All gloves new in packaging.
4 each Ektelon MaxTack Pro small right (black & white)
3 each Ektelon MaxTack Pro small left (black & white)
2 each Ektelon Controller small left (red, white, blue)
*1 each Ektelon Controller small left (black & white)
These gloves retail for $13. Best Offer over $3.50 per MaxTack and $2.50 per Controller.
* This glove is new, but has blue discoloration on the palm. $1.25.
$4 shipping for 1 glove add $1 for each additional glove.
Paypal accepted.
I have so many pairs of shoes that almost / sort of fit. But alas, I have wide feet and have to go 1/2 to one full size larger. Just ordered some Reeboks from online in my correct length - and once again too narrow. Didn't want to send them back, but my bones would actually click when taking a step - ouch!
So here's what I did. Put on two pairs of thick socks and tied as tight as I could. Borrowed a hair dryer and put on the hottest setting. Heated the leather from about 1" away in the areas that were the tightest, making sure to keep the blower in motion so as not to melt the glue or any rubber. Went over each shoe twice for a minute or two each time.
Walked around the house and did some jumping to put extra-pressure on the leather for maybe 20 minutes. Untied the shoes and laced them as tight as possible and repeated the whole heating and jumping process.
Took the shoes and socks off and let my feet rest. Then tested with one pair of socks at normal tension. Still a little too tight, but much better.
Repeated the whole process the next day with three pairs of sox and two sessions of heating and retying.
Went to play today. Played 90 minutes with no pain or cramping. Perfect! Yay - shoes in my length that do not bind.
Note: there are other methods to stretch your shoes, but may damage the stitching and will certainly not mold to your feet like this method. I am sure you could adapt a version of this method for shoes that are too short by over-stuffing the toe area, but without the extra socks.
Hope this helps a fellow Sasquatch.
Seems there is little reason to upgrade from my PK Quad 175 to this year's model. Appears that grip shape is the only significant modification. Am I missing something?
$200 from RacquetWorld or RacquetballWareHouse.
$160 - your price.
Never been hit. Comes with case.
A few weeks ago, I waxed poetic over the Wilson RX165. A few days ago, I got the RX170. It is similar, but has a traditional stringing pattern instead of the mainstrings going down the handle, is slightly head heavier and has a different grip.
The strings are the same Hollow Core 16g and both have the same shape and headsize.
The RX170 has a very nice paint job and is quite an attractive racquet. It feels good in the hand and is the perfect swing-weight for my style of game (156g). However, I didn't really expect to like it very much as I have been disappointed with Wilson's traditional string pattern racquets from the last few years.
It comes with a nearly useless vibration dampener. (Come on Wilson, you can do better!) I cut it out and added a red Head hydrosorb dampener which works great.
I brought my PK Core Shadow 180, my Ektelon DPR Lite and my PK Quad 175 to the courts to compare. I warmed up with my Core Shadow 180 as has nearly the same swing-weight. I always liked this stick - decent power and great placement, but hitting with the RX170 made the Core Shadow feel almost rubbery by comparison.
This Wilson is stiff, but has no shock like some ultra-stiff frames. I guess their Karophite Karbon (or whatever) is not merely a marketing gimmick and the new strings act as shock absorbers as well.
The DPR Lite has little flex due to the ultra-wide transverse beam, but that thickness gets in the way sometimes, something one does not have to deal with, with the thin-beamed Wilson. Nice power from the DPR, but a step down in control from the Wilson.
Next up was my previous stick-of-choice, the Quad 175 with fresh red Lighting 17g strings. To my surprise, the Wilson had slightly better control and gobs more power.
As I wrote before, I will be trying the Wilson Hollow Core strings in some of my other frames to see if some of the power difference originates from there.
Then a friend dropped by with a 2010 GearBox 170 quad. I have hit with this before, but now compared side-by-side. Sorry, GB fans. The Wilson was clearly better all around, although the GearBox was factory strung too tight, which can make quite a difference.
