Impulse buys can be dangerous. I was highly considering just spontaneously buying a few YT IG Rad Pros before play-testing them, now i'm really glad i demo'd them first. Hope you like them.
I'm a Babolat guy and have been using APD's and PD's for years. I also owned a 2009 PDR+ which I felt was too stiff. Hoping this frame is a bit more comfy.
I use an APDGT and like RIP okay. But what I really like is Prince Prmier Attack. Maybe that's worth a try in your pure drive.
Where do you guys get money to spend like that?
Wish I have that kind of budget!
They have definitely fixed that. PDR feels a lot less hollow and less harsh with full poly then APDGT with full multi
i believe they have 7-8 racquets accumulated within 3-4 or so years?
i think i'll have around 10 within 5 years.
Both the old and new PDR are solid or thereabouts, the PD is the one which the hollow feel starts to annoy you.
Just curious Bud, why the 7lb difference in mains/crosses? How does it affect the feel?
Does it at least feel more solid than a standard APDGT? I love how my APD plays, but sometimes it just feels so hollow and unrewarding, and I was hoping this frame would be a remedy to that problem.
Both the old and new PDR are solid or thereabouts, the PD is the one which the hollow feel starts to annoy you.
I string it so the mains are tight but also snap back into place (reason for lower tensioned crosses). I find that 8-10 lbs. of difference between mains/crosses accomplishes this. I also spray the stringbed with silicone after every time I play. All my strings (even non-poly) snap right back into place and require no straightening). There have been studies of what creates the most spin and it's the action of the mains stretching (upon ball impact) and then snapping back into place that is most effective.
What kind of silicone do you use? Thanks
Can of spray silicone lube at Walmart. Usually found in the automotive section. Runs about $2.50 per can and last a long time. It's called CRC Heavy Duty Silicone Multi-Use Lubricant (red can with black cap).
Just a light spray over both sides of the string bed after every session. Then, move all main strings so the silicone gets under where the strings lie. I usually spray the frame while the stringbed is sitting over a piece of cardboard.. so the cardboard absorbs any excess spray.
Regardless of the string type, after about a week, they should snap back into place. If they have a slight texture, they still snap back but don't always perfectly re-align (I've noticed this with the RIP Control). The RIP is the first textured string I've used in years. I think after a week of hitting and spraying, even the RIP strings will re-align themselves.
It works great on full natural gut and non-textured gut/poly hybrids - which is what I've used for the past few years.
WOW, the creativity of this man never seize to amaze.
I'm also thinking of switching from my APD's to the new PD. I'm on a short budget though, plus progressing through college, so I'm scared to go buy one yet. I'm enjoying this thread!
The reason that I'm wanting to switch is because with my APD's I feel like I'm getting to the point where I really want and need more pop on my groundstrokes, as well as my serve. I want to be able to ace people and hit winners easier, and I'm hoping the new PD will give me that little boost I need.
I'd suggest you give one a try, then. The tiny bit of extra pop on every shot is addictive
I always preferred the APD over the PD as it just seemed to work better with my game. I'd try a PD then go back to the APD and would feel the world was right again. However, this frame is different than past PD's. It feels so close to the APD with some more pop on every shot.
I'll most likely buy a second one within the next week and will string it with full natural gut to rule out any potential string effect from the RIP Control.
So far, no shoulder, wrist or elbow issues. Either they softened this frame a bit or the new Active Cortex is dampening it a bit more.
Bud I'm going to grab a pd plus and throw rip control 16 gauge in there. How does the rip feel for you in it? I feel like it could be a perfect match since it will save my arm and still provide spin and control.
^ Bud... first of all.. How's it going?
2ndly, how do strings that don't have a tendency for movement react with the silicone spray treatment? I assume it would also help with the longevity of multis/syn.guts?
I use to be counter-productive at times, lightly sanding polys that didn't move. Didn't help spin but it did help in the power department as the strings ended up thinner.
It's been years since I've used it. It's softer than I recall and gives nice spin (I always spray the stringbed with silicone after every session). However, I can't tell if the muted feel of this frame is due to the frame characteristics or the RIP Control string.
I'll string up the next frame with natural gut so I can get a good feel for the frame characteristics apart from the string.
I'd suggest you give one a try, then. The tiny bit of extra pop on every shot is addictive
I always preferred the APD over the PD as it just seemed to work better with my game. I'd try a PD then go back to the APD and would feel the world was right again. However, this frame is different than past PD's. It feels so close to the APD with some more pop on every shot.
I'll most likely buy a second one within the next week and will string it with full natural gut to rule out any potential string effect from the RIP Control.
So far, no shoulder, wrist or elbow issues. Either they softened this frame a bit or the new Active Cortex is dampening it a bit more.
Bud - did you experience arm pain with your APDs? Trying to gauge the arm-friendliness of this new PDGT. Thanks for your thoughts.
Bud - did you experience arm pain with your APDs? Trying to gauge the arm-friendliness of this new PDGT. Thanks for your thoughts.
Bud, give a pic of your new toy. I'm curious how it looks with leather on it.
Bud, the specs were pretty close to TW's posted specs?
There seems to be a considerable discrepancy between TW and some other sites as to the specs. 11.9 oz strung and 328 SW is a lot different than 11.6 oz strung and 315 SW.
I will give you feedback on this the more I use mine as well.
Off the bat, I would suggest very soft poly or a multi like RIP.
No pain with full RPM blast in the demo, but I would not want a poly in there that was close to death..this is just me being safe though. I did not feel and discomfort.
No pain with NG. Some arm tightness when using poly if I keep it in for more than a week.
I'll post one a bit later