Head Graphene 360+ Extreme Tour - love it

[Polotechnics]

Recently switched from Head Extreme MP to the new Tour.

It's absolutely superb.

Smaller head and thinner beam delivers so much more control.

Especially on backhand slice.

Anyone else playing with them?

Very few in Wales, where I play.

Cheers Paul

 

[the_faceless_player]

Yep. I’ve been on mine for a couple months now. Everything I’ve been looking for. Considering adding a bit of lead to the hoop but they’ve actually been really solid for me stock and I’ve been trying to go lower on static weight than my past frames anyway as it’s easier on my shoulder.

 

[Polotechnics]

I've weighted mine up a bit too. 330g strung. Really happy with them.

 

[JOSHL]

Great frame. Considering a switch to it after my demo but it’s very similar to my Iga(prince tour 290), just with more control. I may need to just buy one and spend more time with both to get a better idea.

 

[shadow01]

I demoed it. Liked it but it was a bit light for me as well. Lead sounds good with it.

 

[McLovin]

I had one for an extended demo a few months back. Feel & control was great. I actually extended mine w/ an uncut pallet. But...

Too low powered for me. 8 or 10 years ago, this would have been a perfect frame for me. I just cannot generate enough power, and in the end my shots were lacking.

 

[notthatgood]

I wanted to love this guy. Played with it for about three weeks. Felt great in general, but I just couldn't get any sort of put away power at all. Was also getting bullied by heavier pace, even with lead.

 

[Casper777]

Just ordered a Babolat Pure Aero VS which is basically the EXACT same specs than the Extreme Tour... Might feel a bit different for sure but like you I love 98 heads and slightly thinner beams
Combine it with a soft poly and it should be perfect!!

 

[Dragy]

I wanted to love this guy. Played with it for about three weeks. Felt great in general, but I just couldn't get any sort of put away power at all. Was also getting bullied by heavier pace, even with lead.

What’s your racquet of choice?

 

[rjp1977]

I made the same switch as you and I do prefer it over the MP. More control and not a lot of loss of power. I did change strings to Hyper G soft right before lockdown so only played with once, but felt nice.

 

[notthatgood]

What’s your racquet of choice?

The Ezone 98 (2020 version) has pretty similar specs to the Extreme Tour, but feels better and plays better (for my particular game). It has more power (but not too much), and has a lot more plow-through.

 

[musicsoul]

I just received my Extreme Tour. The shop promised me this one came exactly on spec, so I let them string it. Measuring it now at home:
Strung weight: 318 gram with Poly Tour Pro
Strung balance: 32cm

This is under weight right? How are the specs of others?

 

[Polotechnics]

I just received my Extreme Tour. The shop promised me this one came exactly on spec, so I let them string it. Measuring it now at home:
Strung weight: 318 gram with Poly Tour Pro
Strung balance: 32cm

This is under weight right? How are the specs of others?

That's probably 3 or 4 grames under if we assume the strings weigh 15g ish. My two were about the same

 

[musicsoul]

That's probably 3 or 4 grames under if we assume the strings weigh 15g ish. My two were about the same

Yes. Still disappointed that the shop (again) wasn’t truthful with me. But these specs should be manageable. I can at least add some weight at 12. How did you customize your Tours?

 

[Polotechnics]

Added 7g between 10 and 2.

7g in the handle.

I absolutely love them.

Only problem I had was a slightly sore elbow.

So I've switched down from 1.3 to 1.25 in the mains.

 

[tennisBIEST]

My first week putting the extreme tour thru the paces. I’m a full time teaching pro here in the mid west and I had zero transition from my 360+Speed MP. Small drop in power compared to 360+SMP which I prefer. I generally play semi western but I found myself on FHs sliding my grip over to more of a western grip of to generate similar shape(spin) vs 360+SMP. Once I was squared away with my grip I was finding good pace and depth on rally balls. It’s a tighter 16x19 string pattern so I was finding good control. Volleys felt good not great and serves were similar. This definitely is not an all time great feeling racquet like the Wilson Ultra Tour but its close. I let some of my younger pros(utr 10 and 11) hit with the ET last night for our junior high performance clinics and it was eye opening seeing how they played with the ET and hearing their responses. Both liked it and the other placed an order last night based off his 1 1/2 hour clinic. Comments were like “Plays great and feels really good and I can place ball exactly where I want and toy with my opponents.” Which is how I also felt but the younger pro and myself play very similar styles. Both of us are counter punchers who value making balls and grinding down opponents. Basically a very nice players frame with good feel, good control and room to customize. I need some more point play to make a better decision but so far I’m quite impressed!

