Need advice for new racquet (Head Graphene 360 or others)

[Darkmaxx1]

Hello,

Currently using Head TI Radical Elite (Yeah, I know, starter stuff). I feel it lacks of power and looking to buy a good racquet.
I'm between beginner-intermediate, good single backhand, need to train my forehand (being too flat)

I want a racquet that helps me with good power/control/spin but also be able to learn with it.
Last year, I tried a Babolat, not remembering the model, I sold it the first week to a friend, it did hurt around the elbow (tennis elbow?).

Some tennis shop recommended Head Graphene 360 Radical S with Head co-poly Touch Hawk @ 52 lbs.
Looking the specs of the racquet and strings, it looks to be more "control" than power.

I am looking between these models (so confusing these names):
Head Graphene 360 Radical S
Head Graphene 360+ Speed S
Head Graphene 360 Extreme S

What would you recommend ? Does the Head Touch Hawk can be played during the summer season or I have to restring often ?

I'm open on Wilson models too. I don't have specialized tennis shop in my town, that's why I have stuff coming from Walmart or other stores, I can't demo the racquets

 

[beltsman]

Hello,

Currently using Head TI Radical Elite (Yeah, I know, starter stuff). I feel it lacks of power and looking to buy a good racquet.
I'm between beginner-intermediate, good single backhand, need to train my forehand (being too flat)

I want a racquet that helps me with good power/control/spin but also be able to learn with it.
Last year, I tried a Babolat, not remembering the model, I sold it the first week to a friend, it did hurt around the elbow (tennis elbow?).

Some tennis shop recommended Head Graphene 360 Radical S with Head co-poly Touch Hawk @ 52 lbs.
Looking the specs of the racquet and strings, it looks to be more "control" than power.

I am looking between these models (so confusing these names):
Head Graphene 360 Radical S
Head Graphene 360+ Speed S
Head Graphene 360 Extreme S

What would you recommend ? Does the Head Touch Hawk can be played during the summer season or I have to restring often ?

I'm open on Wilson models too. I don't have specialized tennis shop in my town, that's why I have stuff coming from Walmart or other stores, I can't demo the racquets

That's tough if you can't demo. Maybe borrow a friend's racquet just to get an idea?

The Extreme is very user friendly and will definitely add spin. It's very easy to play with. But with poor technique you can spray balls.

I actually just saw you said the Extreme S. I was talking about the MP. If you are past being a beginner, I would go for the MP over the S models.

Speed is a nicely balanced stick. Pretty easy to use, less power and spin, but won't spray as much.

Radical even more so.

As for restringing, how often do you play?

 

[cortado]

If your forehand is too flat, you might want to look at the 'twist-weight' of whatever racquets you are considering. My forehand got better with more topspin when I went down in twist-weight.

 

[kickserve2020]

I just recently started playing with the Head Graphene 360+ Speed Pro. I was getting TE from my previous Head Graphene YouTek Speed Pro (which I love, but they're too stiff now). It's a very good racquet, but it does have less feel and manuverability than my YouTeks. On the flip side, I can generate more spin with the 360+ because it's a more open 18X20 string pattern.

In regards to the Head Hawk Touch - I find it's a mediocre string IMHO. It doesn't do anything badly, but doesn't do anything really well either. I think there are better options out there.

 

[Darkmaxx1]

beltsman
I'm thinking about choosing Head Graphene 360 Speed MP, thanks
I could say maybe 50 hours, more or less.

cortado
Thanks, I'll check with the comparison tool !

kickserve2020 & beltsman
What would you recommend for stringing ? Co-poly, synthetic gut, multifilaments? Normally, my racquets are pre-strung, I'm a bit new on this xD

 

[beltsman]

beltsman
I'm thinking about choosing Head Graphene 360 Speed MP, thanks
I could say maybe 50 hours, more or less.

cortado
Thanks, I'll check with the comparison tool !

kickserve2020 & beltsman
What would you recommend for stringing ? Co-poly, synthetic gut, multifilaments? Normally, my racquets are pre-strung, I'm a bit new on this xD

The 360 Speed MP is good. You can probably find a cheap used one. It's not super powerful but it will encourage you to get swing through the ball. It's a good "middle of the road" racquet.

For strings, you're probably fine with synthetic gut until you're breaking it quickly. After that I would try out softer polys. As a general rule for polys, restring as many times per year as you play per week. If we play 3 times a week, restring 3 times a year. That's just a general rule though. More specifically, restring when the string starts to go dead. It will get boardy and lose its ping sound. Don't play with dead poly or you'll hurt your elbow.

 

[Darkmaxx1]

The 360 Speed MP is good. You can probably find a cheap used one. It's not super powerful but it will encourage you to get swing through the ball. It's a good "middle of the road" racquet.

