Best thin-beamed player's OS?

N

Nanshiki

Hall of Fame
What's the best thin-beamed (20 or so) player's OS (12-ounce plus, 107) racquet, in your opinion?

I like the spin and power I get from my APD, but the off-center performance is awful... with volleys or framed shots. The beam is too wide and too pointy on the ends. Hell, the throat is literally a ramp and you'll send any shot that hit's it over the fence...behind you. I almost frame it more than I do with a 90-inch thin beam like a POG MP or K90...

I think I'd like something like a Trisys/Twintube Radical, Agassi limited Radical, POG OS, with a poly at 65+ pounds... the Donnay is good but there are issues with the grommets, I hear.
 
Fischer m pro number one OS (weighs 11.8 oz) would be good, but the beam can be up to 25 mm
 
Nanshiki said:
What's the best thin-beamed (20 or so) player's OS (12-ounce plus, 107) racquet, in your opinion?

I like the spin and power I get from my APD, but the off-center performance is awful... with volleys or framed shots. The beam is too wide and too pointy on the ends. Hell, the throat is literally a ramp and you'll send any shot that hit's it over the fence...behind you. I almost frame it more than I do with a 90-inch thin beam like a POG MP or K90...

I think I'd like something like a Trisys/Twintube Radical, Agassi limited Radical, POG OS, with a poly at 65+ pounds... the Donnay is good but there are issues with the grommets, I hear.
Click to expand...

I can only think of 2 frames:

Head Radical / Agassi or regular OS though it's a 21 mm beam.
Prince classic graphite OS 19mm beam.

These 2 are like the grand daddies of OS, most every OS out there are only playing catch up to these 2.

mawashi
 
POG would be the obvious one to try. I'm not big on Poly at 65+ lbs on any racket for the sake of your arm, but I think originally the Prince Oversize rackets were supposed to be strung at 72lbs.
 
Well 65 wouldn't be that bad on a 107... especially a flexible, heavy one.

Although it would depend on how much control I want.

And it would depend if it was an open pattern like the POG or a tight one like the Radicals.
 
you should try that Prince Boron Pro (the first generation bumperless one).. man.. it has a thin beam but it's surprisingly stable.. !!
 
I would agree with these comments. I have always played with POG OS and have not found a better racquet for my game. I tried poly at 65, but it was too hard on my arm.
 
YONEX PRO RD-70 LONG OS but it's an 105 sq. inch frame...
Head Sizes: 105 sq. in. / 677 sq. cm.
Length: 28 inches / 71 cm
Construction: 16mm Head/19mm Shaft
Composition: Interwoven High Modulus Graphite
Strung Weight: 11.3 ounces / 320 grams
Stiffness: 55
Inertia: 324
Balance: 8pts Head Light
String Pattern: 16 Mains / 19 Crosses
 
Besides the POG and the Radical (whatever version you're considering), Cayman makes some very flexible OS, thin-beamed rackets. The problem lies in finding them. Look up Cayman tennis rackets on google. Maybe you'll find something you like.
 
Automatix said:
YONEX PRO RD-70 LONG OS but it's an 105 sq. inch frame...
Head Sizes: 105 sq. in. / 677 sq. cm.
Length: 28 inches / 71 cm
Construction: 16mm Head/19mm Shaft
Composition: Interwoven High Modulus Graphite
Strung Weight: 11.3 ounces / 320 grams
Stiffness: 55
Inertia: 324
Balance: 8pts Head Light
String Pattern: 16 Mains / 19 Crosses
Click to expand...

Old Yonex's and Caymans in general are too hard to find.
 
Wilson 6.1 Hyper ProStaff OS. Although it's a 22mm beam, it's rather flexible at a 62 RA...excellent stick!
 
Nanshiki, we are in the same boat. I have tons of racquet but play with a mod. APD/C especially for anything serious.

And if you read my recent past posts, you will come across my search for a "thin beamed APDC" as well.

