Please recommend 18x20 racquets that are not so heavy

[ChimpChimp]

I've been using VCore Pro 97 HD for eight months. I love the angle precision, but my shots are shallow and flat with low net clearance and often even go into the net. I feel the racquet heavy and difficult to manoeuvre. My VCPHD total weight is 344g. My leaded DR98 is 352g, and I feel it lighter. Of course the feel is more about swing weight than static weight.

My opponent said my strokes with VCPHD were flat and shallow. Those with DR98 (in the same session) were loopy, deep and pushing him back. The difference was huge, he said. Scores showed it too. I'm starting to think whether this VCPHD suits me, or whether 18x20 suits me at all.

Another 18x20 that I've tried is Blade 2015. It should be close to 0pt balance, I felt it head heavy and I had sluggish strokes with it. I tested it only for a few minutes. Other than this and VCPHD I have no experiences on 18x20.

So I wonder if there're 18x20 that give really head-light feel, and are in the range 300-310g unstrung?

 

[WYK]

The last two models of the Speed Pro are almost outlayers. They have a launch angle closer to a 16X20, good power, and low swingweight, with decent stability.
I have one strunmg up with TB 120 that is forgivign enough to use for doubles.

Having said it, Blades are fairly easy to swing all said, regardless of their balance. Give it more of a chance, or maybe tail weight it a bit.

 

[esm]

So I wonder if there're 18x20 that give really head-light feel, and are in the range 300-310g unstrung?

Ultra Tour should be do-able for you.

 

[Winners or Errors]

TF40 305?

 

[J D]

Tecnifibre TF40 305, Head Gravity Tour, Prince Textreme Tour 100P, Babolat Pure Strike 18x20, and Head Microgel Radical MP are all lighter and easier to swing 18x20's. I haven't hit with it yet, but supposedly the new Blade 18x20 v8 plays a lot less head heavy and is easier to swing.

 

[t_pac]

TF40 305?

Great frame for sure but probably not the best option if he's struggling with net clearance, it's got a pretty low launch angle.

Gravity Tour (maybe with 5g or so under the buttcap) would be worth a try.

 

[Curtennis]

There’s a Head Radical for around $100 on TW. That’s a great option. I have a friend who’s an easy 4.5 and that’s what he played with up until he went to gravity a few weeks ago.

 

[10S-Junkie]

I have both the VCP 97HD and VCP 97D. Ball trajectory is a bit higher with the new 97D.
However, have you tried thinner gauge strings in your 97HD to lower the weight? I use a hybrid of 18 gauge HG and HGS to lower the swingweight, get more spin and to help with trajectory. (I am not a string breaker though)

You may want to experiment with strings and tension before you give up on the 97HD. Or demo the 97D

 

[Irvin]

Racquet Finder

 

[ChimpChimp]

Gravity Tour (maybe with 5g or so under the buttcap) would be worth a try.

Seems that when speaking of Gravity, it's Gravity Tour, not Pro or other ones. Why?

 

[ChimpChimp]

However, have you tried thinner gauge strings in your 97HD to lower the weight?

I experimented a lot and found that I like thin strings, not for the weight but for the feel. Thick strings have a board feel. I'm not a string breaker and I string for myself so thinner strings have only the good side. I'm using Pro's Pro Red Devil 1.19. There's also RD 1.14 too, which is likely my next reel.

 

[ewiewp]

Tecnifibre TF40 305, Head Gravity Tour, Prince Textreme Tour 100P, Babolat Pure Strike 18x20, and Head Microgel Radical MP are all lighter and easier to swing 18x20's. I haven't hit with it yet, but supposedly the new Blade 18x20 v8 plays a lot less head heavy and is easier to swing.

There's also volkl v feel v8.
I wonder which one is most powerful?

 

[10S-Junkie]

I experimented a lot and found that I like thin strings, not for the weight but for the feel. Thick strings have a board feel. I'm not a string breaker and I string for myself so thinner strings have only the good side. I'm using Pro's Pro Red Devil 1.19. There's also RD 1.14 too, which is likely my next reel.

Cool. What tension(s) are you using on your HD?

 

[ChimpChimp]

Cool. What tension(s) are you using on your HD?

52/50. I tried lower but the stringbed was bouncy.

 

[t_pac]

Seems that when speaking of Gravity, it's Gravity Tour, not Pro or other ones. Why?

The Pro is an awesome frame but as you were after something a bit easier to swing, the Tour would be the better option IMO. On spec Pros are already fairly beefy, but over-spec ones can be really heavy and get a bit cumbersome.

