Thick to thin to thick v thin to thick to thin with beam profile

[Crocodile]

Hi TW forum community - I have noticed that Volkl have both options available with their frames such as the Vostra V1 Pro which is thick/thin/thick whereas the Vostra V7 is thin/thick/ to thin.
Normally one would expect that a thicker section of the racquet would be more rigid giving more stability whereas a thinner section would be more flexible offering more comfort but anyway what do you guys think.
What do you guys think are the benefits of each design?
I have always used a thin constant box beam
( between 19mm and 21mm) because I like the controlled feel of these racquets but intrigued about what others think. Off course Prince have their take with their CTS beamed Phantoms, so if you want to discuss that one go ahead.

 

[thenewbig3]

Hi TW forum community - I have noticed that Volkl have both options available with their frames such as the Vostra V1 Pro which is thick/thin/thick whereas the Vostra V7 is thin/thick/ to thin.
Normally one would expect that a thicker section of the racquet would be more rigid giving more stability whereas a thinner section would be more flexible offering more comfort but anyway what do you guys think.
What do you guys think are the benefits of each design?
I have always used a thin constant box beam
( between 19mm and 21mm) because I like the controlled feel of these racquets but intrigued about what others think. Off course Prince have their take with their CTS beamed Phantoms, so if you want to discuss that one go ahead.

Some datapoints and thoughts below

I was always intrigued by this BUT was never able to actually try the "same racket" both ways. I use a SW grip and heavy spin on FH side and Eastern grip and medium spin on BH side.

These are my currently TOP 5 ALL time rackets for competition play BUT majority of my collection (100+) is all thin constant box beam. So looks like the TOP 4 of 5 have the throat between 1.5-3mm thinner than hoop.

• Ezone 98 22 (all Ezones? are like this)
• Ezone 100 22
• Pure Drive 12 (obviously every PD)
• Aero Pro Drive 13 (obviously every Aero and Pure Aero is like this)
• Ultra Tour v2.0 (CONSTANT BEAM MID FLEX)

Yes I loved the CTS Beam Phantom 100 but its too weak for me nowadays - I do take out the BurntOrange+Black Tour 100 18x20 which has everything I wish the Phantom 100 was which again has that variable beam in the way I like.

On the other hand - the rackets with thin tip, medium middle of hoop and thick throat area give me the least confidence and least control over the flex and pocketing and are the most wild for my stroke and need more tension in the stringbed to work. For example the Hyper Hammer 6.3 (with a lot of weight in handle) is much more flexible racket than the Pure Drive 2012 BUT for me produces more power (uncontrollably) than the Pure Drive which is way stiffer but is way more controllable at a lower tension - so the PD at 48 lbs is more controllable than rebalanced HH 6.3 @ 55 lbs.

In summary : I can never test the "same racket" both ways so I decide based on the racket as an indivual option and not the design parameters.

 

[Guttersnipe]

What frames have a thick throat but thin beam? Only one I’ve found is Pure Power (swirly) that has 22mm beam and fat chunky throat. What else is “Anti CTS”?

 

[dyslexical-scope]

What frames have a thick throat but thin beam? Only one I’ve found is Pure Power (swirly) that has 22mm beam and fat chunky throat. What else is “Anti CTS”?

Angell K7 Red does it. I think it's 20mm at the tip and 21mm in the throat. Huge right. It feels like a bigger difference in the hand I swear.

 

[Guttersnipe]

Angell K7 Red does it. I think it's 20mm at the tip and 21mm in the throat. Huge right. It feels like a bigger difference in the hand I swear.

Angells are few and far between in OZ. And when do pop up the price point over the top. Thanks for the tip, I’ll still keep my eye and hope for the best.
I’ve got some Bridgestones that are 22-20 (I think), they are the Naslon X blades 95s & a thicker 100 (both are box beams) but I’ve been lazy recently and want free power without felling sluggish. If there such a thing? I’ve gone balls to the wall and found a cheap Fischer Vac 110 that’s made in Australia. It’s not thin by any means but I’m exited to try an oversized frame (with fresh poly for a first time in a long time now)

 

[Shroud]

Some datapoints and thoughts below

I was always intrigued by this BUT was never able to actually try the "same racket" both ways. I use a SW grip and heavy spin on FH side and Eastern grip and medium spin on BH side.

These are my currently TOP 5 ALL time rackets for competition play BUT majority of my collection (100+) is all thin constant box beam. So looks like the TOP 4 of 5 have the throat between 1.5-3mm thinner than hoop.

• Ezone 98 22 (all Ezones? are like this)
• Ezone 100 22
• Pure Drive 12 (obviously every PD)
• Aero Pro Drive 13 (obviously every Aero and Pure Aero is like this)
• Ultra Tour v2.0 (CONSTANT BEAM MID FLEX)

Yes I loved the CTS Beam Phantom 100 but its too weak for me nowadays - I do take out the BurntOrange+Black Tour 100 18x20 which has everything I wish the Phantom 100 was which again has that variable beam in the way I like.

On the other hand - the rackets with thin tip, medium middle of hoop and thick throat area give me the least confidence and least control over the flex and pocketing and are the most wild for my stroke and need more tension in the stringbed to work. For example the Hyper Hammer 6.3 (with a lot of weight in handle) is much more flexible racket than the Pure Drive 2012 BUT for me produces more power (uncontrollably) than the Pure Drive which is way stiffer but is way more controllable at a lower tension - so the PD at 48 lbs is more controllable than rebalanced HH 6.3 @ 55 lbs.

In summary : I can never test the "same racket" both ways so I decide based on the racket as an indivual option and not the design parameters.

Sorry off topic but have you tried not changing grips and just hitting on the same side of the stringbed?

 

[Crocodile]

Vostra 7 - thin to thick to thin

Volkl Vostra V7 Racquet | Tennis Warehouse

www.tennis-warehouse.com

Orgsnix V1 Pro - thick to thin to thick

Tennis Warehouse - Volkl Organix V1 Pro Racquet Review

www.tennis-warehouse.com

 

[Crocodile]

I wonder whether the thin/thick/thin approach is to provide more of a stable response where as:

The thick/thin/thick is designed for maximum power with comfort

I could be wrong but what I will do is buy both types of frames and get everyone to test them out.