Tecnifibre TF-X1 285 or 300

[gjorg]

Hello!

I'm a beginner, 33M with average physique.

I recently got to demo a Tecnifibre TF-X1 285 and loved how I played with it; my top spin was on point, the swing was easy etc.

No stores in my area have the 300g version available for demoing, so now that I want to buy the racket, my question to you guys is:

Do I go for the safe bet of 285 since I already tried and liked it, or do I blindly go for the 300? I'm thinking that the 285 will feel light to me later on when I start getting better, and that the 300 will have better longevity. But I'm afraid the 300 will not be like the racquet I originally liked.

Or is 15g not that important anyway?

 

[TwinCinema]

I played with 285g rackets all throughout my journey from beginner to 3.5-ish before moving up to a big boy stick. You’ll know when it’s too light for you, because you’ll have consistent enough ground strokes and good enough fundamentals that you can swing out and get frustrated by how flimsy the frame is. You’ll whip it too fast and not get enough power and control anymore.

But that’s a ways away for you. Until that happens, 285g is perfectly fine. If you felt comfortable swinging that TF and enjoyed how you played - get it. Then forget about your racket for a couple years and have fun getting better. Ultimately, you’ll be ready for 305g+ and there will be a wealth of new options for you!

 

[Ross K]

Hello!

I'm a beginner, 33M with average physique.

I recently got to demo a Tecnifibre TF-X1 285 and loved how I played with it; my top spin was on point, the swing was easy etc.

No stores in my area have the 300g version available for demoing, so now that I want to buy the racket, my question to you guys is:

Do I go for the safe bet of 285 since I already tried and liked it, or do I blindly go for the 300? I'm thinking that the 285 will feel light to me later on when I start getting better, and that the 300 will have better longevity. But I'm afraid the 300 will not be like the racquet I originally liked.

Or is 15g not that important anyway?

I have experimented with a few different lighter TF's over the years as 'platform experiments', and my answer would be to check out the TF 295 - (RS version not the latest) - if any of the following attributes sounds like your kind of thing...

Though supposedly a 100" head size, I'm sure it is actually 99"... it swings beautifully, extension-of-the-arm beautifully... way better feel than you'd expect... serves laser bombs... a bit tighter in the middle and less open than many with the same string pattern/specs - which results in (for me) a pleasing slightly lower trajectory and a sense of better control and precision... it is relatively stable (though I have leaded mine up)... power level is lower than your PD-type but ample... same re topspin... great at hitting flatter strokes too... I really like this TF everywhere apart from volley-ing and in around the net (but modding has largely rectified this).

In short: a ridiculously underrated frame imo, and one that could well suit your present requirements, especially as it has this 'platform' aspect and is easy to weight up and experiment with - or just leave it as it is. So, yep, If the above qualities are your cup of tea, I recommend this one highly.

 

[hadoken]

If you like a racquet just buy it. On paper a person your age and size shouldn't have a problem adjusting to a 300g frame but it's not something you need to do right away so just get the 285g. Just grab a used 300g down the road if you are really curious about how it plays