Category Archives: String Patterns
Head Speed Pro Black
As you probably know by now Novak Djokovic plays with a version of the Head Speed but in black, not black and white! So it was only a matter of time until the all-black Speed Pro became available.
Until now we only had the black and white Speed Pro demo but now we have the black one!
This review will include the white and black version of the Speed and we will include a comparison to the Wilson Blade Pro!
| Manufacturer | Head |
|---|---|
| Racquet Model | Head Graphene 360 + Speed Pro Black |
| Reference Tension | 54 lbs - 24.5 kg |
| String | Head Reflex MLT |
| Machine Used | True Tension Professional |
| ASPS, RDC | 56 |
| ASPS, FlexFour | 66.5 |
| Racquet Flex, RDC | 57 - After stringing |
| Racquet Flex, FlexFour | 50.5 |
| Racquet - In Plane Stiffness | 325.2 lbs/Inch |
| Weight, Grams | 334 |
| Weight, Ounces | 11.78 |
| Balance, mm | 325 |
| Balance, Inch | 12.80 |
| Length, Cm | 68.6 |
| Length, Inch | 27.008 |
| Head Width | 9.618 |
| Head Length | 13.10 |
| Head Area, cm2 | 636.1 |
| Head Area, Sq. Inch | 98.6 |
| Number of Main Strings | 18 |
| Number of Cross Strings | 20 |
| Ratio Cross/Mains | .662 |
| Main String Grid | 7.565 |
| Cross String Grid | 10.30 |
| Density (% of head filled with string) | .7735 |
| Average Cross String Space | .513 |
| Average Main String Space | .413 |
| Dynamic Tension, Kp, ERT | 35 |
| Dynamic Tension, Lbs/in | 195.7 |
| First Moment, Nm | .836 |
| Polar Moment | 341 |
| Torsional Stability | 15 |
| Swing Weight, Kg/cm2 | 326 |
| Swing Weight, Ounces | 11.50 |
| Swing Weight Calculated | 352.8 |
| Power, RDC | 42 |
| Control, RDC | 59 |
| Manueverability, RDC | 69 |
| Power, Calculated | 1832.1 |
| Head Points | 5.51 |
| Head Weight, % | 47.0% |
| Center of Percussion | 21.016 |
| Dwell Time, ms | 8.502 |
| Efective Stiffness - lbs | 28.25 |
| K, Lb/In | 179.49 |
| Recoil Weight | 159.3 |
| Twist Weight | 231.4 |
| End Weight | 134.5 |
| Tip Weight | 198.0 |
| 9 O'Clock | 99.0 |
| 3 O'Clock | 99.6 |
| Butt Cap | 134.0 |
And now for the white and black version:
| Manufacturer | Head |
|---|---|
| Racquet Model | Head Graphene 360+ Speed Pro |
| Reference Tension | 56 lbs - 25.4 kg |
| String | Victrex PEEK fiber Experimental 7718 |
| Machine Used | True Tension Professional |
| ASPS, RDC | 55 |
| ASPS, FlexFour | 66.5 |
| Racquet Flex, RDC | 60 - After stringing |
| Racquet Flex, FlexFour | 43 |
| Weight, Grams | 327 |
| Weight, Ounces | 11.53 |
| Balance, mm | 323 |
| Balance, Inch | 12.72 |
| Length, Cm | 68.5 |
| Length, Inch | 26.97 |
| Head Width | 9.69 |
| Head Length | 13.06 |
| Head Area, cm2 | 641.2 |
| Head Area, Sq. Inch | 99.4 |
| Beam Width, mm, Shaft, Center, Tip | 23, 23, 23 |
| In Plane Stiffness, Pounds/In | 335.2 Lbs/In. |
| In Plane Stiffness, Kg/cm | 152.0 Kg/cm |
| Number of Main Strings | 18 |
| Number of Cross Strings | 20 |
| Ratio Cross/Mains | .668 |
| Main String Grid | 7.62 |
| Cross String Grid | 10.37 |
| Density (% of head filled with string) | .768 |
| Average Cross String Space | .513 |
| Average Main String Space | .414 |
| Dynamic Tension, Kp, ERT | 37 |
| Dynamic Tension, Lbs/in | 206.94 |
| First Moment, Nm | .812 |
| Polar Moment | 336 |
| Torsional Stability | 16 |
| Swing Weight, Kg/cm2 | 320 |
| Swing Weight, Ounces | 11.29 |
| Swing Weight Calculated | 341.2 |
| Power, RDC | 45 |
| Control, RDC | 57 |
| Manueverability, RDC | 73 |
| Power, Calculated | 1908.2 |
| Head Points | 6.14 (negative = head heavy |
| Head Weight, % | 47.2% |
| Center of Percussion | 21.2 |
| Dwell Time, ms, No Swing | 8.58 |
| Efective Stiffness - lbs | 28.7 |
| K, Lb/In (SBS) RDC | 176.28 |
