BLX 6.1 Tour... options

[subz]

I recently played with the Wilson Six.One Tour BLX (BLX90) and was very impressed, my 1HBH was great, my serve was better, overheads were very quick, I had to adjust with my forehand but think I could adjsut with time.

BUT after 1 hour of hitting, the racquet's heft made it difficut to swing it at my regular speed. I am very skinny and not tall, though as a teenager, I used to play with a racquet which weighted around 12 oz. I know that Wilson makes an asian version of BLX90. I asked wilson about the asian version and got the following reply:

" The closest racket to the Six.One Tour BLX in a lighter weight would be the the Six.One 95 BLX or Six.One Team BLX.
Try those rackets as they are easier to swing and still give you the classic Six.One feel.
Thanks for your question"

Wilson guys didnt reply to my request for info on the asian version but on Wilson site for japan, I found the specs. The official name is:
Six.One Tour BLX 90 (JAPAN)
http://www.wilson-tennis.jp/products/all_chart.html

Anyway, the difference between BLX90 and BlX90(Japan) is only 20 gms...if I remove the leather grip, by how much will I get the weight down on the regular version? Also as an alternate, is the Dunlop AG100 a good racquet ? I have to face hard hitter, so plow through and stability should be good.

Thanks

 

[shanked_it]

I own both an Ag100 and a K90. If you really need a lighter racquet, I guess the ag100 is a good buy when you place some lead just at 3&9, and nowhere else. It comes out quite stable and manuverable.

Love my ag100, but it is a bit stiff compared to K90.

Someone made a nice comparison here; ag100 is like a scalpel, while the k90 is like a broadsword.

Though you gotta remember that you can't have a light and stable racquet, it just doesn't happen. There are the ultimate ratios of where to add weight, but other than that, the more mass, the more stability(also known as harder to move, both for you and the ball).

 

[stronzzi70]

Forget it about wilson, worst quality control . try Volkl PB 10 Mid.

 

[subz]

thanks for the replies ! Finding volkl racquets is a bit hard...infact getting hands on a AG100 to demo will be difficult as well. But I really liked the BLX90 and no have to find a way to reduce its weight...Will removing the leather grip help ?

 

[morten]

will not help subz.. swingweight won`t go down unless you remove weight further up on the racket, like remove/shave bumperguard, and i have tried that and it played like crap then... i wanted to like the blx90 too but think it lacks feel and is very sluggish... ps i play ps85, and ag100 was too unstable and stiff and lacked control.. i would actually try the Head prestige mid line if i were you if you do not mind the Head gripshape..

 

[RogerRacket111]

I have the Asian BLX 90 its definitely worth it if you can get one. I used to play with K90's. The Asian BLX 90 is 11.2 unstrung and feels solid on the groundies and great on the serves.

 

[el sergento]

thanks for the replies ! Finding volkl racquets is a bit hard...infact getting hands on a AG100 to demo will be difficult as well. But I really liked the BLX90 and no have to find a way to reduce its weight...Will removing the leather grip help ?

Removing the leather will shave the weight by 5-7 g's, not that much. On top of that, you'll loose about a point in balance towards the head, which could actually make the racquet feel heavier. Sorry, but there's not much you can do.

Remember, it's not about weight, it's about SW. If not mistaken, the BLX 90 has a SW of over 340 while the AG100 is around 310. That difference is night and day.

Given the stock specs of the AG100, especially the low SW, you could probably pick one up and mod it to your liking. Just judging by the specs, it seems like a modders dream.

 

[subz]

Remember, it's not about weight, it's about SW. If not mistaken, the BLX 90 has a SW of over 340 while the AG100 is around 310. That difference is night and day.

BLX90 swing weight is 333 gm which is less than my old nBlades that I use...

AG100 of course can be coustomized, and I have experience with lead tape. It shouldnt be an issue but I dont like the paint job of AG100 :???: , another option I had in mind was the pure storm limited ....though I want to move to an open string pattern....

