HEAD RADICAL: Old vs New - an iconic line of racquets!

[@gomezaddams4347]

I have a collection of classic Head racquets; three Ti Radical MP, one iPrestige MP, and one Prestige Tour Mid (the classic dark red). All are made in Austria and, luckily, all are in excellent condition. I’ve tried various racquets over the years but always drift back to these. For some reason my favorite has always been the Ti Radical MP. I add 16 grams of lead at 3 and 9 and another 4 grams just above the grip. Best feeling racquet, for me, that I’ve ever used. The only modern racquet that comes close, again for me, is Wilson Ultra Tour v 2.0.

[@raphaelkarpeles7447]

Great timing for this video. 👌🏽 On monday my father did give me two "HEAD Radical Tour 690" which should have the same specs as the "HEAD Radical Oversize Limited" but they are made in Austria. I will put some Head Hydrosorb Pro Replacement Grips, MSV Cyberwet Overgrips on them and string them with MSV Focus Hex Ultra. It's really exciting to play with a famous frame that's older than me. 😁

[@johanmelander4521]

I have the bumblebee, zebra and and Pt630. All 630 head size and in my opinion among the best frames ever made!

[@jamesbowser5006]

85 sq inch 18x19 pattern Head Edge of graphite is true old school☺. It still plays well with a modern soft copoly like Head Hawk Touch or Genesis Trionic string.

[@33md]

I've owned the bumblebee radical 630, twintube radical, i-radical.. tried the new radical pro and last model too... Nothing beats the old school frames, the new ones feel more like the speed pro than a radical imo...also the colour scheme hurts my eyes!

[@mikemu9897]

I agree the color scheme is so bad I use a radical LM mp and I think it’s a great stick, I do wish it was a little easier to whip around for doubles matches. I’ve been curious about the new models but I’m afraid that they wouldn’t feel as solid as my LM I’ve seen them at the shop and it seems like a completely different frame like it’s more hollow and the beam is shaped a bit different especially in the throat area.

[@tedneanderthal7373]

I currently play with the Head MicroGel Radical Oversize. I love the flex, comfort and weight/balance. Great from the baseline! It took a while to adjust to the limited spin I can generate with it but once I adjusted, I really enjoy the control. It's so plush! I am no longer interested in playtesting other frames. I am going to stick with this frame for as long as it is being sold. There is nothing else like it!

[@Tennisnerd]

Sounds good!

[@nostro1001]

@ Ted...it's a great serving stick, but horrible on strings for big hitting players. JP Smith still uses it last I saw (a few months back). Guess it works for his mostly doubles success. He was last experimenting with strings cause he went through them like crazy

[@emjay2045]

And it’s still being sold at Academy Sports stores. Just went up to a WHOPPING $99 ! 😳 😂😂😂

[@tedneanderthal7373]

@@nostro1001 I have not had a problem with the strings. I find that the dense string pattern helps the strings to last longer. It did take a while though to be able to generate the spin I wanted with the MicroGel Radical Oversize. For that reason, it works better in the hands of solid intermediate and better players.

[@tedneanderthal7373]

@@emjay2045 Actually, you have to factor in the cost of a new string job and the cost of the replacement string. The factory string job is unsatisfactory. The REAL cost is then raised to about $140 per frame. I once wrote to Head asking why they have not updated the oversize Radical and they replied that they had no plans to do so. A lost opportunity in my opinion. Most modern oversize frames are much too light and much too stiff. Long live the MicroGel Oversize Radical!

[@jordanlebow9105]

I love my Head Radical Youtek IG MP racket!

[@Fernwald84]

Tnx for your great coverage of the historical Radical rackets, Jonas. I am switching to the Radical MP from my Prince TT 100 (310). Actually, I will keep playing with the Prince occasionally and I may even add the Dunlop 500 FX as well. I think the idea that you should stick with just one racket doesn't make a lot of sense because anyone's game will vary from day to day so why try to shoehorn it in to the same racket. On days when you need more control, go with a control racket and on days when you're really seeing the ball well, go with a more power and spin friendly racket, etc.

[@julesmumm3995]

Strange specs. I have a 1993 Bumblebee with following specs: 340 g with strings, 32,8 balance and 335 SW. Ring Roll replaced the L2 pallets with TK82 L3. Best racket I have played with!!!

