1/4 grip. No modern crap though

 

[zapvor]

Well, maybe not give it away on second thoughts

I'd be willing to trade it, looking for an POG OS 1 or 4 stripe but would consider other good 100+ head frames preferably in 3/8 or 1/4 grip. No modern crap though

i think i have a POG somewhere thats just collecting dust.

 

[AndrewD]

Well, maybe not give it away on second thoughts

I'd be willing to trade it, looking for an POG OS 1 or 4 stripe but would consider other good 100+ head frames preferably in 3/8 or 1/4 grip. No modern crap though

I'm actually looking to sell two POG OS in 4 1/4 (both brand new), $100 each. However, they are the most recent version.