Category Archives: Tecnifibre

Tecnifibre TF40 305/16M

Tecnifibre has introduced the new TF40 series in a very much appreciated 16 x 19 string pattern!  The 18 x 20 pattern is a good one but we think it may intimidate some potential buyers.

This initial review is for the 305 series, with 305 being the gram weight of the unstrung racquet, in case you didn’t know!

As with all the Tecnifibre racquets we have been in contact with this new one looks to be very well done with some subtle details that are interesting.

One is the textured decal on the “Tecnifibre” side of the shaft.  It is obvious to the touch and we think it adds to the overall aesthetic of the racquet.  Another one is the slightly asymmetrical terminus of the shaft at the grip top. It is barely noticeable but I like it!

One of the additions to the series is the “Foam Inside” component.  Some players really like the “feel” of foam-filled racquets and this one is filled to the brim!  Since it is filled with foam Tecnifibre does not see the need for a “trap door” on the butt cap, so if any work needs to be done back there the butt cap needs to come off.  I don’t think there will be much needed so the solid butt cap eliminates the potential for “buzzing” which has plagued some racquet models.

The TF40 305 is a thin beam, 22mm all the way from the grip top to the very tip of the racquet. with a box shaft and an elliptical head cross-section.

Tecnifibre TF40 305 16×19

Tecnifibre makes some of the very best multi-filament strings using PU as a binder and performance component and the string packages all say “PU Inside” so I guess that is where “Foam Inside” comes from!

Foam Inside

Tecnifibre TF40 305

 

 

 

 

 

ManufacturerTecnifibre
Racquet ModelTecnifibre TF40 305/16M
Reference Tension55 lbs - 24.9 kg
String
Ashaway MonoGut ZX Pro
Machine UsedTrue Tension Professional
Static
ASPS, RDC55.0
ASPS, FlexFour65.0
Racquet Flex, RDC64 - After stringing
Racquet Flex, FlexFour54.0
Racquet - In Plane Stiffness378.2 lbs/Inch
Weight, Grams328
Weight, Ounces11.57
Balance, mm330
Balance, Inch12.99
Length, Cm68.6
Length, Inch27.008
Head Width9.59
Head Length12.82
Head Area, cm2622.9
Head Area, Sq. Inch96.5
Number of Main Strings16
Number of Cross Strings19
Ratio Cross/Mains.630
Main String Grid7.125
Cross String Grid9.75
Density (% of head filled with string).669
Average Cross String Space.496
Average Main String Space.429
Dynamic
Dynamic Tension, Kp, ERT35
Dynamic Tension, Lbs/in195.76
First Moment, Nm.837
Polar Moment334
Torsional Stability14
Swing Weight, Kg/cm2320
Swing Weight, Ounces11.29
Swing Weight Calculated357.2
Power, RDC48
Control, RDC53
Manueverability, RDC73
Power, Calculated 1997.1
Head Points4.09
Head Weight, %48.1%
Center of Percussion20.6
Dwell Time, ms8.58
Efective Stiffness - lbs29.6
K, Lb/In195.76
Recoil Weight146.89
Twist Weight228.20
End Weight 128.8
Tip Weight 199.2
9 O'Clock99.1
3 O'Clock99.2
Butt Cap128.9

And The Winner Is…

If you know anything about Tecnifibre yo know they make some of the best multifilament strings in the business!

 

The winner is Tecnifibre MultiFeel 17!

This string, MultiFeel, is a very “soft” polyurethane bonded construction that offers playability and a good value!

Tecnifibre MultiFeel !7 Gauge

This graph shows the high elongation and nice elasticity of this string.  The fairly linear slope up to failure would indicate some consistency of shot all the way up to breakage!

The knot strength is pretty good for a thin multifilament and we can say from experience that the know is going to be fine when property “tightened” and large enough to not slip bak into the grommet barrel.

If you are considering a multifilament this would be a good one to try!

What’s New?

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!

 

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.

ManufacturerHead
Racquet ModelHead Graphene 360+ Gravity MP
Reference Tension55 lbs - 24.9 k
String
Tecnifibre RPX 16
Machine UsedTrue Tension Professional
Static
ASPS, RDC53
ASPS, FlexFour62
Racquet Flex, RDC59 - After stringing
Racquet Flex, FlexFour54
Weight, Grams322
Weight, Ounces11.36
Balance, mm337
Balance, Inch13.27
Length, Cm68.6
Length, Inch27.008
Head Width9.92
Head Length12.85
Head Area, cm2645
Head Area, Sq. Inch100

Beam Width, mm, Shaft, Center, Tip22, 22, 22
In Plane Stiffness, Pounds/In381.0
In Plane Stiffness, Kg/cm68.12
Number of Main Strings16
Number of Cross Strings20
Ratio Cross/Mains.617
Main String Grid7.75
Cross String Grid10.37
Density (% of head filled with string).784
Average Cross String Space.480
Average Main String Space.520
Dynamic
Dynamic Tension, Kp, ERT36
Dynamic Tension, Lbs/in201.35
First Moment, Nm.843
Polar Moment339
Torsional Stability14
Swing Weight, Kg/cm2325
Swing Weight, Ounces11.46
Swing Weight Calculated365.7
Power, RDC46
Control, RDC56
Manueverability, RDC70
Power, Calculated 1938.8
Head Points1.89 (negative = head heavy)
Head Weight, %49.1%
Center of Percussion20.7
Dwell Time, ms, No Swing8.74
Effective Stiffness - lbs27.9
K, Lb/In (SBS) RDC169.87
Recoil Weight146.57
Twist Weight236.38
End Weight 119.8
Tip Weight 202.2
Total Weight Check
322
9 O'Clock102.3
3 O'Clock101.4
Butt Cap117.9
Total Weight Check321.6

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!