jdeloach
Hall of Fame
I would like to thank Doc Hollidae for submitting this review.
**Remember, this review is strictly based on Doc Hollidae's experience. If you disagree....write your own!**
Design & Comfort 10/10
The paintjob is obviously a classic. The racket’s cosmetics are a replica of the Trisys 260. My usual racket is a Liquidmetal (LM) Radical OS and the first noticeable thing about the Limited Edition (LE) is the weight. The LE unstrung weighs just as much as the LM strung. For me it was perfect in weight, as I found the LM too light. The weight of the racket took a little adjusting to, Hitting with the LE can be described in one work: solid. Even off center shots gave no vibration. Changing the direction on hard struck balls was stable and controlled. Hitting with the LE is similar to hitting with a Pure Drive, but with more flex and feel. They both have that solid “thud” feeling upon contact. The stability of this racket really stands out. There was a consistent response and every hit is solid and crisp.
Overall – This is probably the most stable and solid racket I’ve ever hit with. Whether on time, late, or off centered each shot gave the same solid and consistent response. For those with arm problems and can handle the weight, this racket is definitely easy on the arm, as it is 100% graphite and with little to no vibration, The paintjob is a classic. It is a collector’s item so it has all of Agassi’s slams printed on the throat, except for Wimbledon ’92 when he was with Donnay.
Groundstrokes 10/10
The LE was made for the baseline. The racket is moderately powered. The weight of the racket definitely translated to more pace of my strokes. I found the sweet spot very large. If counting the crosses starting with the bottom, Crosses #6-15 are the sweetspot. This racket is excellent for short backswings and blocking back balls with lots of pace. With the LM Radical many of my blocked shots would land short and stability was poor, the LE hit with more depth and pace when blocking and shorting backswings. Many balls I would usually hit in the middle of “No Man’s Land” were landing about 6 inches inside the baseline to the baseline consistently. Topspin was easy and many of my shots look like they were going to go long, but would suddenly drop and kick out. Slice was solid and smooth. I didn’t have a slice float long on me once. When flattening out my groundies pace was easy to come by. The weight of the racket definitely helps here and the dense string pattern (18x19) allows you to keep the ball in play. Control was superb with this racket. I was able to change direction of the ball easily and even when I hit long, I didn’t feel like balls were flying. Everything was solid and consistent. The string bed played softer at high tensions than other rackets. The LM Radical at 64lbs with CyberFlash is very boardy and stiff. 64 lbs of the LE had much more feel and felt closer to 61-62 lbs.
Overall – This is a racket is great for baseliners and counterpunchers. Groundstrokes are very effortless as long as the weight doesn’t bother you. Aggressive baseliners will enjoy the control, while counterpunchers will enjoy the depth and effortlessness when blocking back the ball and shortening backswings. The racket is very stable and comfortable. Not many OS’s play with this balance of power and control.
Volleys 8/10
Like groundstrokes, volleys were very solid and stable. However being an OS, off centered volleys hit near the frame at 3 and 9 o’clock were a weak spot, as expected with an OS and volleying. On a positive note, off centered volleys produced little to no vibration with little racket twist. Pace was easy to handle and the LE definitely excels with punch volleys. Putting away volleys was very easy and controlled. Touch shots and sharp angled volleys were average. Aggressive punch volleys are definitely the best category though. The weight of the racket makes it a little slow to maneuver with shots hit into the body. The weight is most notable in longer volley exchanges, but provides for good pop and stability. I was able to keep volleys and half volleys deep and low to the ground.
Overall – The LE Radical is by no means a serve and volleyer’s racket, but it is more than adequate in the volley department. Like mentioned above, the racket really excels with punch volleys. Punch volleys are easily controlled and directed. Poly isn’t the have the greatest playability, so touch and finesse are a little skewed. Touch was average at best. Volleyer’s with longer backswings and more finesse oriented net play will not find this their ideal racket. It isn’t the most maneuverable racket. The weight is noticeable, but an average weight for player’s racket. That’s the one aspect the LM beats out the LE. Like I said, it’s not the ideal volleying racket, but it is more than adequate.
