How to add weight on the Nblade?

[meow02]

Hi everyone,
I have just switched from nblade 106 to the new Microgel Radical 106. So Nblade will be my backup racquet now. In fact, both racquets has very similar spec as belows:

Microgel Radical 107:
Head Size: 107 sq. in. / 690 sq. cm.
Length: 27 inches / 69 cm
Strung Weight: 11.1oz / 315g
Balance: 3pts Head Light
Swingweight: 318
Stiffness: 56
Beam Width: 21 mm Straight Beam

Nblade:

Head Size: 106 sq. in. / 684 sq. cm.
Length: 27.3 inches / 69 cm
Strung Weight: 11.1oz / 315g
Balance: 7pts Head Light
Swingweight: 335
Stiffness: 60
Beam Width: 22mm Flat Beam

I like the Radical more because it has more power my serve are much better with the Radical. I think the main difference is that Nblade is more head light. I am going to put some lead tape on the Nblade.

Can you guys give me some suggestions on how much weight and where to put the weight on the Nblade so that it has the same feel and power as the Radical.

Thanks!

 

[keithchircop]

Can you guys give me some suggestions on how much weight and where to put the weight on the Nblade so that it has the same feel and power as the Radical.

The Radical has a swingweight of 318, the nBlade 335. Another reason why you feel the Radical has more power is probably because you can swing it faster.

Leading up the nBlade will never make it have the same feel of the Radical.

To make the nBlade as powerful you'll have to add lead to the hoop, which will increase its already high swingweight further - making it harder to swing.

 

[PimpMyGame]

I have toyed with leading up one of my nBlades. Problem is the handle is completely filled with the n-foam, which means if I wanted to counter-balance with lead in the butt I would have to scoop out some of that stuff. Not happy with doing anything non-reversible.

Has anyone tried another alternative? I'm not keen on messing with it too much as I really like the head-light balance.

 

[psp2]

The Radical has a swingweight of 318, the nBlade 335. Another reason why you feel the Radical has more power is probably because you can swing it faster.

Leading up the nBlade will never make it have the same feel of the Radical.

To make the nBlade as powerful you'll have to add lead to the hoop, which will increase its already high swingweight further - making it harder to swing.

I REALLY wonder if and when TW's RDC machine was calibrated, b/c the last time I measured the nBlade's SW it came out less than 320. It *felt* to me like that as well in my hands.

 

[keithchircop]

the last time I measured the nBlade's SW it came out less than 320

You have an RDC?

 

[psp2]

You have an RDC?

I personally don't own one. I use the one at a local shop that I frequent.

 

[Alafter]

I have toyed with leading up one of my nBlades. Problem is the handle is completely filled with the n-foam, which means if I wanted to counter-balance with lead in the butt I would have to scoop out some of that stuff. Not happy with doing anything non-reversible.

Has anyone tried another alternative? I'm not keen on messing with it too much as I really like the head-light balance.

My Nblade 106 handles are completely empty.

If you dont look at the specs, Nblade doesnt swing that heavily if you ask me.

Right now I am playing with weights again. 10 grams each at 9 and 3 (20 grams). 10 grams in the buttcap. I went for extremities 'cause it's the only way i can tell the difference.

The weight setup works pretty well i guess. The racquet does drive the ball deep.

 

[LPShanet]

Hi everyone,
I have just switched from nblade 106 to the new Microgel Radical 106. So Nblade will be my backup racquet now. In fact, both racquets has very similar spec as belows:

Microgel Radical 107:
Head Size: 107 sq. in. / 690 sq. cm.
Length: 27 inches / 69 cm
Strung Weight: 11.1oz / 315g
Balance: 3pts Head Light
Swingweight: 318
Stiffness: 56
Beam Width: 21 mm Straight Beam

Nblade:

Head Size: 106 sq. in. / 684 sq. cm.
Length: 27.3 inches / 69 cm
Strung Weight: 11.1oz / 315g
Balance: 7pts Head Light
Swingweight: 335
Stiffness: 60
Beam Width: 22mm Flat Beam

I like the Radical more because it has more power my serve are much better with the Radical. I think the main difference is that Nblade is more head light. I am going to put some lead tape on the Nblade.

Can you guys give me some suggestions on how much weight and where to put the weight on the Nblade so that it has the same feel and power as the Radical.

Thanks!

First off, I'm not sure your specs for the nBlade are correct...they're pretty far from the USRSA's and other published specs. According to published independent measurements, the nBlade is actually more head heavy than the Radical. The best way to work, however, is to actually put your frames up on an RDC or similar (or two...they're not all the same unfortunately) to get the actual specs of YOUR frames.

