Racquets with Very Flexible Hoops?

[2kay]

Hi all,

Is anybody here familiar with racquets with very flexible hoops? I've demoed the Völkl C10 Pro, and while it felt better on contact than any other racquet I've ever tested, the high swing weight (330) made it too difficult on my shoulder for me to use. So I was wondering whether there were any similar-feeling alternatives.

I'm specifically referring to racquets with flexible hoops, not flexible (low RA) racquets in general. With the C10 Pro, I could feel the hoop flexing as I struck the ball, with high dwell time, and while I really enjoyed that feeling, I haven't been able to find it in other racquets.

Thanks!

 

[loosegroove]

I read the title and immediately thought of the Volkl C10 Pro. The Prince Phantom 100 and Phantom Pro 100 both have flexible hoops.

 

[2kay]

I read the title and immediately thought of the Volkl C10 Pro. The Prince Phantom 100 and Phantom Pro 100 both have flexible hoops.

Have you used the C10 Pro? Do you know if there's a version with a lower swingweight than the current version (330)? Just curious to see if I could find an older version that's more manageable.

 

[Ronaldo]

Found 20 yrs ago the Head Tour series have a very flexible hoop. So flexible that when stringing you can change the shape,

 

[2nd Serve Ace]

I read the title and immediately thought of the Volkl C10 Pro. The Prince Phantom 100 and Phantom Pro 100 both have flexible hoops.

The phantom 100 has a muted hoop kinda like the clash, the phantom pro 100 is the one with the flexy ball feel hoop.
(Vcore pro 310 would be better recommendation)

 

[JustTennis76]

When I demoed the Yonex VCore Pro HD 18x20, it was very flexible. The Flexpoint Prestige Mid/MP also had a flexible hoop from what I remember.

 

[loosegroove]

Have you used the C10 Pro? Do you know if there's a version with a lower swingweight than the current version (330)? Just curious to see if I could find an older version that's more manageable.

Yup, used one years ago, can't remember the exact model year. But the swingweight wasn't that hefty. More in the 320's, so I think they bumped up swingweight at some point.

EDIT: Her you go.Older Volkl C10 Pro Specs

 

[pow]

Most flexible hoop I've tried is prokennex Redondo mp 98.

 

[socallefty]

How is the feeling different between a racquet with a flexible hoop and a racquet that has flexible RA stiffness in general? Curious on which shots you feel the difference and how you perceive the difference. Thanks.

 

[2nd Serve Ace]

How is the feeling different between a racquet with a flexible hoop and a racquet that has flexible RA stiffness in general? Curious on which shots you feel the difference and how you perceive the difference. Thanks.

Muted hoops (clash, oport prince, v7 blade, 360+ speeds) are easy on the arm but don't transmit much ball-feel. Rally forehands are particularly frustrating with these frames as you don't sense how to react appropriately to the shot you are hitting.

 

[2kay]

Muted hoops (clash, oport prince, v7 blade, 360+ speeds) are easy on the arm but don't transmit much ball-feel. Rally forehands are particularly frustrating with these frames as you don't sense how to react appropriately to the shot you are hitting.

This is true. But I think it's also important to note that muted hoops are different from flexible hoops—or at least, that a hoop can be one and not the other. The Völkl C10 Pro, for instance, is very flexible in the hoop, but far from muted.

 

[Pneumated1]

In my experience, the K7 Lime was so muted with gut/poly, I had no idea what the ball was doing off the string bed, and most consider it uniform flex. The V7 Blade 18m I find to be muted but with much better connection and 'feel,' even if it does flex more in the hoop.

And another is the Angell TC97, which has a very flexible hoop but an almost firm feel (imo), even at 63-64 RA, because that stiffness is all throat stiffness.

 

[2nd Serve Ace]

This is true. But I think it's also important to note that muted hoops are different from flexible hoops—or at least, that a hoop can be one and not the other. The Völkl C10 Pro, for instance, is very flexible in the hoop, but far from muted.

Of course it's a spectrum. I will throw in another variable in for the c10 is it has wide main spacing which enhances flex and feel.

 

[Ronaldo]

Of course it's a spectrum. I will throw in another variable in for the c10 is it has wide main spacing which enhances flex and feel.

About to mention the string pattern, number of mains, spacing between strings. Those Yonex longbodies had it all.

 

[Simplicius]

.