 

[tennisBIEST]

Another 2-3 hits in this week. So far this is the best overall frame I’ve hit with in a good while. Very similar ease of use like the Speed MP’s. Just a very fun frame to hit with.

ET vs Speed MP Comparison

Power - Speed MP=ET
Control - ET>Speed MP
Spin- Speed MP>ET
Flat Style - ET>Speed MP
Serves- ET>Speed MP
Volleys- ET=Speed MP
Slices - ET > Speed MP(maybe the ET is the best slice frame I’ve hit with to date.

 

[djNEiGht]

I’ve been thinking about this frame. Used it on a demo day where we had a clinic for the members. I was target practice at the net for those we were feeding at the baseline. Felt very solid

has anyone using the ET hit with the new radical mp, radical pro, or the new prestige mid have any comments?

 

[michael valek]

Recently switched from Head Extreme MP to the new Tour.

It's absolutely superb.

Smaller head and thinner beam delivers so much more control.

Especially on backhand slice.

Anyone else playing with them?

Very few in Wales, where I play.

Cheers Paul

It’s a great frame. Paul where are you from in wales?

 

[tennisBIEST]

I’ve been thinking about this frame. Used it on a demo day where we had a clinic for the members. I was target practice at the net for those we were feeding at the baseline. Felt very solid

has anyone using the ET hit with the new radical mp, radical pro, or the new prestige mid have any comments?

I’ve hit with the 360+ Prestige Mid and the ET and to me the ET is an easier frame to use. Both lean more towards flatter hitting and have that clean response off contact. The Mid is a very good frame just wish it was 98 sq inches.

 

[JOSHL]

I’ve been thinking about this frame. Used it on a demo day where we had a clinic for the members. I was target practice at the net for those we were feeding at the baseline. Felt very solid

has anyone using the ET hit with the new radical mp, radical pro, or the new prestige mid have any comments?

The new Rad pro is kinda like the ET but with a bunch of lead in the hoop. ET is whippier, Rad Pro is more stable, more plow. I liked the ET more but that’s my style, I like whippy sticks.

 

[TennisHound]

The new Rad pro is kinda like the ET but with a bunch of lead in the hoop. ET is whippier, Rad Pro is more stable, more plow. I liked the ET more but that’s my style, I like whippy sticks.

In before @n8dawg6 - That’s what she said

 

[Polotechnics]

It’s a great frame. Paul where are you from in wales?

Cardiff. I play at Radyr

 

[JoaoN]

I really like the ET, BUT i hit the QC jackpot on mine, they came 12 SW apart. One at 312 and the other at 324.

 

[Polotechnics]

I really like the ET, BUT i hit the QC jackpot on mine, they came 12 SW apart. One at 312 and the other at 324.

Wow. That's miles out

 

[JoaoN]

Wow. That's miles out

Yeah, they came at the same static weight but the balance is a mess, impossible to match them without changing the features of the racquet.

 

[michael valek]

Cardiff. I play at Radyr

Maybe I know you I played at Rhiwbina for 35 years moved to Slovakia 5 years ago used to live in tongwynlais. Tom Richards still coach? I know drew left.

 

[Polotechnics]

small world. Tom has moved to Creigiau now. Phil Thomas is head coach at Radyr. What's the tennis scene like In Slovakia?

 

[michael valek]

Lockdown now. But better because it’s on clay and it doesn’t rain every day and beer is cheaper although pubs are shut now.

 

[HitMoreBHs]

Yes. Still disappointed that the shop (again) wasn’t truthful with me.

Assuming 15g for strings, that’s 303g unstrung. Prior to selling it to you, the shop will have weighed the unstrung racquet with the plastic overwrap and barcode sticker on the grip, along with the “green leaf” tag common on all HEAD retail sticks. That extra paraphenalia is 2.5-3g. Hence, it probably measured exactly 305g in the shop. Tennis Warehouse racquet matching service also quotes weight, balance and SW with all those bits still on. This is common in retail - they can’t take it off and still sell it as new.

I wouldn’t worry about the 2g difference. +/- 2g is considered great QC (as in Yonex level). Also, it’s on the “good” side of tolerance in that it’s really easy to mod, being slightly lighter and headlight-er as well. Heavier and more head heavy is a much less desireable place to be. I’d be very pleased if I bought an Extreme Tour and got the specs yours has.

 

[the_faceless_player]

Head seems to have maybe tightened up their QC a bit (or I am just getting good batches). All of my ET came in at spec or just slightly light and were easy to match. I know my buddy that owns a shop has said his recent shipments have generally been slightly under spec or pretty spot on.

