Category Archives: String – New
New string information
Head Graphene 360+ Gravity MP/Tecnifibre RPX
Normally our racquet reviews are when a racquet is brand new; however, this is a case where the updated string, RPX, from Tecnifibre is an excellent opportunity to add another review to the site!
There are some excellent reasons to review the same racquet again with different string or tension settings.
- It allows us to evaluate new strings for comparison purposes.
- It will enable the player to demo the same Racquet with a different string.
- The string can affect the overall weight to a small degree but significantly impact swing weight.
For example, this racquet with Victrex 7718 PEEK string (15.9grams installed) has a swing weight of 318. With the new Tecnifibre RPX (18.0 grams installed), the swing weight is 325. That is not huge, but it is different.
Lead tape, commonly used to increase swing weight, weighs in at 2.8 grams for 12 inches! So, slightly over 2 grams of additional string weight in the strung area contribute to the difference between these strings.
Of course, this also means that swing weight can be reduced, somewhat, by using lighter string! We weigh all of the string we test for Power Potential, so we know which string can benefit either swing weight preference.
| Manufacturer | Head |
|---|---|
| Racquet Model | Head Graphene 360+ Gravity MP |
| Reference Tension | 55 lbs - 24.9 k |
| String | Tecnifibre RPX 16 |
| Machine Used | True Tension Professional |
| ASPS, RDC | 53 |
| ASPS, FlexFour | 62 |
| Racquet Flex, RDC | 59 - After stringing |
| Racquet Flex, FlexFour | 54 |
| Weight, Grams | 322 |
| Weight, Ounces | 11.36 |
| Balance, mm | 337 |
| Balance, Inch | 13.27 |
| Length, Cm | 68.6 |
| Length, Inch | 27.008 |
| Head Width | 9.92 |
| Head Length | 12.85 |
| Head Area, cm2 | 645 |
| Head Area, Sq. Inch | 100 |
| Beam Width, mm, Shaft, Center, Tip | 22, 22, 22 |
| In Plane Stiffness, Pounds/In | 381.0 |
| In Plane Stiffness, Kg/cm | 68.12 |
| Number of Main Strings | 16 |
| Number of Cross Strings | 20 |
| Ratio Cross/Mains | .617 |
| Main String Grid | 7.75 |
| Cross String Grid | 10.37 |
| Density (% of head filled with string) | .784 |
| Average Cross String Space | .480 |
| Average Main String Space | .520 |
| Dynamic Tension, Kp, ERT | 36 |
| Dynamic Tension, Lbs/in | 201.35 |
| First Moment, Nm | .843 |
| Polar Moment | 339 |
| Torsional Stability | 14 |
| Swing Weight, Kg/cm2 | 325 |
| Swing Weight, Ounces | 11.46 |
| Swing Weight Calculated | 365.7 |
| Power, RDC | 46 |
| Control, RDC | 56 |
| Manueverability, RDC | 70 |
| Power, Calculated | 1938.8 |
| Head Points | 1.89 (negative = head heavy) |
| Head Weight, % | 49.1% |
| Center of Percussion | 20.7 |
| Dwell Time, ms, No Swing | 8.74 |
| Effective Stiffness - lbs | 27.9 |
| K, Lb/In (SBS) RDC | 169.87 |
| Recoil Weight | 146.57 |
| Twist Weight | 236.38 |
| End Weight | 119.8 |
| Tip Weight | 202.2 |
| Total Weight Check | 322 |
| 9 O'Clock | 102.3 |
| 3 O'Clock | 101.4 |
| Butt Cap | 117.9 |
| Total Weight Check | 321.6 |
Tecnifibre Makes a Move!
Does Tecnifibre have the “answer”…again?
We all know Tecnifibre for its terrific multi-filament strings that set the bar for strings of the material and construction. Several years ago Tecnifibre introduced a string that was intended to be arm friendly to counter the increased use of very stiff string.
Since that time Tecnifibre has gotten into the polyester string arena in a big way but they have not forgotten the player that needs a more comfortable string.
Not long ago Tecnifibre introduced Duramix 16 and 17 gauge string. As the name implies there were a couple of fibers used to create a stiffer but still comfortable string. We have used, very successfully, the Duramix 16 and 17. This is a great option for juniors that need some durability without sacrificing their arms.
Now Tecnifibre has introduced Triax! Is Triax the new “answer?”
Triax will replace the Duramix name but deliver the same or better performance and comfort.
Take a look at the String Characteristic Data to see how these new Tecnifibre strings stack up!
Head Graphene 360+ Speed Lite
As you probably guessed, this is the lightest of the Speed Series, 100 square inch head size, at a weight of 281 grams (9.91 ounces)!
There are several positive features in this racquet and one is the reasonable flex (stiffness) of 63 RDC, plus the uniform string pattern that provides a consistent hitting experience needed by developing players. This pattern should contribute to extended string life as well.
Head Graphene 360+ Speed Lite
As with all light racquets, this one can be customized as the need or desire arises, and I think that will happen more quickly than most other racquets.
This is just too light, in my opinion, for players wanting to improve all aspects of their game. Remember, weight is your friend! However, if you prefer a light racquet for any reason this is a top choice!