How does it compare to the RX165? It is hard to put into words as I really like them both, but they are different. The RX165 is a little more solid and has more pop, yet the RX170 feels better in my hand. The 170 is the better value, but I would probably go with the 165 in a tournament. Can't go wrong with either. Clearly Wilson did their homework and came up with the best frames yet!
I love this way this new string plays. Great pop, but with a soft feel. Way better than the crap they used to put in.
However, I am gentle on strings and these are already notching pretty heavily after only a few days of play.
Looks like durability might be an issue. Stay tuned.
I only hit five forehands from deep court with a friend's stick last night. Two crack rollouts and three kills less than 2.5" high and I don't even play with E-Force.
Zero time to adapt in practice, minimal vibration and crisp power.
Very nice!
Hard to say much more with so little time, but I would likely choose this over the Head and Gearbox offerings (*gasp*) which I have spent more time with. Have yet to hit with the Exo Black.
Will I consider switching with more on court time? Not likely. I love my Wilson RX 165g. I am a magician with this stick having won 14 out of 16 games so far in singles and doubles combined.
They took every complaint I had about my favorite racquet, the nRage, and addressed all of the issues to make the best Wilson yet.
More balanced
New hollow core strings instead of ancient cheap synthetic gut
Reinforced in the throat for less flex
String channels sealed - cannot pop out
It plays fantastic and is my pick for the 2010 season.
Still in plastic. Comes with case.
$175 + $10 shiping
They took every complaint I had about my favorite racquet, the nRage, and addressed all of the issues to make the best Wilson yet.
More balanced
New hollow core strings instead of ancient cheap synthetic gut
Reinforced in the throat for less flex
String channels sealed - cannot pop out
It plays fantastic and is my pick for the 2010 season.
Still in plastic. Comes with case.
$175 + $10 shiping
One of my customers is a small guy with normal length fingers for his size, but has hands as thick as bear paws and he rips out of XL gloves.
I only found one to fit him so far which was the old Wilson Rage XL and I cannot find anymore.
Any other suggestions? I am thinking maybe the E-force Chill...
No, not alcohol. I always bring plenty of diluted fluids with me to play mixed with aminos and electrolytes and such and down a a few slugs between every game, but I play very hard and sweat tons.
When I come home, it seems I cannot quench my thirst no matter how much or what I drink. I always go to bed with my belly fully extended like I am pregnant and am still thirsty.
Any suggestions for this 50+ warrior other than to get a full physical?
Lightly used with new Head Fibergel 17g string. No dings or scratches. Minor grip and bumper wear. Comes with case. SS grip.
This racquet hits very hard and is ultra stiff for great precision. Head heavy.
Great price at $95 + shipping.
Will accept Paypal, check or money order.
Looking for A/B singles or doubles within about a 10 miles radius of St. Pete.
I have at least 20 modern racquets, some to sell and some for personal use so I get to hit with most every stick out there.
My choice from a few years ago was the PK Core Shadow 180 and then I switched to the nRage.
Now I after 4 months of regular play, I am sold on the PK Quad 175g. It is super stiff, but with the least shock of any racquet I have hit with. Minimal twisting on off-center shots, comfort, power (there are more powerful sticks out there) and the key word for me is:
PRECISION. I can place the ball hard or soft like with no other stick. Drop shots, over hand kills, 3-walls, pinches - whatever. It is like a magic wand.
Soon I will restring with a stiffer string to see how it plays as the PK Liquid is super soft.
What about the PK Quad Kinetic? I did not play long enough with the demo to notice the difference though I would recommend that stick as well. Just not enough change to get me spend the extra cash.
If I get no offer soon on my Head Amp 185g I will peel the wrapper off and do a full report in a month or two. Preliminary hits seemed impressive in the power department. It has quite a different feel from the previous year's Head offerings which I think is a good thing. Traditional Head fans will require some adaptation.