Serves 9/10
I’m not a big server, but my serves were much harder compared to serving with the LM. The weight of the racket definitely helps add pace. Kick serves had good depth and height. The spin was very heavy and had a steep drop. I was able to go for on my second serve than I would with my LM due to the heavy topspin created and control. I played 2 full sets with a guy about 6’ – 6’1” and kick serves were consistently elbow to shoulder height on him. Flat serves had lots of pop. Slice serves had good spin and stayed low, but flat and kick serves were definitely better. I was able to place serves well and with control was good. Kick serves were best, followed by flats then slices.
Overall – Excellent racket to serve with. The stiffness and weight both provide additional pace. The stability and minimal vibration gives a great feeling on serves. Flat serves are complimented by that sweet “thud” sound. Slice serves had good spin, but were nothing special. Kicks really shined and were definitely the strongest point. The OS gives a nice large stringbed for the ball to brush against.
Final Thoughts
Although this is not an exact replica of the Radical Tour Trisys 260, it is still an excellent player’s racket. Aggressive baseliners with two handed backhands will love the balance in control and power. The spin, power, and control of groundstrokes were excellent. The stability of the racket give a very solid feeling and allows you to remain aggressive when facing pace or changing the direction of the ball. There is very little racket twist or vibration even on hard struck off centered shots. This racket would be idea for counterpunchers, aggressive baseliners, and all-courters who favor the baseline. Control and topspin are definitely two selling points for this racket. I’ve hit with every Radical except for the Original Trisys 260 and this is hands down the best Radical to date. I played with the Radical Tour Twintube for a long time and loved that racket, but this rackets offers so much more versatility as the Twintube wasn’t nearly as good at the net. Although it is suppose to be a collector’s item, this is still a serious player’s racket. It plays very similar to a Pure Drive, so people that find the Pure Drive too stiff or powerful might find this a satisfying option. Head should definitely release this racket permanently.
Total Score 9.25/10
**Remember, this review is strictly based on Doc Hollidae's experience. If you disagree....write your own!**
Radical Limited Edition OS
String – Topspin CyberFlash 17g @ 64 lbs
Weight - 12.2oz with Gamma Hi Tech Gel grip, Blue Tournagrip, and #64 Rubber Band
Weight - 12.2oz with Gamma Hi Tech Gel grip, Blue Tournagrip, and #64 Rubber Band
Design & Comfort 10/10
The paintjob is obviously a classic. The racket’s cosmetics are a replica of the Trisys 260. My usual racket is a Liquidmetal (LM) Radical OS and the first noticeable thing about the Limited Edition (LE) is the weight. The LE unstrung weighs just as much as the LM strung. For me it was perfect in weight, as I found the LM too light. The weight of the racket took a little adjusting to, Hitting with the LE can be described in one work: solid. Even off center shots gave no vibration. Changing the direction on hard struck balls was stable and controlled. Hitting with the LE is similar to hitting with a Pure Drive, but with more flex and feel. They both have that solid “thud” feeling upon contact. The stability of this racket really stands out. There was a consistent response and every hit is solid and crisp.
Overall – This is probably the most stable and solid racket I’ve ever hit with. Whether on time, late, or off centered each shot gave the same solid and consistent response. For those with arm problems and can handle the weight, this racket is definitely easy on the arm, as it is 100% graphite and with little to no vibration, The paintjob is a classic. It is a collector’s item so it has all of Agassi’s slams printed on the throat, except for Wimbledon ’92 when he was with Donnay.
Groundstrokes 10/10
The LE was made for the baseline. The racket is moderately powered. The weight of the racket definitely translated to more pace of my strokes. I found the sweet spot very large. If counting the crosses starting with the bottom, Crosses #6-15 are the sweetspot. This racket is excellent for short backswings and blocking back balls with lots of pace. With the LM Radical many of my blocked shots would land short and stability was poor, the LE hit with more depth and pace when blocking and shorting backswings. Many balls I would usually hit in the middle of “No Man’s Land” were landing about 6 inches inside the baseline to the baseline consistently. Topspin was easy and many of my shots look like they were going to go long, but would suddenly drop and kick out. Slice was solid and smooth. I didn’t have a slice float long on me once. When flattening out my groundies pace was easy to come by. The weight of the racket definitely helps here and the dense string pattern (18x19) allows you to keep the ball in play. Control was superb with this racket. I was able to change direction of the ball easily and even when I hit long, I didn’t feel like balls were flying. Everything was solid and consistent. The string bed played softer at high tensions than other rackets. The LM Radical at 64lbs with CyberFlash is very boardy and stiff. 64 lbs of the LE had much more feel and felt closer to 61-62 lbs.