[@bradbixel878]

Hi Jonas! I am loving my new Head Pro Tour 2.0 (thanks for your review). Hey, just a friendly tip that lefty you're hitting with towards the end could really improve his forehand by utilizing his off arm for better balance (one lefty to another :)

[@Tennisnerd]

Thanks for the tip! The PT 2.0 is NICE

[@craigmorgan1617]

My college frame was the Twin Tube Radical Oversize. My favorite racquet of all time was my high school frame the Head Trysis 300. So soft that if you left it in your car on a hot day it would warp.

[@ravovasquez]

The head radical microgel MP is almost unbeatable. There is nothing quite the same right now. That mix of 18*20 and low swing weights

[@samanthahunter4176]

I loved prince 03 white and prince ex03 black but I also love my radical liquidmetal rackets

[@pimbrick]

Nice, i have 3 zebra's MP . It was a long search. I stopped playing tennis and when i started again i tried some new rackets. At some point in time the Prestige MP youtek reminded me of met old zebra. Lucky my dad kept it in the attic. And one was schipped from italy and one from poland. Thnx eBay. I really like the old school feel. So rewarding on the clean hits. I switched to old school and never looked back.

[@pedropaivalemos]

Whats this specs?

[@rachidbaaira9869]

Great video, plz can you do a video to testing the difference between the old head racket ''the flexpoint liquide metal'' and actuel head racket.

[@julientihema4851]

I have two zebra radicals tour series made in Austria 95sq with the original covers and bag had them since I was 17 bought them in Australia in 1995 I'm 46 now and still use them.

[@pedropaivalemos]

Whats this specs..?

[@julientihema4851]

@@pedropaivalemos 18/20 330g unstrung Twin tube technology

[@facelessman5362]

Microgels were really good.

[@Tennisfan4Eva]

agreee, you can stil get them new online.. legendary radical...

[@fluffy_skye]

@@Tennisfan4Eva Curious. How is there still new ones? They can’t still be producing old rackets right?

[@Tennisfan4Eva]

@@fluffy_skye not sure but TW still selling on their website.. they have the mp and Os versions.. whether its old stock or they kept making them I am not sure... I bought an MP in 2020 and it definitely feels manufactured recently.. it came pre strung though...

[@Tennisfan4Eva]

@@fluffy_skye www.tennis-warehouse.com/Head_MicroGEL_Radical_Midplus/descpageRCHEAD-HMGRAD.html

[@emjay2045]

And still be made ! But where are the MicroGel prestiges ?

[@kenf2662]

Zebra came in an oversized too, I won most of my tournaments with it in the late 90s.

[@freedbeing]

Never got to use anything before the i.Radical, and that's been my favorite. Couldn't stand anything after the Microgel Radical, wish they would bring back the 18×20 string pattern.

[@oliverdesouza5741]

I have seen the Microgel MP listed on a few sites for about £80, which is tempting. But that frame seems to be a bit light (295g). It prompts me to suggest a vlog - can you make a better racket by customising a light one rather than buying a full weight version? I am having a good go with a Six.One 95 Team (289g), which I've added about 17g to. Strung weight of 320g, 33cm balance. I guess SW 324 ish that works for me, but I probably need a 98 rather than a 95. It would be interesting to see if you can customise a Microgel MP to your ideal Radical specs.

[@mutton4ever]

@@chuckfriebe843 can confirm. Did the same thing except i put 20 grams of silicone in the handle. And a leather grip

[@mutton4ever]

@@chuckfriebe843 static weight is 350g on both. About 11 points headlight. Not a lot of lead up top. 4grams at 3 and 9 and 3 grams at 12

[@mutton4ever]

@@chuckfriebe843 i used the tennis warehouse matching service and out of the box the swing weight was 319. Not sure what it is now with the lead tape added though.

[@dispatcheruswc8293]

Best one is bumblebee mp. To fit the modern game, I just wrap two over grip without replacement grip to make it lighter and head heavy balance. Then they just like blade pro stock and have more feel, more power than 280/630 MP and lighter swing weight. Bumblebee is more solid feel than zebra and candy canes. IMO bumblebee MP is best ever made radical. Also it is first tk57 mold as later told pt57.

[@PrecisionPointTennis]

Awesome! When you said you strung it at 51 pounds, is that 51/51 or 51/ something lower in crosses? I’m still using a kilo less on crosses with a full bed of Alu power and I wonder what it would be like at 23/23 instead of 23/22. Tak tak

[@-jm2xp]

Hello! Tell me please how would you compare the feeling of playing head radical os ltd (bumblebee) racket with the tecnifibre tfight 305 iso? I see that rackets differ in head size, balance and weight. But stiffness, plow-through and swingweight are almost identical

[@habs798693]

Oh man, where did you get the Agassi '95 Aussie Open shirt?

