Squash Source

22 responses to “Head Cyano 115”

1. kkc88

   September 24, 2016

   Anyone knows the factory strings tension for the Head Graphene Cyano 115? Broke original strings and wanted the same tension for replacement.

   Reply
   1. Pierre

      September 26, 2016

      I’ll see if I can find out

      Reply
   2. Pierre

      October 1, 2016

      Here’s what Ben at Head had to say about the factory tension:

      That is always tough. The factory strings the racquets at the upper end of the range since racquets lose tension over time as you know. So racquet is strung at the upper end, then it gets packed and ships over on a boat, received in our warehouse, then shipped to the dealer and then to the customer. The time that takes varies so the tension of the racquet when the customer receives is hard to gauge. It is really difficult if not impossible to match factory tension and feel unfortunately. That is not just for HEAD but all racquets.

      Tension range:
      Mains: 26 +/- 3 lbs
      Crosses: 24 +/- 3 lbs

      I would recommend stringing it toward the upper end of the range.

      Interesting points that I hadn’t truly considered!

      Reply
2. Nawras

   July 25, 2016

   I have tried the Head Graphene Cyano 115 today and it was great, solid racket, light and powerful. Also tried the tecnifibre carbloflex 130 but didn’t like it comparing to the cyano. But everything is taking about the tecnifibre carbloflex 125s.
   I want to buy a new racket but not sure between the two although the cyano is cheaper I don’t care though. Want the better one. Any comments will help.

   Reply
3. Geoff

   June 11, 2014

   Quick question, what are the real differences in terms of the volleying between head light and head heavy?

   I’m considering this racket and the Graphene Cayano 135.

   Also, what does stiff rackets mean? Does it mean there is manoeuvrability or feel of the racket is low?

   I recently lost my techinfibre carboflex 125, and looking to get a new racket. I also have the Prince airstick 130, but I feel like it is missing a tiny bit of power in that racket.

   Reply
   1. Pierre Bastien

      June 11, 2014

      Hi Geoff, it’s a bit down to personal preference really, but I prefer a head-light racket for volleying because I feel I can get the racket prepared more quickly, in time to get a ball that’s moving fast. Some people prefer head heavy because it helps you follow through the shot better rather than just stabbing at it.

      To me a stiff racket means there’s not much give in the shaft, which means you’ll get a SOLID feeling when you hit the ball. A looser frame with more give in it I feel accentuates control and touch. I’d say the Tec 125 is on the looser end.

      Will see if others comment and agree/disagree with me!

      Reply
      1. JB

         June 14, 2014

         Geoff I have played with both and agree with Pierre’s comment. The 125 Carboflex trumps the Airstick on the power side and control but if you put some Tecnifibre 305+ or 305 1.10 gauge in at around 25-26 lbs it really ups the playability of the Airstick and it balances it out more. The + gives more power than the straight 305 but either will really improve the racquet but in my experience not quite to the 125 Carboflex with 1.10 plus in it. The Ashaway Powernick 1.10 is great stuff and light but just can’t get it to settle in and stay put after every rally I have to straighten it get it back in place. The new Prince Beast 750 looks promising Ramy’s new racquet of choice lighter and more balanced than the Airstick 130. I am trying to get more consistency in my game so falling back to a slightly head heavy racquet with the Harrow Vapor.

         Reply
      2. George

         April 18, 2016

         The Head (Graphene) Cyano 115 is also on he loose end. Strung and gripped it weighs exactly 150 gram. I use a karakal pu supergrip overgrip making it 10 grams heavier, but more important, the balance shifts toward the grip, making it more manoeuvrable allowing me to harnass and aim the power it packs. Truely, for me it was never before easyer to put so much energy into the ball. Compared to it’s predecessor I feel the added graphene make’s it a bit more stiff making it easer to play an “absolute” dropshot into the nick.
         I compared it to the Tecnifibre Carboflex 125 and I experienced much more ‘pop’ with the Cyano…

         Reply
4. Chano

   April 8, 2014

   Hi all,
   Really impressed about this racket a friend of mine just bought recently. What is according to your view the appropriate string and tension for this magnific product? Thanks in advance for your reply.

   Reply
   1. Pierre Bastien

      April 15, 2014

      Hi Chano, it all comes down to personal preference really! I like to string my rackets a bit loose, around 25 pounds. Here is a good article about stringing: http://www.squashplayer.co.uk/magazine/string_matters.htm

      Reply
5. Darren McCann

   August 26, 2013

   A great racket. I use this as my back-up racket. Very light and very powerful. You can pick this racket up for about 60 pounds and is a real bargain. Probably would benefit from a string up grade. There is a product review video from Paul at pdhsports.

