Why do I just prefer aluminium rackets?

[Casey 1988]

I started playing in middle school with a generic red aluminum racquet I got at a dime store for like $8. It was a decent frame, but aluminum has that pesky permanent deformation problem. Eventually that aluminum frame became lopsided from court impacts to the point it was noticeable and I had a preferred way of holding it, which I think just made the problem worse. It was a great frame for $8 new though. I loved the look of it at the time.

Probably was pure aluminum or a cheap magnesium aluminum alloy not a good aluminum alloy like 7071/7075/7076 possibly -T variants as all 3 alloys are really similar or 6061/6061-T

 

[teachingprotx]

All aluminum changes shape eventually …unfortunately cause it makes for a fun feel .

 

[Kevo]

I personally have no idea what kinds of alloys were used in the aluminum racquets I've had experience with over the years. All I know is unless you are somewhat careful they all end up getting pretty beat up in a way that seems worse than graphite. Of course any racquet can be destroyed if abused but graphite seems to wear away a bit more gracefully.

Given how cheap you can get a basic graphite frame, I'm not sure there is any reason to buy aluminum frames any more. And of course my advice to almost anyone who wants a good frame these days is to look for something used in good condition. You can save a lot of money that way.

 

[Casey 1988]

I personally have no idea what kinds of alloys were used in the aluminum racquets I've had experience with over the years. All I know is unless you are somewhat careful they all end up getting pretty beat up in a way that seems worse than graphite. Of course any racquet can be destroyed if abused but graphite seems to wear away a bit more gracefully.

Given how cheap you can get a basic graphite frame, I'm not sure there is any reason to buy aluminum frames any more. And of course my advice to almost anyone who wants a good frame these days is to look for something used in good condition. You can save a lot of money that way.

Also, Can find titanium alloy frames for cheaper too now brand new as well as some cheaper carbon fiber frames like Japanese Kawaski brand under $80--$90 AliExpress for real deal being sold by the actual Japanese company direct from Chinese factory as Amazon has clones possibly cheaper aluminum and carbon fiber over top models or some higher end Chinese brands like on USA Amazon, Mbifish a clone of a 2020's older model from a big brand.

 

[Casey 1988]

I started playing in middle school with a generic red aluminum racquet I got at a dime store for like $8. It was a decent frame, but aluminum has that pesky permanent deformation problem. Eventually that aluminum frame became lopsided from court impacts to the point it was noticeable and I had a preferred way of holding it, which I think just made the problem worse. It was a great frame for $8 new though. I loved the look of it at the time.

Court Impacts do this to all racquets only due to how soft aluminum is, some racquets die sooner then most. if I am setting up a raw new kid for a tennis racquet now, looking for titanium especially if older in early teens for a 25--27 inch frame unless kid is under 5 as really small racquets here kids will outgrow, aluminum or some kind of hard durable plastic is fine.

Also, now most Aluminum racquets have a plastic head protector unless beyond cheap, and some fame proctor tape on head for use on bare sides is not a bad Idea and boots weight a hair I would use some kind off clear or black frame tape possibly a thin layer of waterproof super glue over tape for more durability.

 

[Casey 1988]

I would go titanium over aluminum if I was starting today as they have modern beam shape and are heavier nearer to modern tennis specs. However, a 25 inch long Jr racquet is a tick hard to find for my size in titanium as they go really cheap beginner aluminum or same as carbon fiber adult model only made smaller in all specs. Head has a few models of titanium as does Wilson and Dunlop.

Also, this Chinese brand below is using a modern beam shape on an aluminum racquet here is 310 grams strung up so probably 280 grams unstrung if we do not count 30 grams of string.
https://www.amazon.com/TENGAOSI-Beg...YQQWJL/ref=sxin_16_pa_sp_search_thematic_sspa

Oh, I also found one model of a racquet from a brand selling mainly on Amazon and weight is 280 grams unstrung but comes with strings https://www.amazon.com/Teloon-Recreational-Rackets-27-Students-Beginner/dp/B08PV6B2MN/ref=sr_1_35 Pick your color as all models are the same.

 

[Kevo]

Court Impacts do this to all racquets only due to how soft aluminum is, some racquets die sooner then most. if I am setting up a raw new kid for a tennis racquet now, looking for titanium especially if older in early teens for a 25--27 inch frame unless kid is under 5 as really small racquets here kids will outgrow, aluminum or some kind of hard durable plastic is fine.

I always tell parents of beginners to just go to the local walmart and pick something up for $20-$50 depending on what they like, want to spend, and has an appropriately sized grip. I've yet to see anyone show up with a racquet that isn't perfectly usable to play with. If they stick with it for a year or two then it's worth looking at something nicer. Some of those cheap frames play quite well. Most of them I would be fine with playing a match with up to about 4.0 level. Some are a bit too light and flimsy for playing against the hardest hitters though.

 

[Casey 1988]

I always tell parents of beginners to just go to the local walmart and pick something up for $20-$50 depending on what they like, want to spend, and has an appropriately sized grip. I've yet to see anyone show up with a racquet that isn't perfectly usable to play with. If they stick with it for a year or two then it's worth looking at something nicer. Some of those cheap frames play quite well. Most of them I would be fine with playing a match with up to about 4.0 level. Some are a bit too light and flimsy for playing against the hardest hitters though.

