No mods I guess for now? I mean for me it was a bit too heavy in stock form already, but if I remember correctly you are playing with heavy and customized sticks right? Enjoy
Revisiting the Head Liquidmetal Radical MP
- Thread starter Kal-El 34
- Start date
Classic-TXP-IG MID
Hall of Fame
The only "modification" so far, is that I have put on 2 overgrips which has made the balance more HL. At 342g strung, this is one of my lighter racquets, which means there is more room for customisation if I require it. I may add some weight in the handle to further increase the HL balance, but I don't think I will need to add further weight in the head. The sweet spot could be a bit bigger (in an ideal world), but then we are playing a never ending game of adding more to the head and then more to the handle in order to keep the more HL balance that I prefer (which will result in a racquet that will be too heavy and too powerful and uncontrollable).
The racquet is plenty stable already, and if I spend more time on my fitness and technique, rather than trying to create an absolutely perfect string bed, I think I will have a greater return on effort put in (a better return on investment).
chrischris
G.O.A.T.
Did you have a chance to try them out, side by side?
Classic-TXP-IG MID
Hall of Fame
If you're asking me... I have not. I've strung a bunch of racquets and am trying to play with them before the strings give out. Additionally, it's been raining here a lot and therefore I have not been able to hit as much as I'd want.
Classic-TXP-IG MID
Hall of Fame
Still enjoying the Volkl Cyclone 1.15mm (18L) Mains and Klip Syn Gut in the Crosses. The racquet is very good for a consistent hitting experience, it communicates what is happening on the string bed very well, directional control is outstanding (the same as the regular LM Rad MP), and I am able to handle the incoming pace with ease. I like the balance of the LM Rad Tour MP better than the regular MP (with which I play very well but always have to get used to the more heavy head feeling). I love both versions though. At the current strung weight of 342g the LM Rad Tour MP is very easy to manuevere and I have no problem whipping the racquet through the shot and creating higher RHS on-demand.
The only thing I would change is the pallets... I prefer the tk82s, but I can't be bothered making the change, as I can play with both. It's more noticeable when I am moving from one racquet to another (like a Wilson or Prince or a Head with tk82s pallets to the rectangular pallets). Not a big problem.
I'm glad you're liking the Razor Code. I have not tried that string, but I have such a large stash of strings... that it will be a while before I use them all up.
Last edited:
Kal-El 34
Hall of Fame
I replaced the original grip with an Oehms black leather so added a few grams to the handle that way
Classic-TXP-IG MID
Hall of Fame
I'll probably do that to the LM Rad MP. Did it years ago to a previous one I had... but it was in the early days of my modifying my racquets... I also added a very small amount to the head as well (at 3,9, and 12 - but small amounts, maybe 0.75-1g in each location)... and it made the racquet so powerful on the serves, that I couldn't control it (on the groundstrokes it was great, but the serve... I just could not control it).
This time, I might only add weight to the handle.
Classic-TXP-IG MID
Hall of Fame
I find that Volkl Cyclone in the 18L gauge is a bit more lively than other strings of the same gauge (can produce quite a bit of power), so I tend to string it a couple of pounds tighter than other polys of the same gauge. With a different string or one that was more lower-powered, I would probably go to 45-46 lbs in the Mains. If it was a full bed of poly (either the same or a poly/poly hybrid of two different types), I would usually also have a differential between the Mains and Crosses (eg. 46M/43C, or 48M/45C, etc).
Hope that helps, and let us know how you go.
Kal-El 34
Hall of Fame
H22 fan
Semi-Pro
Volkl Cyclone 1.20 mains, Max Power 1.20 crosses.
Classic-TXP-IG MID
Hall of Fame
Currently, in my LM Rad Tour MP, I've got Völkl Cyclone 18L (1.15mm) in the Mains, and Klip Tournament XL Syn Gut (1.20mm) in the Crosses. Both are @ 48 Lbs. Plays great. When the weather improves (lots of rain at the moment), I'll be trying a Gut/soft poly combo (probably Klip Gut/MSV Co-Focus).