Overall – This is a racket is great for baseliners and counterpunchers. Groundstrokes are very effortless as long as the weight doesn’t bother you. Aggressive baseliners will enjoy the control, while counterpunchers will enjoy the depth and effortlessness when blocking back the ball and shortening backswings. The racket is very stable and comfortable. Not many OS’s play with this balance of power and control.
Volleys 8/10
Like groundstrokes, volleys were very solid and stable. However being an OS, off centered volleys hit near the frame at 3 and 9 o’clock were a weak spot, as expected with an OS and volleying. On a positive note, off centered volleys produced little to no vibration with little racket twist. Pace was easy to handle and the LE definitely excels with punch volleys. Putting away volleys was very easy and controlled. Touch shots and sharp angled volleys were average. Aggressive punch volleys are definitely the best category though. The weight of the racket makes it a little slow to maneuver with shots hit into the body. The weight is most notable in longer volley exchanges, but provides for good pop and stability. I was able to keep volleys and half volleys deep and low to the ground.
Overall – The LE Radical is by no means a serve and volleyer’s racket, but it is more than adequate in the volley department. Like mentioned above, the racket really excels with punch volleys. Punch volleys are easily controlled and directed. Poly isn’t the have the greatest playability, so touch and finesse are a little skewed. Touch was average at best. Volleyer’s with longer backswings and more finesse oriented net play will not find this their ideal racket. It isn’t the most maneuverable racket. The weight is noticeable, but an average weight for player’s racket. That’s the one aspect the LM beats out the LE. Like I said, it’s not the ideal volleying racket, but it is more than adequate.
Serves 9/10
I’m not a big server, but my serves were much harder compared to serving with the LM. The weight of the racket definitely helps add pace. Kick serves had good depth and height. The spin was very heavy and had a steep drop. I was able to go for on my second serve than I would with my LM due to the heavy topspin created and control. I played 2 full sets with a guy about 6’ – 6’1” and kick serves were consistently elbow to shoulder height on him. Flat serves had lots of pop. Slice serves had good spin and stayed low, but flat and kick serves were definitely better. I was able to place serves well and with control was good. Kick serves were best, followed by flats then slices.
Overall – Excellent racket to serve with. The stiffness and weight both provide additional pace. The stability and minimal vibration gives a great feeling on serves. Flat serves are complimented by that sweet “thud” sound. Slice serves had good spin, but were nothing special. Kicks really shined and were definitely the strongest point. The OS gives a nice large stringbed for the ball to brush against.
Final Thoughts
Although this is not an exact replica of the Radical Tour Trisys 260, it is still an excellent player’s racket. Aggressive baseliners with two handed backhands will love the balance in control and power. The spin, power, and control of groundstrokes were excellent. The stability of the racket give a very solid feeling and allows you to remain aggressive when facing pace or changing the direction of the ball. There is very little racket twist or vibration even on hard struck off centered shots. This racket would be idea for counterpunchers, aggressive baseliners, and all-courters who favor the baseline. Control and topspin are definitely two selling points for this racket. I’ve hit with every Radical except for the Original Trisys 260 and this is hands down the best Radical to date. I played with the Radical Tour Twintube for a long time and loved that racket, but this rackets offers so much more versatility as the Twintube wasn’t nearly as good at the net. Although it is suppose to be a collector’s item, this is still a serious player’s racket. It plays very similar to a Pure Drive, so people that find the Pure Drive too stiff or powerful might find this a satisfying option. Head should definitely release this racket permanently.
Total Score 9.25/10
