Li-Ning in Australia - 21Sports - Melbourne

**Easy Tiger** · 02-05-2010, 08:42 PM

Hey Melbournites,

Today I popped into a new store in Melbs in Richmond at 307 Victoria Street called 21 Sports. They have a good selection of stuff, rackets from RSL, Kason, Victor, Li-Ning and Yonex.

No high end Victor, but quite a few of the Li-Nings in the low to mid hundreds, which I'll be sure to pilfer more of as the year goes on.

To test the waters I bought a TP100C -

It's a mid-range LiNing racket, which is pretty stripped back and basic, but for 120 bucks for a racket with Elastic-Ti reinforcing, it's not bad. Specs are - Slightly head-heavy to even balance, stiff shaft. A bit in the same vein as the Arc series perhaps.

I had it strung with BG80 at 24/26lbs, and found that with my girly arm I had trouble generating as much power for clears as I'd like, but the feel and touch from the racket is very, very sweet. Felt really connected to the shot, was really impressed with that aspect of this racket.

It was a real toss-up between the TP100C and the NP201B for a few more ducats. The NP range is finished just that little bit better, but the mid flex / head heavy spec put me off, but probably not enough at these prices to give it a shot eventually. I think the 201 is one of the classiest looking rackets going, the photos don't do it justice. It's a deep black cherry colour with copper accents.

So yeah anyway, worth a pop-in to fondle the merch. Nice to have a place closer than Stadium for once!

**LD rules!** · 02-06-2010, 03:25 AM

nice racket, does that mean the li ning are expanding out of asia ?

**Easy Tiger** · 02-06-2010, 04:00 AM

Doubtful. No, this guy just imports them himself.

**LD rules!** · 02-06-2010, 04:07 AM

Is he an authorized dealer ? Or does he just buy them himself, and sell them on ?
apparently li-ning are available in the Netherlands or/and germany

**Easy Tiger** · 02-06-2010, 05:11 AM

I dunno. He didn't stamp the warranty card if that's any indication. I didn't ask as I don't really care either way, I'm just happy enough to actually be able to go into a shop and see something aside from Yonex.

**21sports** · 02-07-2010, 05:31 PM

Originally Posted by Easy Tiger

Hey Melbournites,

Today I popped into a new store in Melbs in Richmond at 307 Victoria Street called 21 Sports. They have a good selection of stuff, rackets from RSL, Kason, Victor, Li-Ning and Yonex.

No high end Victor, but quite a few of the Li-Nings in the low to mid hundreds, which I'll be sure to pilfer more of as the year goes on.

To test the waters I bought a TP100C -

It's a mid-range LiNing racket, which is pretty stripped back and basic, but for 120 bucks for a racket with Elastic-Ti reinforcing, it's not bad. Specs are - Slightly head-heavy to even balance, stiff shaft. A bit in the same vein as the Arc series perhaps.

I had it strung with BG80 at 24/26lbs, and found that with my girly arm I had trouble generating as much power for clears as I'd like, but the feel and touch from the racket is very, very sweet. Felt really connected to the shot, was really impressed with that aspect of this racket.

It was a real toss-up between the TP100C and the NP201B for a few more ducats. The NP range is finished just that little bit better, but the mid flex / head heavy spec put me off, but probably not enough at these prices to give it a shot eventually. I think the 201 is one of the classiest looking rackets going, the photos don't do it justice. It's a deep black cherry colour with copper accents.

So yeah anyway, worth a pop-in to fondle the merch. Nice to have a place closer than Stadium for once!

Thank you for choosing us.
It's very happy to see you enjoyed your new racket.

**21sports** · 02-07-2010, 05:43 PM

Originally Posted by LD rules!

Is he an authorized dealer ? Or does he just buy them himself, and sell them on ?
apparently li-ning are available in the Netherlands or/and germany

Yes, currently we are the only authorized Li-Ning dealer in Australia. The good new is Li-Ning is considering to expend into Australian market shortly, which is good for Australian badminton player.

**21sports** · 02-07-2010, 05:46 PM

Originally Posted by Easy Tiger

Hey Melbournites,

Today I popped into a new store in Melbs in Richmond at 307 Victoria Street called 21 Sports. They have a good selection of stuff, rackets from RSL, Kason, Victor, Li-Ning and Yonex.

