Wilson Hits Homerun with Wilson Steam 99S (mini review) - Page 27

racertempo · 11-20-2012, 10:11 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by sundaypunch

I was just going to say this. A multi has to be the absolutely worst choice for a cross string on these. Obviously fully poly should give the best results. I am curious to find out how these do with a good poly main and syn. gut cross (OGSM, Forten Sweet, etc.)

Just as an update on this, I talked to the shop owner today about this issue. It is a store that has been in the area for 25+ years as a mom&pop place that EVERYONE knows about within 60 miles of here. The guy prides himself on knowledge of things like this so I talked to him when I took it back about an hour ago. He said that if he put a full bed poly in there that people playing this time of year in 45* weather will have no feel with the frame. I personally think he does it that way because it is the cheaper way to go, more economical for him which stinks. I am glad he at least had 4g in the mains, but the frame even clearly states to use 4g in the whole frame. It does say for added feel to use 4Gs, at least that is what I think I remember what was printed on the frame. I showed it to him and he said that "there would be no feel in the cold and people would blame it on the frame".

Oh well, glad to know that when I string it full-poly that my experience will only improve with this stick!

gplracer · 11-20-2012, 10:36 AM

How are these people getting the 99s so early?

sundaypunch · 11-20-2012, 12:29 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by racertempo

Just as an update on this, I talked to the shop owner today about this issue. It is a store that has been in the area for 25+ years as a mom&pop place that EVERYONE knows about within 60 miles of here. The guy prides himself on knowledge of things like this so I talked to him when I took it back about an hour ago. He said that if he put a full bed poly in there that people playing this time of year in 45* weather will have no feel with the frame. I personally think he does it that way because it is the cheaper way to go, more economical for him which stinks. I am glad he at least had 4g in the mains, but the frame even clearly states to use 4g in the whole frame. It does say for added feel to use 4Gs, at least that is what I think I remember what was printed on the frame. I showed it to him and he said that "there would be no feel in the cold and people would blame it on the frame".

Oh well, glad to know that when I string it full-poly that my experience will only improve with this stick!

That is a good point. If it's cold out full poly will turn many people off. Of course, using a multi and getting lots of string movement and less spin isn't going to help either.

grimmbomb21 · 11-20-2012, 07:55 PM

^^^
I went with some guys from my local tennis shop out to play with wilsons new frames today. Everyone hated the 99s. It was not cold outside, and I couldn't imagine hitting with it if it was. That would be brutal, for me anyway.

On a side note, the new Aeropro was awesome. imo.

cluckcluck · 11-20-2012, 08:03 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by grimmbomb21

On a side note, the new Aeropro was awesome. imo.

I hit with it last night for a couple of hours. Man is it boardy. Very little feel, probably due to the high RA rating.

Still waiting for the 99s to come out for testing.

grimmbomb21 · 11-20-2012, 09:00 PM

LOL. There you go brother. Different strokes for different folks. With the Aeropro I was going from insane shot making and consistent deep balls to making perfect drop shots. And the feel was great. Again, for me anyway. The 99s just wasn't for me. Maybe the weather, balls, courts, I suck, hot lady on the court over. Who knows...

Ross K · 11-20-2012, 10:30 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by grimmbomb21

LOL. There you go brother. Different strokes for different folks. With the Aeropro I was going from insane shot making and consistent deep balls to making perfect drop shots. And the feel was great. Again, for me anyway. The 99s just wasn't for me. Maybe the weather, balls, courts, I suck, hot lady on the court over. Who knows...

Haha, yes, the 'hot lady on the court over' can be quite a distraction eh?

Very interested to hear your preference for the Bab stick Could you say more re why the 99S wasn't your cup of tea. Also, how was the APD for serving IYO? Any different all all to past versions?

hooksem · 11-21-2012, 10:30 AM

are shaped polys such as Völkl Cyclone, Babolat RPM Blast, Dunlop Black Widow going to be as effective on the 99S as the smoother/round polys like the Luxilon 4G?

El Diablo · 11-21-2012, 11:28 AM

^^ Not necessarily. Shaped polys have larger contact patches where the strings contact each other, thus more friction, so they're less likely to recoil as rapidly.

PBODY99 · 11-22-2012, 12:30 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by racertempo

Just as an update on this, I talked to the shop owner today about this issue. It is a store that has been in the area for 25+ years as a mom&pop place that EVERYONE knows about within 60 miles of here. The guy prides himself on knowledge of things like this so I talked to him when I took it back about an hour ago. He said that if he put a full bed poly in there that people playing this time of year in 45* weather will have no feel with the frame. I personally think he does it that way because it is the cheaper way to go, more economical for him which stinks. I am glad he at least had 4g in the mains, but the frame even clearly states to use 4g in the whole frame. It does say for added feel to use 4Gs, at least that is what I think I remember what was printed on the frame. I showed it to him and he said that "there would be no feel in the cold and people would blame it on the frame".

Oh well, glad to know that when I string it full-poly that my experience will only improve with this stick!

