I'm using it with Signum pro poly plasma 1.23 at 43/40lbs. It feels really crisp compared to my usual softer polys and it's known for having excellent tension maintenance. It's cheap too. Worth a try IMO.
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Artengo Tr960 Control Tour
- Thread starter João Magalhães
- Start date
I'm using it with Signum pro poly plasma 1.23 at 43/40lbs. It feels really crisp compared to my usual softer polys and it's known for having excellent tension maintenance. It's cheap too. Worth a try IMO.
I played a league match with it last night. My serve is my best shot, so I always love when a racket gives me the confidence to blast flat serves. I've previously lost to this opponent, but was up 5-0 within 15 minutes.
I've woken up with a tiny bit of shoulder tenderness, which is most likely due to the increase in weight (I've been playing with more 300g rackets recently), or using stiffer strings that usual. Or it might be that I was really putting everything I had into each serve. I'll keep an eye on it, but my gut feeling is that it isn't something to worry about.
I'd also note that there were a few quick reaction volleys that I uncharacteristically framed. Again, I think i need to get used to a smaller head, as I've played with the Dunlop CX 200 OS for some time now.
I've woken up with a tiny bit of shoulder tenderness, which is most likely due to the increase in weight (I've been playing with more 300g rackets recently), or using stiffer strings that usual. Or it might be that I was really putting everything I had into each serve. I'll keep an eye on it, but my gut feeling is that it isn't something to worry about.
I'd also note that there were a few quick reaction volleys that I uncharacteristically framed. Again, I think i need to get used to a smaller head, as I've played with the Dunlop CX 200 OS for some time now.
Just another update. I played with the racket again and the shoulder tenderness continued.
I think Signum pro poly plasma is slightly too stiff for me (even though it doesn't feels jarring on contact).
I've restrung with a Multi/poly hybrid. Prince premier touch 16 mains at 50lbs and Prince tour XT 18 crosses at 46lbs.
I've been playing so well with this frame so I really want it to work out, but if this setup fails I'll most likely move on.
Sorry for posting so many times in this thread.
I've played a few times with the Prince Touch / tour XT setup, and I must say that it's just about the worst feeling string setup I've ever used.
I expected it to be really plush but instead there is very little pocketing and a really plasticy feel. The poly plasma felt and played much much better.
I'm torn on this racket in general. My performance with it has been great, but I'm yet to find a string setup that feels good.
I've played a few times with the Prince Touch / tour XT setup, and I must say that it's just about the worst feeling string setup I've ever used.
I expected it to be really plush but instead there is very little pocketing and a really plasticy feel. The poly plasma felt and played much much better.
I'm torn on this racket in general. My performance with it has been great, but I'm yet to find a string setup that feels good.
Down under
New User
Bought one here in Australia online at a special price aud100(usd68) delivered(normal price from decathlon is 249, Black Friday 149), 16x19, grip 3. It came exact 305g. Very impressive. Strung main Wilson syn gut power 16g @50, cross head lynx 17g @47. Great ball pocketing, surprisingly good feeling. Bit concerning stiffness coz I had a sensitive elbow, that’s why I didn’t buy it in the past even if I read many good comments here, pleasantly surprised it feels not stiff at all, quite plush, a little bit muted( I put dampener), almost no vibration, it’s not like 65, but feels more like 60, it reminds me the feel of pro Kennex q tour…solid and stable, Overall it’s as good as other tier one rackets at half or 1/3 of the price, absolutely worthy the money. I’ll put 3-5G tape next time at 12 to increase SW( I’m used to 330 sw) and see how does it go.
Downside. Paint quality is not the best. I can see some marks/chips due to scratch with another two reels of strings I ordered at the same time, it came without even plastic bag to protect the paint, just racket inside the box. I had to use permanent marker to cover those scratches.
tie off, a bit confused at beginning. from the indication shown on the frame, for the mains u have to pass 7t, tie off at 6T, for the cross, u have to pass 6T, tie off at 5t. Really? I just tie off main at 7t, it seems fine.
Anyone noticed the space between 3t and 4t is much wider than the rest? I thought strings are even spaced.
Downside. Paint quality is not the best. I can see some marks/chips due to scratch with another two reels of strings I ordered at the same time, it came without even plastic bag to protect the paint, just racket inside the box. I had to use permanent marker to cover those scratches.
tie off, a bit confused at beginning. from the indication shown on the frame, for the mains u have to pass 7t, tie off at 6T, for the cross, u have to pass 6T, tie off at 5t. Really? I just tie off main at 7t, it seems fine.
Anyone noticed the space between 3t and 4t is much wider than the rest? I thought strings are even spaced.
Lukhas
Legend
Seems like they're clearing house on the current 18x20 model, and have been since late September. They're up for 70€ currently until supply lasts. Who knows if they're preparing for a new model; it's already been two years since its introduction after all. That being said, the 16x19 still remains at 90€ with no indication of it being on sale. Maybe the 18 mains version is just not popular; a shame really.
TNNSDR
Rookie
The 18x20 suits better my game. I hope they keep it, it's the Monfils frame after all!
Looks like a great racquet to try out in the 18X 20 version. On sale makes it even more tempting. I would not mind ordering one except the site is not in English.
Good luck with your surgery and have a speedy recovery.
