L5 grip raquets

F

fpsanti

Rookie
Hello,

I'm struggling to find raquets with grip size 5 where I live (Switzerland). Theoretically my hand would be size L6 but I gave up searching for that.
I've tried to buy L4 and then add heat sleeve or replace base grip with the thickest I've found (Karakal X-Cel Gel) but there are at least 3 problems with that:
  1. Adding about 20g to handle to increase grip size changes dramatically the balance
  2. If I rebalance the raquet with lead tape, it is going to be overall about 30-40g heavier than stock
  3. The heat sleeve/thick grip will smooth the bevels and reduce the feeling
I've been happy with Yonex Vcore and Tecnifibre TFight RS but there's no size 5 available.
It seems I can find only Head raquets in bigger size or with replacement pallet.

Questions:
  1. Do you know any other brand available in CH or EU which ships raquets with grip L5?
  2. What Head raquets play similar to Yonex Vcore or Tecnifibre TFight RS?
Then you,
Francesco
 
E

esm

Legend
i have been looking at the Babolat Pure Aero VS lately, and they are more L1s and L5s left in the UK/EU
 
F

fpsanti

Rookie
What if I'd buy a lighter raquet of the same model (e.g. Vcore 280g) with grip L4 (biggest available in CH) and then add heat sleeve to increase size and lead to rebalance?
To increase grip size I'd use two half sleeves in the bottom half of the pallet to go up one size. That would be about +20g.
I should be able to balance it with about 5-10g of lead on the frame. Exact location and amount TBD.
Adding about 25-30g to a 280g racquet would bring it close to the stock 300g.

It won't be as good as buying the correct grip size for the reasons mentioned in the opening thread but perhaps it'd be close enough.
Thoughts?
 
S

stephenpinkus

Rookie
Check Volkl. It has German roots. While I’m uncertain if it is still rhe case, but historically it was possible to get a 5 pallet and substitute it for the one on the racquet (I replaced 3 with a 5)
 
R

rrepp

Rookie
Best to buy 1/2 grip, overgrip it and learn to play with that. Smaller grip sixes all the rage these days. I’m older now and always played with 5/8 but I have learned to play with 1/2 and like it. I measure at least 4 3/4
 
G

georgeyew

Semi-Pro
You can always go the custom route. Some places will be able to mold a custom grip for you. But you will most likely have to ship your racquet to them.
 
B

BumElbow

Professional
I'm with you. It's a 4 5/8" / L5 grip size or nothing. All my shots are better with the large grip size because the racquet is more stable in my hand and less prone to twisting. My serve has more power, spin and accuracy; and my volleys are much, much better. I have settled for 4 1/2" / L4 grip sizes and regretted it. Usually, it is the older models and models geared towards advanced players that come in L5 grip size.
 
F

fpsanti

Rookie
BumElbow said:
I'm with you. It's a 4 5/8" / L5 grip size or nothing. All my shots are better with the large grip size because the racquet is more stable in my hand and less prone to twisting. My serve has more power, spin and accuracy; and my volleys are much, much better. I have settled for 4 1/2" / L4 grip sizes and regretted it. Usually, it is the older models and models geared towards advanced players that come in L5 grip size.
Click to expand...

Totally agree.
Yesterday, just for testing purposes, i added a full size heat sleeve to the bottom half of my pallet to make it size 5.
Then I rebalanced the racquet with lead tape and went to practice.
It was so good... My serve and volleys were instantly better.
The problem with this solution is that now the total mass is quite high for a competitive recreational player like me.
After about 90 min I was feeling more tired than usual. I could imagine finishing a match with this mass, but definitely would not be able to play multiple matches in a row, even if on consecutive days.
Hence, need to buy a factory size 5 which comes at about 300g unstrung.
 
esgee48

esgee48

G.O.A.T.
I do not know if you have tried this; tape your fingertips so you do not have to squeeze as hard. You could also build up the butt cap flare by wrapping an OG.
 
B

BumElbow

Professional
If you go to www.yonex.com, the site indicates that many Vcore racquets are available in grip sizes 1-5.

I suggest you go to a local tennis store and see if they can order the size 5 grip from the manufacturer. Apparently, online retailers are not carrying it.

Unfortunately, the Yonex website does not seem to permit consumers to buy directly from them.
 
G

golden chicken

Hall of Fame
Besides heat shrink you can use balsa wood or cereal box cardboard. Both preserve the shape of bevels better than heat shrink and are lighter. For cardboard, about 8g for the full length of a racket handle.

I like rackets in the 6-7 points head light balance range so if I were currently looking I would look for something around 3-4 points head light that I could build up the grip and end up where I want to be for balance.
 
B

BumElbow

Professional
Crazy me! Today I have emailed both Unique Products (maker of Tournagrip) and Gamma Products to suggest that they consider introducing a new replacement grip that enlarges by one size the grip of a tennis racquet. Imagine how simple it would be to just replace the grip to increase the size from 4 1/2" to 4 5/8"? If either or both devise such a product, it would be a simple solution to the dilemma caused by racquet manufacturers who no longer sell 4 1/2" and 4 5/8" sizes and stores that don't stock those sizes.
We shall see if they do! There is a need for such a product!
 
esgee48

esgee48

G.O.A.T.
Lorow product which can be found with a search of Talk Tennis

Lorow Siz-Up

Any chance that you'll get these in? They only seem to be available in Europe yet I know quite a few people Stateside who are looking for some. http://www.lorow.com/siz-up/
tt.tennis-warehouse.com tt.tennis-warehouse.com
 
F

fpsanti

Rookie
esgee48 said:
Lorow product which can be found with a search of Talk Tennis

Lorow Siz-Up

Any chance that you'll get these in? They only seem to be available in Europe yet I know quite a few people Stateside who are looking for some. http://www.lorow.com/siz-up/
tt.tennis-warehouse.com tt.tennis-warehouse.com
Click to expand...

Thank you, that's great!

It seems better than heat sleeve since it's half the weight for +1 size and keeps the bevel edges.
Do you know if it's possible to cut it in half and install it only on the bottom half of the shaft?
I play 1HBH and in this way I'd keep the added weight to a minimum of about 5g.
 
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