Can't get any power out of MG Radical Mid+ ???

[limitup]

I've used an old school flexpoint radical for the past few years, and got pretty used to it. But since they don't make them any more, and I felt like I was ready to try something heavier, I figured I'd switch to a new stick.

I demo'd the MG Radical Mid+ and the MG Radical Pro, and in the end I went with the regular Radical. I figured it would be a good foundation that I could customize by adding weight, etc. just where I wanted.

After messing around with it for a week or so, I just can't seem to get any power out of this stick. I've got it all the way up to 12 ounces now, by adding lead in both the handle and some to the hoop in various places.

For now I'm using the same Alu Power string at 52 lbs which is what I've used in my flexpoint for ages.

Maybe I'm still getting used to it, but this new Radical seems to have a pretty small sweetspot. And even when I hit it right I still can't get much power out of this thing.

I've always liked flexy sticks as they seem to work well with my beloved Alu Power strings, but this thing has a stiffness rating of only 57 and maybe it's just TOO flexible for my liking?

I'm thinking now that I would have been better off with the Radical Pro. The specs on it are pretty close to what I'd be looking for anyway. It's stiffer so all else being equal it should yield more power right?

And it has the open 16x19 string pattern that I've actually started to like in some other sticks I've tested. (I briefly used the MG Extreme which felt a little too stiff for me. Didn't like it a whole lot, and noticed TW doesn't sell it any more. Hmm...)

Or should I just skip the Radicals and try one or both of the mid+ Prestiges??

Switching racquets sucks! I'm so used to full Alu Power string jobs that when I demo other racquets with crappy syn gut strings I can't really even get a good feel for them ...

 

[bad_call]

gonna be hitting with this one soon. will post on it.

 

[frekcles]

I agree the MG Radical MP is underpowered.

You could try a different string set up or a lower tension since you already tried making it heavier.

I have one of these and I'm also thinking of getting rid of it.

Visit the Radical thread, some folks over there have shared their set ups on making the MG Radical a little bit more powerful.

 

[frekcles]

Or should I just skip the Radicals and try one or both of the mid+ Prestiges??

Perhaps the MG Radical Pro or the MG Prestige Pro would be a better fit.

 

[fuzz nation]

You've got a combo of a low powered frame with a low powered string and more weight hasn't yielded any help. I'd say either take a chance on some different strings with more life to them or have a go with something like the MG Prestige Pro or Radical Pro as suggested by our pals above.

 

[limitup]

Thanks guys. I'm gonna demo a Radical Pro today, and if that doesn't work out I'll try the Prestiges.

My old school FXP radical has plenty of power with these same strings at the same tension. I guess this new MG Radical is just TOO flexy (listed at stiffness of 57, don't know if I've seen less than that actually!)

 

[psp2]

Thanks guys. I'm gonna demo a Radical Pro today, and if that doesn't work out I'll try the Prestiges.

My old school FXP radical has plenty of power with these same strings at the same tension. I guess this new MG Radical is just TOO flexy (listed at stiffness of 57, don't know if I've seen less than that actually!)

I can't understand why you call the FXP Radical "old school" since it only went out of production less than 2 years ago.

 

[trigga]

just got this racket as well.. was concerned about the 57 stiffness rating. havent used it yet though so dont know the feel.

 

[skierpaul]

OP, please post your thoughts on the Radical Pro vs the MG Radical's power after you get a chance to hit with it, I'd love to know.

 

[limitup]

Will do, I actually just went ahead and bought one and it'll be here tomorrow.

Today I hit with my Extreme Pro just because I'm sick of the regular Radical, and it's amazing that while I didn't really like it before I like it a lot better now after hitting with the Radical for a bit. So maybe the Extreme Pro is a little too stiff for me, and I don't really care for the shape of the hoop, but I think going stiffer is a step in the right direction. Hopefully the Radical Pro will be the one. I think the Radical Pro has a stiffness rating of about 63 or 64 which is the same as the flexpoint radical I used and loved for a long time, so I've got my fingers crossed.

 

[Mdubb23]

Will do, I actually just went ahead and bought one and it'll be here tomorrow.

Today I hit with my Extreme Pro just because I'm sick of the regular Radical, and it's amazing that while I didn't really like it before I like it a lot better now after hitting with the Radical for a bit. So maybe the Extreme Pro is a little too stiff for me, and I don't really care for the shape of the hoop, but I think going stiffer is a step in the right direction. Hopefully the Radical Pro will be the one. I think the Radical Pro has a stiffness rating of about 63 or 64 which is the same as the flexpoint radical I used and loved for a long time, so I've got my fingers crossed.

The Radical Pro is simply one of the best sticks I have hit in my life. I currently use the Extreme Pros, and didn't hit with the Radical Pro until after I had bought my Extremes, and my parents (I'm 13) wouldn't let me switch because I had just made the switch from the Liquidmetal Instinct. In any rate, the Radical Pro is just so solid from every part of the court, I really just could not find something wrong with it.

 

[limitup]

Hit with my new Radical Pro for about an hour today. It was freezing but I just had to. Balls were heavy as crap and not bouncing much since it was about 40 degrees out, but I can tell that this is my new stick for a good while. I still need to reshape the grip and make it a little more headlight, but it's got a great feel to it. Not too flexy and not too stiff, good weight, bigger sweetspot than the regular Radical and more power. I strung it with big banger original strings at 52lbs. I can't wait till it warms up and I can go hit some more!

 

[netman]

Yep. In the old days we put powerful strings (natural gut) in low powered frames (wood). Now we put low powered strings (polys) in high powered frames (Pure Drive, Extreme Pro, etc.) Personally, I prefer to pick the frame that feels the best, then select the strings that compliment it. But I guess there is nothing wrong with doing the opposite (except maybe developing tennis elbow from overly stiff frames strung with overly stiff strings to limit the frame's power).

 

[limitup]

I don't have a whole lot of string choices as I'm a big time string breaker and don't enjoy constantly getting my sticks restrung every few days. I pretty much have to use a durable poly. I hit with a PDR for awhile which is definitely too stiff for me. I don't mind my Extreme Pro, I just don't love it. This Radical Pro I love so far. We'll see after the honeymoon period ... but I have a feeling this is gonna be the one for awhile.

 

[SmAsH999]

it's really a great stick, if you stick with it. However, after demoing it, I've found that you ABSOLUTELY can't string it with a low powered string. Use something explosive like x1 biphase, and you'll get unsurpassed comfort, not to mention great power.

 

[limitup]

Problem with that is I would bust X1 strings every day. I need something durable. The Radical Pro with bb original at 52 lbs is plenty powerful for me.