Adding overgrip: Armortec head heavy characteristics changed

[armortec user]

What da ****! I've just put a new Wilson grip on my Armortec 700 and it's no longer head heavy. The same thing happened with my mp77. The racquet is a 4uG4 and needs almost a whole overgrip to get it to a decent size for holding. Does anyone else have this problem? How come the pro's I see don't seem to have big chunky grips like mine?

Preemptive, I was worried about it being a 4u because apparently a lot of shops were having mp88 4u racquets returned.

[modious]

Now I seriously don't see the need to post the same message in 4 different threads. :rolleyes:

Not too sure about the grips but I'm sure the AT700 is more durable because the recommended tension is higher and Yonex has supposedly reinforced the top part of the frame with Titanium or something. I also had some experience with the MP88 SP.... before it broke 3 months later! :mad:

For my 3U AT700 JP, the recommended tension was 25lbs! It's the first time I see such high recommendations for a 3U. And you know if Yonex recommenda 25lbs, it can definately go over 30lbs I believe! I strung mine at 27lbs btw.

[Pre-emptive]

Hi armotec, you have gains and loses when you have big fat grip. It will feel more head-light but you lose power. It will also affect many other things. I think it is important to find out your optimal grip size. I usually remove the original grip, file down the wood and put 2 layers of overgrip. Sorry for the OT posting.

[armortec user]

But doesn't this completely mess up the balance on the racquet? I tried balancing my shaft on my finger after I put the new grip on and the fulcrum has definitely shifted a few cm's towards the handle. It's no longer head heavy. I'm thinking about putting some lead tape on to the head, I did this before with my Prince Axis 75, but eventually took it off because I couldn't get the balance right.

[Pre-emptive]

Armortec, should we talk about this in a new thread? This is off-topic.

[Cheung]

Originally posted by armortec user
How come the pro's I see don't seem to have big chunky grips like mine?
1) in general, use of fingers to manoevre racquet head is easier
2) using fingers can increase the power generation of your swing
3) in general, efficient use of fingers is enhanced by a smaller size grip
4) adding overgrip makes a comfortable size for you. Ask yourself - is it a comfortable for a less than optimal grip technique?

you fail to mention wether you put the overgrip on top of the original leather grip or have removed the leather grip first. By your description, I assume you still have the original leather grip and have added the overgrip to it.

[Pre-emptive]

Armortec, I am not an advanced player but I will share my experience anyway. My optimal grip size for me is the one that:

1. let me control the racket face quickly, accurately and effortlessly.
2. let me change btw forehand and backhand grips fluidly.
3. makes me hold the racket with my pinky finger tighter. ( I tend to hold the racket with my middle finger tighter with fatter grip )


I personally wouldn't modify the grip just to make the head feels heavier or lighter. I rather pick up a racket that has the balance I like.

[ryeung]

Originally posted by armortec user
But doesn't this completely mess up the balance on the racquet? I tried balancing my shaft on my finger after I put the new grip on and the fulcrum has definitely shifted a few cm's towards the handle. It's no longer head heavy. I'm thinking about putting some lead tape on to the head, I did this before with my Prince Axis 75, but eventually took it off because I couldn't get the balance right.

I agree that adding grip will theoretically change the balance point of the racket. But you should consider that the weight change is at the handle. Since one holds the racket at the handle, this additional weight should be not change much the "feel" of the racket. Any additional views on this?

[n00b]

i just put a yonex overgrap on my ti-10 and it feels like a balanced racquet and i have lost power. i really cannot play with the standard grip cuz it is too hard for my hand. so what should i do to preserve the power and keep it softer in hand

[n00b]

BTW, i put the overgrap on top of the standard grip

[Pre-emptive]

Option 1: remove the original grip and put 3 layers of overgrip.

Option 2: remove the original grip, sand down the size of the wood handle and put layers of overgrip.

[heavy__2]

hi i am having the same problem i recently purchased the new mp 77 3u g4 and although it is head heavy balance it isnt heavy it seems as if it has no power at all do u think it is bcos i am not used to the racket or wat could it b?

[Pre-emptive]

It is a 3U racket, so it will have less power than a 2U. It could also be yourself. Have you try using more wrist and finger power?

[armortec user]

more finger power? Are we talking about the same thing or have you been watching too many pornos? Last Tango in Paris was on recently. I don't want to remove the original grip. I'm surprised manufacturers don't take these issues into account when balancing their racquets. I've got a Prince Axis 75 with a chunky Karakal PU Super Grip on it, and it's now more head-heavy than my "head-heavy" AT-700. As I said, What da ****!?

[armortec user]

Does the original grip weigh as heavy as an overgrip? What is the best overgrip, bearing in mind the lightness issue?

[Cheung]

Originally posted by armortec user
more finger power? Are we talking about the same thing or have you been watching too many pornos? Last Tango in Paris was on recently. I don't want to remove the original grip. I'm surprised manufacturers don't take these issues into account when balancing their racquets. I've got a Prince Axis 75 with a chunky Karakal PU Super Grip on it, and it's now more head-heavy than my "head-heavy" AT-700. As I said, What da ****!? sure, I won't argue on not removing the original leather grip. I never used to until I actually got coaching from a former international player. It then dawned on me that my grip size was too large to generate a good smash (after the coach showed me his technique) amongst other things (all that I mentioned before). He himself used a Ti10, G4, no leather grip, and a layer of towelling grip!