Has new black Tacki-Mac grap, new Lightning 16g strings (white/clear). Several paint chips; some wear on Wallbeater. No cracks or fractures. 8 out of 10 condition. Plays great!
Pictures available.
$125 + $10 shipping.
How would you like to consistently beat almost any club player? There are several keys:
1. Take minimal risk, high percentage shots.
2. Do not set the ball off the back wall.
3. Do not skip the ball.
4. Have a clear game plan before stepping onto the court.
5. There is much more to it than this.
Not skipping the ball is not merely a directive like a Commandment, but a real possibility with the right game plan.
Using my style (which I have partly borrowed from others), you do NOT need pinpoint precision; you do NOT need explosive power, you do NOT need to be a super athlete. I have used all three of these things in the past to attempt to overpower my opponents while wearing down my aging body and getting inconsistent results. Awesome one day and spraying balls the next. After 40 years, I am taking an entirely new approach and it is working.
Before asking any questions or giving feedback, I ask two thing of respondents: Count the average number of skips you make per game. Now count the number of setups (mid court or backwall layups) that you give. Be honest. Give a total, your level and the number of years played.
Or watch other players and keep a tally. I think you may all find it interesting. Let's say you skip 8 shots per 15 point game (about 'normal'). If you did not skip them and won half the points that you normally give away, that would be four more points per game! Let's say you give 8 setups per game and with a new approach you score on half of those by not giving a setup. That is another 4 points per game. The difference is HUGE!
If there is any real interest, I may put my ideas and experience into a book. Zero Skips is entirely possible and will not be some rarity like bowling a 300 game, but a regular occurence. (0 to 3 is more the average with very few setups).
Some folks that I have coached in this complain that they don't get the same viceral thrill as hitting a screaming 130mph crack rollout, but the bottom line is: Do you want to win or to impress the audience? Do you care if your shots are high and slow if you are destroying opponents while barely working up a sweat? It is up to you.
Much of this style may not apply to elite players and above, but most of us will not reach that level even with tons of practice unless we are physically gifted.
How would you like to consistently beat almost any club player? There are several keys:
1. Take minimal risk, high percentage shots.
2. Do not set the ball off the back wall.
3. Do not skip the ball.
4. Have a clear game plan before stepping onto the court.
5. There is much more to it than this.
Using my style (which I have partly borrowed from others), you do NOT need pinpoint precision; you do NOT need explosive power, you do NOT need to be a super athlete. I have used all three of these things in the past to attempt to overpower my opponents while wearing down my aging body and getting inconsistent results. Awesome one day and spraying balls the next. After 40 years, I am taking an entirely new approach and it is working.
Before asking any questions or giving feedback, I ask two thing of respondents: Count the average number of skips you make per game. Now count the number of setups (mid court or backwall layups) that you give. Be honest. Give a total, your level and the number of years played.
Or watch other players and keep a tally. I think you may all find it interesting. Let's say you skip 8 shots per game (about 'normal'). If you did not skip them and won half the points that you normally give away, that would be four more points per game! Let's say you give 8 setups per game and with a new approach you score on half of those by not giving a setup. That is another 4 points per game. The difference is HUGE!
If there is any real interest, I may put my ideas and experience into a book. Zero Skips is entirely possible and will not be some rarity like bowling a 300 game, but a regular occurence. (0 to 3 is more the average with very few setups).
Some folks that I have coached in this complain that they don't get the same viceral thrill as hitting a screaming 130mph crack rollout, but the bottom line is: Do you want to win or to impress the audience? Do you care if your shots are high and slow if you are destroying opponents while barely working up a sweat? It is up to you.
Much of this style may not apply to elite players and above, but most of us will not reach that level even with tons of practice unless we are physically gifted.
Save money on this blue beauty. NIW with case. 3 5/8"
$160 + $10 shipping.
This is a brand new, white with black trim, low cut, gum rubber sole shoe in 9.5 D-width. All the RB websites are selling this popular footwear for $59.99.
Your cost: $39.99 plus $10 shipping.