[@JW-bw8nj]

I was a fan of the radicals until Head started making them lighter (starting with the Ti. Radical?)

[@Tennisnerd]

I can see your point, but there are some good lighter Radicals too

[@johnrb9397]

Please if you could review the Prince 310 Textreme. Thanks.

[@skinnynorris4725]

He did already if i‘m not mistaken. Just look it up

[@johnrb9397]

@@skinnynorris4725 the latest review or the original? If you are not aware he plans to revisit this racquet now that he has progressed his game on.

[@skinnynorris4725]

@@johnrb9397 ah, right we are expecting another one. Now i remember and know what you were refering to. Sorry for the confusion. Looking forward to this one

[@ScottDreyfus]

I played the zebra in high school. Super plush feel compared to what we have now. Ashway 16g X 17g gamma tnt. 72 lbs

[@Tennisnerd]

the Zebra is a legend

[@eggsdenny]

I found a zebra but it’s 28inch length, good condition. How easy is it to trim an inch off grip? Is it worth doing that?

[@goldencalf5144]

I was dumb enough to give away my Austrian made Bumblebee Radical 15 years ago. It wasn't worth much at the time, the cosmetic was outdated, the handle shape was weird and I never really connected with the frame. In short, it didn't spark joy, when I picked it up. I now, realise my mistake with all the videos I seen about it and the prices I see on Ebay. That's what I get for decluttering my house, thanks a lot Marie Kondo.

[@paranoidandroid6001]

I got the Zebra back some months ago...absolutely great frame. I take it out for a trip sometimes but not more then 20 minutes, too heavy for a real match.

[@K4R3N]

Jonas, Mayami Tour Hex is one of the best shaped poly strings. 8/10 in all categories. I really enjoyed my packet, will buy a reel soon. Thank you for recommendation

[@Tennisnerd]

It's great, right? Enjoy!

[@K4R3N]

@@Tennisnerd tried so many others, I had my best overall experience with Tour Hex and surprisingly the tension and performance lasted better than other poly.

[@remcopelt615]

I like your Nike shirt. The white one with the red stripes. Agassi weared it during the 95 Australian Open. Did they re-release that line?

[@yeetsquad9380]

yeah in a new cut kind of way

[@Tennisnerd]

It's actually a tribute from a brand called Vollaix - check them out

[@remcopelt615]

@@Tennisnerd Nice. Will do

[@mutton4ever]

Just got a twintube radical tour “zebra” with original case

[@Tennisnerd]

Sweeeeet

[@zzturtle9128]

What about the Graphene XT Radical MP Head reintroduced for 99 usd? Is this a good stick?

[@erikshen1107]

Kniessl White Star Masters

[@danoliver8804]

Now that's old school.

[@eggsdenny]

Thoughts on touch radical mp?

[@Tennisnerd]

Nice stick!

[@michaelp9061]

I still have my zebra it is the best radical ever. Makes no sense to discontinue them. New radicals are junks. Wrong mold wrong material

[@emjay2045]

☝🏽🎅🏽

[@michaelp9061]

Em Jay thx

[@michaelhinson424]

I have the limited edition Radical that came out about 5 years ago. Is there any difference between the new edition and the original? I really enjoy the new limited edition as I have 2 racquets!

[@videobrains]

I used the 2006 HEAD Agassi Radical Limited Edition Racquet (a.k.a. LE) for 10 years. Loved them. But they are different from Austrian and Chinese bumblebees. Bumblebees are softer but heavier. They are very stable, and absorb cannonball serves effortlessly. Zebras are similar but have an even higher swing weight. The only problem with old and/or second hand rackets is that they could be brittle, and might break while stringing specially at high tensions. I use poly strings at 65lbs. So I went on a buying spree for spares this year and ended up with 3 Austrian bumblebees, 2 Chinese bumblebees, 2 zebras, 1 Ti-, and one i-Radical. All of them cost just under the price of one brand new 2023 Radical Pro.

[@TimBrennan]

@@videobrains sounds like you got some great bargains. I bought a Chinese bumblebee for £20 on eBay and it was so good I had to find more like it but I ended up paying £110 for a second one. Id be interested to know where you found those great deals

[@videobrains]

@@TimBrennan I’m in the Philippines, and got them in the local Facebook marketplace. The mint condition ones come from Japanese surplus importers.

