My backhand died on the RDX500 Mid!

[qent4977]

Hi Everyone! im glad i found this board and its really nice and informative..

Ive been playing with the prestige LM mid for a while now and while i love its flex and feel on my groundies especially my 1H Topspin BH (like Gustavo kuerten as reference), i find it too heavy on endurance matches so i decided to buy the lighter RDX500 mid and while its a topspin monter for my FH, my Backhand seems outta sorts..i switch back to the LM and its OK again ...maybe its the grip shape of the RDX or balance? im going crazy! Please help!!

RDX500 Mid: @ 60 Pounds

 

[FuZz_Da_AcE]

maybe theyre just two completely different racquets. im no expert, but i say give it a bit of time, to adjust to the rdx, if you havnt already. after playing a match or two, then reassess your opinion.

 

[ragnaROK]

I personally like the LM mid better for one handers because they seem more solid and stable.

 

[Ripper]

Hi Everyone! im glad i found this board and its really nice and informative..

Ive been playing with the prestige LM mid for a while now and while i love its flex and feel on my groundies especially my 1H Topspin BH (like Gustavo kuerten as reference), i find it too heavy on endurance matches so i decided to buy the lighter RDX500 mid and while its a topspin monter for my FH, my Backhand seems outta sorts..i switch back to the LM and its OK again ...maybe its the grip shape of the RDX or balance? im going crazy! Please help!!

RDX500 Mid: @ 60 Pounds

I'm no expert, but here's my 2 cents. I own a couple of RDX500 MPs. I know many people are of the opinion that the Mid and the MP are different beasts, but they shouldn't be; they're, basically, the same raquet with different head sizes. Both have the same basic structure and are made of the same materials. What I want to get to is that these raquets flex in a very particular way. If you take a good look at them, you'll notice that the hoop width is thicker than the throat width. In other words, they're designed to flex at the throat. In my very humble opinion, I believe that this is, principally, where they get their great spining potential from. Nevertheless, it takes time to get used to them. When I changed from the O3 Tour MP to the RDX500 MP I was having a very hard time, because using, exactly, the same swing, the ball would leave the raquet face at a higher angle. Now, I know I have to be more agressive with my top spin (windshield washer) motion and/or close the raquet face a bit more. To be honest, I find the RDX500 to be a bit more demanding than I expected. Probably, flat hitters and slicers wouldn't feel what I'm talking about, but I'm sure top spinners will all agree that there's something about these raquets. Some love them, some hate them. I shift from one side to the other, lol.

 

[qent4977]

Thats true..im starting to notice that..
I think it was made for 2H BH players...like Hewitt and Nalbandian in mind..
when i swing it in the BH it doesnt have the 'presence' the LM or prestige classice has. maybe if i put lead tape though in the 12 o clock it might feel 'meatier'.

 

[bluegrasser]

The new fxp Prestige mp swings a tad lighter than the Lm version, something to think about.

 

[armand]

The first time I used the RDX500 Mid, my backhand fell apart too. Even though it's not a light weight racquet, it is light for a player's frame and I wasn't used to it. It felt like I was swinging nothing and nothing was right.
But after I put some weight on it, it was fine after getting used to it.

 

[Hewitt rulez]

I demoed the RDX 500 mid and had the same problem except on my forehand side. Everything would fall short and I couldn't get power. That was about 2 years ago and ive improved a lot.

Does the new RDS 001 have more pop like Yonex claims?

 

[Bora]

I'm no expert, but here's my 2 cents. I own a couple of RDX500 MPs. I know many people are of the opinion that the Mid and the MP are different beasts, but they shouldn't be; they're, basically, the same raquet with different head sizes. Both have the same basic structure and are made of the same materials.

I don't care if its "they shouldn't be", they are completely different racquets. One example, while the Mid is a great serving stick, the MP actually hurts most ppl's serves.