For strings, you're probably fine with synthetic gut until you're breaking it quickly. After that I would try out softer polys. As a general rule for polys, restring as many times per year as you play per week. If we play 3 times a week, restring 3 times a year. That's just a general rule though. More specifically, restring when the string starts to go dead. It will get boardy and lose its ping sound. Don't play with dead poly or you'll hurt your elbow.

Aw, too bad, in the tennis shop, the Speed MP doesn't have my handle size (L3). For the same price, I can get Head Graphene 360+ Gravity MP, would you consider it ?
Prince Synthetic Gut Duraflex 16 would be a good choice? Do you recommend any tension ?

 

[kickserve2020]

kickserve2020 & beltsman
What would you recommend for stringing ? Co-poly, synthetic gut, multifilaments? Normally, my racquets are pre-strung, I'm a bit new on this xD
[/QUOTE]

Hard to really say without knowing your game, swing, preferences, budget, etc. If you're not that knowledgeable about strings, find someone around you who does and maybe can recommend something to you after watching you hit. Same goes for tension.

 

[beltsman]

Aw, too bad, in the tennis shop, the Speed MP doesn't have my handle size (L3). For the same price, I can get Head Graphene 360+ Gravity MP, would you consider it ?
Prince Synthetic Gut Duraflex 16 would be a good choice? Do you recommend any tension ?

Gravity MP is liked by many but was too low powered for me. It's a low power frame.

 

[Lorenn]

Hello,

Currently using Head TI Radical Elite (Yeah, I know, starter stuff). I feel it lacks of power and looking to buy a good racquet.
I'm between beginner-intermediate, good single backhand, need to train my forehand (being too flat)

I want a racquet that helps me with good power/control/spin but also be able to learn with it.
Last year, I tried a Babolat, not remembering the model, I sold it the first week to a friend, it did hurt around the elbow (tennis elbow?).

Some tennis shop recommended Head Graphene 360 Radical S with Head co-poly Touch Hawk @ 52 lbs.
Looking the specs of the racquet and strings, it looks to be more "control" than power.

I am looking between these models (so confusing these names):
Head Graphene 360 Radical S
Head Graphene 360+ Speed S
Head Graphene 360 Extreme S

What would you recommend ? Does the Head Touch Hawk can be played during the summer season or I have to restring often ?

I'm open on Wilson models too. I don't have specialized tennis shop in my town, that's why I have stuff coming from Walmart or other stores, I can't demo the racquets

Of the racquets listed I prefer the Speed 360+ S. Not normally a fan of lighter frames for most. Normally I would suggest a Speed MP 360+ and to focus on growing into the racquet and maybe string slightly for a little extra power. Basically normally with a lighter frame you will likely want to switch in a year or two. On the other hand if you get a frame you enjoy now you might be playing in a year or two

 

[Darkmaxx1]

Alright, I've made the choice: Head Graphene 360 Radical S. The 360+ Speed S had higher RA, I was looking around 60-63.
The 360 Speed MP was really interesting, but couldn't find my handle size. The new racquets 360+ were around 160-190$ USD and Radical S is 100 USD.
I found a chart that shows Radical S is more power than control.

In the sport shop in my town (they don't have much stuff, a few unstrung, the rest are pre-strung), they had Wilson Roland Garros Triumph and I liked it's weight and balance (290g strung and 2HL)
I'll test out 300g/300 swing weight and see if I can handle more.

I'll try up with Head Hawk Touch, and if it misses something, I'll change to oher strings like NXT 16, Velocity MLT, Lynx Tour, Syn Gut, etc.

Thanks all, it helped to understand all these models

 

[Juggernauts]

Alright, I've made the choice: Head Graphene 360 Radical S. The 360+ Speed S had higher RA, I was looking around 60-63.
The 360 Speed MP was really interesting, but couldn't find my handle size. The new racquets 360+ were around 160-190$ USD and Radical S is 100 USD.
I found a chart that shows Radical S is more power than control.

In the sport shop in my town (they don't have much stuff, a few unstrung, the rest are pre-strung), they had Wilson Roland Garros Triumph and I liked it's weight and balance (290g strung and 2HL)
I'll test out 300g/300 swing weight and see if I can handle more.

I'll try up with Head Hawk Touch, and if it misses something, I'll change to oher strings like NXT 16, Velocity MLT, Lynx Tour, Syn Gut, etc.

Thanks all, it helped to understand all these models

Which one from these has the lowest RA (i know some numbers may not be true) or most arm-friendly one? Thanks for sharing.

 

[Turbo-87]

I really enjoy the Graphene 360 Radical S. It is stable for a light racquet and so quick at the net. I can generate a ton of speed with it, which I like a lot. I am playing with a Graphene 360+ Radical MP tomorrow. It is strung with Wilson NXT comfort at 55lbs so I will see how it compares. It seems to swing light in the living room, so tomorrow will be the test.