I'm specifically referring to racquets with flexible hoops, not flexible (low RA) racquets in general. With the C10 Pro, I could feel the hoop flexing as I struck the ball, with high dwell time, and while I really enjoyed that feeling, I haven't been able to find it in other racquets.
Thanks!

Old stuff only...

- Pros Pro Art Of War has a feel close to Wilson K Factor Kobra Team FX. Both of them lack of weight on the tip, that's why they vibrate like a hell without 3-4g on the 12.

But C10 Pro is also old stuff...

Have you used the C10 Pro? Do you know if there's a version with a lower swingweight than the current version (330)? Just curious to see if I could find an older version that's more manageable.

No, the older versions are heavier & higher in sw...

 

[Dartagnan64]

Muted hoops (clash, oport prince, v7 blade, 360+ speeds) are easy on the arm but don't transmit much ball-feel. Rally forehands are particularly frustrating with these frames as you don't sense how to react appropriately to the shot you are hitting.

I play exclusively with Phantoms and I know exactly where and how deep my forehand shot is going every time. Including shots where my opponent is already lifting his finger to call out and I'm ready to yell "are you sure?" and he drops has hand, hangs his head and shouts, "No that's good, damn".

The Clash I can agree with. I think flexible hoop + Wide beam reduces the ball sense considerably. But any frame with a narrow beam gives me all the feedback I need no matter how muted and flexible it is.

And since the RDC machine puts a bar at the start of the hoop and pressure on the end of the hoop, are not all RA's actually a measure of hoop flex as that technique would seemingly eliminate the throat in the equation.

 

[2nd Serve Ace]

I play exclusively with Phantoms and I know exactly where and how deep my forehand shot is going every time. Including shots where my opponent is already lifting his finger to call out and I'm ready to yell "are you sure?" and he drops has hand, hangs his head and shouts, "No that's good, damn".

Canadians are fortunate to be in this honest of a league!

 

[miraq]

Prince EXO3 Tour, so many big holes in the hoop, it has to be flexible.

 

[graycrait]

Prince EXO3 Tour, so many big holes in the hoop, it has to be flexible.

I don't know one way or the other but this seems a reasonable assumption. Does anyone know for sure?

 

[Ronaldo]

I don't know one way or the other but this seems a reasonable assumption. Does anyone know for sure?

Personally, the older large head Red & Blue O3 racquets were so stiff I put them down after one game. EXO3 Tour was the best racquet locally for anyone with TE. Shame Prince never made another like it

 

[tennis347]

The Blade V7 line and Phantom line have a flexible hoop.

 

[zipplock]

Hi all,

Is anybody here familiar with racquets with very flexible hoops? I've demoed the Völkl C10 Pro, and while it felt better on contact than any other racquet I've ever tested, the high swing weight (330) made it too difficult on my shoulder for me to use. So I was wondering whether there were any similar-feeling alternatives.

I'm specifically referring to racquets with flexible hoops, not flexible (low RA) racquets in general. With the C10 Pro, I could feel the hoop flexing as I struck the ball, with high dwell time, and while I really enjoyed that feeling, I haven't been able to find it in other racquets.

Thanks!

Yonex VCP97 310 flexes more in the upper hoop than the Volkl C10 Pros do.

 

[big ted]

discontinued but i thought yonex tour f 93 had flexible head

 

[Ronaldo]

discontinued but i thought yonex tour f 93 had flexible head

Seems any company that makes a racquet that need a two-piece and a biscuit has a soft head. Is the Red Light on?

 

[Dragy]

And since the RDC machine puts a bar at the start of the hoop and pressure on the end of the hoop, are not all RA's actually a measure of hoop flex as that technique would seemingly eliminate the throat in the equation.

I think it's a myth. Nothing blocks the racquet from flexing as blue line indicates:

 

[BumElbow]

The Head MicroGel Radical Oversize has a flexible head though it is counterbalanced somewhat by the dense 18 x 19 string pattern and the addition of MicroGel. Still, it's flexible. Per TW, the RA is 56. I have not played the 98 sq. inch midplus version and cannot confirm if the head on the smaller version is flexible or not though I have heard it described as "plush."

 

[big ted]

Seems any company that makes a racquet that need a two-piece and a biscuit has a soft head. Is the Red Light on?

 

[PrinceYonex]

Yonex VCP97 310 flexes more in the upper hoop than the Volkl C10 Pros do.