Some racquets just work better for 1 handers or 2 handed backhands. I found that with Yonexes and slightly longer sticks my 2 hander is much more consistent than using standard length Heads and Wilsons. It may have something to do with where the sweetspot is located in relation to the users body.

 

[Ripper]

I don't care if its "they shouldn't be", they are completely different racquets. One example, while the Mid is a great serving stick, the MP actually hurts most ppl's serves.

You're wrong; they flex in EXACTLY the same way and I'm talking about the way they flex and the effect this has on top spin backhands and/or forehands. Serving has nothing to do with what I commented on.

 

[milo]

when i used the rdx mid i also have a hard time also. but it needs time to adapt. try to improve more, it is a demanding racket.

 

[jackson vile]

Hi Everyone! im glad i found this board and its really nice and informative..

Ive been playing with the prestige LM mid for a while now and while i love its flex and feel on my groundies especially my 1H Topspin BH (like Gustavo kuerten as reference), i find it too heavy on endurance matches so i decided to buy the lighter RDX500 mid and while its a topspin monter for my FH, my Backhand seems outta sorts..i switch back to the LM and its OK again ...maybe its the grip shape of the RDX or balance? im going crazy! Please help!!

RDX500 Mid: @ 60 Pounds

I would go back to your mid and just take off the cap groments and add any lead that you need to at 12 O'clock to bring the SW to what you want.

This is what I am going to do.

 

[Bora]

You're wrong; they flex in EXACTLY the same way and I'm talking about the way they flex and the effect this has on top spin backhands and/or forehands. Serving has nothing to do with what I commented on.

No, you are wrong, it shows that even though they both may flex the same they both play different. There are more than 1 factors that contribute to how a racquet plays. Saying that 2 racquets play identically in BHs and FHs because they flex the same is not accurate. Afterall, they have weight, headsize and string pattern differences. According to the RDC machine even their flex rating is different. Just look at the specs listed, they are different in more than 1 category. If you played with both you would know this, assuming you are capable in detecting differences between racquets.

 

[Ripper]

No, you are wrong, it shows that even though they both may flex the same they both play different. There are more than 1 factors that contribute to how a racquet plays. Saying that 2 racquets play identically in BHs and FHs because they flex the same is not accurate. Afterall, they have weight, headsize and string pattern differences. According to the RDC machine even their flex rating is different. Just look at the specs listed, they are different in more than 1 category. If you played with both you would know this, assuming you are capable in detecting differences between racquets.

You know what? I'm wrong! Happy? Now, go and have a nice day.

 

[Kevo]

My one hander has never been better now that I'm using the RDX mid, but I do have to keep my focus or I start mistiming the shot. My guess is that you just need to take some time to break down your motion and find out where it has changed. It's a lot harder to muscle a one handed backhand than it is a forehand, and I suspect that the weight and balance change has just thrown off your timing and/or stroke a bit. Try working the backhand hand side slowly for a while until you can groove it to the new frame, and I'm sure it will be fine.

 

[EliteNinja]

My one hander has never been better now that I'm using the RDX mid, but I do have to keep my focus or I start mistiming the shot. My guess is that you just need to take some time to break down your motion and find out where it has changed. It's a lot harder to muscle a one handed backhand than it is a forehand, and I suspect that the weight and balance change has just thrown off your timing and/or stroke a bit. Try working the backhand hand side slowly for a while until you can groove it to the new frame, and I'm sure it will be fine.

I agree.
It feels so easy with the RDX mid for some reason. It's probably just me.

 

[Kagawa]

As a general rule i would say that heavier headlight rackets are better for 1 handed backhands. The 1Handed backhand topspin stroke is the most momentum dependant stroke in tennis, ie. there is very little muscling involved and most of the work in the stroke is done by the weight of the racket. Secondly you may just be mistiming your stroke and not making contact at the peak of your swing caused by the lower swingweight of the rdx. If that's the case then it's just a matter of getting your groove back with the new racket.

