help me with find thin beam

[markwillplay]

Brief history...played several years with tour 100 18/20s. Finally let them go and am now playing with tt100p. I have started to really groove with this stick but I have to admit that I miss the thinner beams. I serve and volley a lot (49 years old 4.0) and I do have to admit that I find the tt100p a little clunky because of the thicker beam. I do not find it that powerful with my set up of full bed velocity. I do like the shape of the head. I am not wanting to go to a much smaller head like a 93 (played for a while with 93p and did not stay with it). I have to admit that I have thought of trying the powerbridge 10 mid because of the glowing reviews (yes, I know it is a 93). I love stability and have my tt100ps weighted up to around 12.4oz but very headlight. I will probably stand pat but am curious about the volkl c10 pro and the phantom 100 (with ports). I see that the power level of the phantom 100 s listed as 775 but the reviewers have sad it was more powerful than the older tour 100s. I also was told that even though 18/18, the phantom 100 did not play as open because of where the strings were. Anyway, I think I will take a demo run and I am not interested in any of the new sticks because I ain't paying 200 bucks for a stick. Not going back to my old tours either. I need some pop on my serve.

What should I demo?

 

[Jdawgy]

I was in the same position as you. Weighted up my TT100P at 9, 3 and 12 and at the butt cap.

Ended up with the 93p w no regrets. Now I can’t even go back to my 100p. The feel is just so good with the 93p, even w the smaller head size you’ll adapt fast and enjoy the precision.
May shank the ball here and there at the start. But yea - you’ll adapt surprisingly fast.
The biggest change I noticed to my game w the 93p was my serve and technical skills for focusing on the sweet spot on my racket. It has really improved.

Fyi both strung w gut/rpm blast at 50/48 pounds.

 

[fuzz nation]

The Volkl V-Sense 10 Tour has a 19mm beam width and these are marked way down at TW. You might need to do a little of your own tailoring on these with some lead tape, since they apparently weigh in at 11.5 oz. I haven't picked up any of them for myself, just because I already have C10's, O10's and VS 10's (both of these models are the 325g versions).

I'm also dusting off my old Prince NXG mids, which have 19mm beams, dense string patterns, and lots of flex like the Phantom 93, but these are a little more hefty. Despite the 92" hoop size, it's surprisingly easy to catch the ball on the heart of the string bed with these frames and their control is superb.

The C10 is a nice racquet with an old-school vibe combined with a 98" head and a nice lean 20mm beam width. I get enormous power with my C10's strung with syn. gut tensioned as high as 58 or 59 lbs. The stock balance of my C10's wasn't quite right for me, so I've added some lead to their handles, but I've found the hoops to be nicely stable for me in stock form - no extra weight required there for me. I can easily put more smoke on my serves using this frame than anything else in my collection and they're remarkably comfortable on my arm when strung with syn. gut (I don't use poly at all).

 

[markwillplay]

Thanks.I think I will demo the c10 pro. I like the 18/20 pattern in my tt100p but I also don't thnk the 19/16 would be bad. I may end up staying with the tt100p but this is the time of year to try something different I think. I do not use poly either and would not want a frame that relied on it. I like the idea of the c10 having good pop. I demoed the fishnet one years ago and thought it was sluggish but can't remember much else about it. It has been a long time.

 

[2nd Serve Ace]

Gravity pro.

(Don't be cheap)

 

[t_pac]

If you're demoing I'd add the ProKennex Q Tour 325 to your order, very under-rated frames. 19.5mm beam, decent static weight, very stable. Less $$$ than the new sticks from bigger brands.

I keep trying new racquets but nothing has replaced these in my bag for very long.

 

[Crocodile]

PK Q Tour 325
Volkl C10 Pro
Volkl PB10 Mid
Volkl V Sense 10 mp 325 & Tour 10
V7 Wilson Blade 18/20
All good options.
The PK is most comfortable, the PB 10 most direct and solid and the C10 is a great volleying stick.

 

[blablavla]

Babolat Pure Strike VS Tour?
Babolat Pure Aero VS?

I think both could be on sale now.

