Radical OS or Blade 104 or something new?

[Tennisguy777]

My first question is, is the Radical OS 107 sq. in. discontinued? I ask cause I only see the microgel version available for sale. Is there no graphene xt radical oversize? I'm trying to decide between the blade 104 or microgel radical os. I'm looking for a headlight os racket, 102-107 sq. in. with 18x19 or 18x20 pattern and 10.5 - 11.3 oz strung and moderately thin beam with low sw under 320. The blade 104 and radical OS seem to be the only ones to fit the bill.

I am longtime LM radical mp and Dunlop Aerogel 300 4d tour user and both sticks are not cutting it for me anymore. I'd go with the microgel radical OS in a heartbeat but I want to avoid the head grip shape, want something similar to the Dunlop. I use 5/8 have somewhat normal size hands but they are thin and the rectangular grip plus small head size is hurting my game, I'm also not seeing the ball as I used to. I'm in my 30's and I'm getting beat by 45-55 year olds using 110 sq. in. sticks in leagues. I need the racket to do a little more work.

I also think the speed mp looks great and grip shape may suit me. Is there a significant or noticeable increase in head size from radical mp to speed mp which is a 100? I think there was a 102 sq. in. speed before? I play lefty with both single and double handed backhand. Also for whatever reasons the blade 104 is not available in 5/8, just can't win these days. Any advice is appreciated.

 

[BlueB]

Blade 104 is one of the nicest frames I've tried!
It is light enough that it can take shrink sleeve to increase the grip size to 5/8. It's going to make it even more headlight, so you'd be ax be to add some lead tape on the hoop, if you wanted more SW.

Sent from my SM-G900W8 using Tapatalk

 

[moon shot]

From what I recall the Wilson amplifeel handles run a little large. The head speed line has a more 'standard' shaped handle. The players OS frames have mostly been overtaken by 100 square inch frames. Yonex 100 frames may be worth a look as they are often said to play bigger.

Look up the swingweight of your frames. Are you late to react or feel you are lacking power? Finding the right swingweight for you will help you connect more than a simply a bigger frame.

 

[jarko111]

Wilson 104 is a very nice racquet. I like the rounder head shape. Much more spin than the Red Ls 105.
Have you ever tried the Extreme IG S 107?

 

[n8dawg6]

scroll down a little to the pure drive 107 thread. there's also the textreme warrior 107 now. in all honesty, i think you'll find a maneuverable 100 sq in racquet to fit the bill just fine and it will open up your options.

 

[LeeD]

I come from your position, 4DAero300, looking for more easy power but much bigger sweetspot.
Have a MGRadOS, doesn't have any power at all, especially lacking in serve power.
Have a Prince Red 0S, not bad on power, very similar to APD and Dunlop 500's, possibly TOO similar.
Have a Prince Shark OS, good power, almost PD like, but very unweidy around the net.
Sticking to a combination of Dunlop Aero500's and F5T for now, sorta like APD and PD.

 

[moon shot]

In regards to head size the difference isn't very dramatic, but it will be felt in power, maneuverability, and control.

Just for grins here is a Jack Kramer Autograph (65?), Pro Staff 90, and Blade 104

 

[Tennisguy777]

From what I recall the Wilson amplifeel handles run a little large. The head speed line has a more 'standard' shaped handle. The players OS frames have mostly been overtaken by 100 square inch frames. Yonex 100 frames may be worth a look as they are often said to play bigger.

Look up the swingweight of your frames. Are you late to react or feel you are lacking power? Finding the right swingweight for you will help you connect more than a simply a bigger frame.

Yeah I feel I'm late to react on both wings and I lack power on my backhand side. I feel comfortable with the weight of the LM radical MP. The aerogel 4d 300 tour is slugish for me now on all shots, especially serves.

Is there a noticeable size difference between the LM radical MP and the speed mp 16x19 (youtek graphene) or the graphene XT MP available in Europe and in the USA as MPA or now the new graphene XT MP LTD? I feel jumping from 98 sq. in. to 104-107 might be a bit dramatic but I am no longer in the US and don't have the luxury of demoing or buying rackets where I live. I'll have one chance sometime in the next couple of months when someone comes to visit to receive my rackets and I'll be stuck with that choice for at least a couple of years.

That is why I figured the blade 104 or microgel radical OS would be safe bets, but both I have an issue in terms of grips the blade no 5/8 and the radical I'm trying to avoid the pallet shape. I have a buddy here who has the graphene speed lite I'll try and see if the head size increase is noticeable. I believe Roger went from a 90 to a 97 and that did wonders for him, guess I can use the help too.

 

[LeeD]

The 1/2 MGRadOS is the same grip size as most 5/8ths, but still very lacking in power.
I found my LMRadMids and the Mfil200's are about the same when I create power, but the heavier 200's block back with more power and can handle heavier balls from better players.
I'd look at the Blade104 and PD107, and be ready to add around 16" of 1/2" lead tape to both handle and heads of those.

 

[moon shot]

LM Radical MP:
98sq.in.
11.2oz.
325 swingweight

Aerogel 4d 300 tour:
95sq.in.
12.3oz
352 swingweight

I can see a trend in the dunlop playing worse than the radical. The tour is quite a bit more beefy than the normal 300 or radical.

You could consider swingweight to measure how much effort it takes to move the racquet. So if you are swinging late or can't get the stick where it needs to be for volleys, a lower swingweight will be more mobile. The downside to that is a lower swingweight transfers less energy into the ball so you'll find less depth.

Dunlop is super cheap these days, a Biomimetic M3.0, M5.0 or M6.0 would all swing and get into position easier than what you have now.

LeeD's suggestion of lead tape is a great idea. It would allow you to buy a racquet you like and add weight to alter the balance, stability, or power if you feel it is getting pushed around.