**The PURE DRIVE 2012 Forum (club)**

[JackB1]

Originally Posted by BC1

I think the concensus is the PD2012 is the most arm friendly. However, that's not to say it is arm friendly for all. There's no debate that it IS a stiff racquet. However, the new cortex and woofer systems seem to do a great job at softening it up. There's no vibrations and for me personally the pd has never caused arm discomfort - and I always use poly. Maybe I've just been fortunatue, but I think it is more comfortable then many frames that have a lower flex rating. A person's stroke and technique has a lot to do with arm problems as well, and everyone's different. If you keep the tension on the low side you will probably be fine.

Agree that the 2012 PDs are the most arm friendly ever.

As far as "jumping ship", I did sell my std PDs but still have one PDR. I do prefer the extra weight and plow of the PDR to the PD, but I have been using the Volkl Organix 8-315 the past 3 weeks and have grown to really like it. I heard it was similar to the PDR in specs, but swung a little lighter, so I checked it out and right out of the gate, I was serving better than ever. Yes there was a definite "honeymoon" period, but I think I may be going with the X8 for a while. But keep in mind, a "while" for me is around 3-6 months

As far as any others on my radar...I want to check out the new Extreme MP and also may give the Youtek Prestige Pro another go, as I am now used to heavier weight.

[Nostradamus]

do you guys feel in stock form, this racket is too head heavy and wish it was more head light ? i am talking about pure drive 2012 and PD 2012 plus.

[YesTennis]

Originally Posted by JackB1

Agree that the 2012 PDs are the most arm friendly ever.

As far as "jumping ship", I did sell my std PDs but still have one PDR. I do prefer the extra weight and plow of the PDR to the PD, but I have been using the Volkl Organix 8-315 the past 3 weeks and have grown to really like it. I heard it was similar to the PDR in specs, but swung a little lighter, so I checked it out and right out of the gate, I was serving better than ever. Yes there was a definite "honeymoon" period, but I think I may be going with the X8 for a while. But keep in mind, a "while" for me is around 3-6 months

As far as any others on my radar...I want to check out the new Extreme MP and also may give the Youtek Prestige Pro another go, as I am now used to heavier weight.

Jack- Just wondering if you think your current string setup would work well with a standard Pure Drive( poly/multi or multi/poly). Also, how do you think it would play in comparison to the full bed Xcel you used with the PD?

[JackB1]

Originally Posted by YesTennis

Jack- Just wondering if you think your current string setup would work well with a standard Pure Drive( poly/multi or multi/poly). Also, how do you think it would play in comparison to the full bed Xcel you used with the PD?

I mostly used a full bed of xcel with the PD to soften things up. Yes a poly/multi would work with the PD. It would give you more spin and control than full multi. But also less power and comfort.

[GarryClarke]

Originally Posted by BC1

^^^^No jumping ship for me, still with the pd. Just been too busy with work and family to play much. My TW time has been limited as well unfortunately. Hope to get back into both soon. I think the pd users are still out there, just not posting.

hi Bobby

glad youve still got the PD as i did think you had moved on and work/family comes before anything in my book

im now spending more time than ever on here but in the string section lol
im trying to digest as much info as i can so to make the right string choices
im currenty using Yonex Poly Tour Spin (blue) so goes nicely in the PD,it has played very well for me with loads of topspin and control,a bit low powered so am going to string mid 40,s on my second PD when it arrives!!!!

im now trying Yonex Poly Tour 125 52/50(neon yellow) and believe it or not it looks better than the blue in the PD,
i havent hit with it yet so i cant comment but it has more power than the YPTS so going to post my findings after a few hours hitting on saturday.

i was going to purchase the Yonex Vcore 100s as a second racket instead of another PD but after some good advice ive now gone against that,a shame as i would have liked to have seen how it played against the PD plus i like the girly colours lol


cheers garry

[tennismonkey]

thanks BC and Jack. will put the 2012 PD on my demo list. i can usually tell within the first shanked forehand if the racquet is gonna hurt. i realize hitting cleanly in the sweetspot more often would probably be easiest fix. for me that's a lifelong challenge.

