Best Racquet of these 5?

[TripleB]

Which of the above racquets do you think offers the best combination of power (especially pop on serve), touch/feel, spinability, and control?

BTW: the Nano Speed is my racquet of choice...this racquet would be only used as a back up racquet...hence the very cheap price point of each - that and my wife don't want to spend too much on me for Valentine's Day !!!

I'm looking at one of these as a back up racquet because they are cheap(er) and have nearly the same specs as the DB800 I was using last night - played well with the DB800 but would like better touch/feel without the shake my arm received when I hit the ball high on the string bed.

*For the full story check here: http://tt.tennis-warehouse.com/showthread.php?t=83847

Thanks for any advice.

TripleB

 

[timmyboy]

Get another nano speed. how bout that. Prince TT Warrior is my favorite on there.

 

[TripleB]

From looking at the specs and from previously playing experiences with a couple of the racquets, here are my concerns with each:

Pro Kennex Heritage Type S: have read that it lacks touch; concerned that I may have "flyers" since some have compared it to the Pure Drive; tried the SX version and it felt a little on the stiff side

Prince TT Warrior: had one of these and it broke in the throat area while I was playing doubles; some have said that it causes elbow/shoulder pain

Head LM Radical Midplus: lack of spin potential (that my game thrives on) from the 18x20 string pattern; lack of power (especially on serves)

Dunlop Maxply McEnroe: only 3 pts headlight; some have said that it actually feels head heavy

Volkl Tour 9 V-Engine: I felt it was only an average racquet when I playtested it for T-W

Thanks for any input/votes.

TripleB

 

[foucapol]

I would like to say that RDX 300 MP excels all the others. However, I voted for LM Radical since you said you don't want to spend much. I added comments on the racquets I've tested.

Head LM Radical Midplus: lack of spin potential (that my game thrives on) from the 18x20 string pattern; lack of power (especially on serves)

- When I want to increase (top) spin potentials on a dense pattern racquet, I place some lead tapes in the throat area-especilly right below the hoop. I cannot explain the mechanics, though.

Dunlop Maxply McEnroe: only 3 pts headlight; some have said that it actually feels head heavy.

-IMO, balance point doesn't matter. What is more important is SW and Maxply feels heavier than other racquets you listed. In order to reduce SW, you can trim the bumper guard a bit or replace the leather grip with a synthetic one. It provides nice spins on serves and strokes, and backhand slices are really nasty.

Volkl Tour 9 V-Engine: I felt it was only an average racquet when I playtested it for T-W

- I agree. Nothing was excellent to me. Aberrant Volkl frame.

 

[Keifers]

Dunlop Maxply McEnroe: only 3 pts headlight; some have said that it actually feels head heavy.

-IMO, balance point doesn't matter. What is more important is SW and Maxply feels heavier than other racquets you listed. In order to reduce SW, you can trim the bumper guard a bit or replace the leather grip with a synthetic one. It provides nice spins on serves and strokes, and backhand slices are really nasty.

Agree. I have a TW demo right now and it measures just over 1 pt HL (strung with NXT Max 16). Feels really cumbersome to swing, but then I am used to very (8-10 pts) HL racquets. The thicker beam width also makes it seem clunky to me.

 

[Keifers]

TripleB, I have the Type S. Definitely more feel that the Bab PD (the S has a thin-beam throat). Feels more flexy in play than the ra spec would suggest. But perhaps not enough touch for your purposes. Excellent, crisp volleying frame and good control on groundies, though.

 

[TripleB]

TripleB, I have the Type S. Definitely more feel that the Bab PD (the S has a thin-beam throat). Feels more flexy in play than the ra spec would suggest. But perhaps not enough touch for your purposes. Excellent, crisp volleying frame and good control on groundies, though.

How is the spin potential of this racquet compared to any other racquets you've tried recently? What about the ability to get 'bombing' first serves with this racquet?

