Clash 98: underrated racquet of 2019.
- Thread starter J011yroger
- Start date
mad dog1
G.O.A.T.
Lux gut at 41#???
mad dog1
G.O.A.T.
It is a great frame. Only drawback is it’s a string eater.
BounceHitBounceHit
Legend
Lux gut at 41#???
I think it was Lux Smart 16. The Clash 98 was a rocket launcher with it at 41!
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mad dog1
G.O.A.T.
I believe it was a rocket launcher at that tension. 41# with any string is REALLY REALLY low for this stick.
BounceHitBounceHit
Legend
travlerajm
Talk Tennis Guru
For someone who’s never tried a Clash, can you help flesh out this analogy for me?
J
mad dog1
G.O.A.T.
Clash 98 users know the assets and strengths of their racket and they know how to use it to their fullest.
n8dawg6
Legend
thats what she said?
mad dog1
G.O.A.T.
aimr75
Hall of Fame
Yeah the tour didn’t do that much for me compared to the 100. The 98 was very nice too.
BounceHitBounceHit
Legend
Too heavy??? Mine is 326 strung and 31.5 cm balance. It’s very easy to swing @ 328 SW
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mad dog1
G.O.A.T.
Precisely.
but he sure could hit a good ball. Of course his TT rating would be 2.5 based on his video.
BounceHitBounceHit
Legend
Precisely.
but he sure could hit a good ball. Of course his TT rating would be 2.5 based on his video.
At best....you have to deduct 0.5 NTRP for using a 23 mm beam!!!
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nohandedbackhand
Semi-Pro
Anyone else catch Goran Isovich holding a clash in one of the Paris Masters behind the scenes videos (I think it was a Djokovic practice one if I recall). His aging tendons probably appreciate it.
BounceHitBounceHit
Legend
parasailing
Legend
I just checked TW power map and the Blade v7 18x20 has more power, sw, and twist weight than the clash 98.
How are you guys getting more power using the Clash 98?
How are you guys getting more power using the Clash 98?
J011yroger
Talk Tennis Guru
Just how much better is the 98 than the Tour? I've been trying to use a Tour for a couple of months and I just don't think it's for me.
This week after being inconsistent with the Tour I picked up a 30 year old Prince Spectrum 90 and ball after ball went exactly where I wanted it - heavy, with ample spin and sooo much more confidence.
I got the Clash because I have a wrist problem (not caused by tennis, but tennis aggregates it) and the Phantom I tested and loved was no good for serving. Although I serve bombs with the Clash and love the soft feel, it's just too much of a lottery off the ground.
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This week after being inconsistent with the Tour I picked up a 30 year old Prince Spectrum 90 and ball after ball went exactly where I wanted it - heavy, with ample spin and sooo much more confidence.
I got the Clash because I have a wrist problem (not caused by tennis, but tennis aggregates it) and the Phantom I tested and loved was no good for serving. Although I serve bombs with the Clash and love the soft feel, it's just too much of a lottery off the ground.
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I play with a pure drive, in the 2015 variety. I demoed the clash 98, albeit with a syn gut string, which I would never use. Sent demo back and played with pure drive again today. For those who have played both, would you agree that the clash has about 90% of the power and spin of the pure drive, perhaps a bit more control, more touch/feel, and way more comfort? I feel like it is pointless to keep experimenting with strings to reign in the power of the pure drive, while trying to ward off tennis elbow, when something like the clash 98 exists.
mad dog1
G.O.A.T.
I was never that enamored by the Clash 100 Tour version. Didn’t feel as connected to the ball. I find the Clash 98 to be a lot better.
muph
Rookie
Has anyone tried stringing it with a gut/poly hybrid? Demoed it with a poly which felt super plush but still had my biceps stiffening up at night as a reaction. I should get my ordered Clash 98 this week and now I'm wondering if it'll eat the strings so fast I'll have to switch from gut/poly to a full bed poly my arm can take...
mad dog1
G.O.A.T.
Gut mains with a round poly cross lasts a long time. A lot longer than full poly for me.
mad dog1
G.O.A.T.
If the gut is in the mains, I will typically up tension by +4-5# on the gut and +1-2 on the poly cross.
ron schaap
Hall of Fame
Beats me too. Must be pure mental and the fact most folks seem to string their clash with very low tensioned strings or even gut or gut hybrid which are the most powerfull strings there are.
No surprise here because i have played with similar flexible Fischer racquets that dont have power also. Flexibility absorbs the energy of the impact. When the racquet flexes back the ball has already left the stringbed so the result is less power or pace. This fact has already been proved by high speed cameras 30 years ago!
Maybe it's in here somewhere, but has anyone done a direct comparison of the Clash 98 with the Blade v7 16x19? Surprisingly similar specs (head size, static weight, swing weight, string pattern with 8 mains in the throat, both with low flex ratings); only main difference is balance and beam width. Interested in the thoughts of those who have played with both. Thanks.
toby55555
Hall of Fame
Tour is only erratic for me if I hit flat, with spin I can hit the spots.
longtimelurker
Professional
I wonder how many posters / threads have influenced sales! I know I have bought too many strings as a result !
DJ-
Hall of Fame
It is definitely super plush, been playing it with factory alu power, only about 2hrs so far and loving it. I will try it with some gut / poly at some stage. When i do I will go with VS team / max power 53/51lbs.
Although I think a low/medium powered poly at around 48lbs is a great fit for this frame !
tpro2000
Rookie
What if they offered a 20mm beam version of the 98? Better idea? Good as is?
I’m afraid I’m not far behind. Curious if you got them matched. If not, how far off are the specs?
time_fly
Hall of Fame
I‘ve played with both. The Clash has more power and a lower launch angle. It has that unique flexible Clash feel that to me seems kind of “rubbery”, while the Blade has a more traditional feel. Every once in a while I get a bit of that “rubber” feel from the Blade v7 but it’s not as easy to notice. I found net play to be a tradeoff. The Clash feels a bit more stable on volleys, especially off center, but the thicker beam makes it feel a little more clunky as well. I feel like despite the extra weight in the head, the Blade maneuvers a little better overall. The Blade just feels like a different animal because it’s lighter but has more weight near the tip, whereas the Clash is heavier but more headlight — I think it really comes down to personal preference
I think if you took the weight and balance of the Clash 98 and the thinner, more more traditional-feeling beam of the Blade 98, you might get the next generation Pro Staff. But I’m just speculating.
Which version? 305 or 315g?
djNEiGht
Legend
I think most of the posters in the TF40 thread are talking about the 305.
topspn
G.O.A.T.
I only tried 305
J011yroger
Talk Tennis Guru
mad dog1
G.O.A.T.
Indeed. Best to try a stick for yourself instead of relying on reviews from others.
It's currently 25% off. Man I'm tempted, especially a demo is hard to come by right now.
J011yroger
Talk Tennis Guru
mad dog1
G.O.A.T.
Yeah. That’s exactly what I say to everyone, too.