 

[markwillplay]

Not interested in Gravity pro. I don't like the head-heavy feeling of sticks with that weight and balance. I do not want to have to add weight to the handle as much as I would have to with that stick. Plus, too expensive.

 

[Kevo]

The Babolat Pure Storm Limited and Pure Control 95s are great thin beam control sticks. One of my favorites. You can probably pick some up on the auction site for a reasonable amount. I still have 3 Pure Control 95s that I don't use anymore. I've switched over to some old fiberglass composite Rossignols that are even thinner and smaller and I don't think I'll go back, but if I did it would definitely be the PC95s.

 

[blablavla]

Not interested in Gravity pro. I don't like the head-heavy feeling of sticks with that weight and balance. I do not want to have to add weight to the handle as much as I would have to with that stick. Plus, too expensive.

Gravity Tour?
not that heavy, so you could add leather grip and make it more HL.
Too pricey?
Head Prestige? on TWE now on sale.

 

[markwillplay]

Will check into a demo. Probably add the Phantom 100 18/20 to my list. The prestiges that I have seen lately have all been over 63 stiffness rating. I am not heading that way. Since the phantom 100 (with ports) is supposed to have more power than the tour 100s did I may actually give that one a spin too. I never minded the ports as far as playability..I did not love stringing them though. I like the tt100p fine power wise. If it had a 20 mm beam it would be the ticket. Probably will stay with me anyway after a short search. I am having good results with it.

 

[mhkeuns]

I think C10 Pro was the best all-around thin beamed stick that felt nice, too. It had more power than IG Prestige MP with almost as nice control. The IG Prestige MP, which is one of my favorite sticks, is a beautiful stick for those who play often, can generate power, and puts the utmost importance in placement. I also like the PB10, but in comparison with another 93” frame (*Prince Phantom 93P), it was much more difficult to use. The 93P is probably the most fun to play tennis racket if you can generate your own power. I even prefer it to the 100” Phantom Pro 18x20.

If you want power and control, I’d suggest looking into the original Pure Strike Tour. Not sure if it falls into thin-beam category, though.

Lately, I have been enjoying the Angell K7 Red. It feels like a more open and lighter Prestige Classic.

 

[tennis347]

I think C10 Pro was the best all-around thin beamed stick that felt nice, too. It had more power than IG Prestige MP with almost as nice control. The IG Prestige MP, which is one of my favorite sticks, is a beautiful stick for those who play often, can generate power, and puts the utmost importance in placement. I also like the PB10, but in comparison with another 93” frame (*Prince Phantom 93P), it was much more difficult to use. The 93P is probably the most fun to play tennis racket if you can generate your own power. I even prefer it to the 100” Phantom Pro 18x20.

If you want power and control, I’d suggest looking into the original Pure Strike Tour. Not sure if it falls into thin-beam category, though.

Lately, I have been enjoying the Angell K7 Red. It feels like a more open and lighter Prestige Classic.

I have to echo in that I also have been enjoying the Angell K7 Red. It offers room for customization and plays well when adding weight. Ultra soft feel, great spin and control with decent pop when weight is added. Definitely plays like an old school Prestige Classic in a lighter package with more pop and spin.

 

[pastashop42]

Dunlop / Srixon?.. Very well-behaved sticks.

I am also in a thin beam, S&V camp, but perhaps even more extreme — am looking for a modern version of pro staff 6.0, but larger than 85 sq in, at 365gr and 12in balance point.

 

[SpinToWin]

Pop on serve, a big head, and a thin beam? You can't have it all man. The first two Speeds would fit the bill I think, but those were some stiff frames. Not sure about Head's new Gravity, though that may be worth a look?

 

[markwillplay]

Yea I think I just don't want an anemic stck on serve,, I know what the pure drives can do and I am not interested in that. The power level of this tt100p is fine.Power on the 93p was fine, I just wanted a bit more real estate. like the fact that the beam width seems to give a bit of stability and I have them weghted up to 12.4 and 11 pts headlight. The only thing that bugs me is that the thinner beams have always seemed to fly through the air better and I do catch that beam every now and then. I think a thinner beam is just what I am used to and I like them better for volleys as long as they are stable. Maybe I will demo a c10 (if I can get one, the gravity pro, and perhaps the dunlop. I could have quit on the 93p too early but I tried it twce and each time I felt that my 100's gave me more room for error and I had to be really on top of my game to make them work for me on clay.