The frame can def. get in the way, and I also do not have such problems with my KPS88 or San Vincents. (But I dont play that often with these anymore, bec. "modern topspin fast ball" style that I enjoy more now. And also my 2hbh can be a liability with mids. If I were able to practise 2-3 hrs everyday, no problems. But I am not able to do so, so I opt for my APD, APDC and a Becker Pro (which has thinner beam than apdcs).

Alternatively, if you (and I) spend more time practising, believe me, the framing issue with thick beamed Babs/APDCs should disappear. Though I dont have that much time....

As for POG OS, I personally do not suggest them. I got two 4 stripers, the legend model. And these sticks do definitely play slower compared to new school Babs! But, they are the bench mark for b-line play. That is for sure. Perhaps it might definitely respond well with polys. But I myself do not want to go for anything bigger than 100sq inch. If you (or anybody else) are interested, these 4 stripe POG OS that I can sell. I myself am in the wait for an 18mm Head Speed Pro...
 
i had my tw donnay pro one os strung with poly but i hated it so much i cut it out and restrung with syn gut. you probably hit alot harder than i do, though so go for it.
 
gymrat76 said:
Nanshiki, we are in the same boat. I have tons of racquet but play with a mod. APD/C especially for anything serious.

And if you read my recent past posts, you will come across my search for a "thin beamed APDC" as well.

The frame can def. get in the way, and I also do not have such problems with my KPS88 or San Vincents. (But I dont play that often with these anymore, bec. "modern topspin fast ball" style that I enjoy more now. And also my 2hbh can be a liability with mids. If I were able to practise 2-3 hrs everyday, no problems. But I am not able to do so, so I opt for my APD, APDC and a Becker Pro (which has thinner beam than apdcs).

Alternatively, if you (and I) spend more time practising, believe me, the framing issue with thick beamed Babs/APDCs should disappear. Though I dont have that much time....

As for POG OS, I personally do not suggest them. I got two 4 stripers, the legend model. And these sticks do definitely play slower compared to new school Babs! But, they are the bench mark for b-line play. That is for sure. Perhaps it might definitely respond well with polys. But I myself do not want to go for anything bigger than 100sq inch. If you (or anybody else) are interested, these 4 stripe POG OS that I can sell. I myself am in the wait for an 18mm Head Speed Pro...
Click to expand...

I practice generally at least an hour a day... sometimes two or three. The shape of the APD's frame isn't something you can avoid just by practicing... it's a serious design flaw. Any shot (including volleys) that even so much as graces the frame isn't going to get back. So it has a headsize that's effectively only about 93 SQ inches, due to the width of the beam (it's over an inch at the most important part, the middle). I figured a thin-beam oversize with a poly at high enough tension would like me bash all I want, without having to worry nearly as much about framing it...
 
mawashi said:
I can only think of 2 frames:

Head Radical / Agassi or regular OS though it's a 21 mm beam.
Prince classic graphite OS 19mm beam.

These 2 are like the grand daddies of OS, most every OS out there are only playing catch up to these 2.

mawashi
Click to expand...

Absolutely. The POG and Radical OS are the only ones you can still get new (or almost new). Now there were a lot a nice thin beam OS frames in the late 80's to early 90's and you can find them cheap on the big auction site with some patience. Dunlop Select Pro OS, Wilson Ceramic 110, Prince Spectrum 110, Prince TriComp 110, etc. The Wimbledon line had a nice clone of the POG. Another great thin beam OS is the old Volkl C10 Pro OS. A wonderful frame.

Come to think of it Avery had (has?) a nice thin beam OS that is essentially a POG clone.

-k-
 
Nadal is a machine. The rules of intelligent racquet design don't apply to him.

And the Pure Drive has a slightly different design than the Aeropro Drive... it doesn't ramp balls 100 feet into the air when they hit the beam/throat.

And FWIW, a thin beam is always better than wide-beam... there are no ups to a thicker beam except for more power.
 