The VCP 330 also has a noticeable hoop flex, especially when you swing a bit faster and lean into the shot a bit harder. But the static and swing weight are probably higher than the OP wants.

 

[Ronaldo]

Late Night Krispy Kreme reference?

 

[wassamara]

Pk black ace. Ra 55-56. Have the 300’version. Smooth. But prefer the head tour xtra long version cut to 27”. Heard that pk will launch the pro version. Most likely a smaller head size (97)

 

[2kay]

Most flexible hoop I've tried is prokennex Redondo mp 98.

Did you find this racquet viable for the modern game, if I may ask? Was it too underpowered, or did you get a good blend of power and spin with full strokes?

 

[pow]

Did you find this racquet viable for the modern game, if I may ask? Was it too underpowered, or did you get a good blend of power and spin with full strokes?

I have full poly in it and it's a little too underpowered for me. The 18x20 pattern isn't the most spin friendly string bed. I would not consider this a modern game racquet. It's a heavy, flatter-hitting, low-powered frame packed with feel which sounds like exact opposite attributes to what many would consider a modern racquet which tend to be lighter, open-pattern, stiffer, and no feel.

 

[Crashbaby]

Vcore pro 310 is my flexy stick. I tend to hit a bit high in the hoop on serve. You can really feel this flex when that occurs and is very arm friendly/forgiving in the upper hoop.

 

[2kay]

The Head MicroGel Radical Oversize has a flexible head though it is counterbalanced somewhat by the dense 18 x 19 string pattern and the addition of MicroGel. Still, it's flexible. Per TW, the RA is 56. I have not played the 98 sq. inch midplus version and cannot confirm if the head on the smaller version is flexible or not though I have heard it described as "plush."

I've actually demoed the current iteration of this racquet, but it felt…well, cheap and tacky. It was sort of a letdown, especially given how many good things I've heard about the old Microgel racquets.

 

[GreenClay]

Prince EXO3 Tour, so many big holes in the hoop, it has to be flexible.

Wish prince would bring back the exo3 tour 18/20. Super plush but the dense pattern keeps the racket from feeling too springy.

 

[BumElbow]

I've actually demoed the current iteration of this racquet, but it felt…well, cheap and tacky. It was sort of a letdown, especially given how many good things I've heard about the old Microgel racquets.

The MicroGels play like older school frames - they lack power and spin, and are control oriented. I disagree that they feel cheap, rather, their performance is not up to modern standards and that is part of what makes them so great. Many modern frames are exceedingly stiff and are not arm friendly; also, they are too light. In my opinion, the MicroGel cosmetics have not aged well. However, I have played for a long time and have tried many modern frames that do have performance benefits BUT playing with them results in arm injury and makes a tennis too much of one dimensional power game. I much prefer heavier and flexible racquets because they bring back the game that I like so much which required strategy and consistency. Anyone who wants a racquet with a flexible head is really saying they want a racquet that has comfort and control.

 

[Tommy Haas]

Wilson Hyper Pro Staff 7.1 Zone. The hoop was very flexible. The throat was also very flexible. Because both was very flexible it kind of felt like hitting with a wire coat hanger. But if you like dwell time and the feeling of the frame deform, the HPS 7.1 Zone is a top contender. I still have a pair.

 

[Ronaldo]

Wilson Hyper Pro Staff 7.1 Zone. The hoop was very flexible. The throat was also very flexible. Because both was very flexible it kind of felt like hitting with a wire coat hanger. But if you like dwell time and the feeling of the frame deform, the HPS 7.1 Zone is a top contender. I still have a pair.

Had a teammate on a league team who chassed this type of racquet. Bought those Wilson racquets like the PS 7.5 95, which is incredibly flexy yet never feels flexy in the throat. He settled on a Head Pro Stock Prestige mp. Hoop is pliable when stringing

Another player used the Wilson 7.0 OS, could be a Graf Auto. Strung a pr, never saw it before

 

[tonylg]

I have a Twin Tube Head Extreme Competition that has a ridiculously flexy hoop. I call it my pillow and believe it has a mid 40s RA. I've never felt a softer graphite racquet. It made my Phantom feel stiff.

 

[Ronaldo]

I have a Twin Tube Head Extreme Competition that has a ridiculously flexy hoop. I call it my pillow and believe it has a mid 40s RA. I've never felt a softer graphite racquet. It made my Phantom feel stiff.

Imagine the flex of the XL version of this racquet? True Ugly Stick