Revisiting the Head Liquidmetal Radical MP

Kal-El 34

Kal-El 34

Hall of Fame
After hitting about every racket made the last 10 years, I picked up a couple Austrian Head LM Radical MP to see how they held up. I hadn’t hit with one since about 2006, and it was one of the first rackets I remember picking up and saying “wow”

After stringing one up, no modifications except new grommets and a new stock grip (babolat syntac) I gotta say this is still one of the best rackets I feel I have hit. Strung with Lynx Tour / Hawk rough combo. 17g at 56lbs

I have always preferred a tighter 18x20 pattern, and picking this back up just felt natural. Nice access to both power and control, serves like a monster, and feels great around the net. Might hit it a few more times to be sure
 
I really enjoyed the Liquid Metal series...I like quite a few models before as well but stop upgrading with the LM.
 
3loudboys said:
The LM’s were and are great sticks. Used them with lead in the hoop and tac in the handle weighted to 340g strung. Solid, plush feel and super control.
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Can you share how much tack you put in the handle and how much / where you put the lead in the hoop? I have some old LM radicals but they're a bit too unstable against heavy hitters. Would like to weight them up
 
the_ghost said:
Can you share how much tack you put in the handle and how much / where you put the lead in the hoop? I have some old LM radicals but they're a bit too unstable against heavy hitters. Would like to weight them up
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Sure - I had 3g in 6 inch strips at 3 and also at 9 so a total 6g in the hoop. This brought the strung weight up to approx 318g or thereabouts. I added 14g of tac in the handle close to the butt end and added a Head Extreme Soft over grip which is approx 8g as well. This totalled 340g or pretty damn close.

Strung it up with Alu Power in the mains and Sensation crosses. Really plush feel and great from all areas of the court. Was never a spin machine but capable nevertheless. Only really stopped using them as got older and struggled with the heft. They are great sticks - only change I would make would be a true 98 head.
 
3loudboys said:
Sure - I had 3g in 6 inch strips at 3 and also at 9 so a total 6g in the hoop. This brought the strung weight up to approx 318g or thereabouts. I added 14g of tac in the handle close to the butt end and added a Head Extreme Soft over grip which is approx 8g as well. This totalled 340g or pretty damn close.

Strung it up with Alu Power in the mains and Sensation crosses. Really plush feel and great from all areas of the court. Was never a spin machine but capable nevertheless. Only really stopped using them as got older and struggled with the heft. They are great sticks - only change I would make would be a true 98 head.
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Thanks !!!
 
The LM Radical MP is a great racquet.

I'm a fan of the LM iterations. I also have 2 LM Prestige MPs and an Austrian LM Prestige Mid. All are great, but the Mid is one of my favourites along with my Pro Stock IG Prestige Mid. The feel of the LM racquets is excellent, IMO.

Will never sell them.
 
Might have to put this in classic racquets! :p

I have an Austrian one (think had a sticker on it) and then a China one... boy were they completely different. Needless to say kept the first!
 
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The LM Radical MP is an absolute God-tier racquet. I almost went on the hunt for a pair a while back after hitting one that a friend brought out. But then I remembered that I had sworn off chasing down old frames and that reminded me that for all its greatness, it's still a pretty demanding stick to use. Not to say I'd pass on the chance to own a couple of the Austrian ones if it came up.

But I'm currently playing with the 21 Rad MP, and while it's a different beast that the LM there are some moments where it evokes the feeling and nostalgia of older Rads.
 
ryushen21 said:
The LM Radical MP is an absolute God-tier racquet. I almost went on the hunt for a pair a while back after hitting one that a friend brought out. But then I remembered that I had sworn off chasing down old frames and that reminded me that for all its greatness, it's still a pretty demanding stick to use. Not to say I'd pass on the chance to own a couple of the Austrian ones if it came up.

But I'm currently playing with the 21 Rad MP, and while it's a different beast that the LM there are some moments where it evokes the feeling and nostalgia of older Rads.
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i can agree with that point as I had been tinkering with the current get and liked it a lot. Really shines on serve return and easier access to spin. However, I just felt like it was lacking when I really wanted to thump one. I played with the weight and just never got it dialed in. Felt the LM was better on serve, attacking and at the net for sure. I don’t consider the LM radical to be a demanding stick by any means.
 
Kal-El 34 said:
i can agree with that point as I had been tinkering with the current get and liked it a lot. Really shines on serve return and easier access to spin. However, I just felt like it was lacking when I really wanted to thump one. I played with the weight and just never got it dialed in. Felt the LM was better on serve, attacking and at the net for sure. I don’t consider the LM radical to be a demanding stick by any means.
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Fair enough. The current Rad is definitely a modern update to the line. But I like it a lot.

The LM will always have a place for enthusiasts and feel fetishists.
 
