***Dunlop Aerogel 1hundred (AG100) club***
- Thread starter geesechops
- Start date
Seems to be the same except the writing on the side.
Havent noticed a difference between the sweetspot on this and my other 95 or 100 inch frames, i have ben amazed to find i actually hit the spot more on this tham the bb10s i also have!
yeah I know when you play with K90 or any demanding racquets (by our own definition) you have to play 100% to get everything right. Now you got chance to play with AG100 with less mass and you start hitting great. I have notice that many times myself but that last long. You will start making more error because you have to play 100% no matter which racquet you use otherwise pros can get away playing with injuries because racquet can give them 20% any day.. answer we know but club players like us look for relief in new stick and sale it here after sometime (include me in that as well)
I just ordered mine today from TW. Took advantage of the $6 off Klip Legend, 54 lbs.
I'll let you know how it goes.
geesechops
Semi-Pro
I like VS 16g gut at 50-53lbs. 50lbs = outdoors and 53lbs = indoors. But, I just go with gut on everything because it plays well and I don't have the time, money or patience to mess with all the hybrids I could do.
jasonbourne
Professional
I have a demo of this racket. Strings have the Dunlop stencil. Could it be factory string job?
I tried it against one of my 5.5 hitting partners today. I simply could not get pace on my shots. He was pushing me far behind the baseline and I was coughing up too many short balls. I'm no Nadal. Hence, I can't effectively play back there. I had high expectations from this racket. I was not expecting this poor performance.
After some minutes I switched to my K90 and continued with the rest of our session comfortably.
What am I missing?
I am going to try it out against a different hitting partner tomorrow. He produces less pace from his groundies. Perhaps I can appreciate the AG100 more tomorrow.
I'm still awestruck at what eludes me from this racket many of you have experienced and enjoyed.
I tried it against one of my 5.5 hitting partners today. I simply could not get pace on my shots. He was pushing me far behind the baseline and I was coughing up too many short balls. I'm no Nadal. Hence, I can't effectively play back there. I had high expectations from this racket. I was not expecting this poor performance.
After some minutes I switched to my K90 and continued with the rest of our session comfortably.
What am I missing?
I am going to try it out against a different hitting partner tomorrow. He produces less pace from his groundies. Perhaps I can appreciate the AG100 more tomorrow.
I'm still awestruck at what eludes me from this racket many of you have experienced and enjoyed.
The demo is strung at 62lbs with some crap Dunlop 16g string. You're missing better string at a lower tension. But still, with the demo setup, I was able to generate tons of pace. Maybe you just need to hit harder. :wink:
Passion4Tennis
Rookie
Well, I guess we don't all have 5.5 hitting partners, so that might be one reason. Anyway, I'm impressed with the power and stability that I get from this racket. I have mine strung at 58 lbs with a basic synthetic gut.
It's one of the finest rackets that I've hit with since the PC 600. It has many of the same attributes, only in a lighter, more spin-friendly package.
It's one of the finest rackets that I've hit with since the PC 600. It has many of the same attributes, only in a lighter, more spin-friendly package.
jasonbourne
Professional
I appreciate your input guys.
Believe me, I tried to hit harder than usual and the racket did not feel good. If I tried to hit harder I may bring harm to my body. I've been known to push my body beyond its capabilities and suffered severe (sometimes permanent) physical consequences. I could not generate much pace. All the pace occurring on court was coming from the other side of the net.
I hope for a more favorable experience next time with the racket. I'm not giving up on it yet. I want to realize the specialness everyone consistently chimes.
Believe me, I tried to hit harder than usual and the racket did not feel good. If I tried to hit harder I may bring harm to my body. I've been known to push my body beyond its capabilities and suffered severe (sometimes permanent) physical consequences. I could not generate much pace. All the pace occurring on court was coming from the other side of the net.
I hope for a more favorable experience next time with the racket. I'm not giving up on it yet. I want to realize the specialness everyone consistently chimes.
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jasonbourne
Professional
BTW, is anyone hitting with 5.0+ hitting partners and being effective with this racket?
If so, enlighten me on how you do it?
Perhaps bossass is right about the poor strings in the demo.
If so, enlighten me on how you do it?
Perhaps bossass is right about the poor strings in the demo.
I appreciate your input guys.
