Franklin Signature Carbon STR vs HEAD Radical Tour Ultra 16
Both paddles are scored using the same 15-trait Paddle DNA model. Both land on the same overall IQ score (79.8), so the right pick depends on which traits you value.
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Quick answer
Franklin Signature Carbon STR wins this matchup for most players: it takes spin and value on Paddle DNA against the HEAD Radical Tour Ultra 16, which costs $160.
Power
Too close to call
76 vs 74
Spin
80 vs 72
Control
Too close to call
84 vs 83
Forgiveness
Too close to call
86 vs 85
Hand speed
105 vs 110 kg·cm² swing weight
Value
$110 at IQ 79.8 vs $160 at IQ 79.8
Overall pick: Franklin Signature Carbon STR · $110 · IQ 79.8
Paddle DNA head-to-head
- 76Power74
- 83Control84
- 80Spin72
- 85Forgiveness86
- 86Sweet spot86
- 78Stability80
- 82Maneuverability82
- 76Pop70
- 79Touch82
- 81Consistency84
- 54Swing weight66
- 72Twist weight74
- 63Launch angle48
- 64Plow through70
- 82Softness82
Franklin Signature Carbon STR vs HEAD Radical Tour Ultra 16 specs
Every spec side by side. Highlighted values are the better of the two where one is objectively better.
| Spec | Franklin Signature Carbon STR | HEAD Radical Tour Ultra 16 |
|---|---|---|
| Street price(USD) | $110 — better | $160 |
| IQ score(/ 100) | 79.8 | 79.8 |
| Weight(oz) | 8 | 7.8 |
| Core thickness(mm) | 16 | 16 |
| Swing weight(kg·cm²)Lower swings faster | 110 | 105 |
| Twist weight(kg·cm²)Higher is more stable | 6 | 6.4 — better |
| Shape | standard | standard |
| Face length(in) | 16 | 15.9 |
| Face width(in) | 7.9 | 8 |
| Handle length(in) | 5 | 5 |
| Grip circumference(in) | 4.25 | 4 |
| Surface | Raw carbon | Textured fiberglass composite |
| Core material | Polymer honeycomb | Polypropylene honeycomb |
Franklin Signature Carbon STR verdict
Franklin's most credible performance paddle to date. It will not win a spin shootout, but the balance and build quality are honest for the money.
HEAD Radical Tour Ultra 16 verdict
A conservative, durable standard-shape paddle. Spin 72 is well behind raw carbon, but forgiveness 86 and a 105 swing weight make it one of the easier paddles here to play well immediately.
The verdict
Scored on the same 15-trait Paddle DNA model, the clearest separation is launch angle: Franklin Signature Carbon STR scores 63 against 48 for HEAD Radical Tour Ultra 16 — a 15-point gap. They are effectively level on touch, consistency, power, so those traits should not decide the purchase. Franklin Signature Carbon STR is $50 cheaper at $110.
Launch angle
Franklin Signature Carbon STR leads by 15 points (63 vs 48).
Swing weight
HEAD Radical Tour Ultra 16 leads by 12 points (66 vs 54).
Spin
Franklin Signature Carbon STR leads by 8 points (80 vs 72).
Pop
Franklin Signature Carbon STR leads by 6 points (76 vs 70).
Which one is right for your level?
Each call below re-weights the Paddle DNA traits that matter at that level, so the winner can differ from the overall pick.
Beginner
New to 3.0 — still building a consistent contact point
Too close to call on the traits that matter here (82.8 vs 81.4 on the weighted index). Take Franklin Signature Carbon STR and keep the $50.
- Consistency
- Stability
- Twist weight
Intermediate
3.0–3.9 — playing organised rec and early tournaments
Too close to call on the traits that matter here (80.3 vs 81 on the weighted index). Take Franklin Signature Carbon STR and keep the $50.
- Spin
- Power
Advanced / tournament
4.0+ — repeatable swing, fast hands battles
Too close to call on the traits that matter here (76.5 vs 77 on the weighted index). Take Franklin Signature Carbon STR and keep the $50.
- Spin
- Power
Arm-sensitive players
Anyone managing tennis elbow or shoulder load
Too close to call on the traits that matter here (81.6 vs 81 on the weighted index). Take Franklin Signature Carbon STR and keep the $50.
- Twist weight
- Forgiveness
Which one should you buy?
HEAD Radical Tour Ultra 16
Take HEAD Radical Tour Ultra 16 if you want swing weight (+12), plow through (+6). Its swing weight of 105 kg·cm² and 16 mm core are what produce that profile.
Read the HEAD Radical Tour Ultra 16 review →Franklin Signature Carbon STR
Take Franklin Signature Carbon STR if you want launch angle (+15), spin (+8), pop (+6). Its swing weight of 110 kg·cm² and 16 mm core are what produce that profile.
