Anyone knowledgeable about this "catapult structure" technology? What is it? Is it just another marketing gimmick? Victor claims by using "catapult structure" in the 5 and 7 position and graphene in the 3 and 9 position it is able to increase smashing power by ~10%. Fact or fiction? What about those rackets which have "catapult structure" but no graphene? It's advertised for smashing, but does it also work for clears and drives?
Let me first state that am a Victor fan who will b awed by its latest technology feature everytime it hits the website. Currently using TK-9ooo as my goto. Having said that, when playing on the courts, we dont have time to think of these features n how they r going to help us play well. The big gist of the game still depends on urself n not the racket. Now, I would like to think that the catapult structure feature, in Victor Thruster-K series, has helped me in smashing better. But, truth b told, going to gym, running, courts training have given me more realistic benefits for my game. The racket, along with its design n tech features, only contributes 10-15% to my game. Hence, the rest of that percentage depends solely on the player. All in all, the Thruster-K series is indeed designed for smashing n it works beautifully. My TK-9ooo frame is fast, more than sufficient for drives n clears. Any racket will perform well in the right hands who r able to utilise it. All these imo n ime...
Apparently the "catapult" is a frame-shape modification at 4/8 o'clock that lets the frame bend more. I don't know about fact-or-fiction, but the TK series are the hardest hitting of al the Victors, IME.
I quite like it in light 3U weight especially since I've gripped it the same way Ko does with towel when he used to use it back in 2010-2011. It's more than quick enough for level doubles IMO
Mine (SW35) in 3U is not that hard to wield actually. But there is so much bounce in that racket that it affects my net play. Still not set on which TK I am going to get between the 6000 and the 9000.
Imo and ime, i could feel the catapult structure in the frame. It gives a feeling of flexible at the T joint too. This design has given me stronger smashes and faster n accurate drives with its stiff shaft and aerodynamic frame. It is like a fusion of arcsaber 10 and armortec 900 power ^^ Worth having a hit
The thing is, I prefer shorter handles (i.e. AT700 vs AT900)... But carbon nanotubes are imo worth the little extra in price. Choices choices...
Well, to get back on topic, If anyone sees a broken TK racket, could we see a dissection of it right here?
It might b quite some time before that happens. They r just too sturdy to break under normal usage. Better off buying one for ur own dissection... ; p
I'm all for new technology but can't help but feel a little skeptical about the claims here. 10% faster smashes is a big claim - if true, it would put the smashes of FHF's peers on par with his. Which I would find difficult to believe.
I think the catapult part is fact, but I don't believe that it's not achievable whithout graphene. Probably not 10% increase but some small increase in smashing power. Yonex "snap back zone" is similar with this concept but I think the "sbz" will be harder to harness since the flexing part is higher. Can't imagine how much forces is needed to flex those frame part that resize so high (almost reach the top of the frame). Gosen "kick point" seem to be the easier to harness since it reside lower than both catapult & sbz, less energy required to flex those part (but I think it's harder for the engineer in the factory to control the torsional stability, since the flexing part is below the T joint). Tapered shaft is probably the cheapest alternative for both of them.
was the mid stiff shaft helps the tk seriers produce more power. cause it flex and user friedly . compare to the yonex head head heavy top of the line ex z force to extra stiff
I don't pay any attention to claims made by any racket company. In general amateur players are hitting with the same power now compared to 20 years ago. There has been an odd racket that provides a bit more, but if you had followed all of the marketing over the years then you should now be hitting smashes in the 300 km/h range. We know that's not true for most players. Paul www.badminton-coach.co.uk
