Artengo TR 990 Pro

[pfrischmann]

Got mine back with Hyper-G 17. SW is only 311 compare to my Pure Strike at 326 with the same strings. Why am I the lucky one to an out of spec racquet?
My pure strike is slightly modded with a little blue-tac in the handle. Here are the specs with one tourna-grip wrap on each and the same strings. PS: 328G, 32.5Bal, 326SW. TR-990: 325g, 33Bal, 311SW.

That explains why I was having a little trouble with depth and my flat serve. Kick serve was great. It is very stable for it's weight. and very easy on the arm. It's not quite as accurate as the pure strike but still better than the pure Aero.

 

[bkfinch]

Ok. Coming up on 8-9 hours with this frame, I have a bit of pain in my elbow. I think it is tennis elbow, lol. I've never felt this before. I've noticed that I'm not totally coming through the ball on my forehand side, rather spinning a lot 'around' it. I will take a few days off and consider weighing it more headlight. The stringbed definitely has lost its spring, it feels wiry and stiff. Should I restring or stick it out?

 

[esm]

Ok. Coming up on 8-9 hours with this frame, I have a bit of pain in my elbow. I think it is tennis elbow, lol. I've never felt this before. I've noticed that I'm not totally coming through the ball on my forehand side, rather spinning a lot 'around' it. I will take a few days off and consider weighing it more headlight. The stringbed definitely has lost its spring, it feels wiry and stiff. Should I restring or stick it out?

from what you have described/if in doubt - it is nice and "safer" to have fresh string.
hope your elbow recovers soon - is it the same string from the factory?

 

[bkfinch]

from what you have described/if in doubt - it is nice and "safer" to have fresh string.
hope your elbow recovers soon - is it the same string from the factory?

Yea it's the factory string. I can't believe I didn't break it yet. Definitely noticed a change in feel though, feels 'harsher' than the initial 4-5 hours.

 

[longtimelurker]

Ok. Coming up on 8-9 hours with this frame, I have a bit of pain in my elbow. I think it is tennis elbow, lol. I've never felt this before. I've noticed that I'm not totally coming through the ball on my forehand side, rather spinning a lot 'around' it. I will take a few days off and consider weighing it more headlight. The stringbed definitely has lost its spring, it feels wiry and stiff. Should I restring or stick it out?

Restring it, the racquet is on the stiff side, high 60's near 70ra, with a dead poly it's gonna hurt.

 

[topspn]

Did I completely luck out?

 

[beltsman]

I always wonder where companies get racquet designers from and how they build a team. There appears to be a whole engineering science to racquet design that is separate from us geeks. Where do they find them? Why don't they interact with us?

For example, if I wanted to start selling racquets (say I'm Goodyear and I want to make Goodyear racquets). Where do I start? Who do I hire? What software do I need?

And how much work and testing goes into these racquets, especially box store vs premium?

 

[PistolPete23]

I always wonder where companies get racquet designers from and how they build a team. There appears to be a whole engineering science to racquet design that is separate from us geeks. Where do they find them? Why don't they interact with us?

For example, if I wanted to start selling racquets (say I'm Goodyear and I want to make Goodyear racquets). Where do I start? Who do I hire? What software do I need?

And how much work and testing goes into these racquets, especially box store vs premium?

Software is usually some form of finite element analysis modeling (FEM). You can design the shape of the racquet, mesh it with the software, assign properties to it (it'll be an approximation), and then simulate the mechanical response in the frame when a force is applied. But the limitations of the software is that it only simulates quasi-static force (vs dynamic in actual play). The models often also assume that the material that makes up the frame has uniform properties throughout (isotropic), whereas the actual carbon fiber layups have flex properties that depend highly on their specific orientations (anisotropic). So since the simulations can only predict so much, a lot of racquet design is steeped in trial and error, and the "design" of the layup is a balance between art and science. So I consider the people who make and test prototypes more like experienced craftsmen rather than engineers. The actual manufacturing process has not changed in decades. If you have the money, you can build your own warehouse, source carbon fiber prepreg, design your own layup based on a preexisting template, create a mold with CNC machining, and bake your own racquets.

 

[markus666]

After some play with TR990 pro standard and plus version, i prefer standard version (as espected), never been a huge fan of xl racquets.
Feel much firmer and sluggish, compared to the easy standard TR990. Not sure if cutting from 27.5 to 27 will result in the same racquet, as both are 300 gr ustrung... i guess it will be better to sell it and buy another standard.

