Thanks for the support and noticing the attempt to prop up some of these older radicals. My appreciation for radicals runs deep. Probably only outmatched by love for the pro staff and prestige. I’m still intending to review the i.rad mp, lm rad mp, Microgel rad mp, and the youtek rad mp. My favorite retail radicals are both the Microgel and youtek. I’d probably give the nod to the youtek because I liked the layup so much
Happy to lend my thoughts relative to those pre-2010 95 in radicals. It’s not totally an apple to apples comparison with the 2025 pro, but there are for sure some common threads. I’ll stick to ti.rad and later as I think those earlier ones resemble pro tours / prestiges more than anything
ti.rad mp - always found it to be the harshest layup of the 2000-2010 rads. May have something to do with the way the cosmetics melded into the frame due to the twin tube construction. The mold is the first oval radical beam design. In direct comp with the 2025 pro - this one is lighter, more brittle feeling, and generally much lowered powered.
i.rad mp - improved layup from the ti.rad in my opinion. This one was more plush than the ti.rad - I actually find that this layup is the most plush other than youtek for pre-2010 radicals. To me, the i.rad is the quintessential radical, it flexes in alll the right places and isn’t harsh at all. If anything, it just feels like they evolved the layup to be more premium and comfortable. Similar to the comp with the ti.rad - this one is obviously lowered powered and less stable than its infant 2025 radical pro counterpart.
LM rad mp - more of a return to that crisper/stiffer layup of the ti.rad. I felt the tour was more plush just bc of added weight, but in general these were a little more brittle feeling then the I.radicals that proceeded it. Enjoyed the way these flexed, almost a more pronounced point of flexion in the lower yoke than any of the oval radicals that preceded it. More of the same here in comparison with the 2025 pro (less power, spin, stability), although I think the 2025 pro has that low yoke flex thing I love about the LM rad
FXP Rad MP - this one went back to that plush vibe of the i.radical mp in my opinion. Although oddly enough it felt very rigid in the throat section, despite feeling flexy in the middle to upper hoop. I think the soft middle hoop response is actually something in common with the 25 rad pro
Microgel Rad MP - a touch softer than its predecessor with some really sweet dispersion of impact force felt in the layup. I always loved the way this stick felt redirecting a heavy incoming ball from my opponent. Of all the 95” rad MPs 2000-2010, this is by far the most stable. Feels like based on weight distribution it’s got a lot of weight in the mid hoop, which really seems to help with torsional stability
Youtek Rad mp - finally to our main course, my favorite radical personally. This one is super plush, has that snappy lower yoke flex thing, and so quick through the air. Something about the string spacing on this guy made it easy to generate spin and I always felt like Youtek sticks (prestige and speeds namely) pocketed groundies so well. in direct comparison with the 25 pro - similar plush muted feel, similar throat flex, and similar degree of spin
Had to include this pic of me wielding a youtek rad from my junior days lol
To distill it down to some TLDR thoughts: the radical line was a natural evolution of the prestige - none typified that natural evolution better than the 2000-2010 radical MPs. They all pushed towards making a players stick slightly more powerful, spin friendly, and forgiving. All without compromising that classic head feel. Head lost their way on the radical line from 2012-2018 in my opinion, injecting too much power and stiffness into the line. Confusion resulted for many who coveted the radicals of old, as it felt like head had abandoned the basic philosophy of providing a flexy, plush, controlled, and more forgiving players stick. Graphene 360 was the first time I felt a return to radical design philosophy. I do agree graphene 360/360+ were still on the brittle side, aux 1.0 was a step in the right direction, and now with the 2025 pro I think they’ve really found a way to reign in the stiffness to still feel like a classic radical in a modern mold. It’s not as buttery as a prestige or gravity, but it’s in that ballpark. Way more plush and comfy than a speed, boom, or extreme imho. i think this one will be a hit for those who put a premium on comfort control and stability. Not a ton of power or spin, but radicals were never supposed to provide that. If Novak ever did change his stick, this feels like such a logical candidate
Also, just got off the court with the rebel 95. What a uniquely awesome stick. Aerodynamic as anything but actually pretty plush for its beam thickness. Might have to track down a few more… for sure a modern classic !
Apologizes 