 

[jackson vile]

As a general rule i would say that heavier headlight rackets are better for 1 handed backhands. The 1Handed backhand topspin stroke is the most momentum dependant stroke in tennis, ie. there is very little muscling involved and most of the work in the stroke is done by the weight of the racket. Secondly you may just be mistiming your stroke and not making contact at the peak of your swing caused by the lower swingweight of the rdx. If that's the case then it's just a matter of getting your groove back with the new racket.

Kagwa that is a very good perspective, that would explain why the N6.1tour is 10pts headlight and why the LMIXL being 10pts headlight is used by Gasquet (sp)

I found the LMIXL the best racket I have used for the 1hbh besides the 200gMW95

 

[ShcMad]

Kagwa that is a very good perspective, that would explain why the N6.1tour is 10pts headlight and why the LMIXL being 10pts headlight is used by Gasquet (sp)

I found the LMIXL the best racket I have used for the 1hbh besides the 200gMW95

Dude, I completely agree with that... The LM Instinct XL MUST be the best racquet for the 1-hbh. I own one myself. And, I'm telling ya...I can easily and effortlessly hit the 1-hander with that racquet, yet the ball would fly out with great speed and spin.

 

[Xanataos]

Hi Everyone! im glad i found this board and its really nice and informative..

Ive been playing with the prestige LM mid for a while now and while i love its flex and feel on my groundies especially my 1H Topspin BH (like Gustavo kuerten as reference), i find it too heavy on endurance matches so i decided to buy the lighter RDX500 mid and while its a topspin monter for my FH, my Backhand seems outta sorts..i switch back to the LM and its OK again ...maybe its the grip shape of the RDX or balance? im going crazy! Please help!!

RDX500 Mid: @ 60 Pounds

Does the ball fly long?

 

[jackson vile]

Dude, I completely agree with that... The LM Instinct XL MUST be the best racquet for the 1-hbh. I own one myself. And, I'm telling ya...I can easily and effortlessly hit the 1-hander with that racquet, yet the ball would fly out with great speed and spin.

Yea, I thought for sure that with it being extended and with such high sw it would be a pain, but it was far far better than my LMP+ for the 1hbh, the serve is very different from the LMP+ also, I think that you have to get that arm moving soner and it did make kicking the ball harder to do.

I'm not too sure about the net play, the thing is that I like the feel of the LMP but I like the effect of the LMIXL

 

[ShcMad]

Yea, I thought for sure that with it being extended and with such high sw it would be a pain, but it was far far better than my LMP+ for the 1hbh, the serve is very different from the LMP+ also, I think that you have to get that arm moving soner and it did make kicking the ball harder to do.

I'm not too sure about the net play, the thing is that I like the feel of the LMP but I like the effect of the LMIXL

I own a LM Prestige Mid, a LM Radical OS, and the LMIXL. For a year, the LMP has been my main racquet, and the LM Radical OS was my backup. Now, that I recently got the LMIXL and played with it a couple times, I'm almost certain that this is gonna be my main frame from now on.

One thing to tell you is that the feel of my modified LMP is MUCH better than the feel I get from the stock LMIXL. The LMIXL has a sort of a "hollow" feel IMO compared to the LMP.

BUT, I can't argue with the results. This thing just lets me rip the cover off the ball on my 1hbh, and it's so maneuverable at the same time. Also, I perform better at the net with the LMIXL cuz of its 10pts headlight balance. I do admit though that my forehand suffers a tad bit, but I'd rather have that tradeoff.

jackson vile, do you have any recommendations on string/tension for next time I go to my stringer? As of now I have Lux BB Original Rough at 53lbs.

 

[jackson vile]

I own a LM Prestige Mid, a LM Radical OS, and the LMIXL. For a year, the LMP has been my main racquet, and the LM Radical OS was my backup. Now, that I recently got the LMIXL and played with it a couple times, I'm almost certain that this is gonna be my main frame from now on.