Believe me, I tried to hit harder than usual and the racket did not feel good. If I tried to hit harder I may bring harm to my body. I've been known to push my body beyond its capabilities and suffered severe (sometimes permanent) physical consequences. I could not generate much pace. All the pace occurring on court was coming from the other side of the net.
I hope for a more favorable experience next time with the racket. I'm not giving up on it yet. I want to realize the specialness everyone consistently chimes.
jason, if your strokes are grooved for the K90 -- a much heavier stick and with a much higher sw than the AG100 -- I guess I'm not surprised at the results you got, especially with the crummy demo strings in the AG.
You would indeed have to swing with much more energy to get the same pace. And your hitting partner's fast-paced balls are going to push the AG around unless your timing is right on and you hit the sweetspot.
I would guess you would see significant improvement if
1. You stopped using the K90 and re-grooved your strokes for the AG.
2. You put a livelier string in there at lower tension.
3. You added weight to the AG.
Or 4. Any combo of (or all of) the above.
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I agree and understand completely with what jasonbourne's saying. When I demoed the AG100, I loved the feeling the racquet gives you with each swing, and it excels in volleying and serves. The only thing I thought the racquet was lacking in was weight, which I especially noticed when my partner hit a heavy ball at me, or even when he simply hit a long ball and I struck it out of the air before it bounced. In those situations the lack of plow-through was very noticable, and I could feel the racquet slowing down upon impact with the ball.I appreciate your input guys.
Believe me, I tried to hit harder than usual and the racket did not feel good. If I tried to hit harder I may bring harm to my body. I've been known to push my body beyond its capabilities and suffered severe (sometimes permanent) physical consequences. I could not generate much pace. All the pace occurring on court was coming from the other side of the net.
I hope for a more favorable experience next time with the racket. I'm not giving up on it yet. I want to realize the specialness everyone consistently chimes.
The racquet I usually use weighs 360g, and since the AG100 weighs 332g stock, with the difference in weight I basically had to swing harder than I usually do to get the same pace and depth on my shots. Makes for a good workout, but it seems like I'm expending excessive energy.
In looking over the Dunlop line of racquets, it seems like all of them weigh less than 12oz. Is Dunlop known for lighter racquets? Also, is there anyone who actually prefers the way the AG100 plays stock, with no lead necessary?
BreakPoint
Bionic Poster
BreakPoint
Bionic Poster
Like Keifers said, I think you need to try it with some weight added to the handle and to the hoop and with a lower string tension. That should help you.
jorel
Hall of Fame
I appreciate your input guys.
Believe me, I tried to hit harder than usual and the racket did not feel good. If I tried to hit harder I may bring harm to my body. I've been known to push my body beyond its capabilities and suffered severe (sometimes permanent) physical consequences. I could not generate much pace. All the pace occurring on court was coming from the other side of the net.
I hope for a more favorable experience next time with the racket. I'm not giving up on it yet. I want to realize the specialness everyone consistently chimes.
yea i see this too.... if a guy is using a heavy racquet hitting really heavy balls.... sometimes my light racquet gets pushed around,.... but if I use a heavy racquet... i get tired quickly
the conundrum
but I play my best hitting with a guy using a "lighter" racquet so that I can also use a lighter racquet
hoodjem
G.O.A.T.
JasonB,
I think Keifer nailed it for you.
I loved the demo, but I am coming from a lighter racquet. And I even think the AG100 needs to be leaded up a bit. (To me it is a little too head light and needs more plow-through.)
Plus I hated the stock grip. And I am used to a big Wilson buttcap, so I will probably have to change the Dunlop one.
Bottom line is that if your game is grooved to the K90, you will not appreciate (very immediately) what the AG100 has to offer.
jasonbourne
Professional
BP, you did tell me. That is exactly what I was thinking after I put it down last night after a few minutes, "BP told me I may not like this racket. Damn!
He was right." You were the only one who suggested I may not like it. I appreciate your sincere effort to persuade me from it.I try to be open minded on most things. After reading what everyone experienced using this frame, I wanted to realize the same or more fun with it. This is why I feel frustrated about last night. I found this racket more demanding than the K90.
jasonbourne
Professional
ZZdark, Keifers, BP, hoodjem,
Thanks for your suggestions to modify and help redeem my feelings towards the AG100. Since it is not my racket, I can only add lead (2-3oz) at the top of the handle that would increase its static weight and SW.
