Відео

Hey Ken Anytime 🙏🏾 How do you find the V2 compared to the V1?

Love it so much more! Initially transitioning from the Airshaft to the V1, I did not like it. I stuck with it and gave it a bit of time and I finally adjusted to it, but it still just felt very stiff to me, the overall balance was more head heavier than the Airshaft too. On V2, all of these things are addressed. It feels like how a Carboflex should feel again 😁👌

Yeah the XTop V1 had a few vibrations when hit off centre. I didn’t feel any vibration on the 120, with the factory strings or after I have restrung 👌🏾

🤣 I tried. Glad I got it right 🙏🏾 Did you sell your V2s? I’ve still got my Vibes in case this run comes to an end.

Those are some good factory strings in there. Was impressed with the 2.0 factory strings too

Londt Park Squash Club in Port Elizabeth. Where are you based?

@@thesquashbagel I'm based in cape town. Really appreciate your channel. Good job.

Thank you 🙏🏾

I was in Cape Town for the GrowthPoint IPT this year. We only played a WPCC and Franschoek. Didn't get to see the other clubs unfortunately.

Check his previous vids. His got a nice one about rackets he used in 2023 and 2022.

What do you currently use?

@@smallperk7822 well I can’t stick to one

Didn’t try the 305 strings in the FX but very different. It’s more similar to the Raw Pro 2.0

Do you have a go to string and string tension?

Thanks for the insight into that. Glad I skipped on the green then. Are you still using the Vibe?

@@thesquashbagelyes I am. I almost bought 4 used racquets (a quiver) on eBay and they all had the same crack but the seller said they were all good for practice and matches ;-) perhaps it was Gawad’s personal racquets who knows. He wanted $90 per racquet. But it is the best racquet of all imho.

@@squashduos1258 What a bargain 😄

@@thesquashbagel as someone said to me once “life is too short to play with shitty squash balls” I would extend that to “life is too short to play with a racquet you don’t love” if it cracks eventually so be it! Just as a reference some racquets brands go dead with no cracks (Technifiber). I have played with many different racquets…last was Head SB Radical (closed throat) it’s great but it is not like the Vibe Gawad which is for me the perfect extension of my hand. I am a technical player coming from competitive badminton (doubles specialist) where precision and sensitivity to racquet characteristics is felt. This is truly a gem of a racquet in the squash arena. I think if I could not play with the Vibe I would probably go for the Dunlop which Elias is playing with which is 500sqi. Head Radical is 475 sqi but does not generate as much power due to the smaller frame (I played with 19-22lbs).

@@TactileRacquetPerformance Hey Ken Thanks for the feedback. Strings are still in tact but I’ve got my reel of 1.10 on hand. Jon Sharpe had also suggested 25 or 26 lbs to start with for the same reason. Will go 25lbs when the time comes. Will give your channel a follow 👌🏾

Hey Bernard I would put it up there with the Harrow Vibe Gawad in terms of maneuverability and all round game play but it's very light. The Carboflex V2 120g does everything this one does, with a little bit more weight. Before trying the V2, this would probably be my 2nd best teardrop recommendation (only based on my preference). 1. Is still the Airshaft NS but after a week or 2, that might change because of the V2 2. Karakal Joel Makin. 3. Head Speed SB 120. Haven't video reviewed one because I couldn't take it home for the video but that's a really nice racket as well.

@@thesquashbagel thanks! I really like the look of the darker cosmetic on this compared to the white tecnifibres, appearance does matter when ranking a racket I think. I just don’t like the look of white rackets. I’m going to try get a hit with this with a view to purchase - thanks again!

I have been told that it’s a lot better after a restring

Never tried with the 1.1mm but I went with the string doctors recommended of 23lbs on the SuperNick XL Micro

Hey Blake So I’m also currently in between a rock and a hard place with the 120 V2 and Harrow Vibe Gawad. I have never tried the Gawad with the 1.1mm though… do you snap the string really easily? What tension did you string the Vibe with 1.1mm?

I usually get around 5 to 6 weeks out of a set but only hit 3 times a week and string them at 26 27 I have found is the sweet spot for playability and durability 👍

Won’t be able to test the old X Top, don’t have one unfortunately

Are you getting one?

