Babolat String Pricing Question: Why is the Origin string so pricey (polyamide) and the Spirltek string (polyamide) so cheap?
Also, any changes ( improvements/updates) coming down the road on the Origin Strings?
Though both include polyamide, the two are quite different. Spiraltek features a polyamide core with synthetic filament wrapping. It's versatile, but it does not perform as well as a string like Origin. It's moderately comfortable, but most of all, versatile.
Origin on the other hand is a monofilament, but unlike other monofilaments, it is not made of polyester. Instead, it's made of polyamide. Origin provides excellent comfort and power, yet it is still crisp. Origin, in my opinion, provides better performance than Spiraltek. I have only used it in hybrids so far, but I'm aching to try it out in a full bed.
As far as the future of Origin, I'm not sure of details at the moment, but I will let you know if I find out anything new.
I was interested in the reason why so many people had the feedback that the grip size feels significantly larger on the PA and PAT (compared even to previous APD).
My assumption is the raw grip size has not been made larger on the new Babolat rackets (I hope very much so).
It's probably the basic grip that is thicker. Or that the basic stock grip compresses so much with time that a new one just feels so much bigger. I do not know.
Based on your feedback, I went ahead and grabbed an old APD 2013 from stock that is 4 3/8 grip. I measured both with the replacement grip on and off, and here are my results:
Grip on
-Middle of handle: 4 3/8"
-Bottom of handle/near butt: 4 3/8"
Grip off (bare handle)
-4" along entire length
In other words, the measurements were identical to the Pure Aero Tour 4 3/8 grip size, with the exception of near the butt of the handle.
Thus, it seems like the grip was wrapped with a bit more overlap on these Pure Aero Tours, and folks are finding it to feel bigger, especially if they hold their rackets near the bottom of the handle. Plus, like you said, these grips compress down, so people who are used to a compressed grip are using a new, noncompressed grip, which makes the grip size feel even bigger. I would say that it's probably a combination of these two factors.
What I did with mine was rewrap the base grip with less overlap so it felt less bulky. I ended up cutting off the excess. But, I still prefer the 4 1/4 grip these days.
Hope that helps!
