Bonjour from Babolat

[Babolat Official]

Originally Posted by CFreeborn

Bonjour!
Can I cut 1/2" off of the end of a Pure Storm"+" model to make it into a regular length racquet?
Merci!

This would make it the same length as a standard...however, I have no experience in sawing off racquet handles and am not sure if it would change hwo the racquet plays. This would also void the one year warranty.

But strictly in theory, they would both be 27''.

[The_Expert]

welcome to the boards daniel. great to have you here. i have a question, why do babolat racquest cost so much each time you change the cosmetics?

[TripleB]

I appreciate you being a part of the Boards here and taking time to respond to our questions.

Due to recent microfracture surgery I've been told I shouldn't play singles again so I'm searching for a doubles racquet that is easy on the arm.

I'm considering the Pure Storm Team GT.

I know it won't have Pure Drive Cortex power (a racquet I've used in the past) but I'm hoping to gain some more touch and less arm pain.

On paper the Team version looks similar to the non-Team version...but a little lighter, more maneuverable, and more flexy. Yet it seems like the Team offers more power.

Is this the case and do you feel like the Pure Storm Team is my best doubles racquet option from Babolat?

Thank you for your help.

TripleB

[Babolat Official]

Originally Posted by The_Expert

welcome to the boards daniel. great to have you here. i have a question, why do babolat racquest cost so much each time you change the cosmetics?

At 3 years, we have the longest product cycle of any of the big retailers. The 2009 and 2011 Pure Storm aside, we update the technology on our racquets in addition to the cosmetic. For example, the 2012 Pure Drive and 2013 Aeropro Drive have a new cortex system. I strongly suggest you demo the old and new versions with the same string/tension/grip. It feels different. There are many boards debating if it feels better or worst, but we leave that up to you.

[Timbo's hopeless slice]

Welcome to the forum!

on the supposed 'lack of weight and instability" of the AP, I was watching a young guy playing against Sam Groth at the AO wildcard playoff yesterday using a stock frame (not a Bab, but still) that is lighter than an AP and he seemed to be doing just fine.. Maybe Sam just doesn't serve as big as those heavy hitters of the USTA 4.0 league in NorCal?

it's in your heads, people!

[The_Expert]

Originally Posted by Babolat Official

At 3 years, we have the longest product cycle of any of the big retailers. The 2009 and 2011 Pure Storm aside, we update the technology on our racquets in addition to the cosmetic. For example, the 2012 Pure Drive and 2013 Aeropro Drive have a new cortex system. I strongly suggest you demo the old and new versions with the same string/tension/grip. It feels different. There are many boards debating if it feels better or worst, but we leave that up to you.

Yeah cool, thanks, I will do that. But just wondering why racquets are so expensive today with 30 year old manufacturing - and quite frankly not much innovation (including pixie dust cortex.. no offense). One mold and many years doing the same process in Taiwan should have lowered prices. After all FOB should be below 50 for you now..huh?

[Boricua]

Originally Posted by Babolat Official

1. I play with 18 gauge...so it breaks in about 2-4 hours. 17 gauge lasts 8-14.
2. Yes. I played with a couple versions of the PD, but liked the 2010 APD better better than the 2012 PD. However, I really liked the APD update for 2013. More control and feel for me on everything but slice backhands (still working on that).
3. I do not know if this was a conscious choice or a byproduct of the new cortex. Shoot me an email dbecker@babolat.com and I will try to get a response from the product team.

18 gauge is much softer than rhe 16 gauge? Seems a good way to soften the Aeropro

[Babolat Official]

Originally Posted by TripleB

I appreciate you being a part of the Boards here and taking time to respond to our questions.

Due to recent microfracture surgery I've been told I shouldn't play singles again so I'm searching for a doubles racquet that is easy on the arm.

I'm considering the Pure Storm Team GT.

I know it won't have Pure Drive Cortex power (a racquet I've used in the past) but I'm hoping to gain some more touch and less arm pain.

On paper the Team version looks similar to the non-Team version...but a little lighter, more maneuverable, and more flexy. Yet it seems like the Team offers more power.

Is this the case and do you feel like the Pure Storm Team is my best doubles racquet option from Babolat?

Thank you for your help.

TripleB

Hope the recovery goes well. I'll try to break this down. Please follow up with more questions if needed.