@@thesquashbagel noo that racquet is 239 US 😅

🤣 yeah this is my last TF ever 🤣

@@thesquashbagel $270 in Australia ouch

200 USD this side

It's a hustle in South Africa. 1. Start with what you have, do a review and publish it on UA-cam. 2. Show your friends and ask to use their rackets for a review, get better at making the videos and providing information. 3. Once you get traction, you can use the videos to ask manufacturers or racket shops to assist in either sending you demos or discounts...maybe a partnership (doesn't really happen in SA). 4. Sell your old rackets on Facebook Marketplace/Gumtree to fund the discounted purchase on new rackets. 5. Look for other rackets to buy and sell on Marketplace as well to make a small profit. Repeat steps 3-5

@@thesquashbagel Wow. Thank you so much.

So far so good. Tension a bit tight but maybe loosens up tonight.

Anytime 😁 Any of the Tecnifibre strings are a good choice...if you cut the ball a lot, maybe an Ashaway string. My personal preference was Tecnifibre X One Biphase @ 24lbs. Here's a link to the string doctor's stringing excel sheet with all the recommended tensions for a wide variety of string: www.string-doctor.com/tensions-tips

From what I can tell, the balance point is slightly different. Also respect to the Raw vs Raw Pro, you’re looking at very different grades in racket. So on paper yes, the feel and quality, no.

Thanks for the feedback. You’re waiting for the strings to break I take it? Which string are you thinking of?

Lastly, what did you think about the weight distribution?

I have this racket - really like it - even balance. Would love to know how you think this compares to the new Carboflex rackets?

@@bernardleeis Hey Bernard Don't have the Dunlop on hand to compare, but my new XTop V2 120 arrives today. Will do an unboxing/unwrapping video today/tomorrow then a review in the next week or 2 after playing with it

@@thesquashbagel looking forward to it. I’m a big fan of the Dunlop

@@oscarwilliams2628 in normal and fair play I would say it’s durable. Will it break if you smash it against a wall? Not sure, haven’t tried 🤣 Been playing with it since June and I haven’t had any issue on the Vibe. I have seen a specific player break 3/4 Vapors in the same period of time, but that’s a smaller head and obviously the player. I’ve seen people break every brand of racket, so the biggest factor will be how you play.

@@bernardleeis I hope they feel like the Tecnifibre’s of old 😁 If so, the competition is in trouble

@@imraanmohan7572 Hey Imraan Most clubs had pitch and play today, but you can always find a game at Londt Park… should be busy on Monday from 16:00-19:00

@@blakebrewtnall1152 They aren’t easy to get. I had to wait 4 weeks after ordering to get one so there were so many challenges, but so happy to have one now. What rackets have you tried “every now and then” apart from the vibe?

@@thesquashbagel I’ve try whatever I can get my hands on would like to try the new Dunlop fx power 125 pro lite and the the Head radical 120 sb Paul Colls racket tried Pauls old racket the speed 120 slim body thought lacked control I’m a volleying attacking player the vibe just fits that game perfectly do agree with you sometimes when you have to flick one quickly to length it can fall short but with good racket prep it gos long n tight every time 👍

I fully agree. Needed a bit more flex. Which string did you use in it?

It plays much more like the older black/yellow Carboflex / X Speed. This racket is going to be a very big seller.

I'm gonna guess that the TF logo sticker has fallen off the racket on the far left (black handle butt). It happened on an original X Top that I have...weird they didn't change our the racket for the photos if it is the case?!

I will if one comes my way, but I don’t own a shop and I am not affiliated with any brands to review all rackets.

No, I believe I got to try the 130. Will get a chance to review the X Top 125 V2 when they get released.

Almost didn’t do it 🤣

@@naughtypanda2538 hi there. We don’t have the 305 brand in South Africa and in my area not too many players with the Head Radical 120s, so I cannot comment on them. The radical 120 has the advantage of changing the fan pattern and as you said, is cheaper so it probably makes sense to go for what you know at a good price.

@@thesquashbagel I ended up going for the harrow one. Enjoying it so far.

@@naughtypanda2538 Glad you tried it out. It's hard not to love them 😁

If one comes my way through someone else then yes. Chances are unluckily as Dunlops are not popular in this region

@@antonyharkin2010 definitely my favourite this year. Currently using the Airshaft 125 this week in preparation for the Carboflex V2 125. Should be getting those in a week or two

@@thesquashbagel Interesting thanks! I'm hoping that the new Tecnifibre feels good in the hand. I've currently just bought the new and blue Dunlop Pro Lite, it plays well but it's a bit too heavy for me! I'm not sure how they call it a Head light?! I may have to go for the new version of the Dunlop Revelation 125 with the extra head light which I think I will enjoy more as it's lighter. I've always liked the look of the Nick Matthew Evolutions but never played with them, I watched your review but guessing this will be the same weight roughly and feel similar to the Pro Lite rackets? Enjoying the reviews! It's hard to come by Squash reviews and yours are brilliant 👍

