Hello, I have been using the Li Ning N9II 3U (Medium Flex/Stiff + slightly HH IIRC) since around 2017 and it's my go to racket so far. I think my game has improved since then and I think it's time to upgrade. May be either more stiffer or more HH than my N9II. I play doubles 90-95% of time and like to play both near the net or rear depending on my partner. After browsing the forum for a few weeks I have landed on the below options. I would like to buy 1 or 2 of them depending on your recommendations. 1) Victor Thruster Falcon Enhanced 4U - (How does this compare to the TK Claw or Ryuga II ? Is it too even-blanced) 2) Li-Ning Turbocharging 75D 4U - If I can find it. 3) Yonex Astrox 77 PRO 4U 4) Yonex Astrox 88D Pro - Have tried this one once and it feels a bit sluggish but possibly I didn't spend enough time to get used to it or get the feel of it. Please let me know your thoughts and any other racket recommendations. Appreciate your advice. Thank you!
First u must know your type speed, control, or power. Speed: Auraspeed, Bladex, Nanoflare. Control: Drivex, Halbertec, Arcsaber. Power: Thruster, Axforce, Astrox 1. I suggest TKFE for double, I use it too. TK Claw is too sledgehammer and specially for single. Ryuga 2 from I heard many issues due to made in china. 2. Idk about 75D. It's really hard to get turbocharging series now. I have n7ii light and bought in a few years ago. 3. I tried normal 77 but never tried 77p 4. 88dp For me seems pretty normal with it. It quite powerful and stiff In Yonex 77p more flex until 100zz is extra stiff. If U play as setter, between TKFE and 77p. If I can get 75D.
N99II is a high end racket. What makes you think you need to upgrade now? Yes its an old racket, but its not prehistoric racket & newer racket along with all its gimmic wont give much improvement. Rather than that, think deep inside you. What you think N9ii lack on? What you want to improve by changing racket. But also keep in mind you wont get power & speed at the same times. You gain speed but you lose power or the opposite. After you know where the path you want to goes down then start looking for racket. Or better yet if possible, borrow friend racket to get insight for each racket characteristic.
Thanks! For my type.. Im thinking I need a racket more control and speed as I can generate power myself. So I was looking for suggestions on those criteria. So current racket is N9Ii which feels very flexible, more even balanced than HH and also heavier because its 3U. So next I want to try a 4U slightly stiff and a more HH doubles racket compared to N9II and those 4 are the ones I found that might suit my need. If you know of any others, please suggest. I want to upgrade now because I feel my technique has changed in a way that may be a stiffer racket will execute my hits in better way. It's still my go to racket and its the only 1, so it doesnt hurt to have a couple more. I can still use it for singles. I think the N9II lacks a little bit of control and speed. So with a stiffer 4U racket I can improve my rear and front court drops, defense etc. I'm looking for friends with these rackets so that I can try them but so far I've only been able to try the 88D Pro but only for a few mins and it feels way too different compared to the N9II. So please suggest away if you have any other recommendations or a preference from one of my options.
I'd rather go for a N7II / TC70 if you're able to find one or better two. Currently I am switching between N7II / TC70 and N9II / TC75 sometimes several times in one training session (depending on the discipline) In general they both work for me for almost all, except mixed doubles because the stiffness of the N7II does not help me but even constrains me. . They both fit my needs. Not that much of a difference but definitely noticeable (N7II / TC70 stiffer and I'd say a tad faster). Both are 3U so maybe N7II / TC70 is not your favorite choice. Regarding the Yonex racquets a cannot contribute much anymore because I only do some hits with a club mate's racquet sometimes.. I would love to test some of the new Li-Ning racquets but meanwhile quite hard to find in Europe / Germany and for ridiculous prices only But again if you want to upgrade and you don't want to adapt to a racquet which feels completely different a N7II / TC70 is a great opportunity and worth a try.
