replacing my old carbonex 14

[reprazent74]

I am looking to replace my nearly 20 years old Yonex Carbonex 14 racquet. I find it a little too heavy. What would a good replacement be?

I practiced (in a badminton club) a few times a week during high-school when I got the Carbonex 14 so I have a reasonable technique (I think), I do not have problems hitting from base-line to base-line exept at after a few sets when I get tired. I usually play singles with medium plastic shuttles.

My playing style is usually to move opponent about until they make a bad return shot which I try to exploit. I have had some difficulties with doing this as I am not that good at smashing. I am not that tall either (1.76m).

So basically I am looking for something that would be lighter than my old raquet, allow me to smash better, and offer a little extra length when I am tired. A larger sweetspot would be nice too.

I tried the MP 28 which at a local store but found it a little top-heavy. They had the armortec 300 too which I liked more but I am uncertain if it will fit my playing style.

Are there any other raquets that would suit me? Would the armortec 300 be good for me?

Any comments appreciated,
/Nick

[bluejeff]

Well, since you played with CAB for so long, why not getting another CAB in less weight?

For example, Cab-20MS in 3U or things like that.

[forrestyung]

Cab 14 is a flexiable racket with 2U and U version. You can check your racket is in U or 2U first. According to your message, you also dislike some head heavy rackets.

Then you can reduce the searching area into:

Flex racket - as per your Cab 14
2U or lighter - because you feel your racket is quite heavy
Even balance or Head Light balance - because you don't prefer head heavy

It may help you to find a racket more quickly and I think Babolat Chrono may be one of your choice.

[kmodak]

I am looking to replace my nearly 20 years old Yonex Carbonex 14 racquet. I find it a little too heavy. What would a good replacement be?

I practiced (in a badminton club) a few times a week during high-school when I got the Carbonex 14 so I have a reasonable technique (I think), I do not have problems hitting from base-line to base-line exept at after a few sets when I get tired. I usually play singles with medium plastic shuttles.

My playing style is usually to move opponent about until they make a bad return shot which I try to exploit. I have had some difficulties with doing this as I am not that good at smashing. I am not that tall either (1.76m).

So basically I am looking for something that would be lighter than my old raquet, allow me to smash better, and offer a little extra length when I am tired. A larger sweetspot would be nice too.

I tried the MP 28 which at a local store but found it a little top-heavy. They had the armortec 300 too which I liked more but I am uncertain if it will fit my playing style.

Are there any other raquets that would suit me? Would the armortec 300 be good for me?

Any comments appreciated,
/Nick


How did you manage to play with the same racquet for 20 yrs without a break. Amazing..... Do you play doubles at all.

I recooment Carbonex 8600 light. I think it will suit your style that you describe.

[reprazent74]

How did you manage to play with the same racquet for 20 yrs without a break. Amazing..... Do you play doubles at all.

I recooment Carbonex 8600 light. I think it will suit your style that you describe.


I guess I haven't played that much after I quit practicing. Started a few years ago again. And I mostly play singles. :-)

/Nick

[reprazent74]

Well, since you played with CAB for so long, why not getting another CAB in less weight?

For example, Cab-20MS in 3U or things like that.


I don't know really, what is the advantage(s) with cabs compared to other racquets?

/Nick

[reprazent74]

Cab 14 is a flexiable racket with 2U and U version. You can check your racket is in U or 2U first. According to your message, you also dislike some head heavy rackets.

Then you can reduce the searching area into:

Flex racket - as per your Cab 14
2U or lighter - because you feel your racket is quite heavy
Even balance or Head Light balance - because you don't prefer head heavy

It may help you to find a racket more quickly and I think Babolat Chrono may be one of your choice.

Even balance would be best perhaps if they are a little easier to keep length with than head-light (do they keep length better?) I have sort of decided on buying a yonex racket.. Are there any yonex ones that have fullflex and even balance?

I tried some reseach and found the muscle power series has some full-flex racquets but they are a little top-heavy (at least the MP28 I tried). Are there any MP series that aren't so top heavy? The Armortec series seems not to be flexible (except the AT300 which has medium flex). The only carbonex with full flex seems to be the 8400 which would perhaps be a good choice but it seems a little hard to find though.. At least in the EU.

/Nick

[SPaterson]

Even balance would be best perhaps if they are a little easier to keep length with than head-light (do they keep length better?) I have sort of decided on buying a yonex racket.. Are there any yonex ones that have fullflex and even balance?

I tried some reseach and found the muscle power series has some full-flex racquets but they are a little top-heavy (at least the MP28 I tried). Are there any MP series that aren't so top heavy? The Armortec series seems not to be flexible (except the AT300 which has medium flex). The only carbonex with full flex seems to be the 8400 which would perhaps be a good choice but it seems a little hard to find though.. At least in the EU.

/Nick

In response to your query on the MP series, - the MP44 and MP66 are both designated 'Flexible'. I've heard a fair few Bad things about the MP44, but a lot of good things about the MP66.

(Both are also stated as Even balance). You might want to read the reviews on both on the Equipment reviews sub-forum at the top of this forum.

When I first changed from my rather heavy (105g Frame weight) racquet, I went to a 3U racquet comfortably (top end 3U i.e. 89g), which was also even balance.

Other than that, I can't be much help as I don't know much about Yonex racquest from personal experience.

[forrestyung]

Even balance would be best perhaps if they are a little easier to keep length with than head-light (do they keep length better?) I have sort of decided on buying a yonex racket.. Are there any yonex ones that have fullflex and even balance?

I tried some reseach and found the muscle power series has some full-flex racquets but they are a little top-heavy (at least the MP28 I tried). Are there any MP series that aren't so top heavy? The Armortec series seems not to be flexible (except the AT300 which has medium flex). The only carbonex with full flex seems to be the 8400 which would perhaps be a good choice but it seems a little hard to find though.. At least in the EU.

/Nick

In fact, I dislike head light racket, I need to add lead tape for my Babolat Chrono.

If you consider 8400, you also need to consider string tension.

Is it possible to get Ti-Swing power in EU?? I don't know the balance of these rackets, but you can at least choose the flexibility.

[reprazent74]

I am looking to replace my nearly 20 years old Yonex Carbonex 14 racquet. I find it a little too heavy. What would a good replacement be?

I practiced (in a badminton club) a few times a week during high-school when I got the Carbonex 14 so I have a reasonable technique (I think), I do not have problems hitting from base-line to base-line exept at after a few sets when I get tired. I usually play singles with medium plastic shuttles.

My playing style is usually to move opponent about until they make a bad return shot which I try to exploit. I have had some difficulties with doing this as I am not that good at smashing. I am not that tall either (1.76m).

So basically I am looking for something that would be lighter than my old raquet, allow me to smash better, and offer a little extra length when I am tired. A larger sweetspot would be nice too.

I tried the MP 28 which at a local store but found it a little top-heavy. They had the armortec 300 too which I liked more but I am uncertain if it will fit my playing style.

Are there any other raquets that would suit me? Would the armortec 300 be good for me?

Any comments appreciated,
/Nick

After looking for information a lot on the net the following candidates have emerged (All prices from online UK retailers):

AT800DEF (£100, It is perhaps too stiff for me, I don't know. I find it a little expensive also..)
MP66 (£70, Seems like a good racket. I am uncertain if smashs and clears will be powerful though)
AT300 (£50, Difficult to find information about this, good and bad)

As I will propably order it online and won't be able to try it out I am somewhat reluctant to spend an enormous amount of money before I know I like the racket. Therefore I am leaning towards the cheaper rackets at the moment. Any thoughts on these rackets?

/Nick