Curiosity Series 756 — Decathlon BR530

Karry September 21, 2024 0

This is my second product from Decathlon’s racket category. Personally, I find myself more interested in exploring Decathlon’s mid-range and entry-level rackets rather than their high-end offerings, as this segment is currently their best-selling in mainland China. The racket I’m using this time was specifically purchased for a newcomer to join my private matches.

However, it seems that the PERFLY brand has not yet made its way into non-premium products.

Specifications: 3U G5, with a cap, total weight 99.02g, balance point 293mm, shaft length 213mm, medium stiffness, box frame, 72-hole string bed, 9–3 o’clock string groove, warranty for 22lbs, strung with 22lbs training line.

Although it’s a relatively entry-level product, the BR530 definitely outshines supermarket rackets by two tiers in terms of appearance. The frame features a large area of light blue base paint that transitions from light to dark towards the T-head, abruptly changing to deep blue. The use of water decals is quite restrained, but simple lines throughout the frame guide the eye visually. The paint quality is quite refined, giving the entire racket a minimalist yet not plain aesthetic. For beginners who don’t focus much on equipment, this racket should be quite appealing.

The BR530 looks harmless, but in reality, it gives a very noticeable feeling of weight upon picking it up. At 87g unstrung, it becomes very close to 100g after the owner adds grip tape, which may not be preferred by newcomers. However, the head-heavy feel isn’t prominent, and it feels solid without being unwieldy. It allows for noticeable leverage, enabling effortless high clears without needing to exert much power, and the large sweet spot makes it easy to adapt aside from its heavier weight.

Notably, I feel a lineage in the twisting resistance between the BR530 and BR990. The frame’s stability contributes to excellent directional control, performing well in long shot placements.

The box frame and high weight impose some limitations on the BR530’s continuity. It has higher wind resistance, moderate swing speed, and lacks agility, resulting in a clunky feel during mid-court rallies and making it difficult to find quick bursts of power. The G5 grip from Decathlon seems slightly thicker, and the added grip tape creates an even bulkier feel, which complicates quick transitions between forehand and backhand strokes.

Surprisingly, the quality of the shaft isn’t bad; it can even outshine some competitors in the same category. The BR530’s shaft performance matches the overall racket characteristics. It has sufficient stiffness and decent elasticity, allowing for effective power transmission during aggressive shots, making it appealing for users to unleash threatening smashes. For those with better power, the BR530 may not excel in explosiveness, but its upper limit is more than sufficient for beginners.

Unfortunately, the stock strings are lackluster; I believe that with a better setup, the racket’s offensive capabilities could be significantly enhanced. However, the racket’s weight may be slightly taxing for novices. During defensive play, the slightly heavier weight isn’t very forgiving, and handling shots at the net can feel cumbersome, leading to hesitance even at advantageous heights. While the BR530’s quality is commendable, it may not be the best choice for entry-level consumers. Most importantly, a 22lb warranty is rather low.

Overall, it seems that Decathlon’s product strategy still has room for improvement, and for the BR530 in particular, this is a bit of a missed opportunity.