Looking for 18x20 Racket, help needed

[topspin_17]

Hey
I am looking for an 18*20 racket which is in the weight range of 11.8oz (around 330, I think?) above. This is because I'm quite a small person (not too small, about 5 feet 4 inches), and not too burly so I can't utilize my power in a lighter racket; I also don't really feel comfortable when I hit with lighter rackets. So I've been looking for a new racket (current racket RDS001MP @ 12oz) and here's what I'm interested in:

PK Redondo MP
Dunlop Aerogel 200 18x20 (I think I saw there was a 16x19 version on the boards here)
Wilson nCode6.1 95 18x20 (or Kfactor, as long as the price is not too high)

I play 70% of my game at the baseline, 30% at the net. I play heavy groundstrokes, and like to utilise spins and angles to befuddle my opponent. Sometimes I come to the net, if necessary. I also like to play doubles a lot, and I am at the net often in doubles (about 80% of the time, the other 20% is for when I'm returning etc. )

I've been searching for the Dunlop Aerogel 200, and I found a really good deal on this site, http://www.***.com/tennisrackets.asp?id=8&cat=Dunlop tennis rackets have any of you bought from this site? The deal for the racket is either 89 GBP (175 USD) for one stick or two sticks at 79 GBP each, which is altogether the equivalent of about 225 USD. As for the other two, I can only find them on the Tennis Warehouse site. Also with the aerogels, the site doesn't state what string pattern they are (I would prefer 18x20)

 

[jdeloach]

Don't overlook the Tecnifibre TF320 (18X20). It weighs in around 11.7 strung. Really a nice headlight racquet.

 

[Deleted member 6835]

i went from an rds 001 mp to the redondo mp, and i highly recommend you give it a demo. i like the redondo at the net as well as the baseline, so it should suit you fine. if you cant demo it, ask for more info

 

[ClimbK2]

Check out a similar thread I started in November. I received lots of good feedback.

http://tt.tennis-warehouse.com/showthread.php?t=105955&highlight=climbk2

 

[alu16L]

Sounds like Head FXP Prestige Mp is perfect for you!

 

[krprunitennis2]

^_^ You go ahead and try Head Flexpoint Instinct!

 

[topspin_17]

jdeloach, the Tecnifibre looks like an interesting choice but I can't get it in Thailand because the sales reps in Thailand think that Tecnifibre is a squash racket company so the best Tecnifibre rackets I can get are the huge 150 sq. in. rackets... Haha I'll still look into it though.

I have now narrowed my search down to the final two rackets, plus the Flexpoint Prestige MP. I'm dropping the Aerogel. So I am left with:

Wilson nSix-One 95 18x20
Head Flexpoint Prestige MP
PK Redondo MP

Question about these rackets: Do any of them feel a bit 'dead' when hitting? Because I tried my friends' Head Flexpoint Radicals, they all seem dead to hit, like they have no power. I play a lot of doubles, so I am kind of interested at the PK or the Wilson but I need to know if any of the three rackets feel dead at impact, you see I'm quite a short lad. About 5 foot 4. Please reply! Thanks for your help

 

[anirut]

TS17,

Have you played 18x20 extensively before? Sorry to ask such a silly question.

BTW, drop me a call, please. 0813759493

 

[Borat]

Do you like crisp feeling racquets, or smooth feeling racquets, that will help narrow it down.

 

[Lambsscroll]

The perfect match is the Dunlop 200g Hotmelt which you can buy new for 79.99 here at TW. Buy 2.

 

[Deleted member 6835]

The perfect match is the Dunlop 200g Hotmelt which you can buy new for 79.99 here at TW. Buy 2.

nah, i still say redondo

 

[White_Rice]

Rdx 500 Hd

 

[federer_nadal]

I am currently demoing the T-Fight 315, and it it a great racquet, very crisp, decent power but its still very control orrientated, it is great for volleying. I demoed it alongside a Fxp Rad Tour and a Pure Drive roddick (fxp my new racquet unless my m-fil 300 is better thats coming and the pdr was pus)

I would reccomend the T-Fight 315

 

[topspin_17]

Anirut, yes I have played 18x20 extensively before. One of my main rackets was the Wilson nSix-One 95 Team (asian version), until it started to kill my arm because it was very stiff. So I started to look for more 'flexible' rackets, as opposed to the stiffness of the Wilson. I tried the Flexpoint Prestige and the Flexpoint Radical, but didn't really like them that much. Plus, they're very expensive rackets. So I changed to the Yonex RDS001 MP, because I could get them very cheap and I had heard good comments about them.

