Paddletek Bantam ALW-C 14 vs Proton Series Four (Project Roadrunner)
Both paddles measured on the same 15-trait Paddle DNA test. Paddletek Bantam ALW-C 14 takes the higher overall IQ score, but the right pick depends on which traits you value.
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Paddle DNA head-to-head
- 85Power85
- 90Control88
- 84Spin95
- 88Forgiveness82
- 89Sweet spot84
- 85Stability83
- 84Maneuverability84
- 84Pop82
- 88Touch86
- 89Consistency88
- 66Swing weight68
- 84Twist weight82
- 54Launch angle57
- 74Plow through78
- 86Softness80
Specs
| $200 | Price | $175 |
|---|---|---|
| 14 mm | Core | 15 mm |
| 7.7 oz | Weight | 7.9 oz |
| 105 | Swing weight | 110 |
| 6.9 | Twist weight | 6.3 |
| standard | Shape | elongated |
| Textured carbon | Surface | Aerospace bi-directional carbon with exposed aramid weave |
| 5.25 in | Handle | 5.375 in |
Paddletek Bantam ALW-C 14 verdict
The lightweight Bantam. At 7.7 oz it is one of the fastest paddles in the database through hands battles, and Paddletek's core keeps the feel soft rather than tinny.
Proton Series Four (Project Roadrunner) verdict
The exposed Kevlar weave is the story: it grips the ball like a fresh grit face but, unlike sprayed textures, it is the material itself, so the spin number does not decay over a season.
The verdict
Measured on the same 15-trait test, the clearest separation is spin: Proton Series Four (Project Roadrunner) scores 95 against 84 for Paddletek Bantam ALW-C 14 — a 11-point gap. They are effectively level on launch angle, control, stability, so those traits should not decide the purchase. Proton Series Four (Project Roadrunner) is $25 cheaper at $175.
Spin
Proton Series Four (Project Roadrunner) leads by 11 points (95 vs 84).
Forgiveness
Paddletek Bantam ALW-C 14 leads by 6 points (88 vs 82).
Softness
Paddletek Bantam ALW-C 14 leads by 6 points (86 vs 80).
Sweet spot
Paddletek Bantam ALW-C 14 leads by 5 points (89 vs 84).
Which one should you buy?
Paddletek Bantam ALW-C 14
Take Paddletek Bantam ALW-C 14 if you want forgiveness (+6), softness (+6), sweet spot (+5). Its swing weight of 105 kg·cm² and 14 mm core are what produce that profile.
Read the Paddletek Bantam ALW-C 14 review →Proton Series Four (Project Roadrunner)
Take Proton Series Four (Project Roadrunner) if you want spin (+11), plow through (+4). Its swing weight of 110 kg·cm² and 15 mm core are what produce that profile.
Read the Proton Series Four (Project Roadrunner) review →Paddletek Bantam ALW-C 14 vs Proton Series Four (Project Roadrunner) FAQ
- Which is better, the Paddletek Bantam ALW-C 14 or the Proton Series Four (Project Roadrunner)?
- Paddletek Bantam ALW-C 14 carries the higher overall Paddle IQ score (86.3 vs 85.6), but IQ is a weighted average. On the trait that separates them most — spin — Proton Series Four (Project Roadrunner) leads by 11 points.
- Which one is faster at the kitchen line?
- Paddletek Bantam ALW-C 14, at 105 kg·cm² swing weight against 110 for Proton Series Four (Project Roadrunner). Lower swing weight is the single best predictor of hand speed in fast exchanges.
- Which paddle has more power, the Paddletek Bantam ALW-C 14 or the Proton Series Four (Project Roadrunner)?
- Paddletek Bantam ALW-C 14 measures 85 on power against 85 for Proton Series Four (Project Roadrunner). That comes from a 14 mm Bantam polymer core core swinging at 105 kg·cm² — mass behind the ball, not face material.
- Which one gives more control and touch?
- Paddletek Bantam ALW-C 14 at 90 versus 88. Its 14 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?
- Proton Series Four (Project Roadrunner) scores 95 for spin off its Aerospace bi-directional carbon with exposed aramid weave face, against 84 for the Textured carbon face on Paddletek Bantam ALW-C 14. In practice a 11-point gap is noticeable on third-shot drives.
- Which is more forgiving on off-center hits?
- Paddletek Bantam ALW-C 14, with 6.9 twist weight against 6.3. Higher twist weight means the face rotates less when you miss the middle, and Paddletek Bantam ALW-C 14 carries the higher forgiveness score (88) as a result.
- Is the price difference worth it?
- Proton Series Four (Project Roadrunner) costs $175, $25 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?
- Paddletek Bantam ALW-C 14: 14 mm Bantam polymer core core with a Textured carbon face. Proton Series Four (Project Roadrunner): 15 mm Nomex and polypropylene hybrid honeycomb core with a Aerospace bi-directional carbon with exposed aramid weave face.
- Which is better for a two-handed backhand?
- Proton Series Four (Project Roadrunner), at 5.375 in of handle against 5.25 in. Anything under 5.25 in forces you to choke the bottom hand onto the face bevel.
- Which one is better for beginners?
- Paddletek Bantam ALW-C 14 is the safer first paddle here: forgiveness 88 and sweet spot 89 mean fewer mishits while your contact point is still inconsistent. Paddletek Bantam ALW-C 14 rewards a repeatable swing and can feel unstable before that.
- Which is lighter in the hand?
- Paddletek Bantam ALW-C 14 at 7.7 oz against 7.9 oz. Static weight matters for arm fatigue and elbow comfort; swing weight (105 vs 110) is what you feel mid-rally.
- Is it worth upgrading from the Proton Series Four (Project Roadrunner) to the Paddletek Bantam ALW-C 14?
- Only if you need what it actually adds. Proton Series Four (Project Roadrunner) leads on spin by 11 points; everything else is within 6 points. At $200 vs $175, the money is better spent elsewhere unless that one trait is your weak spot.
Also worth comparing
Head-to-heads that share DNA with this matchup — useful if you're still deciding between shapes, cores or price tiers.
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- Series Four (Project Roadrunner) vs V7 Hybrid
- Series Four (Project Roadrunner) vs Ruby
Top alternatives to both
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Read the full reviews: Paddletek Bantam ALW-C 14 and Proton Series Four (Project Roadrunner). Or build a different comparison, browse the full database or find paddles within 5% of your current one.