Nanshiki said:
Nadal is a machine. The rules of intelligent racquet design don't apply to him.

And the Pure Drive has a slightly different design than the Aeropro Drive... it doesn't ramp balls 100 feet into the air when they hit the beam/throat.

And FWIW, a thin beam is always better than wide-beam... there are no ups to a thicker beam except for more power.
Click to expand...


Incorrect, the biggest benefit from a thicker beam is stability. The reason the Pure Drive was such a significant frame when it first came out, wasn't because of the power levels, it was because of it's stability relative to it's light weight, something it's foam construction and wide beams help out a lot on.

Personally, I can't play on a frame that has a beam thicker than 21ish, not because it's more difficult, but because I grew up playing in the 90s on the POG, Pro Staff, and Donnay Pro 1; it's a psychological thing.
 
Oh, and I'd encourage you to try the TW Donnay Pro 1 OS, it's a great frame and seems to be what you're looking for. The grommet issue is still there, but TW is really good about exchanging bad grommets for people. I've got two of the frames and like them a lot. Another OS I'd encourage you to try is the Avery, it's a little large in the head (I think it's a 110), but it's a very well built frame with some good "old school" feel.
 
Nanshiki said:
Nadal is a machine. The rules of intelligent racquet design don't apply to him.
Click to expand...

This is the most stupid thing I heard for a long time.

Actually, on a second thought, it is second to another line I read a while back: "Nadal doesn't work out. He was born with muscles"
 
I was half-joking. But to say that what works for Nadal works for normal people is fallacious.

Also, Nadal, or at least Uncle Toni claims that he DOESN'T work out... except for on the tennis court. Which seems...iffy.

And using correct grammar helps when you're trying to convince me I've said something stupid...
 
gymrat76 said:
This is the most stupid thing I heard for a long time.

Actually, on a second thought, it is second to another line I read a while back: "Nadal doesn't work out. He was born with muscles"
Click to expand...

Gymrat, take the Nadal discussions over to the Pro Player section. Plenty of stuff about him there. BTW, he is a freak of nature, just like LeBron James, Adrian Peterson, [your uber athlete name here]. You can dream to be like him but your genes will prevent it. :)
 
netman said:
Gymrat, take the Nadal discussions over to the Pro Player section. Plenty of stuff about him there. BTW, he is a freak of nature, just like LeBron James, Adrian Peterson, [your uber athlete name here]. You can dream to be like him but your genes will prevent it. :)
Click to expand...

Ill have to disagree with that. Nadal is like 6-1 and like 190 lbs. Nothing freakish about that at all.
 
sargeinaz said:
Ill have to disagree with that. Nadal is like 6-1 and like 190 lbs. Nothing freakish about that at all.
Click to expand...

Height n weight is all you can come up with...?

He's no1 because he does things on the court most of us can only dream of.

mawashi
 
mawashi said:
Height n weight is all you can come up with...?

He's no1 because he does things on the court most of us can only dream of.

mawashi
Click to expand...

Who said anything about him being number 1? He's number 1 because he is the best tennis player in the world right now. Lots of pros have done spectacular things on the court. You're talking as if he volleys with the racket in his mouth or serves 200mph. The other poster called him a freak. Lebron is a freak. 6-8, 260 of muscle and can leap to the damn sky. That's being a genetic freak. There are plenty of people who are stronger, others who can run faster and others who are much bigger than Nadal. That's what I was getting at.
 
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netman said:
Gymrat, take the Nadal discussions over to the Pro Player section. Plenty of stuff about him there. BTW, he is a freak of nature, just like LeBron James, Adrian Peterson, [your uber athlete name here]. You can dream to be like him but your genes will prevent it. :)
Click to expand...


you are telling me to take pro player discussions some place else...and then you continue to do so?
 
sargeinaz said:
Who said anything about him being number 1? He's number 1 because he is the best tennis player in the world right now. Lots of pros have done spectacular things on the court. You're talking as if he volleys with the racket in his mouth or serves 200mph. The other poster called him a freak. Lebron is a freak. 6-8, 260 of muscle and can leap to the damn sky. That's being a genetic freak. There are plenty of people who are stronger, others who can run faster and others who are much bigger than Nadal. That's what I was getting at.
Click to expand...

