Clash 100 TW Review Honeymoon Period ?

[pfrischmann]

Hi guys,
I'm curious if anyone else thinks the clash review on TW might be a little high. like they rated it in the honeymoon period.
I'd probably rate it like this.
Groundstroke=86
Volleys=83
Serve=79
Returns=86
Power=84
Control=85
Maneuverability=89
Stability=82
Comfort=90
Touch/Feel=80
Top Spin=84
Slice=83

That would put it around 84 for me which seems about right. My biggest issue is a score of 87 for touch feel. That's higher than sticks like the Yonnex Pro-97 and the Head Pro Tour. That seems a little too high for me. Thoughts?

 

[WYK]

The only issue I took with the review was the comfort should be about 95+. I was using this stick after an injury, and kept using it while I had tennis elbow so bad I couldn't swing all my other racquets, and I eventually healed my arm being able to play doubles with the Clash and a brace the entire time. So, I lost very little play time using this racquet for rehab. The only thing more comfortable to swing than a Clash might be a sofa, and there's very little chance they will ever review one(there's not even one court side in the videos!), so may as well put the Clash up in the 90's. But it isn't a scientific review, it's always subjective. Find a reviewer you agree with and then follow them in future reviews.

The racquet has such a unique feel, so certainly not for everyone, and it takes a long time for people using heavier frames to get used to. I had to stuff lead in the throat to improve the feel for me since I mainly use 63-65ish RA 12 ounce sticks. The biggest issue is it's rather high launch angle compared to even an APD, and the fact it requires fast-loopy strokes to make the most of it.

 

[SinneGOAT]

Serve is accurate, serve is terrible with these super low flex racquets unless you get the swingweight up high I felt.

 

[Chezbeeno]

Their review scores fluctuate a little, which makes sense, since racquet reviewing is always gonna be a bit subjective.

 

[Dartagnan64]

I think your control and touch/feel are still too high. Hate the feel of the frame and playing with several people that use this frame I can't say their control is worth crap with the frame.

It's just a comfy tweener. It's not a revolution.

 

[jdx2112]

Serve is accurate, serve is terrible with these super low flex racquets unless you get the swingweight up high I felt.

I've found this to be true on flat serves. However, on kick serves it's quite good.

 

[pfrischmann]

I agree, Flat serve doesn't have enough pop for me. I actually had to change my technique to get the ball in consistently. It needs more weight in the tip.

 

[pfrischmann]

Their review scores fluctuate a little, which makes sense, since racquet reviewing is always gonna be a bit subjective.



They are still incredibly high for the clash. Stability his very high but in stock form I get pushed around. Stability is high for a racquet in it's weight class not high like an RF-97.

 

[jdx2112]

I agree, Flat serve doesn't have enough pop for me. I actually had to change my technique to get the ball in consistently. It needs more weight in the tip.

my 98 came in way under spec for SW at 314. I added weight at 12 and it was fine. For me, flat serves have almost too much launch. Bit of a sling shot that's hard to bring down.

 

[pfrischmann]

Out of curiosity, anybody mod a clash 100 and like the results?

 

[WYK]

Out of curiosity, anybody mod a clash 100 and like the results?

I tried several things. Weight in the head, grip, lengthening the handle, weight at 12, etc etc. The biggest improvement for me came when I added lead in the throat.
Stability, feel, playability, everything improved. Here's the first attempt - about 8 grams or so over-all to start(double thick golfers lead tape in the pic). I am at 12g now and happy.
I have to assume folks having difficulty with the racquet returning serves must be framing them? While not as stable as an RF97, it is the most stable tweener I have ever used, and I have used a lot. It is also more stable than my stock AI98, stock PS97, stock AeroStorm, Stock APD, etc. My main issue was never stability, but feel. (Butt feel? Phrasing!)
Having said it, my Prince NXG's, RF97, i.radical OS etc etc are just as stable or more so. With the NXG's giving more spin and the RF97 having more power.
The Clash, however, is an over all great stick, that is super forgiving.