Do you have a proper size reference for kids? I know in lots of parts of the USA you would probably see kids age 10+ being forced a little kids 18--19 inch barely $20 racquet (inflation) with crappy at most pickleball sized but always foam handle because of how tight budgets have become.

 

[Kevo]

Do you have a proper size reference for kids? I know in lots of parts of the USA you would probably see kids age 10+ being forced a little kids 18--19 inch barely $20 racquet (inflation) with crappy at most pickleball sized but always foam handle because of how tight budgets have become.

I typically show them how to determine the proper grip size in person if possible. If not I will describe how to do it and/or send them a link with pictures. Usually people get it right or close enough so it's not an issue. For the most part the racquets at the local walmart are all light enough that just about anyone can play with them if they can grip it properly. And with a walmart purchase they can always exchange or return it if needed, but I don't think I've ever needed to send anyone back for something else.

 

[Casey 1988]

I typically show them how to determine the proper grip size in person if possible. If not I will describe how to do it and/or send them a link with pictures. Usually people get it right or close enough so it's not an issue. For the most part the racquets at the local walmart are all light enough that just about anyone can play with them if they can grip it properly. And with a walmart purchase they can always exchange or return it if needed, but I don't think I've ever needed to send anyone back for something else.

Good because my mom in 2002 tried to set me up with a foam handle racquet because she saw how I complained about a wood model my brother had and she knew how bad metal was when I used an old Wilson 93 square inch head steel frame one time as kid for a few hits. Model my mom got was a Wilson red & yellow 23 inch long model but my brother in 1st grade took model and for a bit I had a wood Wilson Pro Staff heavy model my brother had got from a summer rec when a bunch of cheap racquets were given out for kids to use who had no racquet to start.

I got my own a bit later a no longer made sale model from Kmart, an aluminum red & blue ProKennex Jr Ace Pro as company was moving to a 4 inch grip in matte yellow & black Chinese model over a made in Taiwan model. I have my model fixed up so I can keep using and in 2023--2024 got 3 more racquets in same color and in 2024 got 2 of the latter matte yellow & black because they were both supposed to be New unused but one had worn out strings so when I did a light string test one broke. I am going to be sending in the stringless racquet to but restrung by Tennis- Point soon using some nylon that is free when paying for the restraining.

 

[gino]

Ok, let's go with the premise that the 'Racquets' section is for those who are very serious about their playing and perhaps play competitively to a fairly high standard.

Which makes me think that my views on rackets is probably more suited to this section. Although I do play in a competitive league and some of my opponents perhaps take it a bit too seriously, I on the other hand do not.

I love playing tennis and I have my moments when I play well and other times when I play down right awful. I have tried various rackets over the past year, but I keep returning to pretty basic aluminium rackets that I've either had for 15/20 years (Prince Titanium Integra) and a recently acquired Prince Pro 110. I even have a new cheap Prince racket that looks like its graphite but its basically a coated titanium alloy as well.

I keep reading that aluminium rackets are rubbish, are bad for your arm because of vibrations, etc, but I think theyre really nice to play with.

Maybe I am of a standard that means I do not have the ability to know the difference between good and bad or that I just have decent aluminium rackets.....I don't know.

Or maybe it stems back from being 12 years old and watching the rich people with their fancy aluminium rackets and wishing I had the same.

Jim connors that you bro?

 

[Casey 1988]

I would go titanium over aluminum if I was starting today as they have modern beam shape and are heavier nearer to modern tennis specs. However, a 25 inch long Jr racquet is a tick hard to find for my size in titanium as they go really cheap beginner aluminum or same as carbon fiber adult model only made smaller in all specs. Head has a few models of titanium as does Wilson and Dunlop.

Also, this Chinese brand below is using a modern beam shape on an aluminum racquet here is 310 grams strung up so probably 280 grams unstrung if we do not count 30 grams of string.
https://www.amazon.com/TENGAOSI-Beg...YQQWJL/ref=sxin_16_pa_sp_search_thematic_sspa

I have noticed 2 of the 12 left of the 2 pack of racquets are sold since I posted so you have 10 left of the 2 packs.

Has anybody here bought these all red no brand racquets in a modern frame? If so, how did they play with original string?

 

[JW10S]

I recently met an avid player who still uses black Prince Pro aluminum racquets. Said he had 'a few'' but only brings 2 with him at a time when he plays. When he scraps the court and the metal starts to show through at the top he pulls out a Sharpie and blackens it in. I hadn't hit with one of those in ages and have to say they have great balance.

 

[Casey 1988]

I recently met an avid player who still uses black Prince Pro aluminum racquets. Said he had 'a few'' but only brings 2 with him at a time when he plays. When he scraps the court and the metal starts to show through at the top he pulls out a Sharpie and blackens it in. I hadn't hit with one of those in ages and have to say they have great balance.

