New racquet choice help

[Veens]

I'm getting a new racquet, and i'm thinking of either the Blade 98 16x19, The Head Youtek Graphene Speed MP, And the Head Youtek IG Radical Pro. So if anyone can help me, i'll appreciate it, thanks

And I want to know, what do you think is the difference between the Radical and Speed?

 

[MikeHitsHard93]

What's your reasoning for getting a new racket? What are you switching from? What is it that you want your new racket to do differently? What level player are you?

 

[Carefree]

I'm getting a new racquet, and i'm thinking of either the Blade 98 16x19, The Head Youtek Graphene Speed MP, And the Head Youtek IG Radical Pro. So if anyone can help me, i'll appreciate it, thanks

And I want to know, what do you think is the difference between the Radical and Speed?

I haven't hit with the Speed (any version). I've hit with the Blade 98 and I have the IG Rad Pro.

The IG Rad pro is really soft with a lot of plow through. Spec wise it seems very similar to the Blade but I find it a little more sluggish compared to the Blade but I also found it more stable and with more plow through. Based on this experience, I think that the Rad Pro has a higher SW than listed, or the Blade is lower. This could of course be due to QC.

Personally, I prefer the Rad Pro.

 

[Veens]

What's your reasoning for getting a new racket? What are you switching from? What is it that you want your new racket to do differently? What level player are you?

Well I need to get a new racquet, my racquet is like already SAFINated , which means is already old, i've used it for 4 years now and I need to get a new one. I'm switching from a Dunlop Biomimetic 500 Lite, Well my racquet to do? Well improve my swing and form, since the 500 Lite was light and I just have a different swing when I use light racquets. I'm a 4.0 player.

Based on this experience, I think that the Rad Pro has a higher SW than listed, or the Blade is lower. This could of course be due to QC.

I don't get it how swing weight helps, somebody explain this to me? Thanks.

 

[Carefree]

I don't get it how swing weight helps, somebody explain this to me? Thanks.

In a nutshell. A higher SW will have more power (all other things being equal), and it gives you more plow through when striking ball. These are all good things. However, the racquet will also be heavier to swing and harder to swing properly. I'm not an expert on these things, and there are numerous threads on here explaining this in more/better detail than I am able to.

 

[LeeD]

If you play net a lot, be wary the Blade is 11 oz with a 335 SW, not the best for volleying, but good for baseline play.

 

[Veens]

If you play net a lot, be wary the Blade is 11 oz with a 335 SW, not the best for volleying, but good for baseline play.

Well, im a baseliner. I don't usually net because im a singles player. Only nets when doubles

In a nutshell. A higher SW will have more power (all other things being equal), and it gives you more plow through when striking ball. These are all good things. However, the racquet will also be heavier to swing and harder to swing properly. I'm not an expert on these things, and there are numerous threads on here explaining this in more/better detail than I am able to.

So what's like the borderline or the middle of this Swingweight?

 

[Carefree]

If you play net a lot, be wary the Blade is 11 oz with a 335 SW, not the best for volleying, but good for baseline play.

I actually found the Blade better for volleying than the Rad Pro. It was easier to maneuver. However, my net game is atrocious either way. Not sure anything would help it.

To the OP. Maybe the Speed would be better for you, without going in to other racquet recommendations which will spin your head if you go through this board too much. It's a little more middle of the road, whereas the Blade and Rad Pro have some relatively unique set-ups (both low static weight to high swing weight ratio).

 

[Carefree]

So what's like the borderline or the middle of this Swingweight?

Really, it depends what you can handle. The Radical Pro is a little much for me. I like it and it feels great when having a hit around. Returning serve is fantastic in it. But, if I'm late, and hit the ball too flat, there's no saving it.

To me, personally, I think 330+ is a bit heavy (that's why I'm not sure about the Blade, it didn't feel like 330 if that's what my Rad Pro really is - QC again). Anything below 310 feels little flimsy to me.

Really, it's all down to the individual. You'll see people on this board who are much better players than me with SW below what I use. And some other equally good players who like SW in the 330 or 340+ range.

 

[Veens]

I actually found the Blade better for volleying than the Rad Pro. It was easier to maneuver. However, my net game is atrocious either way. Not sure anything would help it.

