Successor to Head Ti. Radical MP (2023)?

A

ajkim90

New User
This question has been asked in the earlier 2000s based on my searches, but I am a holdout in 2023. I tried switching to a Yonex VCore 98 for a couple years, which is a very different racquet, but never got the same feel and constantly hit long - so came back to the Ti. Radical.

Can anyone who played with the Ti./liquidmetal Radicals recommend a more modern substitute? I haven't tried the modern Radicals, but am wary of the 16x19 string pattern. Looking for something with similar control/feel but more forgiving. I am thinking Speed Pro or Prestige Pro.

I demoed the Dunlop CX 200 18x20 and liked the plush feel but may be too demanding. Didn't love VCore Pro 97D or Blade 18x20, but maybe that was because of the old strings in the demo.
 
badmice2

badmice2

Professional
Not the Speed; feel is different.

Technifibre frame an option, you might give TF ISO 305 a look. Dunlop 300sx might be a better fit.
 
T

Trip

Hall of Fame
bU3KF8B.png

For others who might not know, the Ti.Rad was made in Austria without any modern-day muting "tech" nonsense in the frame. Exceptional feel and control. The toughest part about finding an identical replacement is 1) such a light static weight, 2) low swing weight and 3) the direct feel.

The closest retail sticks you'll find today:
- Angell TC95 or TC97 18x20 - Either the 295g/33.0cm spec with a bit of weight under the butt cap, or the 300g/32.5cm spec.
- Donnay Pro One 97 18x20
- Tecnifibre TF40 305 18x20
- Wilson Blade v8 18x20

The most mainstream will be the Tecnifibre and Wilson. Angell will require a remote purchase, but could be good. The Donnay might also be an option, although the ethics and customer service from their USA distributor have been called under question here numerous time, so I'd probably lean towards the others.

Hope that helps.
 
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S

Say Chi Sin Lo

G.O.A.T.
It's going to be hard... Head was one of the few companies that got the "Titanium" era right.

That Ti. Radical MP, Ti. Fire Tour, and Ti. Fire Pro were absolute gem.
 
fritzhimself

fritzhimself

Professional
Trip said:
bU3KF8B.png

For others who might not know, the Ti.Rad was made in Austria, foam-filled, without any modern-day muting "tech" nonsense in the frame. Exceptional feel and control. The toughest part about finding an identical replacement is 1) such a light static weight and 2) the foam-filled, direct feel.

The closest retail sticks you'll find today (all foam-filled):
- Angell TC95 or TC97 18x20 - Either the 295g/33.0cm spec with a bit of weight under the butt cap, or the 300g/32.5cm spec.
- Donnay Pro One 97 18x20
- Tecnifibre TF40 305 18x20

The most mainstream will be the Tecnifibre, but if you feel OK taking a flyer, I'd go Angell. They might even be willing to create a spec to match your Ti.Rad MP. The Donnay might also be an option, although the ethics and customer service from their USA distributor have been called under question here numerous time, so I'd probably lean Angell or Tecnifibre.

Hope that helps.
Click to expand...
.....I am pretty sure that the Ti Radical was/is not foam filled. :sneaky:
 
H22 fan

H22 fan

Semi-Pro
Trip said:
bU3KF8B.png

For others who might not know, the Ti.Rad was made in Austria, foam-filled, without any modern-day muting "tech" nonsense in the frame. Exceptional feel and control. The toughest part about finding an identical replacement is 1) such a light static weight and 2) the foam-filled, direct feel.

The closest retail sticks you'll find today (all foam-filled):
- Angell TC95 or TC97 18x20 - Either the 295g/33.0cm spec with a bit of weight under the butt cap, or the 300g/32.5cm spec.
- Donnay Pro One 97 18x20
- Tecnifibre TF40 305 18x20

The most mainstream will be the Tecnifibre, but if you feel OK taking a flyer, I'd go Angell. They might even be willing to create a spec to match your Ti.Rad MP. The Donnay might also be an option, although the ethics and customer service from their USA distributor have been called under question here numerous time, so I'd probably lean Angell or Tecnifibre.

Hope that helps.
Click to expand...
No Head frame is foam filled
 
A

aus89

Hall of Fame
technically all tennis racquets are foam filled bc there is no such thing as nothing, and every racquet has quantum foam inside it
 
kingkoopa

kingkoopa

New User
The TI Radical MP is a legend. I loved that racquet. It’s an all time favorite for me. The closest thing that I ended up settling on and am happy with is the current Prestige Pro (the 2021 auxetic). My only complaints are not much “free” topspin and it can lack pop on serves that other racquets will give. Unbeatable control and feel though.
I wanted to like the newer generation Radicals but 16x19 frames don’t seem to suit my game well - too much launch/trampoline effect.

I’ve demoed a number of racquets over the last year to address my two small gripes mentioned above with the Prestige, but I keep going back to the Prestige. I’ll give the new Gravity Pro a try. I also recently hit with the Pure Aero 98 because I was wanting to try a 16x20 pattern. I liked it quite a bit but need a little more time with it to really make up my mind.
 
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A

ajkim90

New User
badmice2 said:
Not the Speed; feel is different.

Technifibre frame an option, you might give TF ISO 305 a look. Dunlop 300sx might be a better fit.
Click to expand...
Thanks again for this! The TF ISO 305 is exactly what I've been looking for - almost no time to get used to it. Going to keep hitting a bit more with it to make sure. I can control the ball as I intend and with a launch angle that is similar to the Ti. Radical, but much plusher feel, more forgiving, and good power.
 
ichaseballs

ichaseballs

Professional
the old LM radicals are pretty plush compared to the modern radicals.
maybe try the gravity line out? either the gPRo, Tour, or the MP weighted up

the new VC98 v7 is probably too open plus 16x19
 
A

ajkim90

New User
ichaseballs said:
the old LM radicals are pretty plush compared to the modern radicals.
maybe try the gravity line out? either the gPRo, Tour, or the MP weighted up

the new VC98 v7 is probably too open plus 16x19
Click to expand...
I played with VC98 v5 for 2 years and think I hated it the whole time. I bought them on a whim...

I got a VC95 v7 for free which is pretty good but can't really do anything well with it other than heavy topspin. Can't seem to hit my flat shots well with it.
 
F

fortunecookiesjc

Professional
I've been constantly looking a replacement to my ti and lm radical.

The only racket I felt like was close are the prince TT98 and ATS. Specially then being made with twaron.
 
kingkoopa

kingkoopa

New User
ajkim90 said:
Thanks again for this! The TF ISO 305 is exactly what I've been looking for - almost no time to get used to it. Going to keep hitting a bit more with it to make sure. I can control the ball as I intend and with a launch angle that is similar to the Ti. Radical, but much plusher feel, more forgiving, and good power.
Click to expand...
Interesting choice. How do you feel about its swingweight? That’s a pretty hefty stick compared to the TI Rad.
 
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