Category Archives: Racquet Demo

Head Graphene 360+ Radical Pro v21

Jan 23

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As you would expect the Radical Pro is the heaviest of the Radical Series, but only by a few grams!  What!  When we talk about grams to some players it might as well be angstroms or something like that.  What the heck is a gram?  For many in the US market is still “Talk to me in ounces, please!”

OK, there are 454 grams in a pound and 16 ounces in a pound.  If I said a racquet weighs 285 grams what would you think?  Or, if I said the racquet weighs 10 ounces which sounds better if you are weight averse?

A cup of coffee weighs over 500 grams!

OK, the Radical Pro weighs 13 grams more than the Radical MP so how many ounces is that?

Enough of this stuff!  However, it is important to know what weight is and how it can be a significant factor in your playing.  Weight is your friend!

As you will see in the following specifications a lot depends on how the weight is distributed throughout the racquet.

Head Graphene 360+ Radical Pro

Here is a little hint; take a look at the swing weight of the MP and the Pro and tell me what you see.

The Radical Pro has the “sound grommets’ and the “control pattern” for those concerned with string spacing, and that should be many of you.  String spacing can have a profound affect on durability and playability.

The enlarged circle was intended to show the elongated grommets which allow the string to move and effectively be a little longer meaning more energy return.

Head Graphene 360+ Radical Pro v21
ManufacturerHead
Racquet ModelHead Graphene 360+ Radical Pro v21
Reference Tension55 lbs - 24.9 k
String: Main/Cross
Victrex 7718
Machine UsedTT Professional
Static
ASPS, RDC54
ASPS, FlexFour63.5
Racquet Flex, RDC63 - After stringing
Racquet Flex, FlexFour53
Weight, Grams328
Weight, Ounces11.57
Balance, mm321
Balance, Inch12.64
Length, Cm68.5
Length, Inch26.968
Head Width9.627
Head Length12.80
Head Area, cm2624.3
Head Area, Sq. Inch96.8
Beam Width, mm, Shaft, Center, Tip20, 23, 21
In Plane Stiffness, Pounds/In400.0 Lbs/In.
In Plane Stiffness, Kg/cm71.5 Kg/cm
Number of Main Strings16
Number of Cross Strings19
Ratio Cross/Mains.633
Main String Grid7.25
Cross String Grid9.40
Density (% of head filled with string).688
Average Cross String Space.490
Average Main String Space.445
Dynamic
Dynamic Tension, Kp, ERT35
Dynamic Tension, Lbs/in195.8
First Moment, Nm.808
Polar Moment324
Torsional Stability14
Swing Weight, Kg/cm2310
Swing Weight, Ounces10.93
Swing Weight Calculated338
Power, RDC47
Control, RDC54
Manueverability, RDC80
Power, Calculated 1889.7
Head Points6.77 (negative = head heavy)
Head Weight, %46.9%
Center of Percussion20.8
Dwell Time, ms, No Swing8.66
Effective Stiffness - lbs29.1
K, Lb/In (SBS) RDC173.06
Recoil Weight152.11
Twist Weight227.78
End Weight136.1
Tip Weight191.5
Total Weight327.6
9 O'Clock98.8
3 O'Clock97.5
Butt Cap131.3
Total Weight327.6

Posted in 360+, Custom Racquets, Customization!, Demo, Full Custom Racquets, head, Inspiration, Juniors, Kinesiology, Patterns, PEEK, Pro Stock, Racquet Demo, Racquets - New, Radical Pro, String Patterns

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Head Graphene 360+ Radical MP v21

Jan 22

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Well, this is one way to get 2021 of to a great start!  This eye popping Radical will certainly add excitement to your life!

This is truly orange with capitol O!  You simply need to see this racquet to really appreciate the color.

Radical MP v21

But, color aside, this racquet continues the Radical silo of aggressive racquets for the aggressive player, or those that want to be!

This review is the MP which has been one of the most popular models over the years and I am happy to say they have not messed it up as is so often the case when introducing new products!  This is a real Radical racquet!

A couple of things really stand out.  First the string pattern is more dense in the center of the racquet by a small amount which allows for a more open pattern at the periphery for more comfort.