[@jamestennis]

Nice frames. I seem to have quite a few myself. Great content Jonas. Unfortunate with the SW. Great top, is that Nike or Vollaix? I still have that one and the black stripe, and even the ridiculous shorts that went with both of them. I really should eBay stuff!!

[@Tennisnerd]

Vollaix :) Thanks James

[@galain]

Jonas - do you know what the origins of the Radical are? Was it a frame developed for Agassi originally only as an OS model? Was it a slightly stiffer PT630 (which also had an OS). I'm trying to think who the original market was for the first Radical. (nice shirt BTW!)

[@galain]

@@chuckfriebe843 Thanks man. i always wondered if it was a specific design for Agassi or if it was an attempt to identify a niche in their lineup they had nothing for.

[@stepantzov]

I can’t recall anyone from pros back then playing with the same (or any other) oversized mold, except Agassi. Is it like only his feature?

[@JW-bw8nj]

Chang and Sabatini also used the POG oversize

[@TheNaKio]

I have a titanium radical oversized. The recommended tension is 59-69. I quite old and weak rn to generate power with such high tension. Could I string it with 52 or maybe lower tension?

[@yuyutsu7]

Yes, you can. Try this string at between 52 to 55 lbs: www.tennis-point.com/luxilon-alu-power-tennis-string/p/3144016P/

[@zahmikk]

Somebody says that it has too high weight and this is a problem for many recreational players. But as a owner of PT57A2 with 328 grams of static weight I can say that this racquet is a very demanding. It doesn't matter low or high weight of your racquet. Your technic and moving have to match.

[@brunovanmeirhaeghe7498]

Bonjour j'aimerais trouver une raquette de André Agassi anniversaire 25an

[@benoitbonten1438]

hi Jonas, nice vid, is it the one that was sold at about 100€ last year as a limited edition with the special rubber dampener?

[@Tennisnerd]

Hi Benoit, thanks! No, this is the original version

[@oc_g2236]

Hey Jonas would you consider creating a cameo account because I know I would definitely buy a cameo video from you for a friend who loves your videos

[@Tennisnerd]

Hey, what is that and how does that work?

[@oc_g2236]

@@Tennisnerd it’s an app if you have an iPhone just look up Cameo on the App Store

[@jerome_morrow]

Sorry, Jonas. That’s not what “Twin Tube” really means. In 1996 Head a developed a revolutionary twin tube system, which consists of a polyamide sleeve wrapped around the frame of the racket’s head just before moulding, producing a head with a polyamide outer layer. The tube reduces vibrations in the head and can be laser printed with complicated graphics before moulding to apply the graphics. Traditionally detailed graphics comprise a very high percentage of racket costs, since it very labour intensive and time consuming but with this system virtually any graphics can be applied to the racket head at no extra expense. Since the graphics is printed underneath the polyamide it is protected by the layer against abrasion and therefore longer lasting than traditional cosmetics (Head brochure 1996, Head 2002).

[@oliverdesouza5741]

Interesting and makes sense. I noted that my Radical Pro seems to be very resistant to chipping, so I guess they still use something similar.?

[@jerome_morrow]

@@oliverdesouza5741 The last racquet line that had some Twin Tube models was the Liquidmetal Series. The present Graphene 360+ racquets just have really good quality paint.

[@jerome_morrow]

@@chuckfriebe843 Indeed! A truly exceptional film on so many levels.

[@Tennisnerd]

Hey Jerome, I was a bit unclear so thanks for clearing it up. One way to tell that it is a TwinTube is that visible line, seemingly separating the racquet, right?

[@elkabras]

Sorry Jonas but I think is a joke comparing PT57's (is being used for a lot of pros nowadays) with new Radicals...for me the MP is the 'RACQUET', stability, control, good sweetspot for a 95 sq inch racquet, gives you all you give her, but the weight, the tight pattern and the low stiffness make them a racquet not useful for the 80-90% of recreational players...Zebra has a more muted feel than Candycanes and Bumblebee and you can notice the higher SW too....I'm the proud owner of 3 Candycanes and I won't sell them NEVER👌👌🤤🤤🤤...I play with Dunlop Hotmelt 300G 335grs strung...You must do a review of old Dunlop family...I can send you a Dunlop Revelation Tour Pro and Revelation Select Pro or Muscle Weave 200G, they are too high in this quality rank of Oldies but Goldies¡¡

[@MrPorschkub]

I Radical LM Radical Tour TI Radical Mp Which one is closest to PT600 or PT630

[@jorgeandrescoppiano]

Liquidmetal Rad MP

[@Tennisnerd]

Or Tour! Yum