 

[subz]

I have the Asian BLX 90 its definitely worth it if you can get one. I used to play with K90's. The Asian BLX 90 is 11.2 unstrung and feels solid on the groundies and great on the serves.

Do you live in Asia ? How did u get hold of them ? The reduction in weight must have an impact on the racquet, can u compare the asian BLX90 with the regular one ?

 

[thejackal]

give the pure storm limited a try. Ive always played with wilson 6.1s before switching and enjoyed hitting with the k90 and n90 tour. it's not quite the same feel but who knows, u might like it. the limited is a great racket for slice, and if u have solid mechanics topspin isnt a problem either

 

[RogerRacket111]

I have the Asian BLX 90 its definitely worth it if you can get one. I used to play with K90's. The Asian BLX 90 is 11.2 unstrung and feels solid on the groundies and great on the serves.

Do you live in Asia ? How did u get hold of them ? The reduction in weight must have an impact on the racquet, can u compare the asian BLX90 with the regular one ?

I was fortunate to have a friend who travels to Asia. I had it bought at a reputable store sports store there. It cost $245. I plan to get a spare.

I haven't played with the US BLX 90 but I have a couple of US K 90's (predecessor) So my comparison is really against these two versions. My main problem with the US model was the the weight used to hurt my shoulder when I had to serve big consistently. The extra weight can also catch you a little late when your not feeling your best. The K90 really requires a smooth body swing and good preparation. Its great racket when you feel really fit and strong but on a off day its not forgiving.

With my new Asian BLX 90 the small difference in weight makes a big difference for me. I can serve bigger and also add variety of locations maybe because I can bring it around a little easier. I don't go home with a sore shoulder and can sleep well at night.

As far as the ground strokes it feels pretty solid as the other K90 it doesn't have the same plough through as the heavier model but I can make that up because I can get the racket around a little faster. It easier on the OHBH to bring the racket around and complete the stroke.

 

[subz]

give the pure storm limited a try. Ive always played with wilson 6.1s before switching and enjoyed hitting with the k90 and n90 tour. it's not quite the same feel but who knows, u might like it. the limited is a great racket for slice, and if u have solid mechanics topspin isnt a problem either

I have played with the PSL and liked it. I was also able to generate spin, what I didnt like was my wrist was hurting after the game and I had to swing harder to keep the ball deeper. I have improved a lot in the last two months, so I should try the PSL again...will see what happens.

 

[RogerRacket111]

Here is a link to my post on my Asian BLX

http://tt.tennis-warehouse.com/showthread.php?t=326116

 

[morten]

I have played with the PSL and liked it. I was also able to generate spin, what I didnt like was my wrist was hurting after the game and I had to swing harder to keep the ball deeper. I have improved a lot in the last two months, so I should try the PSL again...will see what happens.

strange, i experienced wristpain with the ltd too... and it was leaded, mostly in the handle...

 

[pyrokid]

strange, i experienced wristpain with the ltd too... and it was leaded, mostly in the handle...

None here.

So don't worry, it isn't like a requirement of the racket.

 

[subz]

strange, i experienced wristpain with the ltd too... and it was leaded, mostly in the handle...

I played with the PSL in stock specs...I think my wrist pain maybe attributed to the fact that I was trying to put extra spin on the balls to get sharper angles. The racquet has a lot of control but not enough power if you compare it with the BLX 90 ....

 

[witit]

I am biased right now but you may want to check out Head Prestige line. I used to play the BLX90 and had similar issue as you. I struggled after the 1st set. My swing got slower and slower. It was not a racquet on a lazy day at all.

I just recently switched to Prestige Mid. It has a bit lighter swingweight but as stable as the BLX. I can produce the same shots as the BLX90. The better part is it lets me swing all out without worrying that the ball will fly. Great on flat serve. The Microgel has muted feel. The Youtek is crispier and stiffer. If you like the BLX feel, you may want to go with the Microgel.

 

[Deleted member 25923]

Ah so the k90 is more comfy than the Ag100? Interesting