[AlfaAce]

Originally Posted by tennismonkey

is there any version of the pure drive (cortex, GT, 2012 version, etc) that is arm friendly? i'm tempted to give these a shot but worried i'll mess up my arm.

figure i'll be stringing them with poly/syn gut hybrid.

I was having some serious elbow problems using my old Head racquet with old strings (as in... hitting for 45 minutes and barely being able to put my hand on the steering wheel of my car to drive home!).

When I switched to the PD with full bed of gut (after taking 2 weeks off to let my elbow heal)... it was like... elbow problems?!?! What elbow problems?!?!

[nguyendat9]

Hi, I have PDR grip 4 1/4, I am looking for even smaller grip 4 1/8. I would like to trade if you also looking to increase from L1 to L2. Thanks.

Again PDR 4 1/4 for PDR 4 1/8.

email: nguyendat9@gmail.com

[asiank90]

Sorry if this has already been covered in this thread, but has anyone compared the 2012 pure drives to the pure drive team, this is the one that I am referring to

[psycho0]

I'm finding the PD 2012 to be a tad sluggish and headheavy especially on groundstrokes.

Where do you guys recommend I add weight to make it swing lighter? Buttcap or 7" from buttcap?

[franks]

Originally Posted by psycho0

I'm finding the PD 2012 to be a tad sluggish and headheavy especially on groundstrokes.

Where do you guys recommend I add weight to make it swing lighter? Buttcap or 7" from buttcap?

I have added 3/8 oz fishing weight against the buttcap on my PD 2012, and it swings beautifully. I like my racquets to be 6-8 pts headlight because I play a lot of doubles and when I play singles I play an all-court game. Adding weight against the buttcap makes a racquet quite manoeuvrable, just the way I like it.

Hope this helps
F

[JackB1]

Originally Posted by psycho0

I'm finding the PD 2012 to be a tad sluggish and headheavy especially on groundstrokes.

Where do you guys recommend I add weight to make it swing lighter? Buttcap or 7" from buttcap?

end of the buttcap will make it the most headlite

[raging]

Originally Posted by asiank90

Sorry if this has already been covered in this thread, but has anyone compared the 2012 pure drives to the pure drive team, this is the one that I am referring to

This was a really good frame, despite a lot being very keen on the swirlys,
I switched contracts from Head to babolat with this racket.
This frame is more "hollower sounding" than 2012 & definitely played different.
I like the new frame though & think the paintjob works.
The technology also makes it more of a tweener & comfortable for older players. Young guns should lead them up or Pure Storm it!

[GarryClarke]

a couple of pics of my pure drives (could someone please help me with posting pics)
my PD on the left is strung with yonex poly tour 125 @ 52/50
my second PD is strung with yonex poly tour spin/pro's pro white syngut at 46/50 now all i need to do is go hit with it as only strung it tonight.

http://i225.photobucket.com/albums/d...3c981f73aa.jpg

http://i225.photobucket.com/albums/d...6a93e93f34.jpg

again any help with posting picture would be appreciated

cheers garry

[WhereIsMacMac]

Originally Posted by JackB1

I mostly used a full bed of xcel with the PD to soften things up. Yes a poly/multi would work with the PD. It would give you more spin and control than full multi. But also less power and comfort.

Planning to string mine with the babolat Hybrid Hurricane Tour XCel 16 String, any tension recommendation?

[Sreeram]

After all the hype here I hit with PD2012 on recently and I did not feel any different from the previous versions of PD. Still felt stiff. May be the new cortex is cutting out some viberation, did not feel that jaring effect, but other than that there is a clear lack of feel.

[CycloneSh0t]

Originally Posted by BC1

There are many great "club" threads discussing the Pure Drives and Babolats from over the years. However, there doesn't appear to be one main thread for all users of the new and amazing Pure Drive 2012 (all versions). Also known around these parts as the "Black Drive".

