The "U", the "G" and the "tension" specifications of a Badminton racket

Discussion in 'Badminton Rackets / Equipment' started by chris-ccc, Apr 14, 2008.

  1. chris-ccc

    chris-ccc Regular Member

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    .
    Greetings,

    This thread is for our new comers to Badminton Central.

    What does it mean?... The "U", the "G" and the "tension" specifications of a Badminton racket.

    Each brand of manufacturers make different series of rackets. Within each series manufactured, there are different models. And within each model manufactured, there are different specifications: weight, grip size and racket tension.

    Badminton racket specifications:
    The weight is denoted by "U"; the smaller the number, the heavier the weight.
    The grip size is denoted by "G"; the smaller the number, the larger the handle size.
    The racket tension is denoted by "x lb to y lb"; the minimum to the maximum stringing tension
    recommended.

    Perhaps in the future,
    we will get another specification to denote the stiffness of the racket shaft.

    Cheers... chris@ccc
    .
     
  2. jhirata

    jhirata Regular Member

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    Get this thread pinned/stickied !!! :D
     
  3. chris-ccc

    chris-ccc Regular Member

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    jhirata's suggestion

    .
    :):):) jhirata... This was what you've suggested, wasn't it?

    This was what you've posted earlier today...
    .
     
    #3 chris-ccc, Apr 14, 2008
    Last edited: Apr 14, 2008
  4. jhirata

    jhirata Regular Member

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    Yes, exactly. So many new-commers to BC tend to ask people what the U's and the G's stand for, before actually getting to use the 'search function'. I couldn't find the search function when I first joined this forum, but luckily some other person had already asked.. so I just read that and understood the meanings. :D

    Oh, you should also state that the racquet specifications can differ from brand to brand.. the one you've stated in this thread is the most commonly used specifications, the Yonex version. Some other brands such as Prince and Ashaway have opposite gradings, such as.. G2 = G4, etc.
     
  5. chris-ccc

    chris-ccc Regular Member

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    Experts from Prince and Ashaway to make their own comments

    .
    We will allow our experts from Prince and Ashaway to make their own comments. :)
    .
     
  6. drifit

    drifit newbie

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    by the way, not all manufacturer standardize the weight and especially the grip size.
    in Yonex, G3 bigger than G4 bigger than G5. some manufacturers are in the other way round, G5 > G4 > G3. just be careful if you are order online and cant have the hand-on grip test.
     
  7. chris-ccc

    chris-ccc Regular Member

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    Brands that produce G5 > G4 > G3 > G2 > G1

    .
    Could we list those brands that produce G5 > G4 > G3 > G2 > G1 ?
    .
     
  8. taneepak

    taneepak Regular Member

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    Almost all racquets made in China and Taiwan. Not only are their numbers the opposite of Yonex, their wooden handle shape is more round which some people prefer. China makes more racquets, by at least a factor of 100 to 1 than the rest of the world.
     
  9. taneepak

    taneepak Regular Member

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    I think this is strictly a Yonex nomenclature, which is very general and rather limited. Yonex does not specify design balance points. However they do specify the weight categories of the U but not the specific dimensions of the grip G sizes, although Yonex does have details of the latter which are not made available to the public. The tension range on Yonex racquets is not a specification but a recommendation. Chinese manufacturers also specify different lengths for different types of players, different balance points, and different shaft stiffness for different types and *** of players.
     
  10. chris-ccc

    chris-ccc Regular Member

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    We hope to be informative to our new members to Badminton Central

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    taneepak... What brands are having different specifications as quoted in previous posts, other than Prince and Ashaway?

    We hope to be informative to our new members@Badminton Central. :):):)
    .
     
    #10 chris-ccc, Apr 14, 2008
    Last edited: Apr 14, 2008
  11. taneepak

    taneepak Regular Member

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  12. Winex West Can

    Winex West Can Regular Member

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    Winex does the Grip sizes differently than Yonex with G1<G2<...<G5 with G1 being the smallest and G5 being the largest. Winex measured its grip size in one-eighth of an inch with G1 being 3 1/8; G2 = 3 1/4; G3 = 3 3/8 and G5 = 3 5/8.

    The weights are differentiated by U with 2U, 3U, 4U and 5U being the lightest. Prior to carbon being utilized by the racquet manufacturers, the weight were measured differently than using the U designation. In general, Winex designates its weight categories as follows: 2U = 90-95g; 3U = 85-89g; 4U = 81-84g; and 5U = 75-80g.

    I would add that racquet tension are measured by the mains followed by the cross so a specification of 22lbs x 24lbs meant that the mains are strung at 22lbs and the cross at 24lbs.
     
  13. chris-ccc

    chris-ccc Regular Member

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    Winex West Can knows Winex well

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    Winex West Can... Invaluable information, Thanks. :):):)
    .
     
  14. ahmeh

    ahmeh Regular Member

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    Question on 'U' and 'G'.

    i got a bit confused with 3U and 4U......G4 and G5....i m currently using a mp44 and ti-7light which is 3U G5....but now i wanna purchase an AT700..so should i go for 4U or should go back for the same wan.......(3U G5).... i m not really good at this...so i hope u guys here could help me...

    i wanna know tht different weight n grip size could make any different o not....i wanna for for AT700 so which wan should get...? and is it all measurement also available in malaysia market?

    thanks in advance for the member who give their opinion here....
     
  15. Zero_Cool

    Zero_Cool Regular Member

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    Please search .......
     
  16. terror

    terror Regular Member

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    here u go:
    http://www.badmintoncentral.com/forums/showthread.php?t=54471

    dont know which grip size suits u? just go into the shop and pick up 2 rackets with G4 and G5 grips separately, and swing them about. give or take a little, depending on whether u plan to wrap an overgrip directly over the original or tear off the factory grip first. whichever feels more comfortable is the one u should go with.

    weight wise, u really have to look at your own playing style and strength

    good luck
     
  17. ahmeh

    ahmeh Regular Member

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    i wanna know that is less for yonex AT700.......a 3u version will be better or 4u will be better?
     
  18. Matt

    Matt Regular Member

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    3U is better!! =)
     
  19. ahmeh

    ahmeh Regular Member

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    thanks for the info///but why 3U is better ...any details?
     
  20. hoiboy79

    hoiboy79 Regular Member

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    I also like 3U better because I feel like 4U rackets are too light for me. 4U rackets are better for defense sometimes, but I feel that power is lost.
     

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