Read the Franklin Signature Carbon STR review →HEAD Radical Tour Ultra 16 vs Franklin Signature Carbon STR FAQ
- Which is better, the HEAD Radical Tour Ultra 16 or the Franklin Signature Carbon STR?
- Too close to call — neither has an advantage here. Both carry the same overall Paddle IQ score (79.8). The split is trait by trait — Franklin Signature Carbon STR leads on launch angle by 15 points.
- Which one is faster at the kitchen line?
- HEAD Radical Tour Ultra 16, at 105 kg·cm² swing weight against 110 for Franklin Signature Carbon STR. Lower swing weight is the single best predictor of hand speed in fast exchanges.
- Which paddle has more power, the HEAD Radical Tour Ultra 16 or the Franklin Signature Carbon STR?
- Franklin Signature Carbon STR scores 76 for power against 74 for HEAD Radical Tour Ultra 16. That comes from a 16 mm Polymer honeycomb core swinging at 110 kg·cm² — mass behind the ball, not face material.
- Which one gives more control and touch?
- HEAD Radical Tour Ultra 16 at 84 versus 83. Its 16 mm core holds the ball on the face slightly longer, which is what makes resets and dinks land shorter.
- Which paddle spins the ball more?
- Franklin Signature Carbon STR scores 80 for spin off its Raw carbon face, against 72 for the Textured fiberglass composite face on HEAD Radical Tour Ultra 16. In practice an 8-point gap is noticeable on third-shot drives.
- Which is more forgiving on off-center hits?
- HEAD Radical Tour Ultra 16, with the higher forgiveness score (86 vs 85). Its 6.4 twist weight against 6 is what drives it — higher twist weight means the face rotates less when you miss the middle.
- Is the price difference worth it?
- Franklin Signature Carbon STR costs $110, $50 less. Whether that gap is worth closing depends on whether you actually use the traits it trades away — check the head-to-head DNA bars above before paying up.
- Do they use the same core and face?
- HEAD Radical Tour Ultra 16: 16 mm Polypropylene honeycomb core with a Textured fiberglass composite face. Franklin Signature Carbon STR: 16 mm Polymer honeycomb core with a Raw carbon face.
- Which is better for a two-handed backhand?
- Too close to call — neither has an advantage here. Both run a 5 in handle, short enough that either forces the bottom hand up onto the face bevel.
- Which one is better for beginners?
- HEAD Radical Tour Ultra 16 is the safer first paddle here: forgiveness 86 and sweet spot 86 mean fewer mishits while your contact point is still inconsistent. Franklin Signature Carbon STR rewards a repeatable swing and can feel less stable before that.
- Which is lighter in the hand?
- HEAD Radical Tour Ultra 16 at 7.8 oz against 8 oz. Static weight matters for arm fatigue and elbow comfort; swing weight (105 vs 110) is what you feel mid-rally.
- Is it worth switching between the HEAD Radical Tour Ultra 16 and the Franklin Signature Carbon STR?
- Only if you need what it actually adds. Franklin Signature Carbon STR leads on launch angle by 15 points; everything else is within 12 points. At $160 vs $110, the money is better spent elsewhere unless that one trait is your weak spot.
Related comparisons
The other matchups shoppers open in the same session as this one.
- Signature Carbon STR vs Ben Johns Signature Pro
- Signature Carbon STR vs BALLR+ 16
- Signature Carbon STR vs Signature 16 Composite
- Radical Tour Ultra 16 vs Obsidian 16
- Radical Tour Ultra 16 vs Blaze Pro 16
- Signature Carbon STR vs SLK Evo Hybrid 2.0
- Signature Carbon STR vs Blaze Pro 16
- Signature Carbon STR vs Essentials 16
Also worth comparing
Head-to-heads that share DNA with this matchup — useful if you're still deciding between shapes, cores or price tiers.
- Signature Carbon STR vs SLK Evo Hybrid 2.0
- Signature Carbon STR vs Prism Flash
- Signature Carbon STR vs Essentials 16
- Radical Tour Ultra 16 vs Obsidian 16
- Radical Tour Ultra 16 vs R1 Pulsar
- Radical Tour Ultra 16 vs Blaze Pro 16
- Radical Tour Ultra 16 vs Atlas 16
Top alternatives to both
Paddles that beat one of these two on a specific trait or on price.
Guides featuring these paddles
Still deciding? These buying guides put Franklin Signature Carbon STR and HEAD Radical Tour Ultra 16 in context against the rest of the database.
Read the full reviews: Franklin Signature Carbon STR and HEAD Radical Tour Ultra 16. Or build a different comparison, browse the full database or find paddles within 5% of your current one.