...unfortunately I was not able ( "invalid...") to post a review in the review section. FACTS: Weight: 84 gr. (Carlton) Typ: regular length, oval shaped head Material: Carbon Balance: even balanced/ around 28, 5 cm ( with overgrip) >< AB 2000 around 29,3 cm ( w. o.) Flex: stiff “gimmicks”: “special” handle cap Price: 160 ,- ( Euro) / recommended retail price: 199,95 Euro String tension: recommended : < 13 kg ( >< AB Ti < 16 kg) Colour: Black frame with a rusty orange/ red colour scheme For 2004 Carlton introduces the Rasmussen line with the traditional oval shaped head and the Powerblade line (for the first time) with iso shaped heads. With introducing the Rasmussen Tour, Carlton seems to continue the line of the traditional shaped and sized “allround” rackets like the Carlton Rasmussen and Carlton AS1.You won´t find gimmicks like “Muscle power frame”/ “Flexon technology”, “Concave Technology”... in this model, but for the first time Carlton uses a new designed handle cap, which allows a lower flex point by simply using a rubber – plastic handle cap construction, but in opposite to the short cfs cap the new handle cap has normal lenght ,which will ( can) support your net play by providing enough ( grip-) space on the cap. Again another airblade racket, which can be strung at high tensions. After using it for one session ( with the original Carlton strings, which I personally do not favour), it seems, that the Rasmussen Tour can generate a lot of power while providing great control for the player. Unfortunately the price of the racket is unreasonable high ( because of “Rasmussen”!?).
There is a new serie with iso-frame, named carlton powerblade. the first iso-frame rackets from carlton !! looks cool --> www.comido.de/shop then go to badminton/racket ...
see also www.centralsports.co.uk and go to "Browse Catalogue" They appear to have 3 ranges now Powerblade Airblade Rasmussen giving them Powerblade/Airblade/Rasmussen Titanium 40/47/50 GBP Powerblade/Airblade/Rasmussen Lite 57/65/65 GBP Powerblade/Airblade/Rasmussen Superlite 73/77/80 GBP Powerblade/Airblade/Rasmussen Tour 105/97/120 GBP Rasmussen Superlite is listed at 84g Rasmussen Tour is listed at 90g In the other Rasmussen Tour thread I guessed "I would guess the Rasmussen Tour would start at about RRP of 140-150 GBP and retail around 110-130 GBP" maybe Carlton read it and thought, "hmmm that sounds about right". The RRP is 150 GBP
i would rate the rasmussen tour to be stiffer than the airblade lite 03, comparable to the airblade 2000
central sports have the worst racquet stats....phone them up to ask. on some models, they don't even have weight or balance point..
yeah and for the new at800of they dont have the flex. they also say everything is for "power", or if it is a defensive racket they say "for those seeking control with power", of course we want that, that is what evveryone wants! I often laugh when reading what they have said.
after more testing, i think that the rasmussen tour feels like the ( good) old ab rasmussen, so my old rasmussens are getting retired soon!
aaaah -the rasmussen tour is classic - the powerblade tour however is isoframe - now that could be an interesting racquet.. might have to have a test of that one.. wonder if you can get them cheaper anywhere else wonder if jonas would play with a 'rasmussen' wonder if jonas would like to comment/compare the carlton rasmussen range with any of the forza's? Neil
"cheaper" >>> "olympia pakete: http://sport-niklaus.de/Produkte/Schlager/Carlton/Carlton_Olympiapaket/carlton_olympiapaket.html www.comido.de
they list all the Powerblades and Rassmussens as flexible. They say all the airblades are stiff, except the Lite which is medium-stiff. (how stiff they mean, I don't know. I think they term "medium stiff" as being stiffer than "stiff")
i wish! the uk is the ripoff capital of europe if not the world! they might come thru eventually, but not as quickly as elsewhere..
...otherwise you may email frank from www.comido.de ,if he can send to the uk and what difficulties amy occur.
ta mate, i'll prolly do it when i get home now - think i've spent abotu 2 hours work time looking at the new carltons... - hmm just when i was almost contemplating looking at the armortecs..... well - at least carlton are listening by releasing an iso frame. if anybody has a powerblade it'd be great to hear a review..
doh, now I understand. I was thinking some of the airblades were new, but I missed a year. It was the year before that they had the AS Lite, Ti Lite, Ti Superlite.
