prestige rackets

Squid

Rookie
sorry if i spelled it wrong, but why do prestige rackets have that long black grommet strip all the way around the head? and what are CAP grommets?
 
You answered your second question already. ;) They add weight to the head, protect the hoop and strings, and annoy stringers to no end.
 
that long black grommet your are talking about ARE CAPs grommets. Onyx basically said all the benefits, but i think they do a great job in protecting the frame...you can hit the side of the frame anywhere and not have to worry about the frame itself from getting scratches. however, they are softer than traditional grommets so they won't last as long
 
CAP grommets = Computer Aided Protection. They were originally made for the original Prestige Pro and were made of a material called Pebax. This material is softer than the recent CAP's available and it was designed to help absorbe any shock when the rqt head came into contact with the court surface. I believe that initially the Prestige Pro had the full CAP system, but there were 2 other rqts which had CAPs just across the top of the rqt just like the standard bumper strips. These rqts were the Elite Pro (emerald green in colour) and the Elektra Pro (light metallic green in colour). The CAPs were white. Head continued the Prestige line but changed the elite/elektra line to encompass the start of the widebody era and they also introduced 2 other headsizes; the master (660") and the director (720"). They still had CAPs on them but eventually Head dropped those 2 lines. Head then introduced the Pro Tour which is 630" and had the full CAP's but they were no longer made of Pebax. And that pretty much brings us up to date.

I don't think they want to use them on the Radical range because they're trying to impress upon us the lightness of the rqt. Adding CAPs will add weight which is not what they're selling.

If you want CAPs on a Radical then you can use the ones from the PT630 or any Midplus Prestige although I've found the i.prestige fit the best on Radicals. The only radicals I haven't put CAPs on is the Flexpoint, but as soon as I get one (to string) then I'll have a go.

Here endeth the lesson

Paul
 
OnyxZ28 said:
The TX Pro, which came before the Prestige Pro, had CAPS as well.
Onyx, I stand corrected. Thanks for reminding me of the TX Pro, although I don't think it was released in Europe.

Regards

Paul
 
I went to the Pebax site, and got a kick out of their description:

Lightweight
Pebax® Resin has a very low density that allows the design of lighter parts. Pebax® Resin is ideal for outsoles, offering resilience to repeated stress, along with resistance to distortion and deformation.
Great flexibility
Maximum strength where you need support, flexibility where you need movement. Pebax® Resin grades can be combined within a single component to provide stiffness
at one end, flexibility at the other. Controlled flexibility that governs the movement of the shoe and returns it to its original shape at each stride.
Dampening Shock
Dampening Shock absorbance in sports equipment improves control and increases enjoyment. Pebax® Resins can absorb the shocks and vibrations normally experienced (e.g. with tennis rackets).
Cold Resistant
Unlike toes and fingers, Pebax® Resins don't stiffen in cold weather. Snow shoe deckings made with Pebax® Resins retain their mechanical properties (strength and impact resistance) and resilience under frigid conditions (-40°C).
Resiliency
Premium golf balls exploit Pebax® Resins high resistance to deformation and excellent compressive strength. Pebax® Resins in various core technologies offers excellent resistance to permanent deformation, which can improve distance and ball flight.
High Strength
Pebax® Resin is an ideal material for high performance athletic shoes and equipment. Exceptional compression and fatigue resistance make Pebax® Resin the best choice
for outsoles where high strength and support are needed at low density.

Pebax® Resin can be injected into very low thickness parts.
Easy processing
Pebax® polyether block amides are plasticizer-free thermoplastic elastomers belonging to the engineering polymer family. They are easy to process by injection molding and profile or film extrusion. Pebax® can achieve a wide range of physical and mechanical properties by varying the monomeric block types and ratios.

Pebax® can be easily melt blended with other polymers. It offers a good resistance to most chemicals and a large ability to be impregnated with fragrances.

I want my scented CAPS, NOW!
 
OnyxZ28 said:
I went to the Pebax site, and got a kick out of their description:



I want my scented CAPS, NOW!

lol...strawberry or cherry scented LM prestige :)
 
Menthol to clear my sinuses while I'm playing!


"... why are you sniffing your racquet vigorously? ... freak."
 
how did the flexpoint radical play with the cap gromets? I will be getting 3 flexpoint rad 98's in a few days and have never tried them before. Ive used the i.prestige mid for 2 years.
Do you think the flexpoint rad with Cap gromets would feel anything like my i.prestige mid? I want a bigger head-size but with all the same characteristics of my i.prestige mid...
 
Hi Tiger

I guess you're referring t my earlier post. Once I read yours and then re-read mine I realised I said that the only radicals I have put on is the flexpoint radical. I've corrected so it read the only radicals i haveN'T......is the flexpoint radical. Sorry for the mis-understanding.

If I do get the chance to put the on a flexpoint rad I'll let you know how it goes.

Regard

Paul
 
well, could tell me how it has worked on your other frames? i have tried radicals before, but the low weight was just too much of an adjustment. So im wondering if a radical with a cap grommet and leather grip would create a prestige-like frame with a slight boost in power, spin, and a lager head.
 
uk_skippy said:
I believe that initially the Prestige Pro had the full CAP system, but there were 2 other rqts which had CAPs just across the top of the rqt just like the standard bumper strips. These rqts were the Elite Pro (emerald green in colour) and the Elektra Pro (light metallic green in colour). The CAPs were white. Here endeth the lesson
Paul

Good info Paul

Just to add, TXp pro was the first with full cap as mentioned by Onyzx28, but maybe different material.

The green elite pro and blue elektra pro comes with white bumper guard, not full cap.
 
Just to add on to Tandayu, uk_skippy & OnyxZ28 comments,

If you take the Head lineage back one generation to the original Graphite (Black paintjob with red highlights) & Comp Pro (Grey paint) circa 1985?....they had a "urethane-like" (perhaps the Pebax material mentioned) bumper molded to the perimeter of the hoop. The final paint job was added over this bumper. In theory, this was probably the birth of the C.A.P. grommet idea in the Head engineering/design dept.

I guess when the entire industry began adding visable bumpers to their frames this molded "hidden" bumper was dropped real fast in favor of the replaceable CAP system.

-slice
 
SliceServe said:
Just to add on to Tandayu, uk_skippy & OnyxZ28 comments,.....If you take the Head lineage back one generation to the original Graphite (Black paintjob with red highlights) & visable bumpers to their frames this molded "hidden" bumper was dropped real fast in favor of the replaceable CAP system. -slice

Deuce is the expert on this. You are talking about the original USA graphite pro. I have several, but there are 2 different print on the frames:

" Tubular graphite design with firm tailored flex. Dense string pattern for greater ball control. Enlarged oval head for extended sweet zone" String tension recommendation 64-72 lbs

Some other frames has "Exclusive tubular graphite/fiberglass composite construction for an engineered firm flex. Molded-in head guard". Recommended string tension 55-70 lbs.
 
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