The Tecnifibre Carboflex 125 X-Speed was unleashed in 2018, with a fresh coat of paint and subtle improvements over its predecessor, Tecnifibre aimed to evolve what many thought to be the perfect squash racket.
| Released | 2018 |
| Weight | 125 Grams |
| Balance | Even |
| Shape | Teardrop |
| Strings | Dnmax |
| Stringing pattern | 14 x 18 |
Why is the Tecnifibre Carboflex X-Speed so popular?
You might argue that having two of the world’s best players – Mohammed Elshorbagy and Nour El Shirbini using the Carboflex has helped to propel this racket into the shopping baskets of the many, and you probably wouldn’t be wrong.
However for me, what truly makes this racket so popular, is the sheer fact that it’s just a brilliantly solid, all round racket that suits the majority of squash players’ games. Nothing more – Tecnifibre have made a great product, and the proof is in just how many people swear by this racket.
It also helps that the X-Speed continues to look the part – the black frame with subtle red and blue accents looks really cool and plays to Tecnifibre’s French heritage. Tecnifibre have also developed a small rubber hood that fits over the top of your squash grip and keeps the racket looking nice (no Karakal tape in sight!) – It’s almost like a condom for your grip, though I don’t think Tecnifibre would be too pleased with this description.
The Tecnifibre Carboflex X-Speed is built to last
Durability often is a sidenote when it comes to racket reviews – however I want to buck this trend a little, especially as I’m aiming this blog at amateur players, who will no doubt make contact with the walls on regular occasion.
Now, I don’t know what weapons grade material Tecnifibre have developed for use in their rackets, but what I do know is that other manufacturers should be taking a leaf out of their book. In the few years I’ve been playing squash, I’ve seen so, so many people these rackets, and I’ve never heard of one person breaking one. My original 125 racket has taken an absolute beating – after three years of rigorous use, the paint has left the frame on its edges, it’s battered, it’s bruised, and yet there’s no cracks in sight. The 125 X-Speed appears to be made of the same materials, so I have full confidence it will last just as long.
Compare that to rackets from other manufacturers and the difference is outstanding. Tecnifibre need some serious kudos in the durability department, it’s often overlooked, so I wanted to give it a special mention in this review.
Tecnifibre have also looked to grow their market share with the 125g Carboflex by introducing the ‘Nour El Shirbini’ variant, aimed at female squash players.
This shares the same characteristics as the regular X-Speed, but has a royal blue frame and a thinner grip.
I think this is a wonderful move from Tecnifibre and I’d be happy to see other manufacturers follow suit.
How does the X-Speed feel on court?
Owing to its lighter weight and even balance, this racket is fantastic for introducing a more aggressive style of play into your match tactics. With it, you’re able to quickly prepare your racket to take the ball early or on the volley, therefore putting your opponent under pressure becomes a far easier task than with heavier feeling rackets such as the Dunlop Hyperfibre XT Revelation Pro.
Power is available on tap with this racket – I feel that when I want to inject pace into my shots, you can do so with relative ease. The fairly dense stringing pattern of 14×18 also aids with control and accuracy.
So, it’s the perfect racket, right?
Well, not quite, not unless you’re a fairly good squash player, that is.
One of the main drawbacks to the Carboflex series of rackets, and this is something I hear fairly often from beginner players who use them, is that they’re not very forgiving.
While the dense stringing pattern and stiff frame of the Carboflex 125 aid with accuracy and control, the drawback is that it offers a much smaller sweet spot than other rackets in the same category.
Essentially, if you don’t hit the ball from the centre of your strings, you’re probably going to know about it. Compared to something like the Head 120 Graphene 360 Slimbody, which has a more flexible frame and a less dense stringing pattern, and therefore a much larger sweet spot on impact, the Tecnifibre racket can feel a lot harder to use for beginners.
I’ve personally found that as I’ve significantly improved my squash over the past two years, my enjoyment using this racket has gone up equally at the same time.
Tecnifibre Carboflex 125 X-speed – In summary
It’s well worth giving the Tecnifibre Carboflex 125 X-Speed a try, even if only for its incredible ‘built to last’ durability. I’ve used an older variant of this model for years and it’s still going strong, which is much more than what can be said for many of my other rackets.
For new players, the smaller sweet spot and stiff frame can be unforgiving at the best of times. Unfortunately, with this racket being so popular, it’s often the first ‘serious’ racket that beginners will buy, thinking it will propel their game, only to lead to minor disappointment when they struggle to hit the ball as well as they used to.
For any semi-decent club level player however, it’s hard to go wrong with the Carboflex 125 X-Speed. Its even balance and light frame means you can put your opponent under ample pressure by taking the ball early, and the power is still there when you need it. All in all, it’s a perfectly balanced racket that does everything a squash racket should do.
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Hi. I have 2 of these. I broke about 7 or 8 squash rackets since I started playing ten years ago. Only broke one old 125 basaltex and several other brands. This one is almost unbreakable and holds on to my wall encounters. It feels very light and comfortable. Nice review and tips for new players.