Can anyone tell me if the TW nSix-One 95 18x20 is as stiff as the team version? Because my arm is kind of sensitive to stiff rackets.

Borat, I don't really have a personal favourite racket feel, but I would say that I like rackets that don't feel 'dead' when you hit the ball and makes you think that the ball is flat and unpressurised.

Thanks y'all

 

[snoflewis]

topspin_17, i think the n6.1 18x20 will probably be too stiff for you.

there aren't that many 18x20 rackets to choose from....basically, it's the prestiges/radicals, dunlop 200 series, PK redondo, TFs, volkl 10 series, and a few others like the n6.1 18x20 and rdx500 HD.

i found the FP radical mp/prestige mp and the LM radical mp to play pretty stiff, particularly the FP prestige mp. the LM prestige might be an option for you, but the midplus version is pretty hard to find. i personally found it to feel too hollow and swing a little light.

the mfil200 didnt feel stiff at all and had a pretty solid feel. despite its high swingweight, i found it somewhat maneuverable but not enough for me to change to it, although the price is very tempting

my current racket is the PK redondo mp. it has a good mix of power and control and is the most flexible racket available on TW. imo, it has a cleaner feel than the PC600 and still retains a good pop despite its flex.

i used to use the TF325 and also demoed teh TF315 (haven't demoed any of the newer ones) and didnt like either of them. the 325 was too stiff and bulky, and the feel off the stringbed was pretty generic, meaning it didnt feel like anything too special. as for the TF315 was also very stiff and felt awkward.

i have not tried teh dnx10, but all the volkls player's rackets i've tried did not feel stable. volkl is known for its flexible/comfortable rackets and although they did feel taht way, it did not feel stable at all. none of my strokes felt solid compared to that of other rackets...personally, i've never used rackets taht twisted that much in my hands.

like i mentioned above, the n6.1 18x20 will probably feel too stiff if your arm is sensitive to stiffer rackets. like the other n6.1s, it feels way too muted to even be able to feel the ball coming off the racket.

all my reviews/opinions are fully objective and it might help you in some ways considering that i too am pretty sensitive to stiffer rackets. in my opinion, i think you should consider the PK redondo mp, LM prestige mp, and the RDX500 hd.

 

[anirut]

Topspin17,

If you'd like to try the Redondo, please let me know. I'll be happy to let you try it. The thing is mine is a mid size. I can also let you try the Dunlop MW200 95, which is about close in feel (I suppose ...) to the Redondo MP.

C'mon, drop me a call.

 

[diehard6.0]

Head Ti Classic seems perfect for you, if you can find.

 

[Deleted member 6835]

like i said, go for the redondo... ill repeat that

 

[federer_nadal]

THe Nblade fits this category pretty well too, it was one of the racquets i demoed and i loved it, just eged out by the FXP rad tour.

 

[snoflewis]

THe Nblade fits this category pretty well too, it was one of the racquets i demoed and i loved it, just eged out by the FXP rad tour.

the nblade doesnt really fit the category well...unless 1.5 oz isnt that big of a difference

 

[vkartikv]

Is that 330 grams unstrung or strung? Why not the Pk 5G? It's not an 18x20 but has plenty of control and will almost never cause any arm trouble. Being a volkl dnx 10 user myself, I'd recommend it too.

 

[topspin_17]

I didn't choose the nBlade to be on my list because I heard that it has not enough weight to push the ball or something like that... I might order the Redondo MP on my next TW order, but I'll keep searching. Thanks for all your help guys. More help could also be useful.

 

[La Bomba]

You can't go wrong with the Head I.Prestige Mid.

 

[Povl Carstensen]

A heavier racket will seem less stiff than a lighter one, all other things being equal.

 

[ClimbK2]

Some racquet stats (using USRSA tool on Tennis.com web page) - all 18x20

__________Power__SWt__Wt
TF335_____2042___319__351
FP Prestige 2037___315__338
N6.1 95___ 1981___316__347
DNX10_____1969___314__338
200G95____1790___314__335
Redondo___1723___314__342

(from the link on my prev post)

 

[cghipp]

Sounds like Head FXP Prestige Mp is perfect for you!

Exactly what I was going to suggest. You might also look for a LM Prestige MP or an i.Prestige MP; I prefer those to the FXP.

 

[federer_nadal]

I have hit with many of the great players sticks (have 2 pogs, had 2 n61 tours and a LM prestige, have hit lots with pc600 and ps85) and i think that the Nblade isnt as stable, but is still stable enough to not get pushed around. It is lighter but it still has the swingweight of a heavier frame due to it not being very headlight. I think you should try it.