The top eight (8) grommets are on a separate insert and they are “straight” instead of radial.

The addition of “sound grommets” is intended to enhance power via greater string movement. and optimize sound and vibrations.

And the “in plane” stiffness is a little lower meaning the string bed stiffness may be slightly less at the same reference tension, also contributing to comfort.

If you are looking for a high performance tennis racquet that has room for some weight as you require it, this is the one.  If you already need more weight that will be the Radical Pro that will be reviewed next.

 

Head Graphene 360+ Radical MP V21
ManufacturerHead
Racquet ModelHead Graphene 360+ Radical MP V21
Reference Tension55 lbs - 24.9 k
String: Main/Cross
Victrex 7718
Machine UsedTT Professional
Static
ASPS, RDC55
ASPS, FlexFour67
Racquet Flex, RDC63 - After stringing
Racquet Flex, FlexFour50
Weight, Grams315
Weight, Ounces11.11
Balance, mm330
Balance, Inch12.99
Length, Cm68.5
Length, Inch26.968
Head Width9.625
Head Length12.81
Head Area, cm2624.7
Head Area, Sq. Inch96.8
Beam Width, mm, Shaft, Center, Tip20, 23, 21
In Plane Stiffness, Pounds/In382.2 Lbs/In.
In Plane Stiffness, Kg/cm68.3 Kg/cm
Number of Main Strings16
Number of Cross Strings19
Ratio Cross/Mains.633
Main String Grid7.13
Cross String Grid9.31
Density (% of head filled with string).677
Average Cross String Space.484
Average Main String Space.445
Dynamic
Dynamic Tension, Kp, ERT35
Dynamic Tension, Lbs/in195.8
First Moment, Nm.803
Polar Moment330
Torsional Stability17
Swing Weight, Kg/cm2313
Swing Weight, Ounces11.04
Swing Weight Calculated343
Power, RDC46
Control, RDC55
Manueverability, RDC78
Power, Calculated 1909.3
Head Points3.94 (negative = head heavy)
Head Weight, %48.2%
Center of Percussion20.9
Dwell Time, ms, No Swing8.58
Effective Stiffness - lbs29.4
K, Lb/In (SBS) RDC176.28
Recoil Weight148.6
Twist Weight218.8
End Weight125.1
Tip Weight190.7
Total Weight329.2
9 O'Clock96.8
3 O'Clock96.7
Butt Cap120.0
Total Weight313.5

 

Posted in 360+, Demo, elbow, Full Custom Racquets, head, Inspiration, Juniors, Kinesiology, Patterns, PEEK, Racquet Demo, Racquets - New, Radical S, String, String Patterns, Technology, True Tension, Weight

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What’s in a Name!

Nov 12

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In this particular case, it is the name “Roger Federer” and the racquet that carries his name, or just about!

When you hear about the Wilson Pro Staff 97 his name comes to mind as well as the thought “I can’t possibly play with his racquet”.  Well, maybe not but there is really good news!

You don’t have to play with “his” racquet to get the benefits of the Pro Staff concept!

The Wilson Pro Staff 97, V13, is that racquet you have been looking for if you want:

  1. The really good overall weight of 339 grams (11.9 ounces)
  2. The very easy to handle swing weight of 314 (11.1 ounces)
  3. A reasonable stiffness of 64 RDC

Only the sharpest of eyes will notice the subtle differences between this racquet and that RF97 Autograph.

This Pro Staff returns to the classic Pro Staff accent colors of red and yellow.  The red butt cap is a small concession to the lighter racquet with it’s more hand-friendly smooth edges.

