Donnay Allwood 102 Hexacore Unibody

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Technical data sheet

The Donnay Allwood 102 is a frame that could be defined as “modern-classic” in the sense that it integrates the characteristics of a modern frame in terms of construction, materials, weights and shapes with what are the characteristics of frames of the past with regard to the flexibility of the frame and the general feeling.

The profile is a 22mm constant beam, and the sections are completely traditional.

The racquet is distinguished by a weight of 300g and a balance point of 320mm. The stringbed is a harmonious 102 in2 (658 cm2) with a well thought-out pattern characterized by fairly wide spacing, which suggests good thrust and spin.

Unstrung specsStrung specs
Head size102 sq. in.102 sq. in.
Pattern16×1916×19
Profile22 mm / 22 mm / 22 mm22 mm / 22 mm / 22 mm
Dynamic Stiffness118Hz – 52DRA118Hz – 52DRA
Weight300g325g
Balance320mm325mm
Swingweight296kgcmq325kgcmq
Spinweight310kgcmq344kgcmq
Twistweight14kgcmq19kgcmq
Recoilweight151kgcmq150kgcmq
Polar Index0.96 – 8.2/100.94 – 7.2/10
Stiffness50RA48RA

The data show interesting SwW Swingweight and SpW Spinweight values that characterize a frame with good thrust capabilities as evidenced by the SwW Swingweight of 325 points of inertia and 344 kgcm2 SpW spinweight strung, high average values that should not intimidate as the racquet isvery maneuverable. 

Torsional stability is very good with 19 kgcm2 as proof of a stable impact and solid frame.

The length is 690mm, slightly above standard, and allows for a little extra inertia without the limitations of an extended frame, in our opinion a good choice for this racquet.

What really differentiates this Donnay Allwood 102 from all other modern carbon racquets is the very marked overall flexibility of the frame, which scores a value of 0.54kg/mm, equal to 50 points of RA rigidity which drops to 0.50kg/mm or 48 RA strung, a very low value that brings the behavior of this frame closer to that of aluminum frames or, even better, to those in composite wood-carbon.

As usual we investigated the distribution of flexibility along the length of the racquet’s development to understand its behavior and response, and again, we were not disappointed.

The stiffness distribution on the frame allows for a drum with a very homogeneous behavior that does not concentrate points of marked flexibility to rigid points, but instead focuses on the overall behavior of the frame.

The point of greatest flexibility is located in the stems (although it is not possible to talk about flexpoint), while, as expected, the point of minimum stiffness is in the upper middle part of the hoop. 

The frequency detected with the Chromatic String Tuner DGT is 118 Hz, the lowest value ever recorded for a carbon fiber frame that gives a perceived stiffness equal to 52 DRA, or a truly minimal dynamic stiffness that makes us assume a truly unique behavior on court.

For the study of stringbed stiffness and stiffness distribution we strung the frame as usual at a tension of 22 kg with 4-knot pattern.

As said before, the strings have a rather wide spacing that can be appreciated even when stringing, and the stiffness distribution distinguishes a more rigid, responsive, and control-oriented top end from a softer and more forgiving bottom end.

The useful hittable area (highlighted by the homogeneity of stiffness) is rather large and suggests that retrieving, as well as off-center and throw-in impacts are favoured. The response is good in every part of the hoop that, as a logical expectation, concentrates in the upper part of the perimeter the area more prone to topspin and devoted to control. 

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