OK, all these talks about Carbonex 22 is really driving me nuts... I found myself almost wanted to order on bbeshop.com's website when I 'browsed' it the last time. Anyway, I just wanna sound out the Cab22 shuttlers about their equipment. Where did you get your CAB22? How much did the racquet cost? How long have you had it for? What are your preferred strings to go along with the racquet? And what tension setting do you have on the racquet? Thanks!
Hi, I bought my Cab 22 just this past December in the Philippines at the Yonex store in SM Megamall, and I got it for approximately 91 USD at that time (it was one of two left, but the other one had paint chips on it, even though it was new). I use the BG-66 on it, and I prefer a tension of about 22 or 23 lbs on it. Hope that satisfies your cravings
depends who you are. cab22 is not for everybody. i think most ppl can pick up a cab20 and feel at home with it cause it is lively and forgiving. actually, Janet is now "borrowing" one of my cab20.. but the cab22. it is stiffer and less lively. you really need to find the time to get accustomed to it. i believe you are a good player with good techniques, most beginner will have a lot of problem using it. and even if you got used to it, it is quite unforgiving. however, if you are on a good day, it is a great racket, feels great and transfers power efficiently and quickly. i use bg88ti @ 24 or 25lbs. any stiffer, i can't get any feel on it. bg85 works well too. forgot how much it cost already.
My motivation for the racquet is still knowledge. As an intermediate club player, I am still learning the game and I want to experiment with different degree of stiffness and high tension. CAB22 felt really promising when I borrowed one for a game, so I guess my desire for it has intensified after that time. Kwun, How high have you strung your CAB22 at? And was it strung by an electronic 6-point machine? Had my Victor Super Ti-7 cracked at the 12 O'clock position after being strung @25X27lbs by a reputable stringer with electronic machine. It was previously strung by an experienced stringer with drop weight/hand crank machine at the same setting without problem. So if that's the case with CAB22, I might have to set it at around 25lbs.
only as high as 25lbs on crank machine. i am afraid that's probably the highest i can take. the racket itself is already stiff and also a cab racket with a smaller head. a 25lbs tension feels very stiff already. a constant pull electronics machine will feel even stiffer.
Hahah Cappy75, I knew I shouldn't have lent you my Cab22 ... it's infectious, insn't it Just to repeat, I ordered mine from Lees Badminton for about CAD 140 plus CAD 15 for shipping (if I remember correctly). I string it at 25 lbs with bg-70 pro, constant pull electronic stringing machine. Man, when I first got it back from the stringer (Rackets & Runners) the head and string bed felt extremely taut ... I'm more comfortable with it now, after playing with it for about 8 months or so. Had a heart-wrenching clash with it last week. I was turned around for a high backhand clear, looking up and forward (towards the net) at the shuttlecock, when my beginner partner decides she want to clear it too. For the life of me, I'm still asking the the powers-that-be to help me understand the thought-process of my partner in deciding to go for that shot. Now I'll have to find dark midnight blue nail-polish to touch up the exposed graphite underneath, and maybe valium to calm my nerves (rage?). cappy75, if you order from BBE, order me up a Cab20 original (non-SP) 2U too. Maybe we'll get a discount and split the shipping to boot. -dave
haha. hitting the sweet spot on a cab racket is like hitting a hole in one (i hate this analogy, btw ). you just have to try it to understand it. everybody just yearns for that "BAM!!" i noticed that the more relaxed one is, the more explosion you get from a cab. esp with the pinky grip, very relaxed and just let the racket go *boom*. i've been doing better with my cab22's nowdays. in case you haven't read it, here is another thread on the feeling when hitting right on the sweet spot... http://www.badmintonforum.com/vb/showthread.php?s=&threadid=8337 good luck.
a better analogy would be like hitting a home run swing in baseball .....crack...., then the sound of roaring from the crowd
Hey Dave, I thought you didn't like 2U racquets? CAB20 original?! Where did that come from? yeah, definitely... I will give you a shout if I do decide to order.
You know, BG-70 PRO NEVER BREAKS!!!!! I'm still waiting for it to fray and snap on me before I try out a different gauge. It looks like the strategy here is to wait until the tension drops to an unacceptable level before I have to actively intervene -dave
Cooler, have you tried the Cab 22 with BG-66 on it? Is there a big difference in terms of feeling compared to the BG-80 or BG-85? At 22 lbs of course
G'day, Got mine from my string supplier, Cab22 SP for around $A130. Cheap considering the rarity of this racket. Strung with BG85 to 26lbs and never had any problems except that I am not good enough to make the most of this racket....
Heh! I can testify to that! Used BG80 on my CAB20MS for plastics mostly... tension was 22X24lbs... strung by electronic machine. First two days off the machine, it was stiff as hell. It took me just 8 club sessions (or two weeks' time) to notice tension reduction. All those times were spent with plastic birdies.
Heh! Crappy is more like it... I need to get more consistent with my game. Don't get too many good days. Except for tonight... the birdie tipped over in my favor three times when I dropped. Man, wonder if the lotto place is still open tonight.