Thoughts on Head Microgel Radical MP?

GRJUK

New User
I've always favoured Head rackets since starting to play 25 years ago.

My favourite ever racket was the Head Liquidmetal Radical MP (295g, 98sq, 18/20 pattern). I used this for around 12 years.

In the past 5 years I've been using the Head Graphene Prestige MP (320g, 98sq, 18/20). But I'm not sure I've ever properly 'gelled' with the prestige in the same way that I did with the Liquidmetal. I think the prestige is too heavy for me.

Now I'm very keen to get back to using some form of Head Radical racket.

I never actually used a Microgel Radical MP back in the day, but I've seen many many good reviews about them. On paper, the racket shares many of the same specs as the Liquidmetal radical (295g, 98sq, 18/20). The MG Radicals are on good offers at the moment, so I'm extremely tempted to take a punt on some online (no access to demo before hand).

So any thoughts on the Microgel Radical MP would be welcome

Thanks
 

GRJUK

New User
Underpowered and needs weight. For me a great platform racket. Love the feel of the low flex and thin beam
I've heard a lot of people adding lead to 3 and 9 o'clock on the frame to add power. Have you actually done this yourself in the past? How much mass do you need to add to improve the power of this racket a fair bit? 10g, 15g, 20g?

My current Prestige rackets are 320g unstrung from the factory, but with overgrips (big hands), strings and shock absorber my rackets are up to 368g each! Ideally I want to be in the 335-340g range so would be reluctant to add to much mass to a Microgel.
 

3loudboys

G.O.A.T.
I've heard a lot of people adding lead to 3 and 9 o'clock on the frame to add power. Have you actually done this yourself in the past? How much mass do you need to add to improve the power of this racket a fair bit? 10g, 15g, 20g?

My current Prestige rackets are 320g unstrung from the factory, but with overgrips (big hands), strings and shock absorber my rackets are up to 368g each! Ideally I want to be in the 335-340g range so would be reluctant to add to much mass to a Microgel.
Yes have modded the MG MP. Put 3 grams at 3 and 3 grams at 9 with another 12 in the handle and an overgrip. Strung it loose at 50lbs. Think it weighed about 340’ish and so much better. Stability and plough on tap.
 

Zodd

Hall of Fame
Agree w @3loudboys - both the radical and microgel mp are great platform racquets. Some weight at 3/9 and or 12 dep on preference for total weight and/or twist weight. Also balance it with some silicone/weight in the handle unless one prefers noticeably head heavy frames.

@GRJUK did you mod your liquidmetals back in the day? You currently play with similar head size (don't remember of the top of my head if the graphene mp is a true 98) and pattern but otherwise a good a idea would be string to get a bit more spin/action given the 18/20 and "98" head size.

The radical mp was one of the first racquets i remember reading about in TW getting rave reviews. For me the microgel had a more comfortable feel but the liquidmetal felt like it gave a bit more power and felt noticeably stiffer although specs are fairly close, but this could be in part down to tension/setup since i never played them side by side.
 
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GRJUK

New User
@Zodd No I didn't mod my liquidmetal radicals when I had them, they felt great to play with as they were.

@3loudboys sounds like you had a great setup with your Microgel. Did you string it at 50lbs to get extra power? I tend to go with 55ish on my rackets, but tried 49 a few months ago and it felt pretty wild...good for serving, but less consistent on groundstrokes.
 

3loudboys

G.O.A.T.
@Zodd No I didn't mod my liquidmetal radicals when I had them, they felt great to play with as they were.

@3loudboys sounds like you had a great setup with your Microgel. Did you string it at 50lbs to get extra power? I tend to go with 55ish on my rackets, but tried 49 a few months ago and it felt pretty wild...good for serving, but less consistent on groundstrokes.
Loved the set up when it was modded, Prestige weight but with Radical balance … so a little more plough and similar softness. Strung it loose as prefer a dead poly low so I get more dwell on the strings and assists with spin gen. The extra dwell also translates to extra feel which is the most important feature of any bat for me.
 
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3loudboys

G.O.A.T.
Played the LM Rad as well with the same mods. It’s more head heavy stock and so the modded 340 LM Rad was a war hammer, rock solid against pace. Remember it was slightly stiffer and used a hybrid back then which that frame took well. Preferred the Microgel from the pair, slightly softer and better feel. Both classy sticks you could hit your targets with laser like precision.
 
Liquidmetal Radical MP,,, radicalized me and the Microgel is less firm feeling particularly in the hoop and throat but still soft, comfortable, and solid. slap a leather grip on, some lead, maybe even some CAP grommets if you're feeling frisky
 

Break To Win

Semi-Pro
The Microgel Radical is a 95 18 x 20. 295 grams without strings. It's very customizable. A leather grip and a few grams of lead tape below the bumper guard.