 

[aussie]

@markwillplay why not wait until the Textreme O3 Tour 100 (310) is available in the USA? It is the true successor to the ported Tour 100 which you were a big fan of not too long ago. Ports are the way to go and even though it is a 16x19 as opposed to your 18x20 Tours, the wonderful features of the Tour should still be evident - the enlarged sweet spot, the extreme head light balance, the quickness of the frame through the air, the arm friendliness. Additionally, the Textreme and Twaron should be a great fit for this stick. Not sure when it is coming to the States, but Tennis Only in Australia is expecting it to be in stock early next year.

 

[markwillplay]

might be the ticket. I thought about demoing the Phantom 100 with ports even though 18/16. TW said it had a bit more pop and that the strings were not that open in the middle. Have you hit with that frame?

 

[t_pac]

The ported Phantom is pretty low powered, especially on serve.

The O3 TT310 has a lot more power and is way more stable.

 

[markwillplay]

I will probably sit tight. I am playing well with my sticks now...just like thinner beam better. I thnk the tt100p is a really good stick to add weight to. Ity does feel a little clubby to me but my touch s gettng better the more I play. I just know that similar stck with a thinner beam would be something I would like. It is possble that the thicker beam helps with stability too.t but

 

[kimguroo]

Probably prince textreme graphite???
It’s 19.5” beam.

 

[aussie]

might be the ticket. I thought about demoing the Phantom 100 with ports even though 18/16. TW said it had a bit more pop and that the strings were not that open in the middle. Have you hit with that frame?

No haven't hit with any Phantom models. The Phantom 100 with the ports seems to get mixed feedback and the ultra thin beam worries me. I'm very happy with my Tour 100 18x20 (and 16x18) that I've had for a few years. I'll wait until the Textreme O3 Tour 100 (310) lobs in Australia before even thinking of another stick!!

 

[tata]

No haven't hit with any Phantom models. The Phantom 100 with the ports seems to get mixed feedback and the ultra thin beam worries me. I'm very happy with my Tour 100 18x20 (and 16x18) that I've had for a few years. I'll wait until the Textreme O3 Tour 100 (310) lobs in Australia before even thinking of another stick!!

I think the o3 tour 310 is firmer but feel wise should be very similar. I have an o3 beast 98 and used the exo3 tour 18x20 back then and despite the differences in stiffness, the ports give you the same feel. It'll come down to the string pattern and additional power to see if you can leave the tour 100s.

 

[BHold81]

I recommend the ProKennex Ki Q+ Tour (300g). I tried one of these, and added lead at 3&9. Just enough pop when you hit the sweet spot. Very controllable, pinpoint power from the baseline, and great on volleys too. It is 98 sq inches with a 16x19 pattern and a 19.5mm box beam. You can also get the Tour Pro 315 version if you want a higher start weight, or the 325g version if you want a very heavy 18x20. But I think the Tour 300g with customization is the way to go.

 

[t_pac]

I think the o3 tour 310 is firmer but feel wise should be very similar. I have an o3 beast 98 and used the exo3 tour 18x20 back then and despite the differences in stiffness, the ports give you the same feel. It'll come down to the string pattern and additional power to see if you can leave the tour 100s.

The ported Phantom has better feel and comfort than the O3 310. Playability wise though the 310 does everything better.

Tbh the 18x20 320g Phantom is probably a better option for the OP, that's a lovely racquet.