Obv in terms of shape, size, string pattern they are comparable, but the Tour offers a bit more free power in a lighter package, but still heavy and stable enough to be a viable option. Pro obviously has more plow and supposedly slightly better feel.

 

[10S-Junkie]

52/50. I tried lower but the stringbed was bouncy.

Hmm, I string around 50 as well.
Maybe demo the new VCP 97 310 then?

 

[esm]

Seems that when speaking of Gravity, it's Gravity Tour, not Pro or other ones. Why?

GPro is on the heavier side, 315g unstrung weight, plus if you are unlucky, you can get strung SW upwards of 340SW…

 

[n8dawg6]

if youre dead set on using an 18x20, the speed pro is the most forgiving one.

 

[aaron_h27]

18x20 and light rackets don't really mix. They're very underpowered. I would recommend getting a denser 16x19 frame or 16x20 and finding a string that gives you the directional control you want.

 

[Power Player]

Seems that when speaking of Gravity, it's Gravity Tour, not Pro or other ones. Why?

i prefer the pro but id suggest hunting down a lighter specced one. They arent too rare to find.

the tour will have more free power and is a bit lighter which is why people suggest it.

 

[Rosstour]

TF40 305?

I use these and they are incredible.

 

[CosmosMpower]

I have both the VCP 97HD and VCP 97D. Ball trajectory is a bit higher with the new 97D.
However, have you tried thinner gauge strings in your 97HD to lower the weight? I use a hybrid of 18 gauge HG and HGS to lower the swingweight, get more spin and to help with trajectory. (I am not a string breaker though)

You may want to experiment with strings and tension before you give up on the 97HD. Or demo the 97D

yep go with an 18 gauge poly

 

[Lorenn]

Seems that when speaking of Gravity, it's Gravity Tour, not Pro or other ones. Why?

I really Like the Gravity Pro over the Tour, but it is hard to recommend as it is a sizeable racquet. If you would like the Pro, you likely already know what you are looking for...Tour is a little bit more accessible.

When someone normally asks for a 18x20 with extra pop. Speed Pro would be my first suggestion. Prince Textreme Tour 100p second. TF Third. Blade and Gravity Pro. One of the mentioned racquets should work well.

 

[Dartagnan64]

Simple answer to get more out of your Yonex is to go with a thinner string gauge and a higher differential between mains and crosses, say 5 lbs rather than 2 lbs. That will give you a higher launch angle and more spin potential without replacing your racket.

Always remember that much of the performance of a racket is the strings and optimizing them to give you the ball flight characteristics you desire is the first place to start.

When I get a new frame, I shadow swing with it through all my strokes to get a feel for how I like the balance. I'll modify that first to get a weight and balance I prefer. Then I'll use some judgement as to the power level to determine my base main string tension. Then I'll consider the string pattern to set up my tension differentials (less differential for more open patterns). At this point I'm pretty good at getting a string setup that works well with any frame I own and I've got 93 mids and 107 OS frames in my rotation.

 

[glenWs]

I've been using VCore Pro 97 HD for eight months. I love the angle precision, but my shots are shallow and flat with low net clearance and often even go into the net. I feel the racquet heavy and difficult to manoeuvre. My VCPHD total weight is 344g. My leaded DR98 is 352g, and I feel it lighter. Of course the feel is more about swing weight than static weight.

My opponent said my strokes with VCPHD were flat and shallow. Those with DR98 (in the same session) were loopy, deep and pushing him back. The difference was huge, he said. Scores showed it too. I'm starting to think whether this VCPHD suits me, or whether 18x20 suits me at all.

Another 18x20 that I've tried is Blade 2015. It should be close to 0pt balance, I felt it head heavy and I had sluggish strokes with it. I tested it only for a few minutes. Other than this and VCPHD I have no experiences on 18x20.

So I wonder if there're 18x20 that give really head-light feel, and are in the range 300-310g unstrung?

Prince Tour 100P. 305 unstrung, 18X20.

 

[NiktheGr]

Between Solinco Confidential and Revolution which strings do you recommend for the HD? Which one gives more free power and spin? Has anybody tested them in full bed?

P.S: HD is an excellent racket regarding feel, stability, control and ball pocketing, but there is a lack of spin and power due to open pattern and low stifness. Also, it is the best racket for hitting super volleys and serves and therefore I use it mainly in doubles. Yonex VCore Pro 97 310 is my choice for single matches, because it helps me more in defensive situations due to higher stiffness which reflects to more free power.