 

[DJTaurus]

 

[TennisHound]

Good vid DJ. Very thorough. This guy clobbers the ball. I like the way he listed the models that it had “more power than, less power than, and similar…” I’ve only heard good thing about this one, and really good things with weight added.

 

[DJTaurus]

Good vid DJ. Very thorough. This guy clobbers the ball. I like the way he listed the models that it had “more power than, less power than, and similar…” I’ve only heard good thing about this one, and really good things with weight added.

The problem with this racquet is the mixed feelings i ve been hearing. For example when karue sell playtested it along with vcore98 he told that you have to fully swing out ET in order to get enough depth and hold the opponent back. I also purchased the stick and to me it felt sooo low powered with minimal spin and not easy to swing. Probably QC issues on my stick. It felt more like a prestige and less than an extreme. On the other hand i have 2 friends that insist that this racquet has the overall package…. more than enough power/control and very easy to manoeuvre. So i am very confused if i should give it a second chance. I also purchased Aero VS which is exactly what an overall good package should be imho.

 

[ProRadTour]

The problem with this racquet is the mixed feelings i ve been hearing. For example when karue sell playtested it along with vcore98 he told that you have to fully swing out ET in order to get enough depth and hold the opponent back. I also purchased the stick and to me it felt sooo low powered with minimal spin and not easy to swing. Probably QC issues on my stick. It felt more like a prestige and less than an extreme. On the other hand i have 2 friends that insist that this racquet has the overall package…. more than enough power/control and very easy to manoeuvre. So i am very confused if i should give it a second chance. I also purchased Aero VS which is exactly what an overall good package should be imho.

I had the same issue, I purchased the grey and yellow paint job initially and disliked the frame very much. Must have been a QC issue. I have since purchased the Nite version and modded to my preffered specs and its a lovely frame. (I also modded the grey and yellow version to the same specs.

I think this frame needs some lead at 12 to really start shining. Mine has a leahter grip and lead at 12 to bring the swingweight up to 325 strung.

@DJTaurus How did you find the Pure Aero VS in terms of comfort and feel? I have been curious about that frame

 

[DJTaurus]

I had the same issue, I purchased the grey and yellow paint job initially and disliked the frame very much. Must have been a QC issue. I have since purchased the Nite version and modded to my preffered specs and its a lovely frame. (I also modded the grey and yellow version to the same specs.

I think this frame needs some lead at 12 to really start shining. Mine has a leahter grip and lead at 12 to bring the swingweight up to 325 strung.

@DJTaurus How did you find the Pure Aero VS in terms of comfort and feel? I have been curious about that frame

2nd and 3rd page

Babolat Pure Aero VS 2020

What latest strike couldn’t deliver, pa vs nails it. First of all you have feedback compared to the muted strike. Feel is better than latest and previous PA.... it’s plush also outside SS (on SS it stays a little bit longer) without sacrificing the immediate response you get from Babolats...

tt.tennis-warehouse.com

 

[Mwr1234]

Assuming that the extreme's are the next racket to get an update from head. Has anyone heard anything regarding release dates?

 

[damianduytran]

I had the same issue, I purchased the grey and yellow paint job initially and disliked the frame very much. Must have been a QC issue. I have since purchased the Nite version and modded to my preffered specs and its a lovely frame. (I also modded the grey and yellow version to the same specs.

I think this frame needs some lead at 12 to really start shining. Mine has a leahter grip and lead at 12 to bring the swingweight up to 325 strung.

@DJTaurus How did you find the Pure Aero VS in terms of comfort and feel? I have been curious about that frame

I had my Nite tour specked out similar to your set up, except I used a thick synthetic replacement grip which brought it up to 336 grams and 8 pts headlight. I added 4 grams of lead at 12 o clock which brought it up to 340 grams, 7 pts headlight, and 327 SW per my tennis shop. I love this set up as I get stability, plow through, and still easy to swing.

 

[Chezbeeno]

Can anyone compare the ET to the Blade and Radical MP? Those are my two favorite racquets from the last few years, but the Blade beats out the Radical a decent ways, so I'm looking for a Head racquet that's a bit closer to the Blade. The ET at least has very comparable weight, not sure about feel.

 

[ChanterRacquet]

I'm looking for a Head racquet that's a bit closer to the Blade. The ET at least has very comparable weight, not sure about feel.