| Recoil Weight | 159.71 |
| Twist Weight | 229.85 |
| End Weight | 133.4 |
| Tip Weight | 192.8 |
| 9 O'Clock | 97.1 |
| 3 O'Clock | 97.5 |
| Butt Cap | 131.0 |
And now for the Wilson Blade Pro:
| Manufacturer | Wilson |
|---|---|
| Racquet Model | Wilson Blade Pro |
| Reference Tension | 54 lbs - 23.6 k2 |
| String | ALU Power Rough |
| Machine Used | Unknown |
| ASPS, RDC | 35 |
| ASPS, FlexFour | 53 |
| Racquet Flex, RDC | 62 - After stringing |
| Racquet Flex, FlexFour | 48 |
| Racquet - In Plane Stiffness | 387.1 lbs/Inch |
| Weight, Grams | 337 |
| Weight, Ounces | 11.89 |
| Balance, mm | 327 |
| Balance, Inch | 12.87 |
| Length, Cm | 68.6 |
| Length, Inch | 27.008 |
| Head Width | 9.6 |
| Head Length | 12.80 |
| Head Area, cm2 | 623.3 |
| Head Area, Sq. Inch | 96.6 |
| Number of Main Strings | 16 |
| Number of Cross Strings | 19 |
| Ratio Cross/Mains | .634 |
| Main String Grid | 7.37 |
| Cross String Grid | 10.40 |
| Density (% of head filled with string) | .7934 |
| Average Cross String Space | .547 |
| Average Main String Space | .461 |
| Dynamic Tension, Kp, ERT | 27 |
| Dynamic Tension, Lbs/in | 151.0 |
| First Moment, Nm | .850 |
| Polar Moment | 358 |
| Torsional Stability | 16 |
| Swing Weight, Kg/cm2 | 342 |
| Swing Weight, Ounces | 12.06 |
| Swing Weight Calculated | 360.35 |
| Power, RDC | 55 |
| Control, RDC | 42 |
| Manueverability, RDC | 59 |
| Power, Calculated | 2069.0 |
| Head Points | 5.04 |
| Head Weight, % | 47.07 |
| Center of Percussion | 21.535 |
| Dwell Time, ms | 10.755 |
| Efective Stiffness - lbs | 22.37 |
| K, Lb/In | 112.18 |
| Recoil Weight | 170.8 |
| Twist Weight | 234.0 |
| End Weight | 135.0 |
| Tip Weight | 202.9 |
| 9 O'Clock | 100.8 |
| 3 O'Clock | 103.7 |
| Butt Cap | 132.2 |
Friction v Tension…what wins?
We all know what friction is. It keeps our cars from sliding around, it keeps us from slipping and in general makes movement possible!
Friction also plays an important part in the string bed of your tennis racquet. Friction between the strings and the ball create friction which in turn creates rotation.
What are, however, some of the downsides of friction in the string bed during, and after, the stringing process?
Friction v Tension
For more detailed information and a graph showing the forces involved go to our membership site, GASP.network, but in the meantime this image will show the frictional forces at work!
This machine tension head will pull the string (blue) in the direction of the center of the racquet support structure instead of directly out the middle of the grommet.
It is obvious that this will create considerable friction and result in lower tension inside the grommet than outside the grommet.
Head Graphene 360+ Radical S v21
From our perspective the Radical S should be one of the most used of the Radical Series!
Head Graphene 360+ Radical S
Why? The 102 square inch head size is optimum for players looking for additional power,( and who isn’t) in a legitimate players racquet. We say “legitimate” because this racquet can be turned into any thing you want, now or in the future!
As you will see in the specifications this is not a really stiff racquet so it will be easy for many players to customize the string bed to suit current playing style with an eye toward becoming a more aggressive player, or not!
The Radical S continues with the “control pattern” and “sound grommets”. We are not totally certain what the “sound grommets” do but sound is frequency and frequency can be felt so maybe the grommets are damping out some of the higher frequencies?
Anyway, this Radical S model is a great step into the “performance” racquet arena with plenty of room to grow!