To the OP. Maybe the Speed would be better for you, without going in to other racquet recommendations which will spin your head if you go through this board too much. It's a little more middle of the road, whereas the Blade and Rad Pro have some relatively unique set-ups (both low static weight to high swing weight ratio).

I don't quite understand what you mean by "It's a little more middle of the road, whereas the Blade and Rad Pro have some relatively unique set-ups (both low static weight to high swing weight ratio)"

I'd better go on having a recommendation instead of choosing on my own, I regret sometimes if I chose for my self.

 

[LeeD]

Can go wrong with a almost 12 oz racket with a 322 SW.

 

[Carefree]

Coming from a Bio 500 Lite, you may find the Radical Pro to be quite a jump in swing weight. Actually, you may find all of those racquets to be quite demanding in comparison. It's quite a jump from 242g (unstrung) to 310+

 

[Veens]

Coming from a Bio 500 Lite, you may find the Radical Pro to be quite a jump in swing weight. Actually, you may find all of those racquets to be quite demanding in comparison. It's quite a jump from 242g (unstrung) to 310+

Well, i've used some 310+ racquets like the APD or Pure Drive, But I'm really avoiding stiff racquets, I've tried the Babo's and I have arm discomfort, this is also one part of why I want to change my racquet, due to arm discomfort.. But this is like a minor thing to me since 310+ are my choice of weight of a racquet.

 

[Carefree]

Can go wrong with a almost 12 oz racket with a 322 SW.

Yes, I'm not sure any of those racquets is a good step up from the Bio 500 Lite. But I think that the Speed MP and the Blade are the easiest to use of the 3.

I would definitely not recommend the Radical Pro. I found it a bit sluggish and that was coming from a Prestige MP. From a Bio 500 Lite I think it would be very difficult.

 

[Carefree]

Well, i've used some 310+ racquets like the APD or Pure Drive, But I'm really avoiding stiff racquets, I've tried the Babo's and I have arm discomfort, this is also one part of why I want to change my racquet, due to arm discomfort.. But this is like a minor thing to me since 310+ are my choice of weight of a racquet.

Check the TW stats for those racquets and have a look at the swing weights. The Rad Pro is about the same static weight as those 2, but the SW is much higher.

Rad Pro: 330
APD: 316
PD: 308

 

[MikeHitsHard93]

The speed mp is going to be the easiest to use and you can mod it a little here or there. Plus it's a little bit flexy. Go with that one.

 

[Veens]

Check the TW stats for those racquets and have a look at the swing weights. The Rad Pro is about the same static weight as those 2, but the SW is much higher.

Rad Pro: 330
APD: 316
PD: 308

Yes I totally agree with that, its too bad I couldn't find an exact specification about the 500 Lite, I would've loved to know the swingweight of the 500 Lite so I could easily understand either high or low swingweight I should get, But I think i'd like to stay on to 320's like the Speed MP for that, since the APD is at 316 which is almost at 320 (only a few numbers away) I think 320 is a good sw to start off with.

 

[Carefree]

Yes I totally agree with that, its too bad I couldn't find an exact specification about the 500 Lite, I would've loved to know the swingweight of the 500 Lite so I could easily understand either high or low swingweight I should get, But I think i'd like to stay on to 320's like the Speed MP for that, since the APD is at 316 which is almost at 320 (only a few numbers away) I think 320 is a good sw to start off with.

That's probably the right idea. I tried to look up the 500 lite specs but couldn't find the SW. It's funny, most places only list the weight and balance. Personally, I find the flex and SW to be the most important. Google it, there are plenty of threads on this board discussing it.

 

[CivicLx]

Are you able to demo racquets Veen? If you are, you may want to do that first

 

[LeeD]

I lead up my Aero500s with 18" of 1/4" lead tape at the head and 24" of the same stuff at the handle for a weight of 11 oz and a SW of around 320.
Your 500 lite would need another 8" or so of 1/4" lead tape at both location to match.

 

[Veens]

Are you able to demo racquets Veen? If you are, you may want to do that first

No sorry, I don't know any sports shop that demo's tennis racquets,

I lead up my Aero500s with 18" of 1/4" lead tape at the head and 24" of the same stuff at the handle for a weight of 11 oz and a SW of around 320.
Your 500 lite would need another 8" or so of 1/4" lead tape at both location to match.

I'm not that good applying Lead tapes, I'll try to learn more about those soon,