This newer version of the iconic Carboflex range, has been redesigned at the Airshaft section to improve aerodynamics and increase acceleration. The monoshaft construction has been enhanced on both sides by the X-Arms to limit flexibility and provide better stability and precision upon impact. The (inexplicable in my mind) decision to coat the entire frame for the sake of design, which offsets any perceived advantage of not having a bumper I am coming from using the AirShaft 125 for the last 2yrs since its release, and before that I was on the X-Speed 125. Oh follow up about the grommets at the top if anyone interested, yes there is a small plastic grommet strip in the middle of the top, that lies in a channel. Simply, if you liked the Airshaft, then you’ll like the X-Top. They feel similar in practice, albeit a smidge faster through the air. The difference is subtle – with the Carboflex line proving so popular with professionals and club players across the globe, think of this as a ‘refinement’, rather than a fundamental change. If it’s not broken, don’t fix it!

Tecnifibre has just launched their long awaited Carboflex AirShaft racquet series. The flagship racquet (Carboflex) series that put Tecnifibre on the squash map is their best playing series to date. Designed with AIRSHAFT technology for a more dynamic response and improved racquet acceleration, X-ARMS to strengthen the frame for more stability and power, and NEW Extended String Holes; strategically placed enlarged grommet holes to improve string movement and overall playability. I took delivery of a 130 airshaft yesterday and it weighs 156g so bang in line with your measurements.Tecnifibre X-Speed 125 NS. This is a signature cosmetic for Nour El Sherbini, hence the “NS” in the name. It also has a smaller grip.

Tecnifibre Carboflex 125 Airshaft Squash Racquet is a great new racquet which offers a combination of power and precision. It is used by many leading world players, including Mohamed El Shorbagy. Our ranking system The TopChoice.co.uk Team selects top-of-the-line items from a wide selection and conducts rigorous evaluations on almost all the products available on the internet. We rank each product based on how well it matches our criteria. I too, experienced these feelings when I switched from the X-Speed to the Airshaft 2yrs ago when they came out.Tecnifibre aren’t the first brand to remove a bumper strip. In fact, they themselves allowed players to manually remove the bumper strip on the older Carboflex 125S, though this wasn’t advised as the top of the frame wasn’t reinforced. When you buy through a sponsored link, Squash Source receives a small commission (at no additional cost to you), which supports my efforts on Squash Source — thanks! Extended String Holes - The groomet holes enlarged on 4 specific mains and 4 specific cross to encourage movement of the strings and to improve tolerance and effects.

If you choose a vibration dampener go with the Python Vibration Dampner (Our favorite), Head Smart Sorb, Head Megasorb, or the BBB (Big Bad Band). Tecnifibre has opted to remove the bumper strip on their latest Carboflex X-Top, instead designing a brand-new ‘Active Fibre’ material (a combination of Kevlar and Teflon). This is designed to achieve three things: The beam of the Airshaft (the width size of the frame on the sides) is slightly bigger, or chunkier than the X-Speed. Also correct about the balance. Direct link to this product: https://www.squashsource.com/tecnifibre-carboflex-airshaft-125-ns/#70558Airshaft has the added benefit of Extended String Hole Technology. This is the provision of 12 eyelets at specific locations of the frame, which have been widened to allow the strings to breath and maximise elasticity. To me, at least the one I got in the mail, the X-Top is a TOUCH head heavier than my AirShaft racquets when doing the balance test. In real world application though, I didn’t really notice when I was hitting with it on court. Over on Reddit someone posted photos of all three of the new X-Top models. They will be the X-Top 125, X-Top 125 NS, and X-Top 130. My Thoughts on the Tecnifibre Carboflex X-Top 125

For advanced squash players with good technique and timing, the smaller sweet spot is a total non-issue. However, for club level players still developing this aspect of their game, they’ll have a harder time consistently finding the sweet spot, and therefore the unforgiving feel is going to be a little more noticeable. Overall And yes, it feels and looks pretty similar to the Airshaft, just with the carbon top and elimination of the bumper. Same balance as Airshaft (in fact, my X-Top balance is a TOUCH head heavier than my Airshaft racquets), has the same beam size as Airshaft, it’s pretty much an Airshaft with the carbon top-bumper-less modifications. I’m certain there’s a number of reasons for keeping the three weights so close to each other – manufacturing costs, customer demand, marketing and so on. Still, I would love to see something like a 120, 130 and 140g range to give more distinction between each frame. ManoeuvrabilityFrom the photos it appears the new X-Top models still have a grommet strip, it’s just been recessed a bit, below the level of the carbon X-Top bumper. I have a hunch this will be easier to string than the eyelets, while still removing some of the mass from the frame. Smart idea, in my opinion. I rate the 125NS especially high in this area, as I found the thinner grip really aided with control – previously I’ve described this as ‘pen-like’, which I still believe to be the case.