Thanks for your suggestions to modify and help redeem my feelings towards the AG100. Since it is not my racket, I can only add lead (2-3oz) at the top of the handle that would increase its static weight and SW.
jasonbourne
Professional
vickytor and jorel,
I agree with you that if your partner consistently produces heavy balls, then the AG100 (stock form) in our hands allows them to what feels to us heavier shots and they easily get on top in a point.
On the other hand, if our hitting partner uses a lighter racket and/or producing less penetrating shots, I could imagine the AG100 would be fun and easier to use in this situation.
I agree with you that if your partner consistently produces heavy balls, then the AG100 (stock form) in our hands allows them to what feels to us heavier shots and they easily get on top in a point.
On the other hand, if our hitting partner uses a lighter racket and/or producing less penetrating shots, I could imagine the AG100 would be fun and easier to use in this situation.
I actually liked the stock grip; soft (maybe a little too soft) and tacky. I was demoing a K95 at the same time, and the K-Grip that came with that racquet felt similar, too.
hoodjem
G.O.A.T.
The softness and tackiness were okay, but I could not feel the bevels. And the grip was too smooth with no ridges or valleys where I like to insert my thumb, index finger, and little finger.
hoodjem
G.O.A.T.
2-3 ounces at the top of the handle? How would you do that?
jasonbourne
Professional
hoodjem, I use lead roofing material. They come in sheets made of dense lead. This is what I used to lead my n90s to 16oz in the past. Comfortable configuration for stiff sticks.
16oz i.e x 28.35 = 453.. are you super pete... man that is way too much..
I recently picked up the Aerogel 100 in 4 1/4 grip.
I added 18 grams to the racket:
8 grams at 0.5" - handle.
8 grams at 22.8" - roughly 10 and 2 o'clock.
2 grams at 12 o'clock.
I also replaced the synthetic grip with TW leather and an over-grip.
The racket is now weighted at 350g.
I added 18 grams to the racket:
8 grams at 0.5" - handle.
8 grams at 22.8" - roughly 10 and 2 o'clock.
2 grams at 12 o'clock.
I also replaced the synthetic grip with TW leather and an over-grip.
The racket is now weighted at 350g.
BreakPoint
Bionic Poster
You're welcome, JB!
Do you think you could install a leather grip on your demo racquet temporarily? I think that would help quite a bit.
Good luck!
^^^
Another possibility is to open the trap door in the butt cap and put some lead in there.
A friend of mine added 8 grams to his AG100 by putting lead in there.
Not criticizing you, jason... just adding 2-3 ozs of lead at top of the handle would mess up the balance and sw of the racquet for me, making the comparison with the K90 somewhat unfair. Imo...
Another possibility is to open the trap door in the butt cap and put some lead in there.
A friend of mine added 8 grams to his AG100 by putting lead in there.
Not criticizing you, jason... just adding 2-3 ozs of lead at top of the handle would mess up the balance and sw of the racquet for me, making the comparison with the K90 somewhat unfair. Imo...
jasonbourne
Professional
You're welcome, JB!
Do you think you could install a leather grip on your demo racquet temporarily? I think that would help quite a bit.
Good luck!
BP, if I do that I may not be able to neatly wrap the demo stock grip back on.:neutral: I figured adding weight to top of the handle would aid in adding extra weight where the leather grip would. One clear benefit for adding the leather grip would be a better racket handle. I did not like the stock grip.
jasonbourne
Professional
^^^
Another possibility is to open the trap door in the butt cap and put some lead in there.
A friend of mine added 8 grams to his AG100 by putting lead in there.
Not criticizing you, jason... just adding 2-3 ozs of lead at top of the handle would mess up the balance and sw of the racquet for me, making the comparison with the K90 somewhat unfair. Imo...
Keifers, no criticism taken. I appreciate your suggestions and try to be open to learning different ways to achieve a better result.
Adding the extra weight to the handle of the AG100 would be unfair for K90? I don't think I followed your point.
jasonbourne
Professional
hoodjem
G.O.A.T.
Now that Jason's wrist has recovered, he is back to his standard 22 ounce racquet.
Bud
Bionic Poster
It sounds like he added that in addition to the leather grip.
No - I added 8 grams in addition to the leather and overgrip.
