I'm looking for a sub 12 oz player's frame under 100 sq. inches that will give some additional pop. I'm 40 now and my legs and my shots aren't quite the way they used to be 10 years ago. I'm starting to think I need a little more help from technology!
Any suggestions?
It has to be elbow friendly too!
Just wondering - additional pop compared with what (what's your current rig)?
I'm a Volkl fan (and promoter), too. They seem to strike a decent balance between performance and arm comfort with a lot of their gear.
I used their super-plush C10 for a few years, but this is a heavier control frame with some peculiar flex in the hoop. Probably not what you're angling for right now, but the Volkl I switched into last year is their Organix 10 325. The spec sheet will tell you it's a 12+ oz. racquet, but the first two I got weighed in at 11.8 oz. strung with syn. gut and a Tourna Grip added on.
I get decent pop with these frames and they certainly don't have the same softer hoop and "tip dead" personality in the C10's. This frame could be worth a look, but I should also add that I really liked it only after I added some lead for more HL balance and a little extra stability. I was happier with a more familiar heft and balance.
I also haven't been much of a fan of multifibers, but I've got some 16 ga. Power Fiber II running in two of my O10's and they're both more cozy and better performing than ever.
Yaddah-yaddah... Oh, you might want to check out what Yonex has to offer, too. Their Isometric design seems to make for a racquet that plays bigger than its hoop size, so a 97" or 98" head could be really easy to wield. In any case, if you're going for something a bit lighter in weight, try to avoid the poly strings if you want to protect your arm. In my opinion, softer strings are "square one" for preserving that elbow.
