Yonex Ezone Lite - great for customisation

[gazz1]

Thought I'd share my latest find with the group in the hope that it helps others.

My search for a racket is finally over, and if someone told me 12 months ago that I would be playing with a customised Yonex Ezone Lite, I would have told them that they were insane.

I've been playing with the DR98 for some time. Great racket but wanted something with the comfort of the 98 but a bit more spin.

I tried several racquets, the latest being the Pure Strike 16x19 which is also a nice racket. I use a Wilson Shock Shield grip on any racket with Babolat printed on it, but unfortunately even this didn't stop my tennis elbow from returning.

Most of the rackets that I tried didn't allow too much customisation without moving outside of my ideal specs (up to 340 swing weight and 365g). With this and my tennis elbow in mind, I looked at customising some of the lighter rackets.

I was surprised to find the Ezone Light (275g) had a stiffness rating of only 64
and 16x18 string pattern for spin & comfort. I use 4 1/2 and could only get 4 3/8 in Aus, so I added a sleeve as I needed weight in the handle anyway.

Customised as follows:
- Added heat shrink sleeve to increase grip size to 4 1/2
- Replaced grip with Wilson Shock Shield grip (must have for tennis elbow sufferers but adds about 10-15g in weight which I needed anyway) and added Yonex overgrip
- Added 3.8g @ 12 and 9g @ 3/9
- Added about 3g @ 20cm on handle (after experimenting with up to 10g)
- Strung with Volkl VTorque mains and Isospeed Cream crosses at 52 lbs using Sergetti stringing method.

Final Specs: (before - after)
Weight (strung) - 286g > 340g (12.0oz)
Balance: 34.0 > 31.9cm
Swingweight: 295 > 333
Recoil weight: 132 > 172 (high)
MgR/I: 20.7 > 20.62 (If you believe in it, around 21 is recommended). I experimented up to 21 and 20.62 felt best for me. I don't know if that means I'm a crap tennis player but it felt better This required 3g of lead at 20cm on the handle.

Comments:
- Extremely comfortable (I initially had my doubts because the frame is thicker than the Dr98 but it's much more comfortable).
- Spin is sensational - somewhere in-between my Pure Strike 16x19 and Pure Aero
- Plays like a power frame but is extremely comfortable and control is far better than I had anticipated (no high launch angle like some open patterns). I lowered my swing weight to 333 for this racket because of some free power, from 337 which I use on my Dr98. Also lowered my static weight from 357 to 340 due to the extra comfort and power. I'm having no problems with tennis elbow using full-bed of poly. Feel that I could use a slightly stiffer poly also without aggravating TE.
- Serves are far better than either racket mentioned above (even better than my Pure Aero, in my opinion). Groundstrokes are amazing.
- Volleys are OK, very stable with the weight @ 3/9 but doesn't have the same level of touch as my DR98.

In summary, I took a chance on this stick and I couldn't be happier.
Fully customised, it's the best racket that I've ever laid my hands on.
I have purchased 2 more.

I understand that it's not for everyone, but it's highly configurable and has a rare combination of power, spin and comfort so I'm hoping that this information may be of value to others.

 

[styksnstryngs]

That feeling of finally settling with one perfect frame is great, especially if you can acknowledge the shortcomings.

 

[ROCKinCourier]

Why did you ramp up the static weight and SW on the DR98 then? I just made the switch from the RFa’s to the DR98 and enjoying it a lot. I weighted it up slightly, but not nearly as high as you had yours.

 

[gazz1]

Why did you ramp up the static weight and SW on the DR98 then? I just made the switch from the RFa’s to the DR98 and enjoying it a lot. I weighted it up slightly, but not nearly as high as you had yours.

I have gone as high as 360, but looking at the spec that felt the best for me it was actually 351g. The swing weight was 337 vs 333 with my current racket and because the DR98 is a bit heavier than most rackets (310g), it doesn't leave as much room for customisation. When I got the swing weight and balance right, the static weight ended up at 351. Recoil weight is (172). MgR/I came in at about 20.7 which is in a range that seems to feel good for me but I tend to think it's coincidental.

 

[Johnny505]

I've switched to the Ezone 98 LG, 285g for the last 4 months. My elbow has been playing up with burning pain since last summer and it was the right time to switch to conserve my body for the longevity.
My intention was to add weight at 3 and 9 to bump up to the spec that I was used to and comfortable with. Having hit with the new stick the first 2 months, tested out new strings and tension, I've left it as stock 285g.
Unfortunately the elbow pain came back but there is less strain on the arm overall.

 

[gazz1]

I've switched to the Ezone 98 LG, 285g for the last 4 months. My elbow has been playing up with burning pain since last summer and it was the right time to switch to conserve my body for the longevity.
My intention was to add weight at 3 and 9 to bump up to the spec that I was used to and comfortable with. Having hit with the new stick the first 2 months, tested out new strings and tension, I've left it as stock 285g.
Unfortunately the elbow pain came back but there is less strain on the arm overall.

Sorry to hear about your elbow pain.

The Ezone 98 285g is a stiffer racket (68 vs 64). It also has a tighter string pattern (16x19 98” vs 16x18 100”).

I also find that a heavy racket reduces the risk of elbow pain (to a point I imagine).

 

[A_Instead]

How was it in stock form?
Looking to get one for my wife...currently demo ing in this spec range...currently using a v sense 4..

 

[bageldog]

I've switched to the Ezone 98 LG, 285g for the last 4 months. My elbow has been playing up with burning pain since last summer and it was the right time to switch to conserve my body for the longevity.
My intention was to add weight at 3 and 9 to bump up to the spec that I was used to and comfortable with. Having hit with the new stick the first 2 months, tested out new strings and tension, I've left it as stock 285g.
Unfortunately the elbow pain came back but there is less strain on the arm overall.

try the dr 98 285. much more comfortable than the newer ezone

 

[gazz1]

How was it in stock form?
Looking to get one for my wife...currently demo ing in this spec range...currently using a v sense 4..

Sorry, I never used it in stock form as I always intended to customise it