Racquet customization question

[anubis]

Let's say I want to make a couple of frames more head light. The frame is close to being even balanced. I know I'm going to have to add over 10 grams of weight to the handle to get it to be 5 or 6 points HL. The racquet has the typical synthetic grip, which is relatively light weight.

The easiest way would be to add a leather grip to it. That would add 10 grams right off the bat. I could make up the difference with silicone.

Or, I could keep the original grip and add over 10 grams of silicone.

Which is the better choice?

Thanks!

 

[movdqa]

Silicone is somewhat in-exact unless you're a pro customized. I'd suggest adding silicone and then brads ( small nails) for fine-tuning. It will keep your costs down and the nails are reversible.

 

[KaiserW]

Go to the customization tool and play around. You are going to need a lot of weight to make it 5 to 6 points more hl. My guess is around 20 grams.

 

[zalive]

10 grams of silicone won't bring anything noticeably better than 10 grams of blue tac or lead tape, only trouble if you want to remove it at any point.
Leather grip on the other hand doesn't maximize the head light effect, doesn't bring the whippiest result, best recoil weight increase (volley/returns stability) and best static moment cancellation.

I'd say go either with blue tac (or similar material) at the butt, or wrap some lead tape underneath the grip near the butt. Both easy to remove or to change the added mass.

 

[TinTin 1]

I would start with a leather grip. Then add weight as needed.

 

[392Hemi]

Go to the customization tool and play around. You are going to need a lot of weight to make it 5 to 6 points more hl. My guess is around 20 grams.

Id guess a bit more. I just removed a 15g heat shrink sleeve from my TT95 and it changed the balance by 2 points. If the weight is more concentrated towards the butt cap it will have a more pronounced effect but you're probably going to need in the neighborhood of 25g.

 

[Fxanimator1]

Let's say I want to make a couple of frames more head light. The frame is close to being even balanced. I know I'm going to have to add over 10 grams of weight to the handle to get it to be 5 or 6 points HL. The racquet has the typical synthetic grip, which is relatively light weight.

The easiest way would be to add a leather grip to it. That would add 10 grams right off the bat. I could make up the difference with silicone.

Or, I could keep the original grip and add over 10 grams of silicone.

Which is the better choice?

Thanks!

Use "Blue-Stik". You can measure out little one gram balls on a calorie scale and get the weight exact...and you can take it back out again if you want a change.

 

[zalive]

Id guess a bit more. I just removed a 15g heat shrink sleeve from my TT95 and it changed the balance by 2 points. If the weight is more concentrated towards the butt cap it will have a more pronounced effect but you're probably going to need in the neighborhood of 25g.

Good observation.
For 5-6 points more HL it takes adding around 20 grams, if placed near the butt (depends on static weight). I just calculated for 20 grams added at 1 cm from the butt on a 350 gram racquet, and the result is 5 pts more HL.

 

[Irvin]

If you have RacquetTune you can see exactly how much weight you need to add where to change the balance where you want. Actually there is no real number that will change the balance a set distance as it will depend on the starting weight and balance. Whether you can put silicone inside the handle will depend on what is inside the handle now. If you want a low cost version of silicone use plumbers putt, It only cost about $2/pound. Putty is like play dough and if you know how much weight yo need to add weigh it out and put it in the handle. If you can take some build up on the outside of the handle lead tap is surely an option. I replaced the synthetic grip on one of my Tecnifibre 320 racket with a Tec leather grip and the result was the same - all leather grips are navy.

As far as what is best that's going to depend on you personally. I prefer placing blutac or putty in he handle but others may not or can not. Except for grip size placing lead around the handle is also a good option and probably the easiest.

 

[fuzz nation]

Also be careful with the assumptions about leather grips - they're not necessarily much heavier (if at all) than some synthetic replacement grips. No arguing with that firm and connected feel they can bring though. Potentially very nice on their own or a nice foundation for an overgrip that still gives decent feel for the bevels.