Pure Storm Team vs. Pure Storm
The team has a larger head size (100 vs. 9 and is 10 grams lighter. Same balance point. I would a long term demo of the Team with a very soft string such as Natural Gut. If you feel you need to add more mass, you can incrementally add lead tape for a customized feel. I've played with the Pure Storm team and it is a great stick but could benefit from some more weight mass on serve returns against top players.

The caveat to this is that it is really tough to diagnose a solution over the message board. I'm by no means a doctor and I'm not sure if your injury was caused by tennis, but I think the above is a decent place to start. As always, consult a medical professional if you have any concerns. Also, there is a pretty strong community on these boards, so you might be able to find some other people with similar experiences.

Hope the recovery goes well! Welcome back to the courts.

[Babolat Official]

Originally Posted by The_Expert

Yeah cool, thanks, I will do that. But just wondering why racquets are so expensive today with 30 year old manufacturing - and quite frankly not much innovation (including pixie dust cortex.. no offense). One mold and many years doing the same process in Taiwan should have lowered prices. After all FOB should be below 50 for you now..huh?

I'll pass your comments on to the product team.

[The_Expert]

Originally Posted by Babolat Official

I'll pass your comments on to the product team.

So sorry, I did not mean to offend you - it is awesome you are here. Just asking why racquets cost so much at retail when nothing has changed in manufacturing in 20-30 years. Can't you explain for all of us?

[hersito]

Originally Posted by The_Expert

Yeah cool, thanks, I will do that. But just wondering why racquets are so expensive today with 30 year old manufacturing - and quite frankly not much innovation (including pixie dust cortex.. no offense). One mold and many years doing the same process in Taiwan should have lowered prices. After all FOB should be below 50 for you now..huh?

I'll get that one for him, it's called Capitalism, companies make thing to win money, the more they can charge you the best for them, it they could they would charge it 1000 dollars. They probably have a cost of 20 to 30 dollars a racquet everything else is winnings for the company and resellers, just like anything else in industry today. A nike shoe s probably around 10 dollars or less cost and you pay them 100 to 200 dollars. Welcome to capitalism.

[Bhagi Katbamna]

Hi. Thanks for coming on here. I love the fact that Babolat is a family run company.

[Babolat Official]

Originally Posted by Boricua

18 gauge is much softer than rhe 16 gauge? Seems a good way to soften the Aeropro

Personally, I think it plays with more feel. But it does break a lot faster.

[Babolat Official]

Originally Posted by The_Expert

So sorry, I did not mean to offend you - it is awesome you are here. Just asking why racquets cost so much at retail when nothing has changed in manufacturing in 20-30 years. Can't you explain for all of us?

Sorry, not something I'm familiar with. Having played with racquets from 1992, I would argue things have changed. But I'm also not in manufacturing....so I'm probably not the guy to ask.

[Babolat Official]

Originally Posted by Bhagi Katbamna

Hi. Thanks for coming on here. I love the fact that Babolat is a family run company.

Merci! Eric Babolat is a pretty cool guy. And I'm not just saying that because I work for his company. I'd done business with Babolat prior to coming on board. Stand up individual.

[GS]

I loved one of your Pure Control models about 10 years ago (the one weighing around 11.5 oz), but all of your Pure Storms (its replacement?) just don't feel the same. Guess there's no chance of bringing the Control back, eh?

[Babolat Official]

Originally Posted by hersito

I'll get that one for him, it's called Capitalism, companies make thing to win money, the more they can charge you the best for them, it they could they would charge it 1000 dollars. They probably have a cost of 20 to 30 dollars a racquet everything else is winnings for the company and resellers, just like anything else in industry today. A nike shoe s probably around 10 dollars or less cost and you pay them 100 to 200 dollars. Welcome to capitalism.

We also invest money into R&D, sponsoring junior, clubs, Roland Garros, etc. For example, Babolat Play&Connect. We've been working on the project for quite some time...If you've seen the videos about what it does, you can imagine the amount of resource it takes to make something like that.

Not that I don't enjoy a spirited debate on economic theory and the nature of privately owned companies, but I'll try to keep this thread just to Babolat products.

[Babolat Official]

Originally Posted by GS

I loved one of your Pure Control models about 10 years ago (the one weighing around 11.5 oz), but all of your Pure Storms (its replacement?) just don't feel the same. Guess there's no chance of bringing the Control back, eh?

That was quite a popular racquet (red swirly?). However, it is not coming back in the foreseeable future.

[themitchmann]

Welcome. Thanks for joining us!

[ArliHawk]

What is the secret of active cortex?