Category Archives: PEEK
Head Graphene 360 + Gravity Series Lineup
In addition to individual model specifications we like to do a consolidated series comparison so we can glance at the differences between racquets. Following is that comparison. All the data is taken with strung racquets with a vibration damper but no overgrip.
See the Five Models Compared Here
See Larger Images of Each Model Here
So, what is important in this data? Well, to us, everything or we wouldn’t include it but we like to explain some of the not so obvious numbers.
End Weight: the weight of the butt end of the racquet when using two (2) electronic scales
Tip Weight: the weight of the top end of the racquet when usisng two (2) electronic scales
Why important: this accurately calculates static balance and allows easy maching of multiple racquets
Swing Weight: the higher the swing weight the higher the energy colliding with the ball.
Why important: this is the most meaningful number in terms of momentum into the ball.
InPlane Stiffness: this tell us how stiff the racquet is when a load is apllied to the 3 and 9 o’clock positions.
Why important: a higher number means the racquet is stiff in that direction affecting string bed stiffness.
Stability: this tell us how the racquet reacts to ball impact.
Why important: the higher the number the more power and control that can be contributed to the racquet.
Position 1, 2, and 3: three (3) electronic scales are used to weigh the racquet.
Why important: we can match the rotational inertia of each racquet.
Peak Load: this tells us the peak force of the ball impact on your body. Higher loads contribute to injury.
Why important: we can make adjustments to the string bed stiffness to keep the peak loads safe.
Everything else should be clear but if you have questions please “Ask John”
Play Like a Girl…Part Deux
If you read “Play Like a Girl,” you will have a good idea where this is headed! This part is intended to make it possible for you to experiment without feeling “forced” so it is based on “numbers” not “feelings.” Of course, feel is relevant to tennis players.
Two events this week make it easy to compare numbers and feeling.
- A racquet came in from a tournament playing junior that had the good fortune of picking up a competitors racquet and recognize the difference immediately and wanted to try it. His racquet is a Babolat Pure Strike 16×19 with a swing weight of 302! The racquet he picked up has a swing weight of 341! His revised swing weight is 325.
- A really good young lady is switching racquets and string setup, so there is a four (4) inch strip of 1/4″ tape on the inside of each side of the string bed in the 3 and nine o’clock position — total weight of about 5 grams, for a swing weight of 321. During a training session, a coach said the racquet was too heavy and removed about 2 inches total of tape, maybe 1.5 grams, and everything was fine! This player is strong enough to play with a 335 swing weight so was this a “visual” suggestion, and the process of removing tape convinced the payer that the racquet was now much lighter?
In case you don’t remember there are 28.35 grams per ounce. So you can see that 1.5 grams is quite small!
Did you know that a dry overgrip is about 5 grams and a wet over grip can be as much as 12 grams? The location of an overgrip (under your hand) has virtually no effect on swing weight so it generally goes unnoticed.
Unless agreed upon in advance most weight can be removed or re-located so don’t fear your friend…weight!
New Head Graphene 360 Radical! Here Now!
The new Head Graphene 360 Radical has arrived and I have already chosen the one for me!
The four (4) racquets in this series cover every possible player style and the new graphics package will appeal to most players. This is a win-win Radical Series!
Head Graphene 360 Radical Series
Just in case you are wondering which one I have chosen it is the Radical S! Why? I handle a lot of racquets each day and this racquet just “feels” good when I pick it up! Plus the 102 square inch head size fits me fine.
This series is the most impressive Radical Series I have seen in a few years.
You can read the reviews of each of these racquets on this site but you really should come by and take a look and “feel” for yourself.
My setup is going to be this racquet strung with PEEK at 52 pounds. I am going to increase the weight to 315 grams and the swing weight to 315 kg/cm² as well.
I am anxious to start playing again and this is just the racquet to motivate me! Motivate yourself, too! Get one!
This is a comparison sheet of the four (4) models so you can get some idea as to which racquet may suit you!
Head Graphene 360 Radical Series Strung
The Rebel Backpack and Radical 6 Racquet Combi add to the excitment of the new Radical racquets! Complete the package with these bags!
Brittany shines in Abu Dhabi
Brittany earned the Silver at the World Championships event in Abu Dhabi recently and congratulations are certainly in order! According to those who were there the athletes were treated to a Five Star event! The best of everything for these extraordinary athletes is well desereved.
Brittany travels to all events (bravely) with three (3) racquets strung with Ashaway MonoGut ZX Black at 46 lbs (20.9kg)! I know some players that will not go to the local courts with fewer than six (6) fresh racquets!
Congratulations, Brittany!
What is Elongation?
In dictionary terms it is:
“the amount of extension of an object under stress.”
In tennis terms, it means the same thing when talking about tennis racquet strings.
How much does a string stretch under the reference tension load or otherwise stretched (impact)? The proliferation of wrist, arm and shoulder injury has brought attention to the property of “stiffness.” The problem is that your stiffness may be different than my stiffness, so there needs to be an “index” associated with each string, in my opinion. I have that data on over 500 tennis strings, but that is just me.
The images show the results of high elongation (left) and low elongation (right) string upon breaking.
Several years ago a player asked me “where is the string that is missing?” Well, it is not missing. The ends you see should be connected!
If the string has little elongation when it breaks there is nothing “pulling” it apart like the high elongation string. So each time you hit the ball, the string either elongates a bunch or it doesn’t.
In the case of the high elongation string, on the left, it absorbs a good portion of the “shock” associated with a hard hit, whereas the low elongation string, on the right, lets your body do the absorbing to a great extent.
So, it is reasonable to use very low reference tensions for low elongation string (35 to 45 pounds; 16 to 20.5 Kg) and higher tensions (45 to 60 pounds; 20.5 to 27.2 Kg) for high elongation strings.
You may ask, “how do I know how stiff a string is?” If you see the word “polyester or co-polyester” it is likely that string wil be stiff compared to natural gut, most nylon based multi-filament construction, and PEEK (Zyex) material. In my opinion, there is no “bad” string just “bad” applications. If in doubt…ask!
Racquet Quest, LLC