 

[pfrischmann]

Played a doubles match with my leaded up TR-990/ I haven't had a chance to measure it but we should be in the 330gm 33cm 320sw range. It really is sort of a kinder softer Pure Aero. It doesn't have the shock and awe factor of a PA but it is more controlled, easier on the arm. It's also a little more stable on volleys. I find my Pure Strike v3 better at almost everything, except spin and comfort. The PS hurts my arm.

 

[topspn]

So far I am only stringing Confidential and TB 16g @51lbs. What are you guys using out of curiosity?

 

[tenstudent]

On their US online store the L3 is out of stock and says “new model in design"

I dropped into their store in SF last evening, after reading about it on this thread. I saw at least two L3 size TR990 PRO. There were about 7 or 8 hanging. Didn't check what sizes the rest were. L2 is most common. They had 3 categories, beginners (ranging from $20 to $50, for different models), w intermediate (three models of TR560 and variations at $75) and advance which had TR990 for $99 and TR990 pro for $119.

First time visiting Decathalon store. Picked up shoes and TR920 can. Very well stocked store. Prices much lesser than REI and Sports Basement or Dick's. They have two stores currently operating in the bay area.

I couldn't find any reviews for their intermediate range rackets (TR560s). Are those any good?

 

[topspn]

Strange! online still showing out of L3. I have only tried the TR990 Pro, no clue what the other frames are like.

 

[pfrischmann]

So far I am only stringing Confidential and TB 16g @51lbs. What are you guys using out of curiosity?

I strung mine with Hyper-G 17 at 50lbs. that's what all of my other sticks have.

 

[topspn]

A bit of interesting news on Artengo. They are going to make replacement bumper and grommets available for sale on their website soon. I am also told next racquets will have a new end cap as well. They are targeting end of year for a new racquet. TR930 SPIN series (with 3 versions of weight) intended for spin players so like a Pure Aero. They are also working on a new TR990 POWER series (which will replace TR900/TR990 Pro/TR990 Pro+) for next year. It will be a new PJ and some adjustments to improve the current rackets.

 

[Prem]

Is TR 990 foam filled. I don't see their soft feel technology mentioned for TR990

 

[bkfinch]

Is TR 990 foam filled. I don't see their soft feel technology mentioned for TR990

Isn't there a pic earlier in this thread showing some balsa wood padding inside one of their frames? And their 'dampening' tech is basically this?

 

[Prem]

That was TR960. Soft feel technology using balsa wood is mentioned for TR900 as well but not for TR990 pro.

 

[topspn]

Judging by feel and opening up the trap door, I don’t think it is. Have played foam filled racquets like angells, diadem and dahcor but don’t get the feel this one is. I also spened up the butt cap and do not see any foam. What they do have in the handle is silicon and interestingly always only one of the chambers and not the other.

 

[bkfinch]

Interesting, I would have guessed there is some foam- or at least that there is dampening tech. It has a really muted feel for a 100" 70ra frame.

On the website I see the 'softfeel dampening technology' listed on the TR960, TR990 but not the TR990 Pro. Ok.

My arm is better and I got my Pro back from the stringer and played tonight. Feel is much improved even with my junk string... the stock strings are definitely on the stiffer side. I think I went too low with 50 lbs with a slick 125 poly. I like what is coming off the racket but I'm holding back not to spray the ball. There are some moments where I let go and it does what I want it to do and I'm really happy. But I definitely need a deader stringbed. I don't want to go thicker with the strings because the hoop weight feels really fine as it is.

My butt cap was hollow in both channels.

Anyone compare(d) the 990 Pro with the other Balsa wood frames? Or am I gonna be the sucker...

 

[joohan]

A bit of interesting news on Artengo. They are going to make replacement bumper and grommets available for sale on their website soon. I am also told next racquets will have a new end cap as well. They are targeting end of year for a new racquet. TR930 SPIN series (with 3 versions of weight) intended for spin players so like a Pure Aero. They are also working on a new TR990 POWER series (which will replace TR900/TR990 Pro/TR990 Pro+) for next year. It will be a new PJ and some adjustments to improve the current rackets.

Any news regarding those grommets? Are you still playing with the 990? (can see they are at the end of your list)

 

[topspn]

Any news regarding those grommets? Are you still playing with the 990? (can see they are at the end of your list)

Hi, I don’t have any more news on the grommets. Just what they told me back when i posted that last post. I mostly play the Nova but i do play the 990 pro as well. After playing both for a while, I do like the Nova for feel and control and like the 990 for easy power and better QC. I am not 100% sold on either but maybe more around 90%. For 990, i’d like a bit better touch and control.

