Jason: Steam"s stiffness

[JackB1]

Originally Posted by corners

Jack, the 99S has 335 swingweight. Swingweight is a measure of how much mass is distributed to the head of the racquet. The 99S has more mass in the head than 90% of racquets on the market today. Adding mass to the handle of such a racquet does not reduce "punch"; the mass in the head is still there after adding mass to the handle. Regarding balance being a tricky thing, I agree, but with Wilson's trap door it's very easy to stash 10 grams or so in the buttcap and then remove it if it's not to one's taste.

I thought TW had the swingweight at 330? Anyway, I was referring to the static weight as "light". But you'r right, if you want it to feel more headlite than add some weight to the handle. I tried tailweighting some racquets that felt too headheavy to me and adding 5 or 10 g's to the handle just made the overall swingweight feel higher to me. Personal preference I guess.

[TW Staff]

Originally Posted by Veninga

Jason, how do they compare?

I had played the former Drive for a while and loved it. The power, the spin and also the feel. But then, my shoulder got sore. Probably as a result of the period I played with a poly in reserve APDC (which is from nature more vibrating imo).

How do the Steam and new APD compare in terms of stiffness and feel? And is the new APD really more arm friendly? Or should I find my power/spin/feel somewhere else, for example TFlash 300 or new F5.0 Tour?

Thanks..

Unfortunately for those who do have arm problems, both racquets are pretty stiff. I notice the stiffness less on the Steam 99S because the sweet spot is go big, it makes hitting a little more comfortable. The new AeroPro Drive does seem to absorb vibrations better than previous models. However, I haven't hit with it long it to be able to give a definite answer.

If you have arm problems have you thought about trying some Volkl racquets? They are pretty arm friendly.

Jason, TW

[Veninga]

Originally Posted by TW Staff

Unfortunately for those who do have arm problems, both racquets are pretty stiff. I notice the stiffness less on the Steam 99S because the sweet spot is go big, it makes hitting a little more comfortable. The new AeroPro Drive does seem to absorb vibrations better than previous models. However, I haven't hit with it long it to be able to give a definite answer.

If you have arm problems have you thought about trying some Volkl racquets? They are pretty arm friendly.

Jason, TW

Thanks. I have looked at the Organix 8. Did you play this one? And how is it vs APD and Steam? Same amount of power and spin? Probably yes, but what about control? APDGT gave me all the control needed, but the string pattern is not that big. I guess the X8 is much more open (16*1? Thanks.

[TW Staff]

Originally Posted by Veninga

Thanks. I have looked at the Organix 8. Did you play this one? And how is it vs APD and Steam? Same amount of power and spin? Probably yes, but what about control? APDGT gave me all the control needed, but the string pattern is not that big. I guess the X8 is much more open (16*1? Thanks.

I have hit with the Organix 8, I like it! It's much more maneuverable than both the Steam 99S and the APD. I also suggest looking at the Volkl Organix V1 Midplus. I used that racquet for a few months after adding some lead tape to it.

When it comes to spin, the Steam 99S has no equal. Not even the APD can match it, and I love the APD! I'd give a slight edge to the APD for control and power though. But very slight.

Definitely give these racquets a demo if you can. That's really the only way to tell the difference.

Jason, TW

[Veninga]

Originally Posted by TW Staff

I have hit with the Organix 8, I like it! It's much more maneuverable than both the Steam 99S and the APD. I also suggest looking at the Volkl Organix V1 Midplus. I used that racquet for a few months after adding some lead tape to it.

When it comes to spin, the Steam 99S has no equal. Not even the APD can match it, and I love the APD! I'd give a slight edge to the APD for control and power though. But very slight.

Definitely give these racquets a demo if you can. That's really the only way to tell the difference.

Jason, TW

Thanks, I will.

One last question. X8 has a 16x18 pattern but on this forum the stringbed has been stated as pretty tight for a 16x18. Even less open than PDGT/APD13. Is that correct, and is spin therefore less easy/more control?

(I play a very mixed game (spin, slice, short, deep etc) and have a naturally swing with lots of spin, if the stringbed is too open, spin is amazing, but I loose some control. So I want my racket powerfull but with a not-to-open-stringbed)

[TW Staff]

Originally Posted by Veninga

Thanks, I will.

One last question. X8 has a 16x18 pattern but on this forum the stringbed has been stated as pretty tight for a 16x18. Even less open than PDGT/APD13. Is that correct, and is spin therefore less easy/more control?

(I play a very mixed game (spin, slice, short, deep etc) and have a naturally swing with lots of spin, if the stringbed is too open, spin is amazing, but I loose some control. So I want my racket powerfull but with a not-to-open-stringbed)

I tend to agree with those statements. It certainly doesn't have a feel anywhere like the feel of the Steam 99S.

Worth a demo for sure.

Jason, TW

[Veninga]

Originally Posted by TW Staff

I tend to agree with those statements. It certainly doesn't have a feel anywhere like the feel of the Steam 99S.

Worth a demo for sure.

Jason, TW

thanks jason, if i can, i will.

[JackB1]

Originally Posted by TW Staff

I tend to agree with those statements. It certainly doesn't have a feel anywhere like the feel of the Steam 99S.

Worth a demo for sure.

Jason, TW

Could you elaborate on what you menat by that?

[TW Staff]

Originally Posted by JackB1

Could you elaborate on what you menat by that?

Sure! The amount of ball pocketing and movement in the strings of the Steam 99S is what makes it such an unique feel. And then you factor in the different launch angle of the 99S; how it leaves at a higher trajectory, and you got a racquet that not only performs differently from other traditional frames, but feels different as well.