 

[nov]

2022 Speed Pro, maybe Prince Tour 100p.

 

[ariwibowo]

CX 200 Tour 18x20 without leather grip would be around 305grams

 

[yogictennis]

VCore 95 with hybrid stringing is the GOAT for me. Serial racket switcher, but this is simply the best I tried. Easy to swing, large sweet spot, but precise, and I am sure that it's bigger than the advertised 95 square inch.

 

[BumElbow]

Head MicroGel Radical midplus. I have one and it plays great - very plush!

 

[Teddie]

Head Youtek Radical MP, 295gr plushy feel, 18x20, low net clearance, best directional control ever.. you can hit as hard as you can and ball still lands in!!

 

[DropvolleysRhard]

Head Youtek Radical MP, 295gr plushy feel, 18x20, low net clearance, best directional control ever.. you can hit as hard as you can and ball still lands in!!

Not sure OP is still looking considering this thread is from 2021.

 

[John Kawasaki]

Volkl V-Cell V8 Pro......Volkl V-Cell 10 (300g)

 

[KungfuTennis]

Large head size: Speed Pro
Small head size: CX200 Tour

 

[emhtennis]

Second the Prince TT100P or Phantom equivalent.

You can also get custom Angells as low as 290g

 

[Ryebread]

Tf40 305 18x20!
So much control and comfortable too

 

[ChimpChimp]

Not sure OP is still looking considering this thread is from 2021.

I got a Head Gravity Tour after recommendations from this post, played for one year, found it sluggish, wanted a more head-light racquet, recently changed to Wilson Burn FST 99s, a 18x17 with very closed pattern in the middle mains, like its whippiness but am worried about stiffness. In a word I'm still looking. Newer recommendations are still Prince Textreme Tour 100P, Tecnifibre TF40 305 and Dunlop CX200 Tour, which I still eager to try, in this order.

 

[Weekendhacker]

You can just get an 18x20 racquet at Angell and specify your desired weight.

 

[TennisHound]

Freakin old thread

 

[Ryebread]

I got a Head Gravity Tour after recommendations from this post, played for one year, found it sluggish, wanted a more head-light racquet, recently changed to Wilson Burn FST 99s, a 18x17 with very closed pattern in the middle mains, like its whippiness but am worried about stiffness. In a word I'm still looking. Newer recommendations are still Prince Textreme Tour 100P, Tecnifibre TF40 305 and Dunlop CX200 Tour, which I still eager to try, in this order.

Sent you a PM
Cheers

 

[TennisHound]

Head Youtek Radical MP, 295gr plushy feel, 18x20, low net clearance, best directional control ever.. you can hit as hard as you can and ball still lands in!!

Why’re you draggin up these old threads?

 

[4-string]

Old thread or not - if you start a new one you get replies like "do a search, there's already dozens of threads on this". Damned if you do, damned if you don't.

Head Speed Pro FTW. I have the previous gen (2022?) and also had the one before that. The previous one is just an amazing racquet, and so forgiving and easy to use for an 18x20. If not for the Novak connection...

 

[TennisHound]

lightweight 18x20?. I’m guessing under 305g unstrung?

 

[ChimpChimp]

lightweight 18x20?. I’m guessing under 305g unstrung?

unstrung 320g like VCore Pro 97 HD is heavy, 300-310 ok for me.

 

[ChocoLab]

Dunlop seems like the obvious choice to me. Most of us complain that it's too light, lol.

 

[TennisHound]

@ChimpChimp Any of the pre-Graphene Radical MPs are the way to go. IG was my personal favorite from these. There is also the 6.1 95 Team.

 

[oldmanyellingatcloud]

gonna echo what many have said here and if you can find a couple IG, Microgel, Liquidmetal, i., or Ti. Radical MPs on a good deal go for it. each plays a little differently but they're all maneuverable and have a level of comfortable control and power you don't get from many frames these days. slap a leather grip on them and some lead if they're too light for you stock and they'll play even better.

 

[Bigmctennis]

Either Speed Pro 2022 or maybe that Yonex 100D? Throwing another bid in for the speed pro though as a long time user, racket can really do anything

 

[jimmy8]

Speed pro feels light and whippy.

 

[kvan]

I’ll agree that the speed pro is a versatile racquet but I wouldn’t consider it whippy unless underspec. CX200 tour is way more whippy stock. Prestiges even at higher static weight if balanced right can be super fast feeling, too.