Head Extreme Tour, Yonex Vcore 98/100, Head Radicals

[ChanTen]

Hello fellow tennis players,
Been using Radical S so far, and would like to go two ways to upgrade my racquets.

Current like: Serve Power, Precision
Current dislike: Stability, Sometime too powerful

Option 1: Add lead tape to increase stability, less power, more control.
Currently Radical Touch Radical S strung with: Triax Natural 54 + Yonex Poly Tour Air Blue 52
Another Radical Graphene XT Radical S strung with: Multifeel Black Main 54 + Velocity Natural 52

Option 2: Getting new racquets. Am looking for more spin, more control, current options:
Head Extreme Tour (saw how customizable the racquet is, and more spin friendly)
Head Radical MP (increase energy given with stiffer and more stable racquet)
Yonex Vcore 98/100 (Quality Control I heard is top notch, with it being spin friendly and precise)

Please do share your thoughts, waiting to hear from a lot of people who do play with my option 2 racquets

Thank you for reading.

 

[Grafil Injection]

Try a few lead additions before buying a new racket. Say 1g each at 4, 6 & 8 to stabilise the racket without adding too much to the SW & balance. You may also want 3g blu-tac in the butt-cap to retain manoeuvrability. Just my 2 cents.

 

[BaronVonSlam]

ChanTen,

My suggestion would be instead of making it a binary choice of modifying or buying a new racquet, why not try the Radical S with some lead tape, and then see how that feels, and reassess if you like the changes and if not, reassess what you don't like?

The other racquets you mentioned will be heavier than the Radical S, you should first see if you like the additional weight (hence try adding weight to Radical S first before buying new). Make sure if you add some weight to the hoop to add some weight to the handle to counterbalance the additional weight.

 

[McLovin]

FWIW...I use the 2021 VCORE 98 +, and snagged an Extreme Tour a while back that I extended by 1/2" myself. I felt the two played quite similarly, with the ET having a bit more power. Now...that is likely due to me extending a 305g racquet vs buying a 305g extended racquet (meaning the ET weighed a bit more, and had a higher SW), but overall I felt I could use the two interchangeably.

So, if you're looking for a reason to buy a new racquet, you can get a decent deal on the ET now, and stay within the Head family (assuming that means something to you). If you've never used a Yonex racquet, the head shape can take a little adjusting to for some people.

 

[ryushen21]

You can definitely try to mod your current frame. By adding lead. That will be your cheapest option. But it may take a lot of time and trial/error to find the right setup.

If the racquets you listed as options, the Rad MP is a great frame but it is also a platform frame that you will likely need to invest some time with to get the setup just right.

The VCore 100 is probably your best option that is ready to go right out of the box. Very easy to use and incredibly versatile. It also has surprising accuracy for a 100 and a very manageable power level.

 

[ChanTen]

Try a few lead additions before buying a new racket. Say 1g each at 4, 6 & 8 to stabilise the racket without adding too much to the SW & balance. You may also want 3g blu-tac in the butt-cap to retain manoeuvrability. Just my 2 cents.

Thank you, I might try this.

 

[ChanTen]

ChanTen,

My suggestion would be instead of making it a binary choice of modifying or buying a new racquet, why not try the Radical S with some lead tape, and then see how that feels, and reassess if you like the changes and if not, reassess what you don't like?

The other racquets you mentioned will be heavier than the Radical S, you should first see if you like the additional weight (hence try adding weight to Radical S first before buying new). Make sure if you add some weight to the hoop to add some weight to the handle to counterbalance the additional weight.

Thank you for your reply, I might start trying like what @Grafil Injection suggested.

 

[ChanTen]

FWIW...I use the 2021 VCORE 98 +, and snagged an Extreme Tour a while back that I extended by 1/2" myself. I felt the two played quite similarly, with the ET having a bit more power. Now...that is likely due to me extending a 305g racquet vs buying a 305g extended racquet (meaning the ET weighed a bit more, and had a higher SW), but overall I felt I could use the two interchangeably.

So, if you're looking for a reason to buy a new racquet, you can get a decent deal on the ET now, and stay within the Head family (assuming that means something to you). If you've never used a Yonex racquet, the head shape can take a little adjusting to for some people.

I tried my friend's Vcore 98L this past hitting session, it's a good racquets, yet the sweet spot is something that indeed needs to get used to.
I'm just worried if I move to Yonex, than when I switched back to Head, I will need to adjust back and forth.

 

[ChanTen]

You can definitely try to mod your current frame. By adding lead. That will be your cheapest option. But it may take a lot of time and trial/error to find the right setup.

If the racquets you listed as options, the Rad MP is a great frame but it is also a platform frame that you will likely need to invest some time with to get the setup just right.

The VCore 100 is probably your best option that is ready to go right out of the box. Very easy to use and incredibly versatile. It also has surprising accuracy for a 100 and a very manageable power level.

Am indeed looking at the Vcore 100 for less hassle to have a versatile racket, trying to find gently used racket on the website but can't find anyone selling Vcore 100, haha.

 

[Grafil Injection]

Thank you, I might try this.

My pleasure, hope it works.

 

[ChanTen]

My pleasure, hope it works.

Tried added 6 gram tungsten lead into the butt cap with V shape.
Suddenly the racket felt sluggish. Removed 3 grams, going to try with added 3 grams on single match today.

 

[Grafil Injection]

Tried added 6 gram tungsten lead into the butt cap with V shape.
Suddenly the racket felt sluggish. Removed 3 grams, going to try with added 3 grams on single match today.

Good luck. It's surprising how just 3g can make a difference.

 

[ChanTen]

Good luck. It's surprising how just 3g can make a difference.

Hey, an update of the feel of 3g, indeed felt the difference in the handle, more stable upon volley, yet still good maneuverability, am getting a new Ezone 2022 this week.