Jason, TW

[JackB1]

Originally Posted by TW Staff

Sure! The amount of ball pocketing and movement in the strings of the Steam 99S is what makes it such an unique feel. And then you factor in the different launch angle of the 99S; how it leaves at a higher trajectory, and you got a racquet that not only performs differently from other traditional frames, but feels different as well.

Jason, TW

Thanks J. Are u still sticking with it? If so we are "steamates"
I am playing as good as I can with my new S. I can honestly say I have
hit a few shots with it that I never have before in my life! For example,
I was pulled out wide and deep on my forehand and a hit another hit loopy
DTL winner to the far, right corner. It went way over the head of the net guy
and arched down into the corner just inside the lines. One for the highlite reel!

[TW Staff]

Originally Posted by JackB1

Thanks J. Are u still sticking with it? If so we are "steamates"
I am playing as good as I can with my new S. I can honestly say I have
hit a few shots with it that I never have before in my life! For example,
I was pulled out wide and deep on my forehand and a hit another hit loopy
DTL winner to the far, right corner. It went way over the head of the net guy
and arched down into the corner just inside the lines. One for the highlite reel!

We are most definitely steamates! As is Spencer, who switched along with me. There is no doubt I've hit some shots that would 99% of the time go long, but with the Steam 99S, they've dipped in at the last second to clip the line. I'm still playing with it in stock form for now, but can't wait to do some customizing.

Jason, TW

[PrinceMoron]

How large are the grips? I usually use Wilsons as my point of comparison so Babolats come up a bit large in comparison. Was not sure if the amplifeel altered the shape/size slightly.

I was thinking of buying one or two grips too small and shrink wrapping to add tail weight. Sure you can add lead, silicone etc, but I find I can trim down a shrink wrap after fitting to get a perfect balance.

[JackB1]

Originally Posted by PrinceMoron

How large are the grips? I usually use Wilsons as my point of comparison so Babolats come up a bit large in comparison. Was not sure if the amplifeel altered the shape/size slightly.

I was thinking of buying one or two grips too small and shrink wrapping to add tail weight. Sure you can add lead, silicone etc, but I find I can trim down a shrink wrap after fitting to get a perfect balance.

The new Wilson's are about 1/2 grip size larger than normal (I measured) and now about the same size as Babalot's. Gor example, this is what I would use:

Prince, Head: 4 1/2
Babalot, Wilson: 4 3/8

[JackB1]

Originally Posted by TW Staff

We are most definitely steamates! As is Spencer, who switched along with me. There is no doubt I've hit some shots that would 99% of the time go long, but with the Steam 99S, they've dipped in at the last second to clip the line. I'm still playing with it in stock form for now, but can't wait to do some customizing.

Jason, TW

What customizing do u think is needed? I think stock is perfect. Mine both weigh 330 grams with overgrips and are 3-4 pts HL. I would like it a little more HL, but would have to add more weight to the handle, which I don't really want to do.

[PrinceMoron]

Originally Posted by JackB1

The new Wilson's are about 1/2 grip size larger than normal (I measured) and now about the same size as Babalot's. Gor example, this is what I would use:

Prince, Head: 4 1/2
Babalot, Wilson: 4 3/8

Thanks, that is what I suspected.

[MarinaHighTennis]

Hey Jason what do you think about stringing the wilson 99s with Solinco outlast 16s? The outlasts are known for holding tension very well as well as durability. How long do you think it'll last on a 16x15 string pattern?

[TW Staff]

Originally Posted by JackB1

What customizing do u think is needed? I think stock is perfect. Mine both weigh 330 grams with overgrips and are 3-4 pts HL. I would like it a little more HL, but would have to add more weight to the handle, which I don't really want to do.

Not much. I will be adding some lead tape to the handle to make it more head light. But other than that, I like it as is.


Jason, TW

[TW Staff]

Originally Posted by MarinaHighTennis

Hey Jason what do you think about stringing the wilson 99s with Solinco outlast 16s? The outlasts are known for holding tension very well as well as durability. How long do you think it'll last on a 16x15 string pattern?

I haven't tried the outlast in quite some time, but I think it would be a great fit. Little bit stiffer and it holds tension well. Even stiffer strings feel softer in the 16x15 string pattern. As far as how long it lasts, it really depends. Too many factors like how hard you hit the ball, how many hours you play, the tension you use. Tough thing with using polys, especially in the Steam 99S or 105S, is that they lose tension quickly. If it were up to me, I'd probably cut it out in about 3 weeks, 4 weeks max.

Jason, TW

[JackB1]

Originally Posted by TW Staff

Not much. I will be adding some lead tape to the handle to make it more head light. But other than that, I like it as is.

Jason, TW

Hey I noticed a little throbbing in my elbow last night after hitting. Do you get any "residual" pain from the 99s? I know you have a more sensitive elbow than I do and I was wondering how this frame's stiffness isn't bothering you? This is the first frame I have used full poly with and I think that's the reason. I normally use a 17g copoly/Nvy hybrid, but am using full 16g 4g with my 99s. Are u using full poly?

Also...can you recommend a lower powered, soft copoly for the 99s?

[TW Staff]

Originally Posted by JackB1

Hey I noticed a little throbbing in my elbow last night after hitting. Do you get any "residual" pain from the 99s? I know you have a more sensitive elbow than I do and I was wondering how this frame's stiffness isn't bothering you? This is the first frame I have used full poly with and I think that's the reason. I normally use a 17g copoly/Nvy hybrid, but am using full 16g 4g with my 99s. Are u using full poly?

Also...can you recommend a lower powered, soft copoly for the 99s?

I do use a full bed of poly. I try to use the softer co-polys and string it up a tad lower than I would ideally like. Like you, at times I do feel something in my elbows after a hit. I wouldn't necessarily call it "pain", more like tenderness or an ache. Nothing too bad so far. Good luck to you though!

Jason, TW