been around this forum for about a year now, and i realised that some of the people here still prefers Cab20 as their trusty racket. i'm very eager to know why you guys still prefer the Cab20 (any variant) than the latest Muscle Power rackets.

so please post your views on your Cab20 and why you like it or hate it.
thanx, hope this thread is not repeated.

One factor is probably the pricing. With the new MP and Ti series slowly becoming the flagship models of Yonex, the older Carbonex is slowly phased out in popularity.

I like my Cab 20 because it's light; being inept at attacks, I depend on net play as well as good defence. But the downside with that is that the smashes are less powerful in comparison to the more head-heavy Cab 21 or MP series.

For me, it was a matter of wether to use a well proven racquet or take a chance and use a completely different model - like MP (this was a few years ago).

when I was making my decision, a friend just asked me to try his cab20original again. It felt pretty comfortable so that's why I went back to it.

I guess it's more like personal preference.

A lot of players get used to cab20 for a period of time, and being able to masterize it and utilized it. Therefore, there's no need for them to chase after the new models every several months or so.

At least, more than one ppl i know, told me something like this, "if u already like a particular racket so much, why spend extra $$$ to risk for another one? Of course, unless u just want to collect..."

pretty much the same for me...i like the cab20 becoz is like 3 times cheaper than the mp series and it juss fits me better..also probably i got used to using it... n it isn't the racquet that makes the player..is the player itself ...even if u suck.the mp series wont make u better

yea, i know that Cab20 is a cheap racket compared to mp series..
but is the Cab20 a 'very hard to master' racket unless you are a pro?

Originally posted by angelus_2012
yea, i know that Cab20 is a cheap racket compared to mp series..
but is the Cab20 a 'very hard to master' racket unless you are a pro?

i would say is harder to play wif than the mp or ti series and is heavier than those models but after playing wif it for a while, i cant go back to the other series, i find it to haf a lot of control althought it does not help generate power like the mp series so u got to generate ur own power

Originally posted by angelus_2012
yea, i know that Cab20 is a cheap racket compared to mp series..
but is the Cab20 a 'very hard to master' racket unless you are a pro? that is applicable to all racquets, not just cab20:p:p

I have used a Cab20 Power US (2U-G4) since 1996 and I hope to continue using it. Maybe I'm just attached to it because of sentimental reasons, but I really like how it plays. I tried a Cab20 Muscle US (2U-G4) but it was a little too flexible for me so I ended up selling it. I also have a Cab23 US (2U-G4) which is just about as stiff as the Cab20 Power, but a not as head-heavy. The Cab23 is a keeper, but I really wish Yonex would distribute the Cab20 Power here in the US or the Cab20 Long (been dying to try out a Cab20 Long).

I like Cab racquets in general, especially the older ones; they seem to be more durable than a lot of the newer, more expensive Muscle Power series racquets, at least, this is the opinion of many people on this forum. There weren't any Muscle Power racquets back in 1996, but I remember seeing many racquets break in highschool and only one of them was a Cab.

G'day,

I own an assortment of Cab rackets and MP rackets.

In my experience, the main difference (other than price, shape and appearance) between Cab rackets and MP rackets is the ease of generating power. MP rackets are easier to use especially when excuting back hand clears. I believe this is due to the larger sweet spot in Iso head racket.

Cab rackets, especially Cab20, is a better all round racket than MP series, as MP range are designed more for aggressive attacking style of play, and their head heavy design, although aids in power generation, is often a hinderance to defensive and touch shots. Out all the rackets I own, the Cab20 is the best racket for touch and defensive play and Ti-10 being most all-out attacking play.

Cab21 & Cab22 are head heavier cousins of Cab20 and as result, are designed for more offensive type of play without sacrificing too much of the good touch and feel of Cab20.

Personally, I think Cab20 is one of the best Yonex racket ever produced, one of the greats among Cab8, Isometric 800, Ti-10 and MP90.