The difference in weight between the original synthetic grip and TW leather was only 2g. This was one of the reasons I added 2g of lead at the head of the racket - 12 o'clock.
jasonbourne
Professional
hoodjem, you are hilarious! Thanks for the good humor.
BreakPoint
Bionic Poster
Yeah, I was surprised by the difference - or lack of difference. So much so that I actually unwrapped the TW leather grip and weighed it side by side with the original synthetic grip.
I use the 22mm x 1.3mm TW grip.
What I've found is that these grips (same size, 22 x 1.3) vary quite a bit in weight. I've found as much as a 3 gram difference in their weight...
Thanks, jason. Let me try to clarify...Keifers, no criticism taken. I appreciate your suggestions and try to be open to learning different ways to achieve a better result.
Adding the extra weight to the handle of the AG100 would be unfair for K90? I don't think I followed your point.
Where you add weight is significant. I understand that because it was a demo racquet, you couldn't/didn't want to add weight under the grip or replace the grip with leather.
However, adding 2-3 ozs -- quite a bit of weight -- just above the handle is a pretty significant customization that, for me, would change the way the AG100 swings pretty drastically.
The most "neutral" place (swing-wise) to add a lot of weight is directly under where your hand grips the racquet. Alternatively (not touching the grip), you would add weight above the handle and some weight in or on the butt cap to counterbalance the weight above the handle. (There's a very good tutorial about adding weight at racquet research . com (remove spaces).)
Comparing the AG100 with the K90, the K90 has significant advantage in that it's much heavier statically and your strokes are grooved for that weight and balance and sw. Adding 2-3 ozs just above the handle makes the two sticks more comparable in terms of static weight, but not in the other two parameters and doesn't show the AG100 at its best.
A "fairer" comparison would be between the K90 and an AG100 with weight added in the handle and around the hoop.
Is that clearer? Or muddier? I hope it's clearer!...
geesechops
Semi-Pro
This is what I did. Although, my wrist has been feeling it slightly because I am so used to the weight of the PS85. It is easy to use the MG Prestige because it feels like my 85's, but the AG100 is so darn fun with all its spin. If I'm playing anyone but flat hard hitters I prefer to use the AG.
BP also warned me that the AG might be a little light for my taste and he was right. Btw, did you ever hit with the MG Prestige BP?
BreakPoint
Bionic Poster
Yes, I have hit with the MG Prestige Mid and really liked it. However, when I hit with it back-to-back with my AK90, I still preferred the feel of the AK90 as it just felt more "solid" to me. But the MGP had more power so it was easier for me to hit winners with it. Both the MGP and the AG100 are great racquets and it would be hard to decide between the two. They just have different feels and the biggest difference may be their string patterns, although the AG100 plays a tad stiffer to me than the MGP.
geesechops
Semi-Pro
Once again you are dead on. I can't believe the power I get on flat shots with the MG almost as much as I couldn't believe the spin that the AG100 had. Your AK90 must be weighted up because the MG felt crazy stable, well hitting back to back with the AG100. And your right about the pattern difference playing a role. I have never used a racquet with such a dense pattern. It hits a great flat ball, but I wish I could get a kicker like I do with the AG100. I'll probably have to try 18 gage strings. Once again racquet choices are all about trade offs.
for sure....some leather grip brands have relatively big variances in their weights. i saved this from some while ago, but it illustrates exactly what you are talking about. here is an MRT who strings at some pro events and was discussing Volkl DNX9's and Babolat leather grips. thing is though that 3 grams difference concentrated in the handle doesnt really change the swingweight to any meaningful extent. people should learn to think more about swingweight and balance and not be so obsessed w. static weight
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Frame 3 was the heaviest (318g), 2 the lightest (313g), 1 was right in the middle at 315.3g. I removed the grips from 2 and 3 and switched them. That made the gap between the lightest and the heaviest 3g....was able to match all 3 at 317g 30.5 bp and 293 sw....
Strung them up with lux alu at 22.5kg...they are all between 318 and 320 for final strung sw...For me..Perfect.
Hit with one this morning after my ALTA match...should have used it instead of 10ve...I was hitting about 3 ft deeper in the court with less effort, more clearance over the net and better rotation...Serves...pace and spin is just better...Can you say: Age and mids don't mix? Never thought I would say it....
Is it just me or are these grips more square than earlier models? It feels different than my VEmids...maybe it's the leather...I like it...I was absolutely crushing my backhand with it...
Cheers!
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