One thing to tell you is that the feel of my modified LMP is MUCH better than the feel I get from the stock LMIXL. The LMIXL has a sort of a "hollow" feel IMO compared to the LMP.

BUT, I can't argue with the results. This thing just lets me rip the cover off the ball on my 1hbh, and it's so maneuverable at the same time. Also, I perform better at the net with the LMIXL cuz of its 10pts headlight balance. I do admit though that my forehand suffers a tad bit, but I'd rather have that tradeoff.

jackson vile, do you have any recommendations on string/tension for next time I go to my stringer? As of now I have Lux BB Original Rough at 53lbs.

Personally I hate polys, I have heard that Johns stringing works really well

http://tt.tennis-warehouse.com/showthread.php?t=83394&page=34
it is a few pages back

I would recomend you try gut as that will increase the feel and start looser, you want to keep it as low as you can with having control. This will maximize your spin and pace.

I am not sure what it has in it right now, I will post that later today as I will have to check back.

How i have it set up it has killer spin on back for fore, but it is hard spinning on the serve due to the high SW.


I can't belive that you like it over the LMPmid, have you considered that maybe you need to put a softer string int he LMP and at a tension no higher than 53lbs?

 

[qent4977]

I just got my RDX500 Mid strung at 55lbs and my LM Prestige Mid @58 and would you believe it the RDX still feels more tightly strung and i had to work harder to stroke my 1H BH. I thought i could solve the problem that way, i just feel i cant plow though my 1H BH with the RDX the way i could with my Prestige..
I really wanted to use the RDX because when i serve & volley with that stick i feel like i could win the game by just volleying coz it felt natural on my hand on volleys, not like the prestige LM Mid i had to work harder and concentrate more..dang! you cant get everything i guess...
Now Jacksonville has gotten me thinking of getting the FXP prestige Mid being more lighter on the swing....sigh! i guess ill use the RDX500 for a few more days and try increasing the grip size (currently at 4 1/4) because my prestige Mid is at 4 3/8.

 

[Kevo]

Yeah, that grip size thing could very well be involved. With the smaller grip your RDX will be lighter than an RDX with a 4 3/8 grip. Also, the on handed backhand is more sensitive to grip size than forehand or a two hander because of the way the stroke needs to be hit. Maybe you should bump the grips size first and see how that goes. Then if needed maybe add a little weight.

 

[Ken B.]

I love the RDX for its overall game, but I agree with those who say the racquet isn't the best for a 1BH. When I hit them, they are usually very flat. Therefore, I usually have to keep hitting cross court to have an effetive backhand.

But I can do slices very well with the RDX and drop shots like nobody's business. So I can't complain that bad about the backhand.

 

[qent4977]

You know you are right Kevo...because i played just a few hours ago and i thought i would use my old prestige classic 600 with its 4 1/2 grip size and im hitting federer BHs with it and i didnt use it for a whole year! (been switching between RDX500 and LM Prestige Mid @ 4 3/8). Just to be sure my sweet BHs werent a fluke i played doubles again after and my 1H BH stills stings my opponents!..so it must be the weight and grip size..coz i cant feel the RDX on my arm when i start swinging for the 1H BH..not like my Head rackets..
Also i noticed when i try to hit a 2H BH (originaly i learned to play 2H BH) just for fun the RDX was another stick altogether, great control, good feel
i tried a Hewitt type flat 2H and a loopy topspin 2H like Dementieva and it hits like a dream...guess its just me going psycho here..now im even more confused!!!!

 

[ShcMad]

Personally I hate polys, I have heard that Johns stringing works really well

http://tt.tennis-warehouse.com/showthread.php?t=83394&page=34
it is a few pages back

I would recomend you try gut as that will increase the feel and start looser, you want to keep it as low as you can with having control. This will maximize your spin and pace.

I am not sure what it has in it right now, I will post that later today as I will have to check back.

