Please tell me all you kind BFers who have the "hands on" exp on both types of MP99..

I just snapped my 2U MP99 yesterday after receiving a smash trying to get back into position using my racket as a support... >.<

Since most of the BFers here are using 3U MP99, I am thinking of switching to 3U.

You used your MP-99 for support?!?!!! :eek:

Switching from the 3U to the 2U won't change your game performance.

and will sure be worse for support. ;)

You should use MP-2i, I think it will sure "support " you better :)

lol i'm not surprised your MP 99 broke there not designed to be used as supports :p :D :D

Originally posted by manabu


I just snapped my 2U MP99 yesterday after receiving a smash trying to get back into position using my racket as a support... >.<


Well, I don't think any all graphite racket could survive the "support" attempt, regardless 2u, 3u or 4u, etc.

Special cases like bump, support, clash, bad string technique should not be counted as factors to determine how fragile a racket is. Overall, 3U is lighter due to less material, so, I think 3U should be a little bit more fragile than 2U. The proof could be the rec. tension, as 3U also has 1-2 lb less than 2U.

Dont any of you guys ever use racket as supports? Especially in really intensive singles games? It seems to me that the pros do it a lot, especially when they're having hard time reaching from one shot to another... I've even seen them use their racket to "push off"
:D

yeah... but they get loads of freebies and they play at a higher level;)

JChen99:
I'm not a pro, but I found datz quite a natural thing to do. So, after so often my poor MP99 showed fatigue and collasped.

Yeah, I reckon its not a healthy thing to do with anybodyz racket (esp when there arent loads of rackets to spare..:( ) , I can't sell my MP99 as easy as most BFers here because my racket head has very little "yellows" left even b4 I "snapped" my racket.

Too bad I couldnt send u guys a picture of how it looks like now, I gave it to a friend a mine who wants to do some weird experiments to it. Also I dun recommend ppl to see a black racket head, yellow shaft MP99 snapped in half.


So, do u guys think 3U version of MP99 is a better choice than the 2U? is it more balance n easier to play with than 2U? It appears to me that most ppl r getting the 3Us and 3Us are usually out of stock, where there are plenty of untouched 2Us MP99 around...

if all being equal, a 3U is bound to be more fragile. if your tendency is to use your racket as support and also lots of clashes (as can be seen by your previous MP99), then i say get the 2U again or get some other more durable racket else you will be replacing a lot of rackets.

it is your call, of course, if you value how the racket feel more than how long it lasts, then.... :)

i've been using a 3U MP99 for a while and recently switched to a 2U. i find that the newer 2U "feels" safer to string at a high tension, gives me slightly increased power on smashes, and is otherwise just about the same as my 3U MP99.

so i would say go for the 2U version for you especially due to it's increased durability!

i myself use a 2u mp99. I've also tried the mp99 3u and I find that I like my 2u more. However, this is probably becuase I'm a lot mroe used to the 2u than the 3u; I'm sure that if I owned a 3u instead of a 2u, my opinion could differ.

I've had coaches tell me that my 2u is quite a heavy racket and the 3u would suit me more, but IMO, i think it's all preference and the fact of getting used to the racket.

On a side note, I never use my racket as a support:D

Hi all,

Two personal observations:

1. Mp99 3U is noticeably stiffer than 2U ( quite a lot stiffer i can say)
2. Mp99 3U is more head heavy than 2U(Maybe coz it is G5 grip)
3. The 3U version does not seem lighter at all.

Most people say Mp99 is even balance, but i definitely feel it is head heavy,
balance point is around 300.

Anyone share the same observations?

Originally posted by crazy_smasher
Hi all,

Two personal observations:

1. Mp99 3U is noticeably stiffer than 2U ( quite a lot stiffer i can say)
2. Mp99 3U is more head heavy than 2U(Maybe coz it is G5 grip)
3. The 3U version does not seem lighter at all.

Most people say Mp99 is even balance, but i definitely feel it is head heavy,
balance point is around 300.

Anyone share the same observations?

I also have the same experiences about 1 and 2. About the point 3, I have opponent opinion.......:)

Forget to mention that I was using a SP version of the MP99 before and I have never had a 3U or 4U racket.

Anybody know if there exist a difference in balance point between the 3U and 2U MP99s? Also does the 3U version of it have that "whippy" feeling when smashing hard?

I am considering another MP99, but in this case it would be a 3U since I am used 2 stringing all my rackets at ~22lbs (which I expect it should hold reasonably easy even for a 3U) and will soon be using it in my doubles game so it will be less likely I will break another one.

Originally posted by crazy_smasher
Hi all,

Two personal observations:

1. Mp99 3U is noticeably stiffer than 2U ( quite a lot stiffer i can say)
2. Mp99 3U is more head heavy than 2U(Maybe coz it is G5 grip)
3. The 3U version does not seem lighter at all.

Most people say Mp99 is even balance, but i definitely feel it is head heavy,
balance point is around 300.

Anyone share the same observations?

I bought 7 MP9x so far (5 of them are 3U, 1 2U JP and 1 2U CP) and I used MP9x 3U a lot. I personally disagree with (2) and (3). (1) may be true but I think it is just a kind of feeling, i.e. the stiffness of the shaft should be more or less the same.

In fact, I found 3U MP99 even balance (or even head light sometime), I've an impression that the racket is felt stiffer because of the very light frame.

On the other hand, the grip size can make some differences, e.g. among those 5 3U MP9x, 1 one of them is G3 and this one feels less head heavy.

I forgot to mention that i am using a TH version, maybe it is different feel than other SP or CP or JP.

G5 grip makes the racket feel head heavy.

I have trouble to adapt to the racket coz it does not seems to bounce out as easily as less stiff racket. Very stable, no vibration on hitting.

Manabu, out of curiousity, how much do you weigh?

The balance point of my 2UG4 MP99 is about 298mm and for my AT700 it is 305mm. Relative to AT700, the MP99 is less head-heavy. Both are ideal for attacking players, especially doubles, as both have a balance point greater than 295mm and a total length of about 675mm-678mm.