A solid core nylon would be a better cross, and generally cheaper. I'll have to try one with Zyex Mono in the cross when I pick one up in JAn.

Nostradamus · 11-22-2012, 06:58 AM

what is the stiffness rating of Steam 105 spin ?

chrisberchris · 11-22-2012, 07:52 AM

I would want to hit with it if there was a pro staff version. Not enough weight on the racquet to tempt me.

Nostradamus · 11-22-2012, 08:08 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by chrisberchris

I would want to hit with it if there was a pro staff version. Not enough weight on the racquet to tempt me.

you can always add lead to make it to your liking. I hope this one is different in feel compared to older Steam racket. I didn't like the cheap feel of older steam from earlier this year.

grimmbomb21 · 11-22-2012, 03:48 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Ross K

Haha, yes, the 'hot lady on the court over' can be quite a distraction eh?

Very interested to hear your preference for the Bab stick Could you say more re why the 99S wasn't your cup of tea. Also, how was the APD for serving IYO? Any different all all to past versions?

Sure. The 99s had the 4G string in it, so I don't know if that was why it was so uncomfortable. To me it was beyond harsh though. I got through 45 minutes and switched to another demo. My wrist was not having it.

As for the new Aeropro, it was a more powerful version of the yellow cortex version. I was totally comfortable with it though. Just a really easy, stable frame to hit with. I have gone back to using the original aeropro and second gen version, but I plan on getting the new one. I expected to hit with it for a few minutes just because of the stiffness rating and wrist issues, but I played it the entire time without any pain or even discomfort. Serves were good. I get more pace with the prestige pro, but this frame put more action on the ball.

racertempo · 11-23-2012, 02:37 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Nostradamus

you can always add lead to make it to your liking. I hope this one is different in feel compared to older Steam racket. I didn't like the cheap feel of older steam from earlier this year.

I felt the exact same way about the Steam, even the Juice. For me the Juice was just too much power and hard to control, but the Steam just felt cheap.....I did not feel that way about the S line at all.

gplracer · 11-23-2012, 04:32 PM

Does the s line feel heavier than original steam?

Nostradamus · 11-25-2012, 07:31 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by racertempo

I felt the exact same way about the Steam, even the Juice. For me the Juice was just too much power and hard to control, but the Steam just felt cheap.....I did not feel that way about the S line at all.

Did you also test the 105 steam spin ? that one is little bigger head and little bit longer. and did these steams have that traditional solid Wilson feel ? sold of like prostaff or older blade feel ?

thecrusher956 · 11-25-2012, 07:38 AM

For big hitters, what will the steam do?

Nostradamus · 11-25-2012, 10:00 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by thecrusher956

For big hitters, what will the steam do?

I was told by Wilson rep that racket will enable big hitters to increase the topspin RPM to about 3000-3300 rpms. USTA 4.5 player like myself will welcome that.

thecrusher956 · 11-25-2012, 03:08 PM

Wow, looks like I'll have to put my prestige plans on hold ;D

11-20-2012, 10:36 AM	#522
gplracer Semi-Pro Join Date: Apr 2004 Posts: 776	How are these people getting the 99s so early? __________________ Wilson 6.1 95

11-20-2012, 07:55 PM	#524
grimmbomb21 Professional Join Date: Jul 2005 Location: CA Posts: 1,082	^^^ I went with some guys from my local tennis shop out to play with wilsons new frames today. Everyone hated the 99s. It was not cold outside, and I couldn't imagine hitting with it if it was. That would be brutal, for me anyway. On a side note, the new Aeropro was awesome. imo. __________________ 1x IG Prestige MP

11-20-2012, 09:00 PM	#526
grimmbomb21 Professional Join Date: Jul 2005 Location: CA Posts: 1,082	LOL. There you go brother. Different strokes for different folks. With the Aeropro I was going from insane shot making and consistent deep balls to making perfect drop shots. And the feel was great. Again, for me anyway. The 99s just wasn't for me. Maybe the weather, balls, courts, I suck, hot lady on the court over. Who knows... __________________ 1x IG Prestige MP

11-21-2012, 10:30 AM	#528
hooksem New User Join Date: Nov 2012 Posts: 12	round polys versus shaped polys are shaped polys such as Völkl Cyclone, Babolat RPM Blast, Dunlop Black Widow going to be as effective on the 99S as the smoother/round polys like the Luxilon 4G?

11-21-2012, 11:28 AM	#529
El Diablo Hall Of Fame Join Date: Feb 2004 Posts: 3,095	^^ Not necessarily. Shaped polys have larger contact patches where the strings contact each other, thus more friction, so they're less likely to recoil as rapidly. __________________ "I may be synthetic but I'm not stupid" Bishop, in "Aliens"

11-22-2012, 06:58 AM	#531
Nostradamus Hall Of Fame Join Date: Nov 2011 Location: In the future Posts: 4,170	what is the stiffness rating of Steam 105 spin ? __________________ Babolat Pure drive 2012, 55 lbs, Kirschbaum Proline X / X-1 biphase. Nalbandian backhand and Nadal forehand.