25-TENNIS
Semi-Pro
Does the Speed have more or less power than the Ezone 98?
New racket?
- Thread starter 25-TENNIS
- Start date
Karma Tennis
Legend
I don't think serious players worry too much about aesthetics.
Imho, the best racquets released in the past decade have not looked very nice. And some of the nicest looking ones probably haven't been the best ones released.
YMMV.
Same or more power , quite sure its not less looking at the stats and reviews.
Would bet at more...
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25-TENNIS
Semi-Pro
Had a 1.5 hour training session again today with the Ezone 98. I did feel my arm a bit while playing. This is probably because of the cheap poly that it's strung with. If I string it with my usual Sensation 16 this shouldn't be a problem, though it might will make it overpowered. I also miss a bit of spin in the Ezone. I'm going to try the Blade 16x19. This one seems to have very good reviews. The Gravity MP might play great too. I'm also interested in the Vcore Pro 97 or 100, but these maybe are too underpowered.
Can anyone compare the Gravity and Vcore Pro with the Ezone 98?
Can anyone compare the Gravity and Vcore Pro with the Ezone 98?
25-TENNIS
Semi-Pro
I got a demo of a Blade 98 16x19 V7 and hit a couple of hours with it today. I like the feel, it's really solid, and the stability and plow is very good. Also, I can blast winners every time. The only thing is, I'm going to feel my shoulder a bit, which might be because of the high swingweight (compared to the Ezone 98, which I played with a lot this week, the Blade feels a lot heavier).
Can this be solved by making it more head light?
Can this be solved by making it more head light?
beltsman
G.O.A.T.
I haven't read this whole thread, but if you are 15 and have shoulder issues, is it not likely that it's your technique? I would put my money on technique rather than racquet.
25-TENNIS
Semi-Pro
Well, I don't want to do like I've Federer's technique, but I think I've a pretty good technique. Maybe it's just that I'm not used to hit with 325+ swingweights, but this was my first hit so I have to play with it more to find out if it's too high or not.
Also, there's a 98S with a lower swingweight. Anyone played with this one?
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Fxanimator1
Hall of Fame
Yes. I have made mine 7 points head light by doing this.
25-TENNIS
Semi-Pro
What did you customise on your Blade? Silicone, leather grip? Also, did the more head light balance affect the swingweight?
Fxanimator1
Hall of Fame
I use Blue Stick. It took many grams of it into the handle, but I was wanting the racquet to be 340gms and 7 points headlight,
To match my Pro Staff 97 racquets. The Blades are softer of course, which was the whole purpose.
As far as swingweight, I increased its static weight, It’s pretty heavy either way.
Blue Stick is very pliable and rubbery. It’s somewhat dense/heavy and can be removed easily. Also you can weigh out 1 gram
Balls of it to match weight.
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Karma Tennis
Legend
If you are inserting the bare putty inside the handle, make sure that you replace it at regular intervals because over time it will tun into a sticky gooey mess. Once it gets to that point it will be very hard to completely remove it all from inside the handle.
The better alternative is to wrap it in cling film prior to placing it inside the handle. Will be much easier to remove in that instance.
And one thing many do not realise ... you can use adhesive putty pretty much anywhere on the racquet frame to test various customisations. Much easier to use than lead tape for testing because it is easy to peel off and apply in different positions. And it will not fly off the racquet during play.
25-TENNIS
Semi-Pro
I played two hours today with the Blade and a little bit with the Ezone.
Blade:
+ Great control
+ Stability and plow-through is perfect
+ I love the solid feel
+ Flat winners are easy to hit
+ No vibrations
- Too hefty for me
- Not enough free power
- I can't easily hit heavy balls and add spin to my shots.
Ezone:
+ Power level is great
+ Control is good
+ Comfort
+ Spin is good (with a spinny string even better)
- Not enough stability and plow (lead maybe solve this)
- Not the really solid and nice feel as the Blade
So I'm looking for something with:
• the same or slightly lower power level of the Ezone, but more power than the Blade
• Solid feeling
• Comfortable
• Spin-friendly like the Ezone
• Max. 325SW
• Open string pattern
I don't know if there's a racket that meet all my demands, though.
Do you have any recommendations for what I should demo?
Blade:
+ Great control
+ Stability and plow-through is perfect
+ I love the solid feel
+ Flat winners are easy to hit
+ No vibrations
- Too hefty for me
- Not enough free power
- I can't easily hit heavy balls and add spin to my shots.
