My usual racquet is the cab20 original version My usual string is BG65 So I'd like to go to higher tension but the shop is very reluctant to go to 24lbs because my racquets are 'too old'. What alternative racquets will take the high tension? OR my other option is to change the string and get them to string at the same tension. I've used BG66 before (it's good enough for Taufik!). how about alternative strings?
Need more info Are you sticking to Oval shape? (this severely restricts your choice) 2U or 3U? - Guess 2U? Manufacturers reccomended up to 30lbs or just rackets that can "take" it? Are you basically after the same characteristics (Balance/Flex) of the cab20? I would reccomnend changing from BG65 anyway, because I hate it, especially at 24lbs. is 24lbs your standard tension or has the stringer become more conservative and doesn't want to continue stringer the cab20's higher?
1. No need to stick to oval 2. Can be 3U as well 3. Of course a more even balanced racquet would be preferable. 4. Racquets that can 'take it' 5. I like BG65 at 28-30lbs I had to change stringers
few high end apacs racket can take it to 30lbs. panda's made bamboo racket can take it too. for more even balance, Apacs can be a good choice. if not mistaken, Fleet woven series able to string it to 30-32lbs. as for YY, Arc10 can take it provided good stringer. as jamesd20 said, dump the bg65.
I have no experience with APACS except a power concept 996 which is a pretty old racket. -Cab30MS would be a decent choice, not too dissimilar to Cab20 & great reviews from Members. I have a 3U but never strung it so can't give a review. It is also still an oval & a 2U should be able to take 30lbs -SOTX woven series rackets should be also suitable I have a Woven-3 that is even balanced 3U & SOTX rackets tend to have a bit of flex like a cab20 (apart from the very stiff ones, 7,10,11) -A suitably spec'd Panda power racket would also take that tension comfortably, although I sispect the stiffness might be too much as you were used to Cab20 -An expensive option, but I strongly reccomend the SOTX woven 16...balanced, nice flex and borderline 2/3U - 89g in my case & mine has taken 28lbs for 5yrs & still looks like new... And when you say you "like" BG65 have you tried the others?! (I can't imagine you have and would still like BG65!)....and seeing that you have exclusively used Cab20 for years you have a massive array of rackets to choose from. Expect to see WTB, WTS, WTT threads all over the place from Master Cheung as he tries every racket & moves on As an aside, I think most quality brands' rackets can take 30lbs these days.
BG85 breaks too quickly, BG80 is OK but doesn't rock my boat, BG66 is good but haven't used it for a few years. Ti strings I avoided because it just seems a gimmicky name. That's all Thanks for the recommendations. I'm going to have to do string/racquet testing all over again. Irather change strings than change the racquet. I think I am one of the last users of cab20 in HK. haha
Time to try different strings that are thinner, instead of bg65 at 30lbs. Maybe zymax 62 at 26-27lbs. Or bg 66 maxima at 27-28lbs.
Panda Power racquets! I am amazed nobody mentioned them yet. BG65 can take 32lbs, so can BG80, my stringer reccomended both for 30+ tensions, and I do trust his advice
I agree changing strings would be better than the racket, purely because nothing plays like a cab20 (Original), hence why it is still popular for the conoisseur Zymax strings are worth a try, I have only really tried ZM62 & it can take 26-7lbs ok, which the racket should be comfortable with & should play like a higher tension string due to the thickness. I would also reccomend LN AP62 as this is also a good string & gripier than ZM62. I agree with you on ti strings, they are not much good IMO. You obviously didn't read the full thread....
Cheung, I can string it at 28/30.8lbs with guarantee that it will be returned to you in good condition. The age of an old cab20 does not matter.
Surely no where is THAT far away in HK? Lol you need to get out more! Could you also not just buy some unused Cab20 orig?
have you try yy nanogy 95? its like a ready pre-stretched string and the tension drop is very slow at 24 lbs pulling tension your cab20 will come out something close to 28 lbs! i didn't know the first time so i had my arcsaber 10 strung at 25-27 lbs end up my arm slightly bigger
should go either these two before you jump into new racket. 1. send to taneepak for restring and try it out, no harm. 2. try other strings at different tension, like BG80 @ 26lbs or BG85 @ 26lbs, no harm too. hit properly, the string will last longer. ti string, i am the other one that hate it. dead feel.
how about a new issue cab20? not the same as the old one but should be close enough. i have strung them to 30+lbs and they still hold.
Seems there are many CAB 20 originals (red and blue ones, purple too. CN and IP coded respectively) coming out (with a hefty price tag, tnx to the Chinese National Coaches releasing them) this time round, mostly as consignments at local/regular or internet shops. I wonder though, there's not that many here in BC. Maybe, consignments are mostly not for urgent sales thus it can wait and fetch for higher prices?
I still have another 4 cab20 in cold storage. the other 4 are in my bag. I'll look to see if the yy 95 is available. That seems to be well regarded in the forum.
I have tried NBG98.....hated it, too slippy. Just stick with the C20's then! You can have mine if you break them all!
