Paddletek Bantam ALW-C 14 vs Ronbus Tenon
Both paddles are scored using the same 15-trait Paddle DNA model. Ronbus Tenon takes the higher overall IQ score, but the right pick depends on which traits you value.
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Quick answer
Ronbus Tenon wins this matchup for most players: it takes spin and value on Paddle DNA against the Paddletek Bantam ALW-C 14, which costs $200.
Power
Too close to call
88 vs 85
Spin
90 vs 84
Control
Too close to call
91 vs 90
Forgiveness
Too close to call
88 vs 88
Hand speed
105 vs 110 kg·cm² swing weight
Value
$180 at IQ 87.8 vs $200 at IQ 86.3
Overall pick: Ronbus Tenon · $180 · IQ 87.8
Paddle DNA head-to-head
- 85Power88
- 90Control91
- 84Spin90
- 88Forgiveness88
- 89Sweet spot89
- 85Stability88
- 84Maneuverability78
- 84Pop83
- 88Touch89
- 89Consistency90
- 66Swing weight72
- 84Twist weight86
- 54Launch angle54
- 74Plow through82
- 86Softness85
Paddletek Bantam ALW-C 14 vs Ronbus Tenon specs
Every spec side by side. Highlighted values are the better of the two where one is objectively better.
| Spec | Paddletek Bantam ALW-C 14 | Ronbus Tenon |
|---|---|---|
| Street price(USD) | $200 | $180 — better |
| IQ score(/ 100) | 86.3 | 87.8 — better |
| Weight(oz) | 7.7 | 8 |
| Core thickness(mm) | 14 | 16 |
| Swing weight(kg·cm²)Lower swings faster | 105 | 110 |
| Twist weight(kg·cm²)Higher is more stable | 6.9 — better | 6.7 |
| Shape | standard | hybrid |
| Face length(in) | 16 | 16.3 |
| Face width(in) | 7.9 | 7.6 |
| Handle length(in) | 5.25 | 5.5 |
| Grip circumference(in) | 4.375 | 4.25 |
| Surface | Textured carbon | Raw T700 carbon |
| Core material | Bantam polymer core | Foam-perimeter thermoformed polymer |
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.
Ronbus Tenon verdict
Ronbus doing what Ronbus does: a flagship-tier build at a mid-tier price. The Tenon lands closest to the premium all-court paddles on scored traits while costing about $100 less.
The verdict
Scored on the same 15-trait Paddle DNA model, the clearest separation is plow through: Ronbus Tenon scores 82 against 74 for Paddletek Bantam ALW-C 14 — an 8-point gap. They are effectively level on power, stability, twist weight, so those traits should not decide the purchase. Ronbus Tenon is $20 cheaper at $180.
Plow through
Ronbus Tenon leads by 8 points (82 vs 74).
Spin
Ronbus Tenon leads by 6 points (90 vs 84).
Maneuverability
Paddletek Bantam ALW-C 14 leads by 6 points (84 vs 78).
Swing weight
Ronbus Tenon leads by 6 points (72 vs 66).
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 (87.5 vs 88.5 on the weighted index). Take Ronbus Tenon and keep the $20.
- Stability
- Twist weight
- Consistency
Intermediate
3.0–3.9 — playing organised rec and early tournaments
Too close to call on the traits that matter here (86.7 vs 87.4 on the weighted index). Take Ronbus Tenon and keep the $20.
- Spin
- Power
- Control
Advanced / tournament
4.0+ — repeatable swing, fast hands battles
Ronbus Tenon
Ronbus Tenon is a narrow pick at this level — plow through 82 vs 74, spin 90 vs 84, power 88 vs 85. Swing weight 110 kg·cm² is what carries that through contact.
- Plow through
- Spin
- Power
Arm-sensitive players
Anyone managing tennis elbow or shoulder load
Too close to call on the traits that matter here (86.2 vs 86 on the weighted index). Take Ronbus Tenon and keep the $20.
- Softness
Which one should you buy?
Paddletek Bantam ALW-C 14
Take Paddletek Bantam ALW-C 14 if you want maneuverability (+6). Its swing weight of 105 kg·cm² and 14 mm core are what produce that profile.
Read the Paddletek Bantam ALW-C 14 review →Ronbus Tenon
Take Ronbus Tenon if you want plow through (+8), spin (+6), swing weight (+6). Its swing weight of 110 kg·cm² and 16 mm core are what produce that profile.
Read the Ronbus Tenon review →Paddletek Bantam ALW-C 14 vs Ronbus Tenon FAQ
- Which is better, the Paddletek Bantam ALW-C 14 or the Ronbus Tenon?
- Ronbus Tenon carries the higher overall Paddle IQ score (87.8 vs 86.3), but IQ is a weighted average. On the trait that separates them most — plow through — Ronbus Tenon leads by 8 points.
- Which one is faster at the kitchen line?
- Paddletek Bantam ALW-C 14, at 105 kg·cm² swing weight against 110 for Ronbus Tenon. 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 Ronbus Tenon?
- Ronbus Tenon scores 88 for power against 85 for Paddletek Bantam ALW-C 14. That comes from a 16 mm Foam-perimeter thermoformed polymer core swinging at 110 kg·cm² — mass behind the ball, not face material.
- Which one gives more control and touch?
- Ronbus Tenon at 91 versus 90. 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?
- Ronbus Tenon scores 90 for spin off its Raw T700 carbon face, against 84 for the Textured carbon face on Paddletek Bantam ALW-C 14. In practice a 6-point gap is noticeable on third-shot drives.
- Which is more forgiving on off-center hits?
- Too close to call — neither has an advantage here. Both score 88 on forgiveness despite twist weights of 6.9 and 6.7.
- Is the price difference worth it?
- Ronbus Tenon costs $180, $20 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 with a Textured carbon face. Ronbus Tenon: 16 mm Foam-perimeter thermoformed polymer core with a Raw T700 carbon face.
- Which is better for a two-handed backhand?
- Ronbus Tenon, at 5.5 in of handle against 5.25 in. Anything under 5.25 in forces you to choke the bottom hand onto the face bevel, which Ronbus Tenon avoids.
- Which one is better for beginners?
- Too close to call — neither has an advantage here. Forgiveness (88) and sweet spot (89) are identical, so a developing player can start on either — decide on price and handle feel.
- Which is lighter in the hand?
- Paddletek Bantam ALW-C 14 at 7.7 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 upgrading from the Paddletek Bantam ALW-C 14 to the Ronbus Tenon?
- Only if you need what it actually adds. Ronbus Tenon leads on plow through by 8 points; everything else is within 6 points. At $200 vs $180, the money is better spent elsewhere unless that one trait is your weak spot.
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Read the full reviews: Paddletek Bantam ALW-C 14 and Ronbus Tenon. Or build a different comparison, browse the full database or find paddles within 5% of your current one.