Kal-El 34 said:
current gen radical is a good stick though I can see a ton of people being happy with it. Seems to get lost in the mix these days though
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Yes have demo'd a lot of racquets the past few months thats a real sleeper racquet very good. Really love how maneuverable it feels smoothest racquet ever to move around in the air.
 
ryushen21 said:
Fair enough. The current Rad is definitely a modern update to the line. But I like it a lot.

The LM will always have a place for enthusiasts and feel fetishists.
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The interesting question is which modern racquet is closest to the LM series...

Blade, Gravity or 2021 Radical. I ended up With Gravity Pro but could see reason to end up with the others. Radical Pro wasn't an option at the time of the switch but I did try it upon release. I did enjoy playing with the frame but didn't see a reason to switch from the Gravity Pro. Blade give it a serious run as well...would be a hard choice if I wasn't happy with the Gravity.
 
Lorenn said:
The interesting question is which modern racquet is closest to the LM series...

Blade, Gravity or 2021 Radical. I ended up With Gravity Pro but could see reason to end up with the others. Radical Pro wasn't an option at the time of the switch but I did try it upon release. I did enjoy playing with the frame but didn't see a reason to switch from the Gravity Pro. Blade give it a serious run as well...would be a hard choice if I wasn't happy with the Gravity.
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I'm actually battling it out between the Radical MP and the Gravity Pro right now. There's so much to like about both frames. I feel like the Radical is easier to use and has a bit more pop but the Gravity is so versatile and reliable even if it does lack a little depth.
 
Lorenn said:
The interesting question is which modern racquet is closest to the LM series...

Blade, Gravity or 2021 Radical. I ended up With Gravity Pro but could see reason to end up with the others. Radical Pro wasn't an option at the time of the switch but I did try it upon release. I did enjoy playing with the frame but didn't see a reason to switch from the Gravity Pro. Blade give it a serious run as well...would be a hard choice if I wasn't happy with the Gravity.
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Why wouldn't you just buy a used LM?
 
Aestheticsaboveallelse said:
Lmao traffic cone PJ... I think its cool, living up to the name with a "radical" neon orange paint job really stands out. Works well just for this racquet.
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I thought it would grow on me and then I stacked it next to the Liquidmetal Pj and remembered how much I liked that. Also - the gloss they used on the LM was amazing you could almost not chip those frames
 
Aestheticsaboveallelse said:
Why wouldn't you just buy a used LM?
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Details details details...
I played with the LM Radical since release. Hunting down old racquets was becoming unenjoyable ...Which gets us back to the question... which is the best modern copy of the Early Radical series...between the Blade, Gravity and Radical Series...if you feel other racquets are close they can be debated as well.

ryushen21 said:
I'm actually battling it out between the Radical MP and the Gravity Pro right now. There's so much to like about both frames. I feel like the Radical is easier to use and has a bit more pop but the Gravity is so versatile and reliable even if it does lack a little depth.
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It would've been interesting between the Radical Pro(360+) and Gravity if both were released when I was searching. MP(360+) was insane I had to actually slow down my swing a little to keep my timing functional. For me at my progression point in tennis decide the extra forgiveness of the gravity line was the better option. I still enjoy playing with the Liquid metal series but overall for my game I think the Gravity series is the right choice for me. If I was twenty I might easily go the other way.
 
Lorenn said:
It would've been interesting between the Radical Pro(360+) and Gravity if both were released when I was searching. MP(360+) was insane I had to actually slow down my swing a little to keep my timing functional. For me at my progression point in tennis decide the extra forgiveness of the gravity line was the better option. I still enjoy playing with the Liquid metal series but overall for my game I think the Gravity series is the right choice for me. If I was twenty I might easily go the other way.
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Interesting, despite the added real estate, I've found the Gravity Pro to be the more demanding frame. I have to keep that focus tighter, make sure I'm in position, and swing clean to really get the most out of it. But it is such a sweet-swinging and feeling frame. The variety of shots I can execute with confidence is unlike anything I've played with before and it may be the best-controlled 100sq.in frame ever. Absolutely love it.

But the Radical MP does everything well too and is a little easier to use. It's a serious battle.
 
ryushen21 said:
Interesting, despite the added real estate, I've found the Gravity Pro to be the more demanding frame. I have to keep that focus tighter, make sure I'm in position, and swing clean to really get the most out of it. But it is such a sweet-swinging and feeling frame. The variety of shots I can execute with confidence is unlike anything I've played with before and it may be the best-controlled 100sq.in frame ever. Absolutely love it.

But the Radical MP does everything well too and is a little easier to use. It's a serious battle.
Click to expand...

It depends on the user...Radical MP(360+) requires a bit more mental focus. Gravity pro I can swing away. Gravity Pro weights more but I am accustom to heavy racquets so it is not an issue. Mainly the GP spoiled me with its open sweet spot. It is not as rewarding feelwise but it makes it easier to play. Had I not used the GP for months(plus already owned them) I might've picked the Radical Pro/MP over it. I really did enjoy both radical frames...was scary how quick I was with the MP.
 