@@antonyharkin2010 Thanks for the kind words Anthony. You aren't the first to tell me that the new pro lite is quite heavy. Not too sure what Dunlop changed in these...but looking at Victor Crouin's swing, I was also surprised that he could do what he does with the head light balance. You're correct, the Evolution plays similar to the old Pro Lite. They even have the same head size in theory. A good racket, but the 130 seems like a better all round racket than the 120. Rumors circulating about the new X Tops is that they feel similar to the older Carboflexes, before the Airshaft came out.

@@thesquashbagel That's good to know. I did enjoy the Carboflex range before the Airshaft etc! May have to give the new Tecnifibre racket a go and am already looking forward to your review!

@@MohamedYasser-ug2rq lucky for you guys. I think it launches next week this side

I believe they are based in America, so there must be a tax on them and. Retailers could make it cheaper but probably want a massive cut for their efforts. It's the 124 pounds over here.

Will probably get a reel of 1.2mm Did you have any issues when it came to string breakages off the center of the racket?

@@thesquashbagel No issues with string with breakages, mostly people miss hit it and breakages happen around 2 & 10 o’clock

Appreciate it 🙏

Hey there. I believe you're talking about the Heritage 2? Which looks like the Cannonball? Although the Heritage 2 is more flexible than the X Top, I'm not too sure where I would put it compared to the Airshaft. The Heritage 2 is nice, but doesn't compare to the Heritage 1 in my opinion....but even then, I have never spent more than 5 mins with the Heritage 2. I've hit around with it and enjoy it in comparison to the X Top, but never got to change strings etc. With that being said, I would try get an Airshaft 125 if you want an addition, or wait till the new X Top arrives. Depending on where you are based, you might be able to grab an Airshaft at a very reasonable price.

Hey there. It would depend on the specific racket (head size, ,material of construction, etc) but there is a good guideline on the string doctor's website: www.string-doctor.com/tensions-tips There's an excel sheet which you can use to make an informed decision depending on which model you'll be going for as well as which string

Thanks Jon Appreciate your input as always. Is there an updated chart yet for rackets and tensions? Obviously some rackets have changed over the years and I'm sure you have some new strings to add 😁

@@thesquashbagel I need to do some updates, life pretty busy. For most carbo's it will generally always be the same as string pattern almost identical but depending on style of play, some people may have preferred to alter the tension on the last X-Tops. I would treat their new Carbo's like the black/yellow version (which most players still think is the best). The new racket is a very good version!

do you know when theyre releasing?

@@mxnvlb1839 I think it's due to be officially released in line with or just after the Paris PSA which is soon.

@@mxnvlb1839 Should be next month. I do not know the exact date

Fully agree with you. Mo Elshorbagy 100% played with an all white Carboflex today, which either means they have added a bumper or have gone with the Slash X Top colour scheme. I even forgot that Hamammy left for Head, that’s a great point to add. I think even Soliman used the Airshaft NS, so the racket wasn’t adopted by the pros as much. They must be announcing something end of this month 🙏🏾 but let’s see.

141g

I think with the stock standard factory grip, which comes in super thin, you could say head heavy....plus the 1.25mm string...but after regripping it, I would say even/head light. But it isn't weighted in the head like the Revelation Pro (Ali Farag)

Hey @Tobbala Not too many Harrow rackets around my area and they don't send me rackets to try, I have to buy them so I am not confident I will be able to test one out very soon. I do know it's very different in shape and weight so they should be worlds apart and they will play differently.

Sorry, I just wouldn't play with that racket. So I would not purchase it just for a review.

Hey there Easier to manoeuvre through the air but I think the Pro Lite has more control due to the extra weight. Would also depend on the type of string and tension, so you could get some more control out of it.

Personally, I like the Evolution, I’ve got a friend who prefers the pro lite, but we both have a different swing, and could possibly be the reason why

@@thesquashbagel thank you! The colour way of the evolution is very cool. Exciting to see what the new revelation pro lite looks like. I’ve resolved not to go back to tecnifibre: Dunlop rackets are much more playable

😅 preparing for a tournament. I've behaved this year, haven't switched rackets as much. Hopefully publishing one end of the week though 😄

Good luck in the tournament!

Hey there. PDH Sport had an end of year special on the shirts in December. I don't think they have them anymore.