We are certain you know a lot about the Pro Staff series so look at the specifications then try the demo!
Wilson Pro Staff 97, V13
ManufacturerWilson
Racquet ModelWilson Pro Staff 97, V13
Reference Tension55 lbs - 24.9 k
String: Main/Cross
MonoGut ZX Pro
Machine UsedTT Professional
Static
ASPS, RDC51
ASPS, FlexFour61
Racquet Flex, RDC64 - After stringing
Racquet Flex, FlexFour49
Weight, Grams339
Weight, Ounces11.96
Balance, mm317
Balance, Inch12.48
Length, Cm68.5
Length, Inch26.968
Head Width9.625
Head Length12.77
Head Area, cm2622.9
Head Area, Sq. Inch96.5
Beam Width, mm, Shaft, Center, Tip22, 22, 22
In Plane Stiffness, Pounds/In468 Lbs/In.
In Plane Stiffness, Kg/cm212 Kg/cm
Number of Main Strings16
Number of Cross Strings19
Ratio Cross/Mains.635
Main String Grid7.40
Cross String Grid10.51
Density (% of head filled with string).779
Average Cross String Space.546
Average Main String Space.453
Dynamic
Dynamic Tension, Kp, ERT35
Dynamic Tension, Lbs/in195.8
First Moment, Nm.821
Polar Moment330
Torsional Stability16
Swing Weight, Kg/cm2314
Swing Weight, Ounces11.08
Swing Weight Calculated340.7
Power, RDC51
Control, RDC49
Manueverability, RDC77
Power, Calculated 1940.2
Head Points8.03 (negative = head heavy)
Head Weight, %46.3%
Center of Percussion20.7
Dwell Time, ms, No Swing8.91
Effective Stiffness - lbs28.4
K, Lb/In (SBS) RDC163.46
Recoil Weight157.6
Twist Weight235.6
End Weight144.5
Tip Weight194.3
Total Weight338.8
9 O'Clock97.6
3 O'Clock98.4
Butt Cap141.6
Total Weight337.6

Posted in Demo, Juniors, PEEK, Racquet Demo, Racquets, Racquets - New

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What’s New?

Oct 18

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We have had a “sneak peek” at some new tennis racquet models that will be arriving early in 2021!  Typically, we can’t divulge a lot of the details yet but suffice it to say these are exciting models!

But let’s back up a minute and talk about new racquets that are here, or should be here, or will be here soon!  The new Wilson Pro Staff series had a delivery date of September 28, 2020.  They are way behind!  If you are waiting for a new Pro Staff…we are sorry!  Who knows what happened, but it is not good when the expected deliveries are not met!

Do you think that Wilson going “direct” has anything to do with this shipping delay?

The new Pro Staff RF 97 Autograph will change only to the Pro Staff colors of red and yellow stripes; the Pro Staff RF 97 will get a new grip pallet and butt cap setup that is intended to be easier on the hand.

The new Tecnifibre RS Series offers some interesting geometric concepts that continue their push for more player traction.

The new Head Graphene 360+ Radical Series retains the classic Radical Orange, but this one is “in your face orange”!  Awesome!  A cool gray shaft and grip temper this orange!

The Radical MP that we have seen has a few changes in shape and dimensions, and in fact, it is a different racquet than the past years.  The head shape is more “round” by a slight amount, and the beam cross-section is different.  The beam height is slightly less than the previous version, but the stiffness remains nearly the same.  The shape of the “yoke” section is a little deeper and slightly wider at the junction of the head.

The new Radical has a “slicker” aerodynamic grommet system, for, no doubt, greater head speed to go with the “spin” friendly grommets!

And, the Radical Series has been scaled back to three (3) models!  The Radical Pro, the Radical MP, and the Radical S.  The Radical S is 102 square inches and the Pro and MP are 98 square inches.

The Head Graphene 360+Gravity has been a top seller and therefore is only getting a “cosmetic” make-over!  The Hot Lava and Teal are being replaced by very interesting blue and yellow graphics!  They look really good!

The Head Graphene 360+ Speed is staying the same but will add a black edition to the mix!  It seems Novak likes black better than black and white so there will be a “black”  in early 2021!

Don’t forget the Head Instinct “Effortless Power” series!  It continues in a new color scheme, still blue and blue but in a more Head consistent pattern.

This week we will be getting the new demo racquets setup for your evaluation…if all goes well!

It is reassuring to know even in this time of uncertainty that racquet companies continue to produce great products that can, and will, help many players stay in the game!

 

Posted in 360+, Custom Racquets, Customization!, Demo, Easy Order, Full Custom Racquets, Graphene, Graphene 360, Graphene Touch, Gravity, Grips, head, Juniors, Kinesiology, PEEK, Pro Stock, Racquet Demo, Racquets, Racquets - New, Technology, Tecnifibre

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