A thin string with some power and spin. I think it's a good recipe.
 

dr325i

G.O.A.T.
What are people's observations about the racket without modifying it with mass?
They are great frames - good platform, 21.5mm box beam, nice, flexible layup.

However, it does need the weight in the hoop. But also in the handle to counter balance it.

I find it great at about 330SW but about 31.5-32cm balance, at around 335g. Interestingly, I have a pair of the TGK231.1 that are matched at that spec ;)
 

3loudboys

G.O.A.T.
@Break To Win @oldmanyellingatcloud @3loudboys interesting points from you all re: adding mass. What's the benefit of adding mass to the handle area? Is this to balance out the lead added to the frame?

What are the main benefits I'd see by adding mass? Purely just to gain more power?
For me adding mass to the handle is to counter balance the weight added in the head and to add stability. The racket hits more stable and some vibes are absorbed by the weight as well. Silicon is one material known for softening the feel and absorbing some vibrations, or at the least reducing the impact of them.

The addition of mass to the hoop in addition to the handle increases the overall weight, stability and power, IF you can maintain swing speed. The heavier the bat you can swing at optimum speed will increase power. For me it’s Newton’s second law of motion, Force = Mass x Acceleration, more force will be exerted on the ball by a heavier racket accelerated fast. Could be my DIY science but it’s worked for me in the past. I only reduced the weight of my racket at a point when I didn’t have the strength to accelerate it sufficiently.

Feel, plough, power and touch are increased by adding weight to the Rads. Add that to their precision is a potent mix. You’ll have to mod and let us know how you found them.
 
I like a leather grip for being able to feel the bevels, grip tighter, and impart more mass in the handle for a slightly more headlight balance. I haven't added any lead or CAPs to mine. the hoop feels less stable for whatever reason without weight, but it's not like it's getting pushed around or the feeling is less pure when you hit it well. I'm also comparing the feeling in the hoop to the Liquidmetal Radical MP and my main racquet, Ti. Radical MP 18x20 L5.

there's really only two things to look out for with these Radicals. first, the grommets around the hoop are fragile so make sure you have extras. second, and I'm sure Dan can tell you how to find out, is if your Microgel Radical MP is from later batches it may feel less soft and more brassy. mine are from 2008 so I'm not sure what year this change happened. I'm sure it'll still be loads better than the stiffer and clenched first feeling (in not a good way) from the Radicals that have Graphene in them.
 

GRJUK

New User
@dr325i @3loudboys @oldmanyellingatcloud thanks again for the advice.

I've ordered a couple of the MG Radical Maps, they'll arrive Tuesday!

I'm looking at buying some tourna lead strips that go around the grommets...each strip is 3.6g. I intend on putting a strip at 10 & 2 o'clock, meaning a total of 3.6g x2 = 7.2g to the frame.

I ordered the rackets in a grip size 4 and will need at least 1 overgrip (big hands) which I weighed at 7g. So in theory I'll be adding approx 7g to the frame and 7g to the handle.

Hopefully the racket will then weigh approx 295g + 18g strings + 7g lead + 7g overgrip + 3g dampener = 330g racket weight.

I'll see how this goes to begin with.

Do you think this much additional weight will make a decent difference to the racket and provide more power?
 

dr325i

G.O.A.T.
@dr325i @3loudboys @oldmanyellingatcloud thanks again for the advice.

I've ordered a couple of the MG Radical Maps, they'll arrive Tuesday!

I'm looking at buying some tourna lead strips that go around the grommets...each strip is 3.6g. I intend on putting a strip at 10 & 2 o'clock, meaning a total of 3.6g x2 = 7.2g to the frame.

I ordered the rackets in a grip size 4 and will need at least 1 overgrip (big hands) which I weighed at 7g. So in theory I'll be adding approx 7g to the frame and 7g to the handle.

Hopefully the racket will then weigh approx 295g + 18g strings + 7g lead + 7g overgrip + 3g dampener = 330g racket weight.

I'll see how this goes to begin with.

Do you think this much additional weight will make a decent difference to the racket and provide more power?
NOTE:
The re-issue layup is (slightly) different but noticeable from the original. It feels little stiffer and more hollow IMO.
That is why I preferred the Originals of TGK231.1 Pro stocks
 

esgee48

G.O.A.T.
The MG Radical is a 95 not a 98. If you compare later versions of the Radical side by side, the new ones are true 98. Head did a horrible bit of advertising BITD, but everyone knew it. They finally fessed up somewhere around the Graphene series.
 
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