The black drive +

[couch]

Hit with the BD+ again tonight in my doubles league. Main problem was me! I have been battling a low back issue lately and it has really hindered my play, especially when serving. It doesn't bother me too much when hitting groundstrokes but as soon as I hit a serve it really pulls that muscle and affects the rest of my game.

I began with the BD+ and after the first set I switched back to my trusty Volkl Tour 8. In hind sight it probably wouldn't have mattered too much which racquet I used. I couldn't move or play up to my ability given my back issues.

I had the racquet strung at 53lbs with BM and may try typhoon at 50lbs or less next time. Felt like BM didn't give me the power I was looking for. Feel like I need more "easy" power given my physical issues. Starting to experiment with all poly at lower tensions. Just really frustrating at the moment. Our league is off next week for spring break and I'm thinking about not playing for a couple weeks. I'm too stubborn though so we'll see. LOL Also have a doctors appointment next week (after months of this problem).

Anyway, the jury is still out on the BD+. I feel like the BD+ is the natural replacement for my Tour 8. I just have to make the commitment and not give up on it after a bad outing, especially given my physical problems.

[Power Player]

Couch if you want easy power don't use poly. Poly is a control string. You probably would be much better off with a syn gut/multi or full gut. Prince Premier Ace gives a lot of power.

[0d1n]

Why didn't you just stay with the 7G ??
I'm sure you could find a string setup that gives just as much power as your current pure drive setup, with lots more comfort/feel.

[Power Player]

I like more open pattern..I like the trajectory and heavy spin I can get. The 7G is very nice for spin, but the Pure Drive is on a different level. I also much prefer the balance of the PD...the 7G is 9pts HL..I hated that..it is also heavier, so to lead it and rebalance it made it into a heavy racquet..I tried that as well.

My current and preferred balance is 3 pts HL.

[Chyeaah]

Man... If only they made it longer, the added length was a B**** to play with, it still felt shorter than what i want XL sticks to be.

[Power Player]

It's 27.5....how long do you need?

[Power Player]

There are some serious pure drive haters here based on the star ratings..lol.

[ArliHawk]

This racquet in standard length is piquing my interest. But I would hate the thought of parting with my APDGT, which I really enjoy.

[Chyeaah]

I would say it is good, but not excellent.

[Power Player]

Pure drive 2012 is excellence. No doubt about it.

[ramos77]

excuse my ignorance, but which racquet are you guys talking about here?

[ArliHawk]

Originally Posted by ramos77

excuse my ignorance, but which racquet are you guys talking about here?

Power Player is talking about the Babolat Pure Drive +

[mikeler]

Originally Posted by Power Player

There are some serious pure drive haters here based on the star ratings..lol.

I bumped you up even though I don't care about the racket.

[Larrysümmers]

the perfect tweener. easy power and spin. light enough to swing really fast. loved the demo, but not going to cough up the dough just yet lol

[tlm]

Originally Posted by Power Player

Pure drive 2012 is excellence. No doubt about it.

I know a lot of people play well with the pure drives, but i am surprised that you would use one after having wrist injuries.

[pug]

Originally Posted by Power Player

There are some serious pure drive haters here based on the star ratings..lol.

Yes, it is fashionable to hate Babolat for some groups. Of course most have never even hit with it and have no idea what a great racquet it is, they just repeat what they have been told by others...who have never hit with it either!

This is a solid racquet with controlled power and is very fun to customize.

[Power Player]

Originally Posted by mikeler

I bumped you up even though I don't care about the racket.

Lol thanks. You would probably love this thing.

Originally Posted by tlm

I know a lot of people play well with the pure drives, but i am surprised that you would use one after having wrist injuries.

yes, I have explained this though. Short story: now barely ever arming/ overusing wrist..better technique. Hitting sweetspot majority of the time. Not using poly.Profit.

[0d1n]

Originally Posted by Power Player

I like more open pattern..I like the trajectory and heavy spin I can get. The 7G is very nice for spin, but the Pure Drive is on a different level. I also much prefer the balance of the PD...the 7G is 9pts HL..I hated that..it is also heavier, so to lead it and rebalance it made it into a heavy racquet..I tried that as well.

My current and preferred balance is 3 pts HL.

Buy a bigger grip size for the 7G and use a thinner and lighter grip, or even a couple of overgrips without a base grip. That will give you the mass and the balance you're looking for as well.
Anyway...you're not going to do that now that you have your Pure Drives dialed in...not until "next time" at least .

Haven't hit the latest pure drives, but I've hit with the older generations and...well...not my cup of tea. I have nothing against babolat as a brand...they make some great strings, leather grips...and racquets...most likely...but I'm more of a man suited to the storm series "on paper" and I haven't had the chance to hit with those yet. Don't really feel the need to do it either...just got "dialed in" with the switch from the Volkl Tour 10 to the vantage 95's ...so ... life is good.
I only saw 2 or 3 storms in an ocean of drives and aeropros around here anyway ... .

[Power Player]

I appreciate the passive aggressive criticism but the 7G and Pure Drive are not the same sticks for multiple reasons. I also could not re balance them by simply using a lighter grip, since I tried that. I don't like using 2 overgrips. It does not give the same balance anyway. If you have used a 7G and a Pure Drive you would realize the differences.

[DrewRafter8]

BD+ is a great racquet especially with a little lead at 12. I had no problems with it stock but I've found that the serve really cranks up with lead. Only thing I'm working on is finding a string setup that I like. I dropped tension into the 40's last week but it was with a kevlar main. Felt fine but I'm not sure how crazy I am about kevlar mains. I'm normally a full set of poly type of guy. RPM team was ok and Twisted Razor was just ok. The kevlar main with razor cross has been the best setup so far, but I'm thinking blue Typhoon or Tour Bite might be a better match for this stick strung in the mid to upper 40's.