InsideInForehand
Rookie
Might be worth picking one up for 70 euros
TNNSDR
Rookie
All the best with the surgery mate!!
pico
Hall of Fame
Same here. I am in Canada.
Lukhas
Legend
Someone had asked a while back. You're looking at something like at least 40€ for shipping, and that's before import taxes. And you can sit on the VAT, you're not getting it back. Maybe you were aware of that, but I think the reminder is worth it.
Lukhas
Legend
I had done the math a while ago because someone asked. Maybe you can knock 5€ off or thereabouts depending on how tightly you package the goods. You only notice how companies have huge discounts on shipping, especially with insurance, when you try to ship something yourself.
what_army
Professional
I shipped around 50 TR360ct grommets from europe to dr525i a while ago and the cheapest shipping I could find at the time was ~50eur for a 10x20x40cm box which is not very big.
If it was me living in the states/canada, I’d go to a decathlon store and try to have them requesting the racquet via their internal courier, otherwise it’s just too messy. (In my case with dr525i it worked great but I probably wouldn’t do it again).
If it was me living in the states/canada, I’d go to a decathlon store and try to have them requesting the racquet via their internal courier, otherwise it’s just too messy. (In my case with dr525i it worked great but I probably wouldn’t do it again).
Anyone still using this frame regularly? The resale value isn't very high so I've hung onto my 16m version.
I dialed the weight back a bit and have used it a few times with only 3g split between 3 and 9. So far so good. Maybe needs slightly more weight for my two handed backhand but I want to keep it light.
I find it really predictable even with a string setup that I don't like very much.
I am seriously considering making this my main racket for the upcoming year if I can find a string setup that I like.
I'm also testing other frames like the Angell React MMP 18x19 and the Prince tour 98, and although they have slightly better feel, this Artengo still keeps up performance wise. I think the feel can be dialed in with a low tension poly like Poly Tour pro etc.
I dialed the weight back a bit and have used it a few times with only 3g split between 3 and 9. So far so good. Maybe needs slightly more weight for my two handed backhand but I want to keep it light.
I find it really predictable even with a string setup that I don't like very much.
I am seriously considering making this my main racket for the upcoming year if I can find a string setup that I like.
I'm also testing other frames like the Angell React MMP 18x19 and the Prince tour 98, and although they have slightly better feel, this Artengo still keeps up performance wise. I think the feel can be dialed in with a low tension poly like Poly Tour pro etc.
ivanjo
Rookie
My TR960CT has been sitting in my cabinet for awhile since I got my Wilson UP16. I did try it recently and weirdly did not gel like it did before. My Dunlop CX200 is more similar to play with to my UP16 than TR960CT.
I might try to put in the market if anyone bites. If you gel with it, it's a great racket that needs a better base grip. I did change it with head base grip. The original one torn off when I just applying a bit of pressure during reinstallation.
FlatShot_V
New User
ivanjo
Rookie
So PS97L feels the same as the TR960CT 16m? Might worth keeping,no?
FlatShot_V
New User
I said mostly the same. Perhaps I should have said very similar, instead.
I put the PS 97L and the artengo side by side and the mold seems identical. It also makes sense, because Monfils used to play with a Wilson before switching, so...
pico
Hall of Fame
I have both racquets. The PS97L is thicker and you can feel that no? compared to the Artengo.
FlatShot_V
New User
I think it's a little bit easier to generate power with the PS L than the artengo.
I used to owe a Prince Phantom 93p in the open pattern. I initially used it with a poly in the mid 40s and it was a little jarring on serve / mishits. I restrung it with Toroline wasabi at 35lbs and it played amazingly. The sweetspot felt massive and the feel improved so much. I'm planning on doing the same with the Artengo. Hopefully with similar results.
what_army
Professional
Monfils played with an H19.
FlatShot_V
New User
I felt my arm pretty hard with some mishits and shanks.
Was strung with ta960 monofilament at 52lbs
To be fair, if you consistently shank or mishit any racquet strung with poly you will likely eventually feel arm pain.
Any customisation?
what_army
Professional
Are you playing with any customisations?
Funny I switch between the UP16 and this racquet. I find the differences negligible, but the Artengo has a longer handle which is more comfortable on the backhand. Putting the two racquets on top of each other, the UP 16 has slightly tighter cross string spacing.
FlatShot_V
New User
Nope. I sold mine as I said a few posts above, stock setup with overgrip and dampener when I had it.
My two handed backhand is really flat, which benefits from more weight. However, it's just about stable enough with a few grams in the hoop.
I have no issue in stock form on my forehand.
I really like the way it comes through the air. It just feels right somehow.
TNNSDR
Rookie
Do it!
TNNSDR
Rookie
... Blade Pro? There is huge difference in SW. Same weight.
what_army
Professional
Maybe he meant ultra pro. Much more comparable imo.
dgoran
Hall of Fame
Yes that’s what I meant by saying lighter easier to use
dgoran
Hall of Fame
IMHO ultra pro is totally different mold that shares no similarities to this racquet which is closer to blade pro h22 than ultra pro which is h19 Prestige Like frame.
dgoran
Hall of Fame
I had Phantom 97p for a long time. It was thinner faster through the air more prestige pro like than this stick