 

[joohan]

Hi, I don’t have any more news on the grommets. Just what they told me back when i posted that last post. I mostly play the Nova but i do play the 990 pro as well. After playing both for a while, I do like the Nova for feel and control and like the 990 for easy power and better QC. I am not 100% sold on either but maybe more around 90%. For 990, i’d like a bit better touch and control.

Thanks. I’m really tempted for the price but I’m playing well with my Yonexes after long way back into some kind of form + finally settled on strings and overgrips. Don’t want to mess the mojo just yet.

 

[markus666]

 

[NTB-MTL]

TR 960

 

[bkfinch]

The TR930 Spin is now available. Anybody hit it?

 

[408tennisguy]

The TR930 Spin is now available. Anybody hit it?

where is it available? in the US?

 

[bkfinch]

where is it available? in the US?

In Europe and Canada. I didn't check the US site but upon checking, curiously, it is not there (yet).

 

[markus666]

 

[markus666]

anyone tried this model? review is promising, if you re in the tweener type of rackets

 

[LP Portugal]

I’m also curious. Anyone?

 

[1990's Graphite]

I’m also curious. Anyone?

You can't buy them in all decathlon stores wirldwide thats the problem.. maybe corona affected the oem manufacturing too on some comments on social media people swear by it

 

[ChrisG]

They have just started hitting the stores here in France, so I guess it would spread worldwide soon.
I saw a young aspiring pro hit with it last summer at the final of a tournament I played (a million rounds earlier haha). I was intrigued by this racquet as I could'nt figure out what it was. After his match he told me it was a protoype being tested. He hit bombs with it (probably heavily modified), beautiful OHBH and heavy topspin FH.

 

[crism54]

topspn any more info about new 990 power?
do you know if will be a XL version, like 990 pro + ?
thanks

 

[hadertjou]

[deleted]

 

[bkfinch]

I’m also curious. Anyone?

I finally did it.

It's a stiff, polarized racket, but - knock wood- marginally more comfortable than the TR990 Pro. It has a lower balance which I think helps. Definitely makes tennis easier for me but much to be desired in the feel department. Need to try a soft/plush poly in there, the stock strings seem to heighten the stiff feeling.

 

[longtimelurker]

Is Daria Kasatkina using / endorcing the 990 series ? Anyone have pics?

 

[esm]

Is Daria Kasatkina using / endorcing the 990 series ? Anyone have pics?

seems to be a blacked out something for now.....

 

[veedo]

apparently, Gael Monfils is switching to Artengo this year - tennis nerd had a video about it. That’s a strong endorsement deal, especially if he uses one of their rackets as well. He’s often injured, but still has greater marketing pull than most higher ranked pros.

 

[esm]

apparently, Gael Monfils is switching to Artengo this year - tennis nerd had a video about it. That’s a strong endorsement deal, especially if he uses one of their rackets as well. He’s often injured, but still has greater marketing pull than most higher ranked pros.

TR960 Control Tour.. apparently

 

[grungebob]

monfils is in the Adelaide International final, seems pretty good thus far, assuming they at least manufactured the stix he's using

 

[topspn]

TR990 Pro is a PD like racquet. Pretty well made i have to say and performs very well if you're looking for a tweener PD like racquet. It even had better touch than the PD. No clue if Gail is using one of their racquets but they apparently are capable of making solid racquets at a very modest price.

 

[A_Instead]

If they do become successful as a tennis racket seller... perhaps a new naming convention would be beneficial..

 

[ChrisG]

Definitely. Their naming is quite unappealing, I hope their new poster boy will bring them to the next level.

 

[esm]

I think keep the names short and sweet would be a breath of fresh air right now…. Lol

 

[topspn]

Yes, maybe they could get together with PK and think of a new spy code naming system

 

[A_Instead]

A few ideas that people may remember over a number..
Crash
Broom
Poor Arrow
Razor

 

[esm]

A few ideas that people may remember over a number..
Crash
Broom
Poor Arrow
Razor

How about:
Le B
Le Crash
Le PA
Le Razor

lol

 

[n80aoag]

Their new touch/feel oriented racquet is called the MonFeels

 

[PierreMBK]

Is Daria Kasatkina using / endorcing the 990 series ? Anyone have pics?

Just posted on her Instagram :

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