Here’s the Head Graphene 130 / Head Neon 130 line of rackets.
Head Graphene Neon 130
Head YouTek Neon2 130
Head YouTek Neon 130
Head Graphene Neon 130
This is the most recent model. Technically it’s called the Head Graphene Neon 130, which makes it part of the Head Neon 130 lineage, but people often seem to shorten the name to the Head Graphene 130. Graphene is the name of the racket technology that they used in this and other Head squash rackets that came out around 2013. I’ve heard from several affiliates that this has been a bestselling racket.
Image via holabirdsports.com
Product Info
Release year: 2013
Affiliate Links
Squash Source receives a commission when you buy through these links. Thanks!
Buy (Canada): controlthet.com | racquetguys.ca
Buy (France): amazon.fr
Buy (Germany): amazon.de
Buy (UK): amazon.co.uk
Buy (US): amazon.com | holabirdsports.com | racquetguys.com | squashgalaxy.com | squashgear.com
Search:Racket Specs chart
Advertised weight (unstrung): 130 grams
Head size: 500 cm sq
String pattern: 16x17
Head Graphene 130 Reviews
I had a hit with this the other day and loved it. The racket head, which is 500 cm2 felt HUGE compared to my Dunlop GT-X 130 (which is 470 cm2), but the Neon sliced through the air with authority, like I was Thierry Lincou but without the socks. The larger head size seemed to guide my racket through the swing. My touch shots didn’t feel “soft” exactly, but they were accurate because the racket helped me swing through the hitting zone, as described in this SquashSkills video (subscription required).
Here’s a review from Paul “Neon” Hargrave from PDH Sports. He says it’s very maneuverable and fun to use, and it has good control (despite the large head size).
Have you tried this racket? Please let us know in the comments below how you liked it!
Head YouTek Neon2 130
Here’s the prior version, the Head YouTek Neon2 130, which I think came out in 2011.
Image via amazon.com
Advertised Specs
Weight: Medium (130 grams)
Balance: Head-heavy (37 cm)
Head Size: Large (500 sq cm)
String Pattern: 16 x 17
Affiliate Links
Squash Source receives a commission when you buy through these links. Thanks!
Buy (Germany): amazon.de
Buy (UK): amazon.co.uk
Buy (US): amazon.com
Search:Head YouTek Neon 130
The original Head Youtek Neon. Yellow!
Image via amazon.com
Advertised Specs
Weight: Medium (130 grams)
Balance: Head-heavy (37 cm)
Head Size: Large (500 sq cm)
String Pattern: 16 x 17
Affiliate Links
Squash Source receives a commission when you buy through these links. Thanks!
Buy (Germany): amazon.de
Buy (US): amazon.com
Search:If you’ve tried any of these rackets, please leave your feedback in the comments! Thanks
Nektarios Katikas says
()
I play with the Technifibre Carbonflex 130 and I have tried the Head 130 a few times. If you concentrate and you hit correctly it delivers an unprecedented power and you can control what you do at the same time. I felt on the other hand it being too stiff for my taste and it needs time to get used to it. I would guess that in a few months that I would be better in my game i would be able to control the racket better. It is an excellent racket for those you want to feel the weight of the racket.
zac s salleh says
()
i m using this 130 neon quite often now(sometimes i use Prince exo3 pro tour in a cold court to get extra power), what can i say personally about this racket, it has a great power without sacrificing the control, i not really a fan of the head string so i strung this one with the ashaway super nick XL micro which gave me more precised and control in every shot and also extra spin. it really feel head heavy in hand but it is light enough to get into the volley shots. i stripped off the plastic bumper and i feel quite like it.The light material graphene really generate easier swing. when i first use this, i quite surprised with the improvements of my drop shots… so dont worry much about the big cumbersome head sure it will take times to get used to it but i really like to use any head racket because of the crisp feel. and yes, it does have the typical head feel. trust me…
Pierre Bastien says
()
Thanks Zac!
Garrick Alden says
()
I’m trying to decide between the Head Graphene 130 and 135. I currently play with a Dunlop Tour CX 2012 model, which I love. I just want to get a second and think I want one of these two from Head. I’m 31 years old and somewhat new to squash, although picking it up quick. Any advice would be great! Thanks!
Pierre Bastien says
()
Hi Garrick, I tried the Head Graphene 135 and personally didn’t care for it. My notes on it were “neither here nor there” which I think meant I couldn’t get a feel for the touch but also wasn’t generating much power. I had much more fun with the 130 above.
Let us know which you end up going with!
Geoff says
()
Does it have a typical ‘head’ racket feel? in the sense that it’s stiff and not much touch to your swing?
Pierre Bastien says
()
Hi Geoff its tough for me to say if it’s “Head-like” because I haven’t used Head rackets very much but I would agree the frame was a bit stiff. I hit some nice drops with the racket but more because the racket encourages a complete follow-through.
Darren McCann says
()
Hi Piere,
I use this racket and can’t reccomend it highly enough. Perfect balance providing efforless power as well as great touch at the front of the court. Due to the light weight frame you can attack the ball early and volley with ease.
As always Paul from pdh sports as done a great product review of this racket and it can be found on YouTube. I would be happy to answer any questions people had about this racket. (Pierre, treat yourself and get one!)
Pierre Bastien says
()
Thanks Darren, I think I am going to get this one!
Joe Robinson says
()
There’s not a lot said about this racket on the web. But having read your review and seeing this racket rated right at the top for control on squash galaxy:
http://www.squashgalaxy.com/SG/category/racquetratings.html
Can’t wait for mine to arrive, hoping it will be a satisfactory replacement for my Prince Airstick 130
I’ll post a review for the Graphene once I’ve had a few games with it.