As I am working on this post I realize how much trouble it is to switch between racquet reviews for comparison so here is a link to the Head Graphene 360+ Speed Series Comparison.
| Manufacturer | Head |
|---|---|
| Racquet Model | Head Graphene 360+ Speed Lite |
| Reference Tension | 56 lbs - 25.4 kg |
| String | Victrex PEEK fiber Experimental 7718 |
| Machine Used | True Tension Professional |
| ASPS, RDC | 56 |
| ASPS, FlexFour | 68.5 |
| Racquet Flex, RDC | 63 - After stringing |
| Racquet Flex, FlexFour | 43 |
| Weight, Grams | 281 |
| Weight, Ounces | 9.91 |
| Balance, mm | 345 |
| Balance, Inch | 13.58 |
| Length, Cm | 68.5 |
| Length, Inch | 26.97 |
| Head Width | 9.71 |
| Head Length | 13.06 |
| Head Area, cm2 | 640.8 |
| Head Area, Sq. Inch | 99.6 |
| Beam Width, mm, Shaft, Center, Tip | 25, 25, 25 |
| In Plane Stiffness, Pounds/In | 422.5 Lbs/In. |
| In Plane Stiffness, Kg/cm | 191.6 Kg/cm |
| Number of Main Strings | 16 |
| Number of Cross Strings | 19 |
| Ratio Cross/Mains | .626 |
| Main String Grid | 7.30 |
| Cross String Grid | 9.53 |
| Density (% of head filled with string) | .710 |
| Average Cross String Space | .503 |
| Average Main String Space | .463 |
| Dynamic Tension, Kp, ERT | 36 |
| Dynamic Tension, Lbs/in | 201.4 |
| First Moment, Nm | .758 |
| Polar Moment | 311 |
| Torsional Stability | 18 |
| Swing Weight, Kg/cm2 | 293 |
| Swing Weight, Ounces | 10.34 |
| Swing Weight Calculated | 334.5 |
| Power, RDC | 42 |
| Control, RDC | 61 |
| Manueverability, RDC | 91 |
| Power, Calculated | 1838.3 |
| Head Points | -0.79 (negative = head heavy) |
| Head Weight, % | 50.4% |
| Center of Percussion | 20.7 |
| Dwell Time, ms, No Swing | 8.50 |
| Efective Stiffness - lbs | 29.6 |
| K, Lb/In (SBS) RDC | 198.31 |
| Recoil Weight | 126.53 |
| Twist Weight | 198.31 |
| End Weight | 98.6 |
| Tip Weight | 182.3 |
| 9 O'Clock | 90.5 |
| 3 O'Clock | 91.2 |
| Butt Cap | 98.3 |
Head Graphene 360+ Speed MP Lite
The Head Graphene 360+ Speed MP Lite may be the perfect racquet for a player looking for a thin(er) beam, 100 square inch head size, slightly lighter than most MP racquets!
As you will see in the specifications this racquet is about 28 grams (1 ounce) lighter than the MP model, and, just a little more flexible, or better said, less stiff!
Forty-nine point nine percent (49.9%) of the total weight resides toward the head of this racquet, so if you think in terms of “points” it is 0.16 points head light.
Some customization will make this a racquet that you can stay with for a long time. As your skills advance, so can the racquet!
Head Graphene 360+ Speed MP Lite
As I am working on this post I realize how much trouble it is to switch between racquet reviews for comparison so I am including a link to the Head Graphene 360+ Speed Series Comparison.
| Manufacturer | Head |
|---|---|
| Racquet Model | Head Graphene 360+ Speed MP Lite |
| Reference Tension | 56 lbs - 25.4 kg |
| String | Victrex PEEK fiber Experimental 7718 |
| Machine Used | True Tension Professional |
| ASPS, RDC | 51 |
| ASPS, FlexFour | 62 |
| Racquet Flex, RDC | 60 - After stringing |
| Racquet Flex, FlexFour | 49 |
| Weight, Grams | 293 |
| Weight, Ounces | 10.34 |
| Balance, mm | 342 |
| Balance, Inch | 13.46 |
| Length, Cm | 68.5 |
| Length, Inch | 26.97 |
| Head Width | 9.68 |
| Head Length | 13.06 |
| Head Area, cm2 | 640.8 |
| Head Area, Sq. Inch | 99.3 |
| Beam Width, mm, Shaft, Center, Tip | 23, 23, 23 |
| In Plane Stiffness, Pounds/In | 307.3 Lbs/In. |
| In Plane Stiffness, Kg/cm | 139.4 Kg/cm |
| Number of Main Strings | 16 |
| Number of Cross Strings | 19 |
| Ratio Cross/Mains | .624 |
| Main String Grid | 7.30 |
| Cross String Grid | 10.62 |
| Density (% of head filled with string) | .780 |
| Average Cross String Space | .559 |
| Average Main String Space | .456 |
| Dynamic Tension, Kp, ERT | 35 |
| Dynamic Tension, Lbs/in | 195.76 |
| First Moment, Nm | .782 |
| Polar Moment | 323 |
| Torsional Stability | 15 |
| Swing Weight, Kg/cm2 | 308 |
| Swing Weight, Ounces | 10.86 |
| Swing Weight Calculated | 342.7 |
| Power, RDC | 46 |
| Control, RDC | 57 |
| Manueverability, RDC | 81 |
| Power, Calculated | 1835.6 |
| Head Points | 0.16 (negative = head heavy) |
| Head Weight, % | 49.9% |
| Center of Percussion | 21.0 |
| Dwell Time, ms, No Swing | 8.91 |
| Efective Stiffness - lbs | 27.6 |
| K, Lb/In (SBS) RDC | 163.46 |
| Recoil Weight | 138.67 |
| Twist Weight | 205.8 |
| End Weight | 105.8 |
| Tip Weight | 186.5 |
| 9 O'Clock | 95.1 |
| 3 O'Clock | 94.5 |
| Butt Cap | 103.0 |
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