Thanks for everyone's input.

TripleB

 

[Jonnyf]

hey TripleB you could always try to get a used one of of here for a cheap price

 

[Jalapeno2006]

I don't really know about your game. If you have an eastern or even a moderate semi-western grip, then the spin capabilities of the LM radical are great. I own one and am transitioning from a full western to an Eastern and am finding it to be the racquet of my dreams. Additionally, I have done much research on those who have customized this stick, and the most that people generally do is put a leather grip on it, which i have not done myself. It's inexpensive and a great racquet with unorthodox stability at such a low weight for a player's racquet.

 

[TripleB]

For those of you who voted for the LM Radical MP, how do you find the spin potential of this racquet?

I'm afraid that in going with the LM Radical MP, I'd be giving up the incredible topspin and slice that I can get (and my game so desperately thrives on) with both my Yonex Nano Speed RQ7 and the Prince More Control DB800.

For me, it's easier to switch between two racquets that have a different power level than to switch between two racquets that have a huge difference in their ability to enhance spin.

Thanks again for all the votes and responses.

TripleB

 

[smittysan89]

Even with the dense pattern the LM Radical still provides decent spin. You could always use a thinner guage or different string on it to get more spin. That is what I am having to do. But I think its definately the best out of your choices.

 

[str33t]

i love my lm radical midplus. its the best i can afford lol.

 

[donnyz89]

do yourself a favor and just go demo them, whats good to us might not be for you.

 

[TripleB]

If you were just using two criteria---Serving Power and Spin Potential---what order would you rank the five racquets mentioned?

From what reading I've done with their reviews, comments, and all the post I've been able to find on them, I would put them in the following order (best combo of power/spin to worst combo of power/spin):

1. Pro Kennex Heritage Type S

2. Prince TT Warrior MP

3. Head LM Radical MP

4. Dunlop Maxply McEnroe

5. Volkl Tour 9 V-Engine

Agree or disagree?

TripleB

 

[BjornBorg]

Triple B, I've gotten a pretty good feel reading your posts over the last year or more. I'll bet anything there's something about the RQ 7 that's bugging you. Is it the extra length?

I know you probably don't want to admit it as you've changed rackets from several times but it's better to come clean.

There's no way you'd go to all this trouble for a backup racket. A guy who plays as much as you would certainly have 2 rackets of the same. Come on dude, fess up.

I'm betting you like the RQ but realize the extra length is not ideal for how you want to hit the ball. That extra 1/2 inch was a big adjustment from your RDX 500MP.

Don't worry, most on this racket discussion board are nuts anyway. Just come clean!!

 

[BjornBorg]

The FXP Radical Tour is a better racket than the LM Radical anyway. More headlight--which you need for your groundies and topspin. Swings lighter than a 12 oz racket would suggest. More flexible too. I'm demoing mine right now and it's the best racket I've ever tried. I liked the Pure Drive and served great with it, but it just became a situation where too many balls got away from me.

The FXP Radical serves harder than the RQ 7 and is better for topspin, in my opinion. I like the RQ 7 and could definitely play with it. But the FXP Rad. Tour is better--in almost every category except perhaps slice backhands. But even there, it's still very close.

 

[czech09]

do yourself a favor and just go demo them, whats good to us might not be for you.

+1

 

[thejuice]

Triple B, of the racquets you mentioned, I still stick by my pick from your original thread, the Maxply. But with all that you are saying I would like to suggest another stick...the Fischer M-Speed Pro 1. I know they are kind of expensive brand new but you can get them used on this board and on the auction site at great prices. I have one for sale myself on the For Sale forum. I'm not trying to plug mine but you should think about those as well.

 

[TripleB]

There's no way you'd go to all this trouble for a backup racket. A guy who plays as much as you would certainly have 2 rackets of the same. Come on dude, fess up.

I'm betting you like the RQ but realize the extra length is not ideal for how you want to hit the ball. That extra 1/2 inch was a big adjustment from your RDX 500MP.