There is a TC75C 4U if you can find one, stiffer and head heavier. Also the Halbertec 8000 4U, it is mid stiff and even balance, and suits your need for a control and speed racquet
It's difficult. TC75 is very polyvalent and has very easy power access like AX77. You will surely lose power to compensate for faster/stiffer frame. AX77 is not really an upgrade, it's pretty similar. I'd say Nanoflare 800 (softer feeling) or 1000z (harder feeling) are good alternatives to keep that fast frame. Thruster FE also
This one +1 You need more control & speed. Speed... 4U might be or looking at balance to head light racket Control, stiffer shaft indeed. But all that would sacrifice power. Are you ok with that? This is what im talking about. It would definitely feel different. You wont get the satisfying feeling smashing with N9, but you gain better control. You might had improve & able to generate power urself, but it would be tiring than N9. Which is why think deeply what you realy want between the choice. You cant get all but just 1 out of many option. But could your mind accept the choice? Would you willing to adapt to a new condition? Can you move on & forget how nice N9 consider you had use it for quite a while & very fond to it.
My main concern is I have a bunch of chips and clashes on my n9ii and Im afraid it might break. Im trying to source a N9II/TC75 but its very difficult or very expensive. Around $220 (and have to trust the foreign seller) for black/pink TC75. I did find TC75C and TC75EX at a price I can afford but Im not sure if they have the same exact specs as N9II/TC75. I have also found the TC75D 4U for around $230 but from reading more around here it looks like it might lack power too much compared to n9ii. Found the TKFE 4U as well but again its $200 and no one I know has it, so Im not able to try it before buying. But it has rave reviews as well so might go for a blind buy. I have read here that n7II gets tiring because you have to generate power ? does that sound correct ? So you mean to say the Astrox 77 PRO 4U would perform very similar to N9II 3U ?? What and how big would be the differences ? im not looking for an extra stiff frame may be just a little bit more than N9II, kind of like the TKFE. Any opinions on TKFE 3U vs 4U ?
3U N9II is a very unique racquet, it feels so much faster than the 88D 4U, and packs lot more punch for obvious reasons, that too being easily accessible. Atleast I can’t think of any other racquet that has both these things in a single package.
Isnt 3U supposed to generate more power ?? Do you mean it takes more strain on the body to generate power from 4U rackets? Pardon me if these questions have been asked before. I have never owned or played with a 4U racket. So looks like all indications are to find another N9II/TC75/TC75EX. And may be try 4U TKFE.
I have both. 88dp (66UM @ 25lb) - My current favorite racket . Easy clears, easy access to power (feels non-stiff, the racket works for you, you just need to throw the head onto the bird). Control feels pretty good too, love blocking and countering with it. The feedback you get is very sweet, you feel the direct connection on a good hit. After a good set of games it gets tiring after 1 1/2 hours. N9ii black-pink (65ti @ 24lb , previous string Lining No 7 @ 25lb) - Got it to rotate with BS12 3U. Thought of substituting speed for more power. When I see all this love for N9ii here, I wish I could fall in love, but not happening. It feels heavy, works heavy yet without a good deliverable result. I tried changing grip, put a cushion wrap and put an over grip..not working for me. Feels like the racket is beefy and it's slowing me down. May be I got a lemon or my swing/playstyle is not suitable for it. Look wise - Lining is unbeatable. Beautiful color scheme and matt finish feel ! Background: I used a 3U BS12 for almost an year, still using it as a secondary to 88dp. A very fast non-tiring, easy-on-the-arm racket.
I'd say the N9II is more tiring because it feels a bit heavier allthough it is isn't. I own 3 N7II and 2 N9II. I have had the chance to play with both before I bought one. I went for the N7II which impressed me more. Nevertheless I bought 2 N9II this year because they were available for really resonable prices before the vanished from the shops.. None of my N7II feel exactly the same and they all have different weights. The one I have best results with (my play style) is the heaviest one which weighs 1g more than the other two. I think 3U generates more power due to swing weight of the racquet --> moving mass In my opinion the N7II has more potential, if you can handle it. It is faster and stiffer but requires more accuracy Generating power is only dependent on your technique and how well you are adapted to it..The N9II is more foregiving. It is an perfect allrounder. The slight differences can be also adjusted by sting type and string tension. A N7II with 1 or 2lbs less will feel more like a N9II than both strung at the same level.
Thank you! Thats very useful. I did get a chance to play a few full sessions (2+ hours) with N7II strung at 27 with BG65. It seamlessly fit into my playing style, only thing is that I felt that it fatigued my arm/neck quicker compared to the N9II. Its interesting because you had the exact opposite experiences with these rackets.