I did on my original bought in 2002--2003 cheap Jr 25 inch long Pro Ace Power contour red & blue ProKennex 4 & 1/4 inch one do a similar thing using a royal blue sharpie until I had to use a matte poly (all I had at the time) on the original to keep paint from pealing in other areas. I have since used on the top head of all 4 of my red & blue ProKennex Power Ace Power contourme Rust-Oleum black rubber spray paint carefully so was only on metal top part to save the head from scraping even one that was like new never used On my cheap 2 yellow & black matte later Chinese model same length with 4 inch grip I did nothing becuse the Matte primer style paint is more durable despite the paint job and a few other parts having yellow & black looking like a crappy knock the off of model. My racquets despite being from 2001--2002 and 2003--2004 depending on model, never came with plastic head guards unlike a 23 inch shiny yellow & black model using same name Jr Ace Pro Power contour from same era as the red & blue models and has a similar head shape as the 25 inch models. of my ProKennex Jr Power Ace models I got all my red & blue, one in 2002 then 2 2022 and one in 2024 then my 2 yellow & black I got in 2024 and one was new never used and other was well never used but the nylon gut strings had deteriorated from age to point they broke when I did a squeeze test so currently Tennis-point is currently replacing with new nylon gut strings.

Also, I do my own over-grip for the pealing grip very few are going to like.

 

[Casey 1988]

I would go titanium over aluminum if I was starting today as they have modern beam shape and are heavier nearer to modern tennis specs. However, a 25 inch long Jr racquet is a tick hard to find for my size in titanium as they go really cheap beginner aluminum or same as carbon fiber adult model only made smaller in all specs. Head has a few models of titanium as does Wilson and Dunlop.

Also, this Chinese brand below is using a modern beam shape on an aluminum racquet here is 310 grams strung up so probably 280 grams unstrung if we do not count 30 grams of string.
https://www.amazon.com/TENGAOSI-Beg...YQQWJL/ref=sxin_16_pa_sp_search_thematic_sspa

So, I am asking again has anybody has used this model of racquet yet?

 

[kevin qmto]

So, I am asking again has anybody has used this model of racquet yet?

I don't think many people on this forum are likely to try a no name brand Chinese racket for $70. I found a similar type of racket from a company called Balight, which mostly makes soccer gear, but also sold a tennis racket for a while . I got it for $12 brand new, unstrung. It's a graphite fusion style frame, and it hits ok.

 

[Casey 1988]

I don't think many people on this forum are likely to try a no name brand Chinese racket for $70. I found a similar type of racket from a company called Balight, which mostly makes soccer gear, but also sold a tennis racket for a while . I got it for $12 brand new, unstrung. It's a graphite fusion style frame, and it hits ok.

It is 2 for nearly $70 or $35 each.

Also, currently is the only aluminum model made using a solid one-piece frame and not a plastic throat or a separate aluminum throat. I like the plastic; they do some dampening, so I am not needing a damper on an aluminum frame becuse of the vibrations. I would try this model however if I did not just buy a bunch of the old model I like.

 

[Casey 1988]

I did on my original bought in 2002--2003 cheap Jr 25 inch long Pro Ace Power contour red & blue ProKennex 4 & 1/4 inch one do a similar thing using a royal blue sharpie until I had to use a matte poly (all I had at the time) on the original to keep paint from pealing in other areas. I have since used on the top head of all 4 of my red & blue ProKennex Power Ace Power contourme Rust-Oleum black rubber spray paint carefully so was only on metal top part to save the head from scraping even one that was like new never used On my cheap 2 yellow & black matte later Chinese model same length with 4 inch grip I did nothing becuse the Matte primer style paint is more durable despite the paint job and a few other parts having yellow & black looking like a crappy knock the off of model. My racquets despite being from 2001--2002 and 2003--2004 depending on model, never came with plastic head guards unlike a 23 inch shiny yellow & black model using same name Jr Ace Pro Power contour from same era as the red & blue models and has a similar head shape as the 25 inch models. of my ProKennex Jr Power Ace models I got all my red & blue, one in 2002 then 2 2022 and one in 2024 then my 2 yellow & black I got in 2024 and one was new never used and other was well never used but the nylon gut strings had deteriorated from age to point they broke when I did a squeeze test so currently Tennis-point is currently replacing with new nylon gut strings.

Also, I do my own over-grip for the pealing grip very few are going to like.

I had forgot I had a long time ago over a month ago sent in an offer in on a yellow and black 4 inch grip later frame of 25 inch Jr Ace Pro from the Power Contour era because I had hid the bid as you can do when they do not replay back in x amount of time but they did accept the bid and I was forced to buy the model, now I have too many at 2, soon to be 3 of the yellow and black and 5 of the red & blue that are same model with only major difference besides paint/where they were made is the grip on red & blue is, 4.25 inches.

I did end up having to buy a second racquet case since one I have is for 3 carbon fiber modern racquet but got a smaller cheap no pocket model made for 2 modern carbon fiber width racquets so all my lesser yellow & black models will be in this case assuming they fit and if not one yellow & black will be in my other case. Currently one racquet is sans a case.