[reenignelivic]

He himself used a Ti10, G4, no leather grip, and a layer of towelling grip!

Cheung:
So your coach is placing the towelling grip on the wood??
Wouldn't it be to hard to play with??

[armortec user]

ok, so do you think that taking the original leather grip off and then using a whole overgrip closely wound (Karakal are usually really long) would be lighter than same thickness of leather + overgrip?

[equus]

i use tournagrip on top of the original grip on my ti-10 and it hasn't affected the balance of my racquet.

[Cheung]

Originally posted by reenignelivic
Cheung:
So your coach is placing the towelling grip on the wood??
Wouldn't it be to hard to play with?? That depends on your level of play, on your preference and what you are used to. But I believe the most important factor is the smaller size of the grip handle that gives increased range of movement and options in your shots.

[Cheung]

Originally posted by armortec user
ok, so do you think that taking the original leather grip off and then using a whole overgrip closely wound (Karakal are usually really long) would be lighter than same thickness of leather + overgrip? The most obvious answer is to do the weighing yourself.

[n00b]

i took the leather grip off my 90vfs and put on the yonex overgrap to preserver the balance so does not become that much head light. after about 2 hours of play my hands were all soar cuz teh handle was too hard because there was wood just underneath the overgrap. now i have to put another layer of grip that would be the same thing as putting a overgrap on top of the leather grip.

[TI-SP-SS dude]

actually, i think taking off the grip causes it to become head heavy not light. Since it is taking weight off the handle, and also making it smaller at the same time.

[Pre-emptive]

It is not the weight of the overgrip that affect the balance. It is the size that does the major part. Stick a coin under the handle and see if it has the same effect of a fatter grip.

[olli]

Sorry that I have to say that, but making an headheavy racket an headlight one by adding more weight to the grip/handle is physically NONSENSE, because you actually don't change the mass you're moving. While doing a swing the racket is rotating with the handle as fix-point, so the relevant mass is the one above the handle. The reason why most people think, that their racket become more headlight by adding an overgrip, is the change of the leverage effect, when the grip gets thicker. So you will theoretically gain more power, but practically a lot of people tend to hold the grip too tight, so that they'll actually lose power and feel because they don't swing relaxed.

[n00b]

i was comparing the fulcurum at which my ti-10 balances. with the factory leathe gip, the racquet would balance in the upper part of the racquet. after adding an overgrip, the fulcrum down towards the middle of the racquet. just to compare this with a balance racquet, i compared the balance point of my 90vf which was in the lower part of the racquet with one layer of overgrip. so if head heavy racquets do have a balanced fulcrum in the upper part of the shaft, then adding overgrip does affect the balance of the racquet.

[LazyBuddy]

To me, the main purpose of replacing / adding grips, is to gain more comfortable feeling, rather than changing weight / balance point.

It's true, with the little tiny 3gram or so, the balance point of a racket will be shifted more or less toward the handle. However, u have to judge wether this will still suitable for ur playing style, or not. All the answer is from urself, rather than from others.

If the change is not very sig. or u actually like the balance pt more toward the handle, I guess it's an ok adjustment for ur equipment. However, if the change is way to obvious, and u really don't feel comfortable, then, consider alternate ways about grip (using differetn brand grip, taking away original grip and only use overgrip, etc).

There's nothing in the world, can be accomplished, without effect other related issues. It's more like ur own judgement about whether this "trade off" is worth the effort or not.

[Pre-emptive]

Does wearing a ring makes the racket lighter? Probably not. Besides, adding weight to the handle should not affect the balance unless people hold their rackets on the shafts.

[cooler]

adding weight anywhere on the racquet will affect its balance. It come down to how do u like the racquet to feel before, at and after contact with the shuttle.

[LazyBuddy]

Originally posted by Pre-emptive
Does wearing a ring makes the racket lighter? Probably not. Besides, adding weight to the handle should not affect the balance unless people hold their rackets on the shafts.

Of course adding weight going to affect the balance pt in order to change the momentum while swing.

Like in baseball, players might use "corked bat" to add power. Of course, all the cork were not anywhere near the bat handle (most around the head), but working well for the "cheating" batters.

[cooler]

corked bats have not been proven scientically to make the baseball go faster or farther. It is a myth IMO. Cork is a dampener material, it dampen noise, shock and any mechancial vibration, why would a dampener enhance energy transfer? Therefore, people in the baseball circle have the wrong belief of corked bats.

[Phil]

Corked bats in this regard have a cork in the hollow inside that, due to centrifugal force, moves to the end of the bat when it is swung, giving it more power. Sounds like a new idea for Yonex eh? :)

BTW, for those who are pulling their hair out over grips changing the balance, just find a grip size you are comfortable with, and clear for 10 minutes and you'll be used to it. With proper technique, one should be able to clear with any racquet (within reason).

Personally, with a Yonex G4 grip size, I remove the original grip and put one layer of overgrip on the wood, double-layered. Double-layered as in I put the grip on once, but I overlap half of the previous layer while wrapping it, which in effect makes it two layers. So far, all grips I have tried are long enough to do this. I used to use Karakal PU grips, but I found they are too cushiony, so I don't get enough feel on the racquet. With only two thin layers between my hand and the wood handle, it feels much better, and I can manipulate the racquet easier with my fingers.

Phil