How i have it set up it has killer spin on back for fore, but it is hard spinning on the serve due to the high SW.


I can't belive that you like it over the LMPmid, have you considered that maybe you need to put a softer string int he LMP and at a tension no higher than 53lbs?

Quote from johncauthen: "It's easy to make a Liguidmetal Instinct hit a lot better. Using elastic sting, not a string like Pro Blend or Infinity, string the mains at 40 lbs; 64lbs for the first six crosses; 67 for the rest of the crosses."
Is this Johns stringing method? If so, doesn't the difference in the lbs. between mains and crosses damage/crack the frame?

Anyways, I would love to use nat. gut, but I just can't afford it At one point in my life, I used Babolat VS gut on the mains and Lux BB Alu-power on the crosses for my LM Radical OS. It was very nice, but I'll never go back to it again due to the high cost.

On the other hand, I have strung my LMP with about 3 different kinds of strings. First, I tried the Head RIPPerfect Control around 58/56lbs, but I hated how it lost tension so fast. For the last two stringing jobs, I had Yonex Tour Super 850 Pro Spin on it around 57/55lbs. I liked that string, but I found it a bit too powerful as well as I found myself breaking cross strings after 8-10hrs. of play. Currently, I strung the LMP with the Lux TiMO 17g at 55/52lbs. This one provides great control and an insane amount of spin. But, I haven't hit with it enough so I can't provide anyone with the exact advantages/disadvantages of the TiMO yet.

Regarding the LMIXL, I think I prefer this racquet over the LMP because it just gives me better results. Perhaps it's time for me to realize that I'm not ready yet to use a player's racquet (LMP). While my forehand is a killer with the LMP, my 1-hbh backhand suffers a great deal. It seems like I can't get the timing correct due to the higher swingweight/static weight. Partly, it might be due to the fact that I customized the LMP with lead on the head so now it's roughly 4-5 pts. headlight and around 358grams. I like the feel of the LMP MUCH BETTER with lead at 3, 9, and 12 o'clock positions. I tried counter-balancing, but the extra weight is a burden.

As for the RDX-500, I demoed the midplus version half a year ago. I thought it was a pretty sweet racquet overall. My backhand slice was a dream, and I had no trouble whatsoever hitting the topspin 1-hbh. I never hit with the mid version, so I don't know about that. Well, just my 2 cents.

 

[Robbie_1988]

Hi Everyone! im glad i found this board and its really nice and informative..

Ive been playing with the prestige LM mid for a while now and while i love its flex and feel on my groundies especially my 1H Topspin BH (like Gustavo kuerten as reference), i find it too heavy on endurance matches so i decided to buy the lighter RDX500 mid and while its a topspin monter for my FH, my Backhand seems outta sorts..i switch back to the LM and its OK again ...maybe its the grip shape of the RDX or balance? im going crazy! Please help!!

RDX500 Mid: @ 60 Pounds

Meh sucks. I had a similar problem to yours. I was hitting consistent and devastating single one handed backhanders with my Pro Staff Tour 90. At a training session I picked up the Nsix One Tour 90 and ever since, my backhand has turned to trash. However, I sometimes go back to my trusty old Pro Staff Tour 90 and I'm hitting the backhanders with consistency and devastation...

... I really should go back to the PS Tour 90.

 

[jackson vile]

I just got my RDX500 Mid strung at 55lbs and my LM Prestige Mid @58 and would you believe it the RDX still feels more tightly strung and i had to work harder to stroke my 1H BH. I thought i could solve the problem that way, i just feel i cant plow though my 1H BH with the RDX the way i could with my Prestige..
I really wanted to use the RDX because when i serve & volley with that stick i feel like i could win the game by just volleying coz it felt natural on my hand on volleys, not like the prestige LM Mid i had to work harder and concentrate more..dang! you cant get everything i guess...
Now Jacksonville has gotten me thinking of getting the FXP prestige Mid being more lighter on the swing....sigh! i guess ill use the RDX500 for a few more days and try increasing the grip size (currently at 4 1/4) because my prestige Mid is at 4 3/8.