 

[markwillplay]

I thought about that frame. When I demoed the phantom pro and phantom pro 100p I did not love their round face. They felt like a bigger head than the Tt100p did. I think I like that more oval shape. Also, I had heard that the phantom 100 18 20 was really low powered. I do not find the Tt100p all that powerful. Actually, my old tour 100 18 20s were not as low powered as people said. I think the prince number 800 on both my old tours and these Tt100ps is spot on at least as they relate to each other. I MUST have stability for volleys and maybe that beam width that I don’t like really helps in that department. My Tt100ps weigh 12.45 oz and measure 12 points headlight off of a table. One has a lot of lead at 12 and two of them have a touch at 3 and 9. They have a half size sleeve half way up and leather grips. The balance and weight of all three is as close as I could get. One was way over spec so I matched the other two to that. I could probably use more lead in the hoop but more at 3 and 9 makes it more clubby and I don’t think I need it. Just wanted to give an idea of my specs. Easy as hell to swing. If I had never played with a thinner beam I would not know the difference. But every time I catch that frame with a one handed backhand I think, hhhmmmm.

Does anyone have any knowledge of just how much twistweigjt the thicker beams add or is that just a myth?

 

[Karma Tennis]

Does anyone have any knowledge of just how much twistweigjt the thicker beams add or is that just a myth?

That's a really good question. And it is probably really hard to answer.

If you visualise the Y Axis of a tennis racquet, adding more mass away from the Y axis will increase the twist-weight. And the further away the mass is added from the Y-axis the greater the twist-weight.

So the effect on twist weight is really a function of the amount of mass and it's position relative to the Y-axis of the racquet. So on that basis, beam size (thickness) probably doesn't matter. I guess it's possible that a thicker beam would provide more aerodynamic resistance. That might affect the twist-weight a little bit. But it would be hard to measure.

Perhaps our "China Plate" @Irvin can chime in with a comment.

("China Plate" is Aussie slang for "mate", "buddy", "friend" etc.)

 

[Irvin]

Does anyone have any knowledge of just how much twistweigjt the thicker beams add or is that just a myth?

That's a myth. When I think of a thick beam racket I think of the old Wilson Profiles series. They had very thick (but light) frames. The thickness of the beam added stiffness to the frame for power but they were are ligh tennis racket. TW and SW are another term for inertia in a tennis racket. Inertia (I) is equal to mass (m) times the distance (r) squared (I = mr^2.) so when you add mass to the outside of a tennis racket 3&9 every grams adds about 0.1 TW points and almost 2.0 SW points. If you add enough mass to a frame by building up the thickness you would add a lot of weight and SW to the racket. Not enough people want a heavy high SW racket and it would not sell.

 

[markwillplay]

So if two sticks were the same size and weight and the inky thing that was different was beam thickness, they would have the same stability? In that case, I demand aprince make the Tt100p with a 20mm beam!

 

[markwillplay]

Well hell I just went and bought a used c10 pro top satisfy my curiosity. I am looking hard at the dunlop cx 200 (seems to get really good reviews) but I had to try this c10 pro. If it does not work out then I will add to my collection. Gonna be hard to beat my TT100Ps I think.

 

[markwillplay]

C10 pro came in and it was the extended version. Oh well, seller agreed to refund me and take it back. I just ordered one new from another vendor that also sells the older model that TW sells. I would have bought from TW but they only halve 1/4 grip left. Same low price. I figured I might as well get one new and give it a shot. If I don’t want to make it my regular stick I can add it to my collection of great frames. I really can’t wait to see how it performs.

 

[Kevo]

C10 pro came in and it was the extended version. Oh well, seller agreed to refund me and take it back.

I take it you're not a fan of extended frames? I've hit with a few in my time and enjoyed all of them. I like the extra feel of flex you get with the extended versions, and if the swing weight isn't too high they seem to bring just a bit extra on serve too. What's not to like?

 

[markwillplay]

You may be right. However, that was not what was advertised. Interesting that the frame weighed in at 11. 5 oz without overgrip. Anyway, I want to try a regular c10pro.

 

[Joebluz]

Have you ever checked out Donnay? Thin beams. Lots of feel. Good power. Only $1.00 to demo any of their rackets. They have great prices on new old stock rackets. They also have a buy one get one free on many models.

 

[markwillplay]

I have not. Last Donnay I played was the one for sale at TW years ago.