In my LM Rad MP, I've had Luxilon Alu Power, and it played very well, but we all know it doesn't last too long.
I'll be trying some softer thinner gauge polys like: MSV Co-Focus 1.18mm; Weiss Cannon Red Ghost 1.18mm (which has worked very well in other Radicals and 18x20s); and then poly/syn gut hybrids, and Gut/soft poly hybrids.
How about yours?
Last edited:
H22 fan
Semi-Pro
@Kal-El 34, if I remember correct, you were using some h22’s in k blade tour pj, saw some pics posted by you a few years ago, beautiful frames. Why did you stop using them? For me h22 is much better than lm radical, actually I could not find something better.
Kal-El 34
Hall of Fame
sold them. Got $400 per frame for them and I honestly didn’t like them as much. Was hoping those were the ones
H22 fan
Semi-Pro
I think that ones, they were beautiful, that’s the reason you got that good price.
There are quite a few layups used for h22’s, maybe those had some layup you did not like.
Kal-El 34
Hall of Fame
they were good. They actually belonged to Taylor Fritz as test frames. Pretty cool. The specs were great as this was a lighter version and lended well to customizing further. They were nice but I still like these radicals better. Best part about tennis is it’s all preference
Fed Kennedy
Legend
Kal, very much enjoyed the thread. I have a soft spot for old radicals. In your view how did the flexpoint radical mp stack up to this one?
chrischris
G.O.A.T.
Have you tried Gamma Moto. 18 gauge mains and 17 gauge Xone biphase crosses at 51 lbs? For me, its a heavenly hybrid set up.
Kal-El 34
Hall of Fame
I tried the flex point radical tour, MP and the prestige from this line and didn’t care for any of them. This hole drilled through the side drove me nuts. I DID have some flex point paint job PT57A for a bit that were pretty sweet
harryz
Professional
So thankful for this thread, Kai-El 34. Have been using IG Rad Pros for the past year plus and stocked up on them, but have missed the feel of a solid beam frame. Yesterday I had the good luck to hit with an H22 that belonged to Milos Raonic. The lead had been removed. So incredibly stable and solid... Yet since they're essentially unobtainium from Chicago anymore, I have decided to look elsewhere. I also refuse to pay $$$ for a frame, in principle. Had gotten demos of TF 40 305 and 315 (Mark Boone is the best- and then found a LM Rad MP on Craigs locally. Picked it up last night, taught and hit with it today and am hooked. I'm 59 and days of heavy, thin frames are gone. Have moved to lower static weight and reasonable SW for more maneuverability. Was inclined to go with a V7 or V8 Blade but the LM is better for me I removed the grip, added two layers of blue painter's tape on the two largest bevels to make the grip more square replaced the grip with leather and am using tournagrip. Otherwise still stock. What a sweet frame. Plush, stable and solid... Fortunately, I've already found a few more....
So, are there butt cap codes or other ways to identify MIA or Czech frames? The one I bought has a black butt cap insert and had a "made in China" sticker on the bottom. Fantastic nevertheless.
Apologies for the long post, and thanks again! You guys helped me find my goldilocks.
Harry Z
and then found a LM Rad MP on Craigs locally. Picked it up last night, taught and hit with it today and am hooked. I'm 59 and days of heavy, thin frames are gone. Have moved to lower static weight and reasonable SW for more maneuverability. Was inclined to go with a V7 or V8 Blade but the LM is better for me I removed the grip, added two layers of blue painter's tape on the two largest bevels to make the grip more square replaced the grip with leather and am using tournagrip. Otherwise still stock. What a sweet frame. Plush, stable and solid... Fortunately, I've already found a few more....So, are there butt cap codes or other ways to identify MIA or Czech frames? The one I bought has a black butt cap insert and had a "made in China" sticker on the bottom. Fantastic nevertheless.
Apologies for the long post, and thanks again! You guys helped me find my goldilocks.