Lorenn said:
It depends on the user...Radical MP(360+) requires a bit more mental focus. Gravity pro I can swing away. Gravity Pro weights more but I am accustom to heavy racquets so it is not an issue. Mainly the GP spoiled me with its open sweet spot. It is not as rewarding feelwise but it makes it easier to play. Had I not used the GP for months(plus already owned them) I might've picked the Radical Pro/MP over it. I really did enjoy both radical frames...was scary how quick I was with the MP.
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My Rad MPs are leaded so there is only about an 8g difference between them and my GPro. I actually think that I am going to just keep two Rads and grab a second GPro and just play with whatever I feel like on the day. I play really well both of them and can switch between them with relative ease. So why pick one when I can have both?!
 
ryushen21 said:
My Rad MPs are leaded so there is only about an 8g difference between them and my GPro. I actually think that I am going to just keep two Rads and grab a second GPro and just play with whatever I feel like on the day. I play really well both of them and can switch between them with relative ease. So why pick one when I can have both?!
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So when looking for racquets I tested the Speed series and liked the MP 360+ so much I purchased one as an off day racquet. I can easily change between the Gravity Pro and the Speed MP without issue. Radical Pro(360+) was the same. Radical MP(360+) I had to change my one handed backhand timing slightly. Blade 18x20 was fun. I am never adverse to having two sets of racquets. IMHO every player should. In the old days I would use Liquid Metal OS as my off day option.
 
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Lorenn said:
It depends on the user...Radical MP(360+) requires a bit more mental focus. Gravity pro I can swing away. Gravity Pro weights more but I am accustom to heavy racquets so it is not an issue. Mainly the GP spoiled me with its open sweet spot. It is not as rewarding feelwise but it makes it easier to play. Had I not used the GP for months(plus already owned them) I might've picked the Radical Pro/MP over it. I really did enjoy both radical frames...was scary how quick I was with the MP.
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That makes sense Gravity is all about huge sweetspot and radical mp is like the most maneuverable quickest racquet I've ever tried
 
Where this frame isn’t quite as fast as the current gen radical it excels in almost every area outside of that

plow through much better
Control much better
Feel much better
Stability much better

found the sweet spot to be comparable, better at the net, and better in serves. Just going to use these again for awhile really enjoying hitting them again
 
Kal-El 34 said:
Where this frame isn’t quite as fast as the current gen radical it excels in almost every area outside of that

plow through much better
Control much better
Feel much better
Stability much better

found the sweet spot to be comparable, better at the net, and better in serves. Just going to use these again for awhile really enjoying hitting them again
Click to expand...
Here I am trying to battle it out between the current Rad MP and the Gravity Pro and this thread keeps popping up. I'm fighting the temptation but you are making it very difficult.
 
Kal-El 34 said:
Where this frame isn’t quite as fast as the current gen radical it excels in almost every area outside of that

plow through much better
Control much better
Feel much better
Stability much better

found the sweet spot to be comparable, better at the net, and better in serves. Just going to use these again for awhile really enjoying hitting them again
Click to expand...
Glad you brought up the racquet heard about it back in 2010 or so when I was in high school, never got a chance to try it will have to buy one sometime didn't know its that good
 
It funny you brought this post up. I went and strung up my LM Radical Tour stock with confidential 17g at 52 and it was really hard to get it out of my hands. Im currently trying out the new ezones for more free power. But the control and plow of the LM radical tour is very nostalgic.
 
vndesu said:
It funny you brought this post up. I went and strung up my LM Radical Tour stock with confidential 17g at 52 and it was really hard to get it out of my hands. Im currently trying out the new ezones for more free power. But the control and plow of the LM radical tour is very nostalgic.
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i thought I’d sway towards the current gen radical for more free power but the old LM radical is better especially on defensive and half swings. The extra stability and plow really help keep the ball deep pretty effortlessly

the radical tour was an awesome stick too just too heavy for me now at 37
 
I thought you played well with the radial MP. Scary to think you could play better with the LM radical. What's the age limit for the senior tour? I think you are ready.
 
Kal-El 34 said:
i thought I’d sway towards the current gen radical for more free power but the old LM radical is better especially on defensive and half swings. The extra stability and plow really help keep the ball deep pretty effortlessly

the radical tour was an awesome stick too just too heavy for me now at 37
Click to expand...

How much do they differ in weight?
 
vndesu said:
It funny you brought this post up. I went and strung up my LM Radical Tour stock with confidential 17g at 52 and it was really hard to get it out of my hands. Im currently trying out the new ezones for more free power. But the control and plow of the LM radical tour is very nostalgic.
Click to expand...
Such a beast of a racquet, just too heavy for 3 sets on clay for me. But in set 1 i should Actually take it from my bag.
 
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