I felt the ET to being an easier to swing v7 Blade, so good and soft. Maybe slightly less solid, but you gain maneuverability so totally worth it. Weight distribution in the Radicals have been too weird for me. I don’t care for either v8 98 blades, lost too much swingweight from v7 spec, whereas ET got it just right.

 

[krautfox]

I wanted to love this guy. Played with it for about three weeks. Felt great in general, but I just couldn't get any sort of put away power at all. Was also getting bullied by heavier pace, even with lead.

I know exactly what you mean. Had a honeymoon phase and even bought 2 more for tournament play, but once I got to those tournaments, I felt really underpowered, pushed around and no put away power. Went back to my blade and am feeling more comfortable in matches.

 

[notthatgood]

For what it's worth, since my last ET-hating post on this thread, I've been through three 98 x 305g setups. First, the 2021 Vcore 98: A really solid frame that I played well with, but for some reason it was giving me wrist issues. Even when strung with a relatively soft poly (Roman Prokes' 'exclusive' Solinco string, which is basically a less mushy version of Hyper-G soft) at around 47#. Then, the Solinco Whiteout, which has an incredible feel at contact, but the SW makes it a little slow, and it can be a bit launchy (I do still have them for sale!). Finally landed on the V8 blade 16x19 which I am loving (both with a Lynx Tour / Element hybrid, and most recently a full bed of the aforementioned RP Solinco).

 

[krautfox]

Finally landed on the V8 blade which I am loving (both with a Lynx Tour / Element hybrid, and most recently a full bed of the aforementioned RP Solinco).

16x19 or 18x20 ?

 

[notthatgood]

16x19 or 18x20 ?

(edited) 16x19

 

[Classic-TXP-IG MID]

Recently switched from Head Extreme MP to the new Tour.

It's absolutely superb.

Smaller head and thinner beam delivers so much more control.

Especially on backhand slice.

Anyone else playing with them?

Very few in Wales, where I play.

Cheers Paul

Yeah, I've got the Tour Nite. Fantastic racquet. So much confidence on serve that the speed of my second has risen substantially. The racquet rewards commitment.

 

[megamind]

Nice racquet, plays a bit stiffer than 65 flex imo

Has a tinny, metallic feeling

Anyone here been able to modify the racquet to remove some of that metallic feel? Is that possible?

 

[Joppwolmer]

As mentioned this racket needs led @12. There is a big difference when bumping up the swingweight. Minimum 330SW to get decent power.

I have customized mine with 6-8g @12 and 8g 19cm from buttcap. (similar to a leathergrip).

I have my three rackets at 341g, 32,7cm & 342SW and I'am loving this frame! I play with a heavy whippy top-spin oriented style. Backhand slice is magic!

 

[megamind]

As mentioned this racket needs led @12. There is a big difference when bumping up the swingweight. Minimum 330SW to get decent power.

I have customized mine with 6-8g @12 and 8g 19cm from buttcap. (similar to a leathergrip).

I have my three rackets at 341g, 32,7cm & 342SW and I'am loving this frame! I play with a heavy whippy top-spin oriented style. Backhand slice is magic!

does the led improve the feel though?

looking for a more solid feel, not as concerned with powa

 

[Classic-TXP-IG MID]

The problem with this racquet is the mixed feelings i ve been hearing. For example when karue sell playtested it along with vcore98 he told that you have to fully swing out ET in order to get enough depth and hold the opponent back. I also purchased the stick and to me it felt sooo low powered with minimal spin and not easy to swing. Probably QC issues on my stick. It felt more like a prestige and less than an extreme. On the other hand i have 2 friends that insist that this racquet has the overall package…. more than enough power/control and very easy to manoeuvre. So i am very confused if i should give it a second chance. I also purchased Aero VS which is exactly what an overall good package should be imho.

The racquet to me definitely needed weight to be added to strategic areas. I have weight in both the head and handle, and the racquet is definitely not lacking in power, stability, or any other area. Personally, this is a fabulous all-rounder players frame with some added oomph. Mine is around 345g (from memory).

 

[Classic-TXP-IG MID]

does the led improve the feel though?

looking for a more solid feel, not as concerned with powa

I modified mine from the get-go with Tungsten Tape as it felt like a toy in stock form, the SW was too low for my liking, and most of my racquets have more static weight (which I feel would have more dampening properties than just lead tape, based on the feel of the tape being slightly rubber-y).

Never did I feel it to be metallic in feel. It definitely feels solid, but it also depends on what racquet you compare it to (an old-school Prestige or PT630, which are 355-360g static strung can't be compared to a lighter static weight racquet - but get them both to the same weight, and they would feel similarly solid IMO).