You should have strung the corsses 3lbs lower on the RDX, and also I don't suggest ploy.

Mine is strung 57M 54c and there is no dead spot what so ever in the uper hoop, it is really stable a really good racket, but you can not IMO use a 1hbh with this racket. You can if you need to but you won't get the pace you need and it is not stable at all for that IMO

So I resort to slicing which it does great.

Do this, take your Prestige mid and remove the cap grommet and replce with the radical grommet, bring the swing weight back up to what ever point you need with lead tape.

Also what is with every guy on this board using women size grips, get the 5/8 there is so much more control.

 

[jackson vile]

Quote from johncauthen: "It's easy to make a Liguidmetal Instinct hit a lot better. Using elastic sting, not a string like Pro Blend or Infinity, string the mains at 40 lbs; 64lbs for the first six crosses; 67 for the rest of the crosses."
Is this Johns stringing method? If so, doesn't the difference in the lbs. between mains and crosses damage/crack the frame?

Anyways, I would love to use nat. gut, but I just can't afford it At one point in my life, I used Babolat VS gut on the mains and Lux BB Alu-power on the crosses for my LM Radical OS. It was very nice, but I'll never go back to it again due to the high cost.

On the other hand, I have strung my LMP with about 3 different kinds of strings. First, I tried the Head RIPPerfect Control around 58/56lbs, but I hated how it lost tension so fast. For the last two stringing jobs, I had Yonex Tour Super 850 Pro Spin on it around 57/55lbs. I liked that string, but I found it a bit too powerful as well as I found myself breaking cross strings after 8-10hrs. of play. Currently, I strung the LMP with the Lux TiMO 17g at 55/52lbs. This one provides great control and an insane amount of spin. But, I haven't hit with it enough so I can't provide anyone with the exact advantages/disadvantages of the TiMO yet.

Regarding the LMIXL, I think I prefer this racquet over the LMP because it just gives me better results. Perhaps it's time for me to realize that I'm not ready yet to use a player's racquet (LMP). While my forehand is a killer with the LMP, my 1-hbh backhand suffers a great deal. It seems like I can't get the timing correct due to the higher swingweight/static weight. Partly, it might be due to the fact that I customized the LMP with lead on the head so now it's roughly 4-5 pts. headlight and around 358grams. I like the feel of the LMP MUCH BETTER with lead at 3, 9, and 12 o'clock positions. I tried counter-balancing, but the extra weight is a burden.

As for the RDX-500, I demoed the midplus version half a year ago. I thought it was a pretty sweet racquet overall. My backhand slice was a dream, and I had no trouble whatsoever hitting the topspin 1-hbh. I never hit with the mid version, so I don't know about that. Well, just my 2 cents.

How often do you break strings?

I think NXT is the best string hands down that I have played with overal. The feel is very nice and there are so many choices, if you like you coult get the NXT OS and half it with TIMO.

Now you don't want crosses being lower on hardly and rackets, all it does is make them play like crap. So for the LMPmid you don't want to do that, further more you don't want to be stringing your LMPmid so high, no higher than 55lbs, unless you are fallowing Johns guidlines then you have to.

So try the TIMOm at the lowest tension you are comfortable with and the NXT will stretch a bit at first so 57lbs would be fine and you should end up at 55lbs after break in. After that I would try a full NXT job with the crosses being at least 3lbs higher being higher

As for Johns coments those are on of the stringing parameters, and it has been tested and worked well, the science is explained in the post with diagrams ect. No it will not crack the frame, think of people stringing their rackets above 70lbs. These stringing methods have been tried on many rackets and they work time and again. I feel that soon they will be the standard.

And finally I would take off all the lead on your LMPmid and try that, if you don't like that you can only bring the racket to a blance of 6pts and beware anything lower will kill the racket.