Ezone:
+ Power level is great
+ Control is good
+ Comfort
+ Spin is good (with a spinny string even better)
- Not enough stability and plow (lead maybe solve this)
- Not the really solid and nice feel as the Blade
So I'm looking for something with:
• the same or slightly lower power level of the Ezone, but more power than the Blade
• Solid feeling
• Comfortable
• Spin-friendly like the Ezone
• Max. 325SW
• Open string pattern
I don't know if there's a racket that meet all my demands, though.
Do you have any recommendations for what I should demo?
Fxanimator1
Hall of Fame
Clash 98.
Unfortunately, I used one today for our usual 3 hour hit....now I have to get a second one.
I started out with my Blade’s to warm up and then went to the Clash, and I never switched back for the
rest of the session.
I really like the Blade’s for sure and have used them since last August, they are excellent racquets, but using that Clash for an entire session...DAMN!
It destroys the ball yet, somehow feels comfortable/flexible.
I had no adjustment period whatsoever. I bought one to just sort of test, but was a little nervous reading posts that stated
they were for huge topspin hitters, weren’t as stable on volleys etc.
My Blade’s are weighted up to 340gm all in the handle. This thing is at 333gm after I changed out the grip, power pads, dampener, yet
Still hits a bigger ball on every shot. Although I admit volleys were slightly less stable, but only very slightly.
Ever other shot sounds like a gunshot going off, very loud racquet.
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25-TENNIS
Semi-Pro
How does the Clash 98 play compared to the Blade? Same stability and a solid feel? Does is have more or less power than the Ezone 98?
Fxanimator1
Hall of Fame
I wrote more above in that post I just made, because I am going to copy it and paste it into that Clash 98 thread.
Compared to the Blade, same stability and solid feel on ground strokes and serve, might need a few grams at 3 and 9 to stabilize
it on volleys, BUT, it hit volleys well still. I have never used an Ezone98, so cannot say.
I used the Clash 100 at that Clash Tour event here in Orlando and didn’t like it, this Clash 98 is nothing like that one to me.
I am not sure when it came out, but would likely have gone with it over the Blade had I known then what I know today after
Hitting with it.
Karma Tennis
Legend
I would suggest Pure Aero VS but I imagine you will baulk at the thought of using a Babolat racquet.
25-TENNIS
Semi-Pro
So after an 1.5 hour session today I'm sure the Blade isn't the right racket for me. It just hasn't enough power for me. This results in swinging the racket harder and somehow swinging it differently, which I can feel in my shoulder. Although I love the feel of the Blade, it just doesn't really fit my game. I do play with quite some spin and with the Blade I have to hit flat to strike winners.
Also got ±1.5 grams of lead at 12 O'clock on the Ezone 98 to try it out a bit. I can feel the difference, not sure if it's better though, but I have to play more with it.
Meanwhile I still want to demo some more rackets. Something with feel and stability like the Blade, and power and spin like the Ezone.
As mentioned in a post above by @Fxanimator1 the Clash 98 maybe is what I'm looking for, so I'll try to get a demo of that one. Are there other sticks that are worth demoing?
Also got ±1.5 grams of lead at 12 O'clock on the Ezone 98 to try it out a bit. I can feel the difference, not sure if it's better though, but I have to play more with it.
Meanwhile I still want to demo some more rackets. Something with feel and stability like the Blade, and power and spin like the Ezone.
As mentioned in a post above by @Fxanimator1 the Clash 98 maybe is what I'm looking for, so I'll try to get a demo of that one. Are there other sticks that are worth demoing?
25-TENNIS
Semi-Pro
Little update: after demoing some more rackets I eventually bought the Vcore Pro 100. It has a really nice feel and great control. It does miss some weight and stability though. I've put 8g of lead (4x 2g strips) at 3 & 9. I haven't used any lead on this stick yet. 8 grams might be a bit too much, maybe 4g is enough.
How much does 8g at 3 & 9 add to the swingweight?
How much does 8g at 3 & 9 add to the swingweight?
Karma Tennis
Legend
2.8 grams added to each side of the hoop should give you a 10 to 12 point increase in SW.
You can probably get a rough estimate from the info linked below ...
https://www.tennis-warehouse.com/lc/customize.html
Quarter-inch (1/4-inch wide) TW customization tape is lead free. It's packaged in lengths of eight-inch strips. Each strip is equivalent to one-tenth of an ounce (0.1 oz / 2.8 grams).
Weight added at 3 o'clock and 9 o'clock location will expand the sweetspot outward toward the weight placement. One 8-inch strip added on each side of the hoop (two strips total) will increase the total mass by 0.2 oz, equaling 1 balance point less head-light and a 10- to 12-point increase in swingweight.
Tecnifibre XTC 305 would be perfect.
