racket stiffness explained in order of flexibility

**rgevero** · 12-31-2010, 07:38 AM

help!

if you were to rank the flexibility of the racket from the "stiffest" to the "most flexible", what will it be? i'm just guessing, please correct me if i'm wrong.

extra stiff
stiff
medium stiff (or is medium stiff "stiffer" than stiff)
flexible
medium flexible
extra flexible
very (or ultra) flexible (i think some brands have this)

another thing, is the flex rating the same for all brands? i have read in some forums that the stiff in yonex is medium flex for other brands. can someone enlighten me?

i am particularly interested in the head metallix 10,000 tour. it says it's medium stiff.

**amleto** · 12-31-2010, 08:16 AM

medium flexible is more stiff than flexible, at least thats what I thought.

e.g. I have the power helix 8k that is listed as mid flex, and it definitely isnt more flexible than 'flexible'

**rgevero** · 12-31-2010, 12:51 PM

does that mean medium flex = medium stiff?

**amleto** · 12-31-2010, 03:08 PM

no, I think your list is in the correct order except for flex/mid-flex. medium flex isn't the same as medium stiff

**Sketchy** · 12-31-2010, 03:50 PM

Extra/very/ultra stiff (it's all the same)
Stiff
Medium-stiff
Medium
Medium-flexible
Flexible
Extra/very/ultra flexible

No, the flex rating is NOT the same for all brands - it's very subjective.
Some manufacturers (eg. SOTX) describe stiffness quantitatively, by measuring shaft deflection under strain, but not many.
It's not particularly useful to do so anyway, as apparent stiffness depends a lot on other factors, such as balance point and shaft length. You really shouldn't try and read too much into it - the ratings are just provided to point you in roughly the right direction.

**chris-ccc** · 12-31-2010, 05:54 PM

Originally Posted by rgevero

does that mean medium flex = medium stiff?

.
The answer is 'No'.

There are 3 main shaft descriptions, namely;
* Stiff
* Medium (most common)
* Flexible

If it is a 'Medium Stiff', then it lies between 'Medium' and 'Stiff'; and if it is a 'Medium Flexible', then it lies between 'Medium' and 'Flexible'.
.

**rgevero** · 12-31-2010, 11:55 PM

thanks guys! i learned a lot. the basis of my question is actually the head metallix 10000 tour racket. i was planning to buy it. but it was listed as medium stiff. & i don't want to use stiff rackets (to avoid shoulder injury! hahaha. my technique is not yet that great. but i can consider myself as an intermediate player). i tried flexing the racket in the store and i think it is as stiff as the babolat x-feel power which was listed as stiff. correct me if i am wrong. i was probably thinking at that time that medium stiff is "stiffer" than stiff. has anybody tried checking the flex of the head metallix 10000 tour racket? a reply is appreciated. thanks.