Dear Amraider,

We see eye to eye - both of us like playing with Cab 20 Power, for its even balance and stiffness (better control) but still can generate decent powerful smashes.

If you want to have another new Cab 20 Power, it would be a bit difficult as it has been discontinued. Anyway, Cab 22 is identical with Cab 20 Power, in terms of performance, balance, power and weight.

Thus, if Cab 22 is available in your area, you can consider it.

Originally posted by SmashingBird
pretty much the same for me...i like the cab20 becoz is like 3 times cheaper than the mp series and it juss fits me better..also probably i got used to using it... n it isn't the racquet that makes the player..is the player itself ...even if u suck.the mp series wont make u better


You mentioned that cab20 is like 3 times cheaper than the mp series.

I did a search from internet. MP100 is about US$150. Cab20 is about US$100. How much and where did you get your cab20? If is way less than US$100, I like to get one too. Anyone know where I can get a cheaper cab20 from the internet or in the bay area?

from my sources in hk the cab20 is about $90CDN and the mp100 is around $200CDN
not three times cheaper..a bit exagerating..but still a lot cheaper than the mp series

Originally posted by AMRaider
I like Cab racquets in general, especially the older ones; they seem to be more durable than a lot of the newer, more expensive Muscle Power series racquets, at least, this is the opinion of many people on this forum. There weren't any Muscle Power racquets back in 1996, but I remember seeing many racquets break in highschool and only one of them was a Cab.

I concur with this one. So far, racquet breakages which I've heard of ever since I began playing badminton 12 years ago, I could remember none of the Carbonex series being one; almost unheard of. In fact, I don't think I've heard of a Carbonex broken yet (at least around me, that is.).

A good testament to that should be my brother's 1985 Carbonex 8 SP. It's rock solid and it's still in good shape today, surviving years of racquet clashes in inter-school tournaments.

Apart from that, on my ten-year old Carbonex 13 SP (old logo), paint on some parts of the racquet are already chipping off at the thickness of around one stapler pin due to racquet clashes, but the racquet is still pretty good. Took it out of retirement last week and my gosh, it smashes better than my Cab 20! (Can't bear to part with the old racquet as I've played to the semis of school selections with it... luv it! :D )

In the past six months, I've witnessed three Tis and one MPs broken (and more to come if my students keep thinking that a more expensive or newer racquet will make them a better player... :p ).

Sorry to veer off the topic, but the point I want to make is that I think the Carbonex series are so much more durable than the new MPs and Tis. Just look for Forrest Yung's battered Cab 20 pictures and you'll see what most of us mean. ;)

But the downside here could probably be the racquet shape: it's non-Isometric, meaning that backhands could be harder to execute in comparison to those using MPs, ISOs and TIs. Same goes with smaller sweetspot, a 'disadvantage'.

But then again, this shouldn't be a problem if you have the correct technique. In proper training, everybody is taught to hit the sweetspot and do good backhands, regardless of the type of racquet. :)

I recall Cab20's breaking (when a miss hit occurs on 2 and 10 o'clock postion with birdie) back 8-10 years ago when they were really popular. But there weren't as many as you hear of now with the MP and Ti series. One coach told me its because they try to make the racquets lighter and lighter plus the fact that (other than the T-joint), the frames are hollow so with mistakes, your bound to break a racquet or two (old or new).

can anyone give me a feedback on the carbonex20 titanium power sp? just purchased it this afternoon for only Php3300 or US$60. this is my 2nd cab20 racket. the 1st one is a cab20 tour special. thanks!

where did you buy it?

in sports house. original price is Php4140 but since it is their 20th anniversary, they're giving a 20% discount. check it out sa mga branches nila.

Originally posted by bambini
can anyone give me a feedback on the carbonex20 titanium power sp? just purchased it this afternoon for only Php3300 or US$60. this is my 2nd cab20 racket. the 1st one is a cab20 tour special. thanks!

Why don't you try it out? That way you will know and you can tell us too! :)

well, i used it yesterday and it turned out to be a good racket for smashing.