| Head Graphene 360+ Radical S v21 | |
|---|---|
| Manufacturer | Head |
| Racquet Model | Head Graphene 360+ Radical S v21 |
| Reference Tension | 55 lbs - 24.9 k |
| String: Main/Cross | Victrex 7718 |
| Machine Used | TT Professional |
| ASPS, RDC | 55 |
| ASPS, FlexFour | 61.5 |
| Racquet Flex, RDC | 61 - After stringing |
| Racquet Flex, FlexFour | 50 |
| Weight, Grams | 296 |
| Weight, Ounces | 10.44 |
| Balance, mm | 333 |
| Balance, Inch | 13.11 |
| Length, Cm | 68.5 |
| Length, Inch | 26.968 |
| Head Width | 9.860 |
| Head Length | 13.09 |
| Head Area, cm2 | 653.9 |
| Head Area, Sq. Inch | 101.3 |
| Beam Width, mm, Shaft, Center, Tip | 22, 25, 23 |
| In Plane Stiffness, Pounds/In | 370.4 Lbs/In |
| In Plane Stiffness, Kg/cm | 66.2 Kg/cm |
| Number of Main Strings | 16 |
| Number of Cross Strings | 19 |
| Ratio Cross/Mains | .634 |
| Main String Grid | 7.30 |
| Cross String Grid | 9.75 |
| Density (% of head filled with string) | .703 |
| Average Cross String Space | .513 |
| Average Main String Space | .449 |
| Dynamic Tension, Kp, ERT | 35 |
| Dynamic Tension, Lbs/in | 195.8 |
| First Moment, Nm | .764 |
| Polar Moment | 320 |
| Torsional Stability | 17 |
| Swing Weight, Kg/cm2 | 303 |
| Swing Weight, Ounces | 10.69 |
| Swing Weight Calculated | 328 |
| Power, RDC | 42 |
| Control, RDC | 60 |
| Manueverability, RDC | 85 |
| Power, Calculated | 1873.1 |
| Head Points | 2.99 (negative = head heavy) |
| Head Weight, % | 48.6% |
| Center of Percussion | 21.2 |
| Dwell Time, ms, No Swing | 8.58 |
| Effective Stiffness - lbs | 28.9 |
| K, Lb/In (SBS) RDC | 176.28 |
| Recoil Weight | 144.50 |
| Twist Weight | 214.65 |
| End Weight | 113.1 |
| Tip Weight | 183.4 |
| Total Weight | 296.5 |
| 9 O'Clock | 92.1 |
| 3 O'Clock | 91.8 |
| Butt Cap | 112.2 |
| Total Weight | 296.1 |
Head Graphene 360+ Radical Series Comparative Data
Click Here to See Radical Series Comparison Data
Radical MP v21
A Close Look at Orange
The new, for 2021, Head Graphene 360+ Radical series is a radical step into colors that have always been the “mark” of the Radical Series but now it has gone even further into radicalism!
We think that is a good thing! Why mess around with just a little orange when you can go all out!
It is impossible to see the vibrancy of this orange without holding it in your hand! We invite to to hold one in your hand and even hit with it!
The Radical MP has been the most popular model over the years. This model has all the attributes of the Pro without the added weight, (which can be added later if needed)!
The thin beam carries over to the MP and Pro while the S has a slightly wider beam.
The S model fits the very necessary range of 102 square inch racquets because Head has, correctly, reduced the number of head sizes per model. The Speed series has the 100 square inch head size very well covered.
You will see all the specifications on each individual review that will be posted shortly.
Head Graphene 360+ Radical Pro
Head Graphene 360+ Radical S
Head Graphene 360+ Radical Pro v21
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?
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.
| Manufacturer | Head |
| Racquet Model | Head Graphene 360+ Radical Pro v21 |
| Reference Tension | 55 lbs - 24.9 k |
| String: Main/Cross | Victrex 7718 |
| Machine Used | TT Professional |
| ASPS, RDC | 54 |
| ASPS, FlexFour | 63.5 |
| Racquet Flex, RDC | 63 - After stringing |
| Racquet Flex, FlexFour | 53 |
| Weight, Grams | 328 |
| Weight, Ounces | 11.57 |
| Balance, mm | 321 |
| Balance, Inch | 12.64 |
| Length, Cm | 68.5 |
| Length, Inch | 26.968 |
| Head Width | 9.627 |
| Head Length | 12.80 |
| Head Area, cm2 | 624.3 |
| Head Area, Sq. Inch | 96.8 |
| Beam Width, mm, Shaft, Center, Tip | 20, 23, 21 |
| In Plane Stiffness, Pounds/In | 400.0 Lbs/In. |
| In Plane Stiffness, Kg/cm | 71.5 Kg/cm |
| Number of Main Strings | 16 |
| Number of Cross Strings | 19 |
| Ratio Cross/Mains | .633 |
| Main String Grid | 7.25 |
| Cross String Grid | 9.40 |
| Density (% of head filled with string) | .688 |
| Average Cross String Space | .490 |
| Average Main String Space | .445 |
| Dynamic Tension, Kp, ERT | 35 |
| Dynamic Tension, Lbs/in | 195.8 |
| First Moment, Nm | .808 |
| Polar Moment | 324 |
| Torsional Stability | 14 |
| Swing Weight, Kg/cm2 | 310 |
| Swing Weight, Ounces | 10.93 |
| Swing Weight Calculated | 338 |
| Power, RDC | 47 |
| Control, RDC | 54 |
| Manueverability, RDC | 80 |
| Power, Calculated | 1889.7 |
| Head Points | 6.77 (negative = head heavy) |
| Head Weight, % | 46.9% |
| Center of Percussion | 20.8 |
| Dwell Time, ms, No Swing | 8.66 |
| Effective Stiffness - lbs | 29.1 |
| K, Lb/In (SBS) RDC | 173.06 |
| Recoil Weight | 152.11 |
| Twist Weight | 227.78 |
| End Weight | 136.1 |
| Tip Weight | 191.5 |
| Total Weight | 327.6 |
| 9 O'Clock | 98.8 |
| 3 O'Clock | 97.5 |
| Butt Cap | 131.3 |
| Total Weight | 327.6 |
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