The bad news is that unfortunately, it looks like the specs of the two make it pretty much impossible to match the nBlade to the Radical, since the nBlade already has a higher swingweight than the Radical, and you can't reduce swingweight (without major professional modifications). Also, the nBlade is an extended length, so they'd never feel exactly the same even if you could match them. Also, the radical is much more flexible than the nBlade and you can't really do anything about that.

Since the specs of the two racquets are actually pretty close in terms of weight, balance and swingweight, the big differences you're feeling are more likely to be due to stiffness, length, etc.

You may have some luck adding a bit of weight in the handle, but you may just be out of luck.

 

[keithchircop]

LPShanet, can you please post the USRSA specs of the nBlade here?

 

[paulfreda]

My nBlade 106 needs weight too if I want to do anything other than make big swings at groundies. So I added some 30 grams to the handle and it hits better now. Feels a bit heavier now but volleys well and serves fine. It plays very stiff compared to other frames though and it will never replace my nCode6195s.

I want to try the MGRads and also the MGRadPro100.

 

[meow02]

I have just checked on the spec that was printed on my racquet, I confirmed that it is 8 pt head light not 7 pt head light that I said before. The spec on the tenniswarehouse is 3 pt head light.
Regarding the swingweight. I just don't really feel that the Nblade's swingweight is that high. But I feel my Nblade is too head light that makes the power level low.
The other problem is the difference on the shape of the handle. The Head handle is a little bit round compare to Wilson handle. I am considering making the Head handle same as the Wilson. Is that possible?

 

[Alafter]

I have just checked on the spec that was printed on my racquet, I confirmed that it is 8 pt head light not 7 pt head light that I said before. The spec on the tenniswarehouse is 3 pt head light.
Regarding the swingweight. I just don't really feel that the Nblade's swingweight is that high. But I feel my Nblade is too head light that makes the power level low.
The other problem is the difference on the shape of the handle. The Head handle is a little bit round compare to Wilson handle. I am considering making the Head handle same as the Wilson. Is that possible?

Go with what I did! Add the weight to the hoop! I feel that the nblade doesnt swing that heavy without the weight in the first place. dont let the spec fool you!

 

[LPShanet]

LPShanet, can you please post the USRSA specs of the nBlade here?

nBlade 106 length: 27.25 in weight: 308g Balance 33.25cm Swingweight 314 Headsize106 Flex 61

 

[LPShanet]

I have just checked on the spec that was printed on my racquet, I confirmed that it is 8 pt head light not 7 pt head light that I said before. The spec on the tenniswarehouse is 3 pt head light.
Regarding the swingweight. I just don't really feel that the Nblade's swingweight is that high. But I feel my Nblade is too head light that makes the power level low.
The other problem is the difference on the shape of the handle. The Head handle is a little bit round compare to Wilson handle. I am considering making the Head handle same as the Wilson. Is that possible?

Unfortunately, printed specs don't matter...especially those offered by the manufacturer, which are notoriously unreliable. The only way to know the specs of YOUR nBlade are to get them measured. As for the TW specs, I'm sure there was a typo involved or an error in transcription, as you discovered. But no matter what, the length and flex can't be changed and they're farther apart than your weight-related specs. Personally, I'd just get another Radical once you're sure you love it. "Backup" racquets that are different are at best a bad mind game, and at worst can throw things off, at least once you're at a level where your strokes can get grooved.

As foer handle shape, it's tough to change without also changing the size. Head handles are known for being on the round side, and short of rebuilding it, it's tough to change. If you feel like investing in the racquet (which doesn't seem worth it considering you don't really like it, it's almost 5 flex points different, its swingweight and weight can't be made to match exactly and it's a different length), you can send it to **** in New York, and they'll do a custom handle for you that exactly copies the one you like.

 

[meow02]

Unfortunately, printed specs don't matter...especially those offered by the manufacturer, which are notoriously unreliable. The only way to know the specs of YOUR nBlade are to get them measured. As for the TW specs, I'm sure there was a typo involved or an error in transcription, as you discovered. But no matter what, the length and flex can't be changed and they're farther apart than your weight-related specs. Personally, I'd just get another Radical once you're sure you love it. "Backup" racquets that are different are at best a bad mind game, and at worst can throw things off, at least once you're at a level where your strokes can get grooved.

As foer handle shape, it's tough to change without also changing the size. Head handles are known for being on the round side, and short of rebuilding it, it's tough to change. If you feel like investing in the racquet (which doesn't seem worth it considering you don't really like it, it's almost 5 flex points different, its swingweight and weight can't be made to match exactly and it's a different length), you can send it to **** in New York, and they'll do a custom handle for you that exactly copies the one you like.

I will take your advice that to buy another Radical later for back up rather than changing the Nblade.

thanks for your suggestions.

 

[LPShanet]

I will take your advice that to buy another Radical later for back up rather than changing the Nblade.

thanks for your suggestions.

Glad to help.