First the racquet's intrinsic properties. The wt and balance of the K90 I've been hitting with specs out accurately as per TW specs of the racquet as well as specs found on the racquet's label (strung wt and bal, 12.5 oz, 9 pt hl respectively). Stringbed pattern of K90 is 16 X 19 but does not feature the high density sweetspot found on nCode 90 racquets. The grip "pallet" of the K90 is shorter than nCode 90 by about an inch, resulting in more of the racquet's throat being exposed (I know, some of this is old news). As far as I can tell just from careful visual examination, the K90 frame is made from the identical mold as nCode 90.
TW swingweight specs for K90 are 10 kgcm2 greater than nCode 90. As expected, swinging the K90 confirms that it does indeed swing a LITTLE bit heavier than nCode 90.
TW specs for stiffness make K90 1 point higher than nCode 90. Numerically speaking, it doesn’t seem like much, but K90 does indeed hit a LITTLE bit stiffer than nCode 90. I’m guessing that extra stiffness is the reason for Wilson’s use of “Karbon Black” in their K Factor racquets.
Time to take the K90 out for a test drive…strung with Wilson Reaction at about 55 lbs, no grip overwrap and no damper…and no one on the tennis courts either. Looks like my first hits with the new racquet will be against a practice wall. After doing a quick warmup, I ran the racquet through some of my wall drill: serves, volleys, overheads, and groundstroke consistency drills. During the groundstroke consistency drill, in one continuous string of forehand and backhand shots, I hit about 150 shots in a row before simply stopping the drill. My thoughts at that point in time: K90 is pretty much the same as my nCode 90…but not identical. A test drive of K90 on the tennis court would be necessary for me to figure out exactly what the differences are.
On the tennis courts, the differences between K90 and nCode 90 became a little bit more pronounced. Because K90 swings a little bit heavier and is also a little bit stiffer than nCode 90, K90 is a little bit more “powerful” than nCode 90. The added stiffness also made ball impact feedback more noticeable too, made evident when I switched back to my nCode 90 and was reminded of how soft nCode racquets hit. To summarize, K90 is a little bit swingwt heavier; gives a little bit more heat on the shots; offers a little bit more feedback (reminiscent of PS85); while also retaining Pro Staff accuracy, consistency, and control. As for spin shooting, I couldn't detect a difference between one racquet or the other. Other than the K90’s shorter grip pallet on my two handed backhand, which I like btw, that’s pretty much it! Oh, very nice paint job too, although I would have preferred gloss finish over a satin one.
As for a TW style strokes/volleys/serves review of the racquet…ugh…well, I’ll say this. I hit all my strokes very well with either my nCode 90 or the K90. Despite the differences between the racquets, I plan on carrying both models in my bag and use them interchangeably too.
BTW, I also demoed K 6.1 95 18 X 20. My findings for K95 where similar to K90 versus nCode 90 review. K95 is a little bit stiffer and swingwt heavier than nCode 95 yielding a little bit more heat on the shots and a little more ball impact feedback too.
As for K90 versus K95…if you want a racquet that swings with even more ease, has even more pop on the shots (but with less feel off the stringbed), go with K95.
Nicely done, Wilson!
TW swingweight specs for K90 are 10 kgcm2 greater than nCode 90. As expected, swinging the K90 confirms that it does indeed swing a LITTLE bit heavier than nCode 90.
TW specs for stiffness make K90 1 point higher than nCode 90. Numerically speaking, it doesn’t seem like much, but K90 does indeed hit a LITTLE bit stiffer than nCode 90. I’m guessing that extra stiffness is the reason for Wilson’s use of “Karbon Black” in their K Factor racquets.
Time to take the K90 out for a test drive…strung with Wilson Reaction at about 55 lbs, no grip overwrap and no damper…and no one on the tennis courts either. Looks like my first hits with the new racquet will be against a practice wall. After doing a quick warmup, I ran the racquet through some of my wall drill: serves, volleys, overheads, and groundstroke consistency drills. During the groundstroke consistency drill, in one continuous string of forehand and backhand shots, I hit about 150 shots in a row before simply stopping the drill. My thoughts at that point in time: K90 is pretty much the same as my nCode 90…but not identical. A test drive of K90 on the tennis court would be necessary for me to figure out exactly what the differences are.
On the tennis courts, the differences between K90 and nCode 90 became a little bit more pronounced. Because K90 swings a little bit heavier and is also a little bit stiffer than nCode 90, K90 is a little bit more “powerful” than nCode 90. The added stiffness also made ball impact feedback more noticeable too, made evident when I switched back to my nCode 90 and was reminded of how soft nCode racquets hit. To summarize, K90 is a little bit swingwt heavier; gives a little bit more heat on the shots; offers a little bit more feedback (reminiscent of PS85); while also retaining Pro Staff accuracy, consistency, and control. As for spin shooting, I couldn't detect a difference between one racquet or the other. Other than the K90’s shorter grip pallet on my two handed backhand, which I like btw, that’s pretty much it! Oh, very nice paint job too, although I would have preferred gloss finish over a satin one.
As for a TW style strokes/volleys/serves review of the racquet…ugh…well, I’ll say this. I hit all my strokes very well with either my nCode 90 or the K90. Despite the differences between the racquets, I plan on carrying both models in my bag and use them interchangeably too.
BTW, I also demoed K 6.1 95 18 X 20. My findings for K95 where similar to K90 versus nCode 90 review. K95 is a little bit stiffer and swingwt heavier than nCode 95 yielding a little bit more heat on the shots and a little more ball impact feedback too.
As for K90 versus K95…if you want a racquet that swings with even more ease, has even more pop on the shots (but with less feel off the stringbed), go with K95.
Nicely done, Wilson!
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