He's a freak sort of, everyone who can be the best is a sort of freak... admit it LOL!

He's spin is like 40% more than nearly every pro out there. His mental focus is nearly AI like yada yada yada...

He is a one of a kind n that makes him a freak of nature more than just his physical abilities :)

mawashi
 
I have to agree that whatever works for pros can't be applied to us. Besides, surely there are many things to worry about apart from racket.
 
sargeinaz said:
Who said anything about him being number 1? He's number 1 because he is the best tennis player in the world right now. Lots of pros have done spectacular things on the court. You're talking as if he volleys with the racket in his mouth or serves 200mph. The other poster called him a freak. Lebron is a freak. 6-8, 260 of muscle and can leap to the damn sky. That's being a genetic freak. There are plenty of people who are stronger, others who can run faster and others who are much bigger than Nadal. That's what I was getting at.
Click to expand...

Perfectly agree.

"He can drink 2 gallons of milk and bench press with a Hummer"
"Because UNCLE TONY SAYS SO..."

These 14 yr old Nadal fans are just straight out damn funny :)
 
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Just got my Radical Tour Twintube. I strung it up with some Klipper Super Poly at 65/63 (range is 58 to 68). Going to try it out later...
 
Best Prince OS IMHO was/is the Prince Precision Graphite 700 PL OS. There is no O3 oversize racquet in a standard length? Head iRadical and Ti Radical OS were great too.
 
Wow, it hits really, really well. A lot of control and I can bash it pretty hard. Good spin on the serve too, although not much pop for flat serves.

I have much better slice and defensive shots and can hit almost as hard with with my APD... has a bit less spin though. I need to get a reel of the string I've got in my APD...
 
Nanshiki said:
Wow, it hits really, really well. A lot of control and I can bash it pretty hard. Good spin on the serve too, although not much pop for flat serves.

I have much better slice and defensive shots and can hit almost as hard with with my APD... has a bit less spin though. I need to get a reel of the string I've got in my APD...
Click to expand...

Had one in 27" and XL back in the day when they were new for $39.95. Flexible.
 
Is the TT Warrior OS too thick?

Head Size:
107 sq. in. / 690 sq. cm.
Length: 27.5 inches / 70 cm
Strung Weight: 11oz / 318g
Balance: 5pts Head Light
Swingweight: 315
Stiffness: 67
Beam Width: 23 mm Straight Beam
Composition: GraphitExtreme / Copper / Tungsten
Power Level: Low-Medium
Swing Speed: Moderate-Fast
Grip Type: Dura Tac
String Pattern:
16 Mains / 19 Crosses
Mains skip: 8T
Two Piece
Shared Holes: 7H,8H
String Tension: 57-67 pounds

I have mine strung at 62 w wilson syn-gut... It was a little unstable at first (if you hit a ball with a lot of pace off center) so I added 4 5 inch long 1/2 inch wide strips of lead tape at 3 and 9 and it is very stable now and the sweet spot is huge!

This morning I took 36 inches of 1/2 inch lead tape (a whole package of gamma... 18 grams) and stuck it in the handle under the butt cap with some plastic wrap (I had no foam) to hold it in place. Now I am loving the way this swings. Haven't had a chance to play with it yet since it rained all day but it is worth consideration.

I demo'ed the Donnay Pro One OS and I found it to be nice but the sweet spot and stability do not compare to the TT Warrior OS (and that was before I added any lead)... and it is more expensive not to mention the grommet issues.
 
POG os
Donnay Pro1 os
Two of the best os players frames iv ever hit.
 
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