u/Harshil_sheth10

Two years in, attack-oriented lefty at 6’1”, winning local tournaments, playing 4-5x a week. I thought I was ready to level up.

The jump: Counter Viper → Metalbone HRD+ 2026. Power? Incredible. Everything else? I’m basically a liability at the net now.

Current Set up is 0 weights:- just the protector and 2 overgrips. Around 372gms
30+ sessions in and the trampoline effect is real — volleys pop out, slices feel like guesswork, and At the net I feel like I’m moving in slow motion.

Shortlist:

• Bullpadel Vertex 05 GEO ← most curious
• Siux Fenix Pro
• Colleo Motion
• Babolat Viper JL 3.0 / Technical Viper
• Suix Electra
• Oxdox Ultimate Pro+
• Bullpadel XPLO

Open to the other options.

My background: Intermediate+ player , attack-oriented game, play 4-5 times a week. Playing since 2 years.

I do manage to win local tournaments in my city.

Left Sided , 6.1 Feet height.

Dont have platomic in my country but would be probably 4.5-5 ranked in it.

Earlier Used Counter Viper but wanted more power. Jumped to the Metalbone HRD+ 2026 and not quite aquatinted to it still, also probably played above 30 sessions, power is great but , maneuverability dropped and the trampoline effect is so real have lost my all confidence in volleys and slices, and guess what, my best shot was my backhand volleys where I am usually so late with my racket that mostly everything I touch will just pop out and glass boom and also the slices drives and chaquetas were really helpful and accurate which probably because of the diamond shaped I rarely am able to use it anymore.

Also feel really slow on the net because of the weight.

Current Weight and balance - All 4 Screws on top each of 1.3gms which sums to 5.2gms on top. 2 overgrips and 1 protector. Currently weights around 280gms.
My hand is big so 2 overgrips are non-negotiable.

Need something in between: more power than the Counter Viper, more control than the Metalbone.

Currently looking at: (Chronological)

• Bullpadel Vertex 05 GEO

• Siux Fenix Pro

• Babolat Viper JL 3.0

• Oxdox Ultimate Pro+

• Bullpadel Xplo

Anyone made a similar jump? Especially curious about the Vertex 05 GEO. Is it actually as balanced as people say?

Or Shall I give my metalbone hrd+ some more time?

My background: Intermediate+ player , attack-oriented game, play 4-5 times a week. Playing since 2 years.

I do manage to win local tournaments in my city.

Left Sided , 6.1 Feet height.

Dont have platomic in my country but would be probably 4.5-5 ranked in it.

Earlier Used Counter Viper but wanted more power. Jumped to the Metalbone HRD+ 2026 and not quite aquatinted to it still, also probably played above 30 sessions, power is great but , maneuverability dropped and the trampoline effect is so real have lost my all confidence in volleys and slices, and guess what, my best shot was my backhand volleys where I am usually so late with my racket that mostly everything I touch will just pop out and glass boom and also the slices drives and chaquetas were really helpful and accurate which probably because of the diamond shaped I rarely am able to use it anymore.

Also feel really slow on the net because of the weight.

Current Weight and balance - All 4 Screws on top each of 1.3gms which sums to 5.2gms on top. 2 overgrips and 1 protector. Currently weights around 280gms.

Need something in between: more power than the Counter Viper, more control than the Metalbone.

Currently looking at:

• Bullpadel Vertex 05 GEO

• Bullpadel Xplo

• Babolat Viper JL 3.0

• Siux Fenix Pro

Anyone made a similar jump? Especially curious about the Vertex 05 GEO. Is it actually as balanced as people say?

Or Shall I give my metalbone hrd+ some more time?