Pure Driver's, let's use this thread to discuss all things (good and bad) about the Pure Drive 2012. The PD is one of the most popular and game changing racquets ever made and the 2012 version seems to be one of the best yet.

If you are a PD2012 user (any version), join the "club" and tell us your experiences. Let's discuss set-ups, specs, ask questions, give advice, and help each other with tips and techniques. If you're not a pd2012 user, join in the conversation and take advantage of all the knowledge and experience on this forum. Most importantly, let's have some fun!


EDIT... There are a lot of great threads on the PD and Babolat Racquets on this site. Far too many to list. However, here are a few you may want to check out that will provide you with more information and history on the Babolat PD and others.
BABOLAT ALLIANCE CALLING http://tt.tennis-warehouse.com/showt...bolat+alliance
THE BLACK DRIVE + http://tt.tennis-warehouse.com/showt...hlight=babolat
Impressive babolat collection (pics):
PURE DRIVE 2012 QUESTIONS http://tt.tennis-warehouse.com/showt...ght=PURE+DRIVE
TW PD2012 RODDICK REVIEW http://tt.tennis-warehouse.com/showt...+drive+roddick

Hi there i love to put my input into this thread,
I'm currently using 2 Pure drive lites, both were leaded up from 290 to 322grams with overgrip and babolat custom dampener. Both are 8 points as well. i had put the lead on 3 and 9 and inside the handle.
The racquet swings magnificent, it was headlight enough to be quick at net to put away volleys (nets not a strength of mine, but this racquet definately was not fluttering up there).

At the baseline, the racquet was quick enough to react easily on fast serves. after 3-4 hour sessions my arm was holding up fine, no fatigue i felt from my previous racket (pure drive roddick standard). The spin i can generate is monsterous (for my standards anyway). I use to hit a pretty flat ball that would only bounce up to the waist height of someone thats 5'3-5'6. Now my groundies launch up towards their heads or towards the shoulder's of some 6'0 players. i was able to angle it to the sides, drive it deep with spin, flatten it out, slice to remain neutral in the rally.The racquet is just so whippy that the spin was massive. though i did change my grip from eastern/semi western to between semi western and western. Though even with that spin i was able to flatten my shots out, sure they sail long from time to time but that's more my fault than the racquet.

Serve i did not feel i lost any mph in comparision to the roddick, if anything i feel that i can serve longer, without fatigue. Sure the serve was not as heavy as before but if you can hit your spots with speed an hour or so into your session, i think i'd take that than double faulting or popping in a attackable serve for your opponent due to the sheer weight of the racquet.

the only con i can give to the racquet was that i lost touch, either i haven't gotten use to it or its the strings or even my technique. but i was not able to
hit my drop shots with regularity at all. My drop shot attempts are landing far too deep almost to the service line, it leads the a very attackable shot for my opponent. Though its not really in my style use touch. i feel the pros outweight the cons

Btw i love all the white thats on the racquet, from the bumper to the grip to the grommets, i'm over the full black concept, the white is a great contrast to the rest of the black on the racquet. Also, not a lot of people use the lites anyways soo to me i have the most unique pure drive on the courts

i'm using it with babolat revenge 17g on both racquets strung at 51lbs

[CycloneSh0t]

Originally Posted by psycho0

I'm finding the PD 2012 to be a tad sluggish and headheavy especially on groundstrokes.

Where do you guys recommend I add weight to make it swing lighter? Buttcap or 7" from buttcap?

i agree i found that 7-8 points headlight pds feel amazing, soo whippy and yet still stable

[WhereIsMacMac]

How would the Babolat Hybrid Hurricane Tour XCel 16 String compare to a full bed of XCel 17

Sorry guys, I'm new here. Kinda new to the sport too

[levy1]

Mark me down as a new member. Two matched on the way from TW. I loved the demos. Had it down to the Juice 100 and the PD 2012. Could not volley with the Juice but had a better snap in the serve. The PD was just so much more solid and hit a very penetrating ball both in the serve and base line shots. Volleys are magic? Hope someone can help me with string and tensions.