   Reply
   1. Pierre Bastien

      August 27, 2013

      Thanks Darren!

      Reply
6. Seb

   February 28, 2013

   I would like to get some feedback on squash racket weights. I am really interested in buying the Karakal TEC Gel 120 http://www.karakal.com/TEC-gel-120.html. That is the racket that Cameron Pilley plays with as noted by Pierre here https://www.squashsource.com/karakal-tec-gel-120-squash-racket/ , however, I am told that anything less than 130 grams is not recommended for anyone but the advanced players.

   I have played with 140 and 145 gram rackets and they now feel like I am playing with a hammer.

   Any feedback?

   Reply
   1. Pierre

      March 1, 2013

      Hi Seb,
      Personally I don’t see any reason why you should be dissuaded from trying a lighter racket, especially if you already feel uncomfortable with the heavier models. I think people tend to recommend heavier rackets to beginners (not that you are one yourself) but that they get recommended because a bit of weight helps you shape your swing better. Whereas with a lighter racket, people might tend to be too wristy with their swing. I actually asked my local pro about this a while back and his answer was that he doesn’t agree with the general approach of having new players play with heavy rackets — he thought a lighter racket was a perfectly good, perhaps ever preferred, starting point.

      Curious to hear what others have to say…

      Thanks

      Reply
   2. Tjeerd

      April 5, 2013

      Hi Seb,
      Recently I had the pleasure to try a few shots with the Karakal TEC Gel 120. I’ve always been skeptical about these kind of light sticks, but since I was familiar with the TEC Tour 140, I took my chance for a good comparisment. 😉
      I was quite suprised – dispite the low weight – I had no problems at all hitting good, powerfull drives. Probably because of the balance-point (I believe it was 37-38 cm) that felt slightly head-heavy, helping you hitting “through” the ball. It comes (like all Karakal’s?) with the Karakal Nano 125 string, which has a soft “elastic” touch and will give you plenty of power.
      So, my TEC Gel 120 aftermath : good, stable racket with loads of control and enough power on board. I can think of no reason why you should *not* give it a try…

      Reply
   3. Ben

      December 29, 2013

      Hi Seb, I would recommend using a racket that feels good and has an easy swing, it does not matter what people say. I believe you should feel and try to test the racket first; by hitting some length, volleys, drop shots, etc. I know that can be very difficult nowadays. Go what feels right that’s what I did. I went for Ramy Ashour, racket the prince airstick 130, that was my first racket I brought off my coach two years ago, for £20 it was a great deal, because it used to cost £120 and upwards and my coach restrung it with tecnifbre 305! That was just over 2 years ago, by the way this is coming form a junior player. I now use the racket after my first one broke some time ago, This is also coming from a good junior player.

      Reply
7. Jeroen Mulderij

   February 26, 2013

   Pierre I think that this is the racket LJ used at the nationals then: http://www.head.com/squash/products/racquets/racquets/xenon-series/youtektm-argon2-145-ltd/6670/?region=nz. Found it on the site you posted from New Zealand! 🙂

   I saw a splash of orange in the racket here: http://www.konhcvv.nl/userfiles/5_laatstenieuws/5487_sam_0833_2.jpg

   Reply
   1. Pierre

      February 26, 2013

      Thanks for the tip Jeroen, I think you’re right! Here’s another photo that’s pretty clear: https://twitter.com/ljanjema/status/300713063798169600/photo/1

      Reply
      1. Jeroen Mulderij

         February 27, 2013

         I was playing there at the nationals (C class), saw LJ there.
         But haven’t seen him play because I had a sour shoulder and withdraw, too bad!
         But can see some rallies here: http://m.youtube.com/#/watch?v=CuXY94qWz48&desktop_uri=%2Fwatch%3Fv%3DCuXY94qWz48&gl=NL

         Reply
         1. Pierre

            February 27, 2013

            Thanks for sharing that clip!

            Reply
8. Seb

   February 25, 2013

   Just ordered some HEAD Squash rackets (Xenon2, Anion2 and Cyano2. I have never played with HEAD equipment before, so I am looking forward to trying them out.

   On a separate note Pierre, perhaps you should do a post on racket balance points and how to interpret the number; head light, head heavy, etc.

   Reply
   1. Pierre

      February 26, 2013

      Cool, let us know how the Head rackets are! Thanks for the suggestion on the racket balance points, I agree that would be a helpful post and I will give it some thought.

      Reply