Harry Z
Kal-El 34
Hall of Fame
So thankful for this thread, Kai-El 34. Have been using IG Rad Pros for the past year plus and stocked up on them, but have missed the feel of a solid beam frame. Yesterday I had the good luck to hit with an H22 that belonged to Milos Raonic. The lead had been removed. So incredibly stable and solid... Yet since they're essentially unobtainium from Chicago anymore, I have decided to look elsewhere. I also refuse to pay $$$ for a frame, in principle. Had gotten demos of TF 40 305 and 315 (Mark Boone is the best-
So, are there butt cap codes or other ways to identify MIA or Czech frames? The one I bought has a black butt cap insert and had a "made in China" sticker on the bottom. Fantastic nevertheless.
Apologies for the long post, and thanks again! You guys helped me find my goldilocks.
Harry Z
these are the kinds of posts that I love. So fun to revisit some frames and then hear about how others feel about the same racket (good or bad). Glad you’re enjoying it. I play them pretty much stock but swapped grip for an oehms leather and two overgrips
rlau
Hall of Fame
I think the left one is definitely not MIA. I have one with the exact same buttcap and a Made in China sticker. MIA editions are supposed to have a silver buttcap.
D
Deleted member 775108
Guest
Damn. So I guess both of my rackets are probably made in China!
There is a slight difference in the color between the two as well which could be a QC issue
The LEFT ONE the pallet doesn't have a code embossed on it.
The RIGHT ONE had a pallet with a code embossed on it.
Last edited by a moderator:
Kal-El 34
Hall of Fame
I think the right is a made in China and the left was a later run of Chinese model
harryz
Professional
Thanks for this. I've bought a few in the past few days and a couple have no inserts at all on the butt caps. One or two have silver inserts and one has a "Made in Czech Republic" on the sticker, as far as I can tell (haven't received it yet). Any idea on the butt cap codes?
Kal-El 34
Hall of Fame
not really sure. If they have the cardboard piece or a missing piece they are most likely Austria or Czech (finished in CR)
Classic-TXP-IG MID
Hall of Fame
No, I have not. Might look into it in the future. Thanks for the suggestion.
Kal-El 34
Hall of Fame
interesting might check this as welll
Kal-El 34
Hall of Fame
Have listed 6 beauties in the classified section if anyone is wanting to test these classics for themselves. 5 are MIA and 1 is Czech
Classic-TXP-IG MID
Hall of Fame
How come you're selling them? Moving on...?
oldmanyellingatcloud
Semi-Pro
say it ain't so!
Radicalized
Professional
You can see my member name and signature. I like both the MP and OS. I only have one mp grommet set in reserve. Right now MP is at 12.27oz. with the weighting, Supergrap overgrip, and dampener. 7 points HL. Last poly setup was hexa infinite. I used to play it in years gone by with Pro Supex Big Ace at 48lbs. Unlike many here, when just hitting around, I'm good with plain old synthetic gut. I'm not a racquetholic or string junkie.
Kal-El 34
Hall of Fame
I don’t need 9 of them lol so just clearing up some space to feed the addiction
Kal-El 34
Hall of Fame
fear Not ! Keeping some Just clearing up some space and giving some amazing frames a new chance. All in fantastic condition
Classic-TXP-IG MID
Hall of Fame
Good to hear. I've still got my 2 LM Rad Tour MPs, and the 1 LM Rad MP. They will be staying.
Kal-El 34
Hall of Fame
yea there will be 3-4 lurking in my bag always
Kal-El 34
Hall of Fame
optic yellow
Legend
Where does LM4 fall into the LM product lineup?
dr325i
G.O.A.T.
I don’t think these would go well with the LM Radical MP. For couple of reasons: 1) the original SW is already high, upper 320s strung (I believe around 328-330); 2) the racket is not that headlight so extra 10g in the hoop would make it almost even balance; 3) the racket is stable in the stock form, no need for extra weight at 3 & 9.