Don't worry, most on this racket discussion board are nuts anyway. Just come clean!!

To be honest this is for a backup racquet. I absolutely LOVE the NSRQ7 and think that it will be my racquet for a long time to come. The only reason I even pulled out my old DB800 was because my regular string set up (poly/mono) just doesn't give me the amazing feel and touch that the Yonex string does. I'm waiting for TW to get some of the Yonex string in so that they can send me the sets I ordered. As soon as I get that string and have my NSRQ7 strung I'll be back to it in a heartbeat!!! I love the extra length, especially combined with the lighter weight, because my serves are bigger, my reach is longer, and my slice never comes up. Unbelievable racquet with the Yonex string in it...not as great with the poly.

The reason I'm not looking to get another Nano Speed RQ 7 can be summed up in one word---BRACES. I found out a couple weeks ago that my 9 year old daughter is going to need $2180 worth of braces ( I didn't think I'd have to worry about braces until she was at least 13 ). This sort of takes care of any extra spending I might have been thinking about for the next year or two.

This is also why I'm sort of leaning towards the TT Warrior...cheapest racquet in the list.

Thanks for the input.

TripleB

 

[monologuist]

why would anyone who is so discerning and specific about his preference in racquets who has spent so much time and energy demo-ing and comparing, researching, polling, questioning, possibly consider using a different frame than his beloved primary one as a backup? It doesn't make any sense. If you break a string on your Nanospeed and have to switch to a TT Warrior, it will not be an easy transition, mid-match. Plus, don't you have dozens of other racquets including the RDX-500 that you've loved in the past that you can use as a backup, if you don't care about using a different racquet for a backup? Or why don't you do what most people do and save up until you can afford another Nanospeed?

 

[TripleB]

1) why would anyone who is so discerning and specific about his preference in racquets who has spent so much time and energy demo-ing and comparing, researching, polling, questioning, possibly consider using a different frame than his beloved primary one as a backup? It doesn't make any sense.

2) Plus, don't you have dozens of other racquets including the RDX-500 that you've loved in the past that you can use as a backup, if you don't care about using a different racquet for a backup? Or why don't you do what most people do and save up until you can afford another Nanospeed?

1) As I stated above, with an unexpected $2180 worth of braces having to be purchased on February 20th, the funds to purchase a Nano Speed RQ7 as a backup racquet aren't quite available.

2) I do have many racquets that I could use as a backup but I was looking for something a little closer in weight to the Nano Speed RQ7 so that I wouldn't have to go to a heavier racquet if the strings broke - especially if a string broke closer to the end of the match. Seeing how well switching over to the DB800 in the middle of a first set worked out perfectly (albeit a little less shake at the top of the frame would have been greatly welcomed) the other night, I figured a backup racquet similar to the DB800 might work out well in the long run too. After having to purchase braces for my daughter, by the time I save up enough money to buy another one the NSRQ7 will probably have been replaced .

Thanks for your comments and in taking the time to respond.

TripleB

 

[TripleB]

THANKS FOR EVERYONE'S REPLIES AND VOTES....I'VE DECIDED TO GO WITH THE WARRIOR. I'VE TRIED THE HEAD LM RADICAL MP AND FROM WHAT I CAN REMEMBER IT JUST DIDN'T GIVE ME ENOUGH TOPSPIN OR KICK ON MY SERVE. THE PRO KENNEX IS A LITTLE TOO EXPENSIVE. AS YOU CAN TELL FROM MY PLAYTEST REVIEW NOTHING ABOUT THE TOUR 9 VE STOOD OUT TO ME. AND TO BE PERFECTLY HONEST, I DON'T REALLY LIKE THE LOOKS OF THE MCENROE.

THANKS AGAIN FOR ALL THE VOTES, COMMENTS, OPINION, AND THOUGHTS.

TRIPLEB