No high end Victor, but quite a few of the Li-Nings in the low to mid hundreds, which I'll be sure to pilfer more of as the year goes on.

To test the waters I bought a TP100C -

It's a mid-range LiNing racket, which is pretty stripped back and basic, but for 120 bucks for a racket with Elastic-Ti reinforcing, it's not bad. Specs are - Slightly head-heavy to even balance, stiff shaft. A bit in the same vein as the Arc series perhaps.

I had it strung with BG80 at 24/26lbs, and found that with my girly arm I had trouble generating as much power for clears as I'd like, but the feel and touch from the racket is very, very sweet. Felt really connected to the shot, was really impressed with that aspect of this racket.

It was a real toss-up between the TP100C and the NP201B for a few more ducats. The NP range is finished just that little bit better, but the mid flex / head heavy spec put me off, but probably not enough at these prices to give it a shot eventually. I think the 201 is one of the classiest looking rackets going, the photos don't do it justice. It's a deep black cherry colour with copper accents.

So yeah anyway, worth a pop-in to fondle the merch. Nice to have a place closer than Stadium for once!

Thank you for choosing us.
It is happy to see you enjoyed your new racket.

**Easy Tiger** · 02-07-2010, 05:58 PM

Thanks for helping us out with the TP100C, 21sports. Great bang-for-buck doubles racket, I was quite shocked how competent it was. Good luck with Li-Ning, and good luck taming that ZSlash!

Don't let anyone buy that NP201B!!

**jaiyen** · 02-07-2010, 06:22 PM

Omg! :d :d Yay!

You have a brochure of stuff you have to sell or can get? ^^
(found your website

)

wow how did i never know about this store befor..

**21sports** · 02-07-2010, 06:29 PM

Originally Posted by Easy Tiger

Thanks for helping us out with the TP100C, 21sports. Great bang-for-buck doubles racket, I was quite shocked how competent it was. Good luck with Li-Ning, and good luck taming that ZSlash!

Don't let anyone buy that NP201B!!

no problem, i will keep one for you~~

Hopefully, We will get some NP201C next month, because all the logistics company are closed due to the Chinese New Year...

It is so nice to see you enjoyed you new racket.

**21sports** · 02-07-2010, 06:39 PM

Originally Posted by jaiyen

Omg! :d :d Yay!

You have a website? or brochure of stuff you have to sell or can get? ^^

Yes, we do have a website, but i am not sure whether i can post it here...anyway, visit us at http://www.21sports.com.au
we are updating our products day by day, there's lot of stuff, so it takes a while.

**Easy Tiger** · 02-07-2010, 07:06 PM

Originally Posted by jaiyen

wow how did i never know about this store before..

That's what happens when you go overseas for months on end

**adonis** · 02-07-2010, 08:46 PM

Haha Tiger, I thought you were too focused on White Label. What happened?

I have popped by 21 Sports about twice, once before they had the Li Nings and once after. Honestly, still bit pricey compared to many other online stores.

**Easy Tiger** · 02-07-2010, 09:40 PM

Impulse buy!

Their prices on the mid range Li-Nings are very competitive, and prices for Yonex are about the same as Stadium, so not too bad.

**Easy Tiger** · 02-08-2010, 03:57 PM

Okay, so 10 hours now with the humble TP100C, and I gotta say....quietly impressed! Still lacks a little bit of punch, but I'm splitting hairs seeing I'm not really smashing a lot because my shoulder is a bit NQR, but as I suspected you get a lot of bang for buck with mid range rackets, and I think more people could probably benefit from them instead of instantly reaching for the top shelf [like me].

90% [or more] of the performance for 60% the price, anyone?

**LD rules!** · 02-08-2010, 04:23 PM

Originally Posted by Easy Tiger

Okay, so 10 hours now with the humble TP100C, and I gotta say....quietly impressed! Still lacks a little bit of punch, but I'm splitting hairs seeing I'm not really smashing a lot because my shoulder is a bit NQR, but as I suspected you get a lot of bang for buck with mid range rackets, and I think more people could probably benefit from them instead of instantly reaching for the top shelf [like me].

90% [or more] of the performance for 60% the price, anyone?

Count me in !! Is this racket available anywhere else ?