Head grip shapes

[JohnB]

Can anyone tell me if there are differences in grip shape between the Microgel extreme MP and the Youtek IG extreme MP?

Also, are the grip shapes of the extremes different than other Head rackets? Or are all the shapes the same except for the Speed line?

If there are more differences in grip shape between Head rackets can anyone describe those?

BTW. How does Tecnifibre compared to Head, gripwise?

Thanks!

 

[Cerps]

I haven't played that much with anything else than speed and those feel pretty ordinary to me, I did try out a prestige from a couple of years back and I noticed it had a very flat grip, excellent for continental and eastern but uncomfortable for western.. I am sure someone like vsbabolat can answer your question. He seems to have some experience...

 

[JohnB]

I haven't played that much with anything else than speed and those feel pretty ordinary to me, I did try out a prestige from a couple of years back and I noticed it had a very flat grip, excellent for continental and eastern but uncomfortable for western.. I am sure someone like vsbabolat can answer your question. He seems to have some experience...

Thanks, I have noticed the same, that is, that the Speeds feel different than other Head rackets. I also think I noticed that the Extreme MP (microgel) had a different grip shape than other Head rackets. I am wondering if the IG Extremes have the same shape as the microgels and I am wondering if it is my imagination that the Extremes also differ from other Head rackets grip shape wise.

 

[SpinToWin]

Thanks, I have noticed the same, that is, that the Speeds feel different than other Head rackets. I also think I noticed that the Extreme MP (microgel) had a different grip shape than other Head rackets. I am wondering if the IG Extremes have the same shape as the microgels and I am wondering if it is my imagination that the Extremes also differ from other Head rackets grip shape wise.

Head has a pallet system for the grips. They can be interchanged (size, shape). As far as I know, only the Speed has the 'normal' grip, but you can make any Head racquet to have a more normal grip by exchanging the pallets.

 

[gkamieneski]

Pretty sure there only 2 pallet shapes, Speed and all others. For example, the Youtek pallet is a TK82 but for the Speed series that is denoted as TK82S. And yes, they can be exchanged.

You should try both to see which you prefer. I had played with Head Radicals for many years with the "normal" " flat Head pallet, then changed to a Speed MP with the "rounder" pallet set. Never going back. It is what works for me.

 

[mul1gan]

where can you get the pallet for the speed mp? I am not particularly fond of the flat shape.

thanks

 

[gkamieneski]

You'll find them with some tennis vendors, especially in Europe, on the auction sites and also sometimes in the classified area of this forum. I do not believe Tennis Warehouse offers them and I do not know if they can be obtained directly from Head.

 

[JohnB]

So basically there are two griptypes. The Speeds and the rest. If someone has another opinion, please let me know.

My other question was about the Tecnifibre grip shape. Can anyone tell me about that?

Thanks again.

 

[president.s]

No there are not just two.. There are the TK82S (speed) similar to wilson, the TK82 (IG radical pro), TK57 (i don't know where they come from, I only come across them at pro stock rackets) and i know there are a few else that i cannot remember right now..

 

[dreamneedle]

http://tt.tennis-warehouse.com/showthread.php?t=346894

I went for the same pallet change and my sticks feel awesome now. Thanks Red Baron!

 

[gkamieneski]

I will stick by the statement that there are only 2 shaped Head handles, the Speed series that are more square like Babolat and Wilson and all others which are flatter.

Yes there are many different numbers Head gives to the various pallets that fit various rackets, but this has to do with how the pallets fit the particular racquet, not the shape of the grip itself.

 

[dr325i]

To the OP:
Head (and a few other racket suppliers) offer pallet systems. As previously said, currently, Head supports TK82 ( traditional head, rectangular, shape) and TK82S (Speed series, rounder, shape).
Older ( production) pallets came as TK57 and TK76, I have still seen the TK57 used in the pro-stock frames. Today, head mass produces only the TK82 and TK82S.
Some see the difference between the older (TK57/76) shapes and the latest, TK82. I believe that the 82 is little less flat as compared to the older ones.

You can find my FS post in the FS section. I only have the L4 (4 1/2) in TK82 and in TK82S. And I have two sets in L2. L3 was popular. A few other posters may have some in the FS section.

Head only supplies these to the customizers in the USA, no retail store sells them. RomanPNY sells own version but super expensive.
There are a few places in Europe that sell the head pallets but shipping costs kill it unless you buy in quantities...and most of the time they are on back order.

 

[president.s]

I will stick by the statement that there are only 2 shaped Head handles, the Speed series that are more square like Babolat and Wilson and all others which are flatter.

Yes there are many different numbers Head gives to the various pallets that fit various rackets, but this has to do with how the pallets fit the particular racquet, not the shape of the grip itself.

Νο. As dr sais there are 3-4 different grip shapes. It's not for debate. e.g TK57 have nothing to do with speeds or Babolat or wilson or Prince The names of the pallets have nothing to do with how they fit because they all fit the same way to Head rackets.

 

[JohnB]

It's just that the Extremes very likely have the same length and width, but they feel a little bit more square to me than a Radical. Just wondering if anyone else notices this.