Hit briefly with a Pure Drive Roddick 2012, surprsingly comfortable feeling

Hi I'm Ray

Professional
Put this thread here for those who are interested in the PD line but think it might be too harsh. I got to hit with the standard Roddick for a few min and it was surprisingly comfortable. Maybe it is the extra weight and in the right places that makes it more comfortable. I have tried the PDGT(not the 2012 yet) with the same strings and it was quite harsh feeling. The TW reviewers gave the 2012 Roddick better comfort ratings over the normal PD 2012 as well. It feels quite firm on contact but not at all harsh.

Definately will give this one some good demo time.
 
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Hominator

Hall of Fame
I've hit with both the 2012 regular and the Roddick versions. Both feel very comfortable. I've decided to go with the regular version and I have a very sensitive arm. No problems here.
 

anubis

Hall of Fame
What's the difference between Pure Drive GT, Pure Drive, and Pure Drive Roddick?

Roddick is heavier. I think they are the same racquet, other than weight. I have the pdgt and love it. When I first bought it, it came with poly so it was a tad harsh. But now I have Prince precision attack 16, much better.
 

Hi I'm Ray

Professional
strings might have added the comfort

I'm not sure if you meant me or another poster but it was the same strings, should be the same tension unless the standard and the Roddick have diff rec tension ranges. Both were TW demos, except this time the PD Roddick wasn't my demo so I only got to use it briefly.
 

Hi I'm Ray

Professional
There are only 3 existing 2012 PDR threads already.

And about the same or more of every other popular frame out there.

The title of this one says it all, not a lot of ppl would think the PD line is comfortable.
 
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Avadia

Rookie
I demoed this stick the other day. Admittedly, it had awful Wilson Stamina strings in it. But it still felt pretty stiff to me. By the end of three sets, my elbow was aching. I generally hit 12 oz., headlight, flexible racquets and I noticed the stiffness pretty quickly. I would not call it comfortable by a large margin. In fact, I would have to say that my original Pure Drive Roddick Plus is a more comfortable stick (although I haven't hit with that one in a while so my memory could be fooling me). But I don't remember that stick ever hurting my elbow.
 

drakulie

Talk Tennis Guru
Of all the new frames that have come out this year the pure drives are the worst feeling frames,,,,,,,stiff as heck and vibrate like cRaZy!!!

The paintjob however is one of the nicest ever. Frame looks really good.
 
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jackcrawford

Professional
Of all the new frames that have come out this year the pure drives are the worst feeling frames,,,,,,,stiff as heck and vibrate like cRaZy!!!
drakulie, really appreciate your ongoing contributions to the boards, and as a stringer to the pros your opinion carries more weight than mine, but this just shows why you should demo - Pure Drive 2012 is smooth as butter to me, I may switch to it. Donnay Formula 100, which you liked, vibrated and twisted on off-center hits and I wouldn't take it if they gave it away.
 

bluegrasser

Hall of Fame
The string is the key, w/poly always elbow issues, put soft string in & no problems, at least for me.
 
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drakulie

Talk Tennis Guru
drakulie, really appreciate your ongoing contributions to the boards, and as a stringer to the pros your opinion carries more weight than mine, but this just shows why you should demo - Pure Drive 2012 is smooth as butter to me, I may switch to it. Donnay Formula 100, which you liked, vibrated and twisted on off-center hits and I wouldn't take it if they gave it away.

agreed. What one likes/dislikes in a racquet is always a personal thing. Feel is very subjective. As you say, it is always wise to demo.
 

Power Player

Bionic Poster
Drak,

What strings did you have in yours? I thankfully have not had the same experience. My Pure Drives don't vibrate at all or else I could not use them.
 

cknobman

Legend
Since when did stiffer than a MOFO become comfortable?

Sorry but the Pure Drives are the most uncomfortable frames I have ever hit with without a doubt, nothing even comes close.
 

Power Player

Bionic Poster
Matters what strings you put in.

If it was that uncomfortable, I would not be able to use it. You want uncomfortable, try a Head extreme.

That being said, the 2012 PD is more dampened and a lot easier on the body. I also use a soft string as full poly is not a god fit for me in this stick (or really any stick).
 

drakulie

Talk Tennis Guru
Drak,

What strings did you have in yours? I thankfully have not had the same experience. My Pure Drives don't vibrate at all or else I could not use them.

It was strung with nxt tour 18. The stiffness and vibration was very bad in both the pd and pdr.
 

jorel

Hall of Fame
if using poly.. i would def hybrid with a soft string

but i love this racquet for the fearhand... my opponents would tremble at net
 

Power Player

Bionic Poster
It was strung with nxt tour 18. The stiffness and vibration was very bad in both the pd and pdr.

Wow thats crazy..I never have any vibration with mine or I'd be screwed. That is why I had to sell my APDGt. Off center hits were like a shockwave.

Anyway, I use Head RIP 16. Maybe it's the gauge? I dont know.

I should bring my sticks to Biscayne..ill be there this week until Friday.
 

Power Player

Bionic Poster
Sweet done.


_____

And as we know the Pure Drive is a "controversial" stick. I am really lucky I think so far, but im loving the plus version.
 

dkent

New User
Drak, Must be the strings your using. I have a poly/gut set up and I don't have any vibrations. Power is right, if you think the PDR is bad, try an Extreme.
 

dgoran

Hall of Fame
Of all the new frames that have come out this year the pure drives are the worst feeling frames,,,,,,,stiff as heck and vibrate like cRaZy!!!

The paintjob however is one of the nicest ever. Frame looks really good.

I know you are not bab lover by any means and I trust you would not be subjective when reviewing sticks BUT my experience with new 2012 pdr+ mirrors Powerplayer's experience with His non roddick one.

They really did a great job with these new pure drives.

One incident when I knew something is different and different I mean better is on off center hits. I usually hit on the upper part of the string bed but for this one shot my opponents shot was a bullet and I was late on my one handed backhand and I hit the ball with very top of the string bed so that the ball touched the frame at 12 and all of you Babolat users know how harsh this feels. It's like vibrations go all the way past your elbow, shoulder and to your neck BUT.....this frame response was NOT harsh at all. If Fact it felt like I framed the ball with my pt630 (one of the most forgiving frames I have ever owned).
I was shocked amazed and excited to play with this new bab. It is eons ahead of my apd gt plus. Hollow feel is gone. I was convinced handle was full of silicone but to my surprise new 2012 pdr plus had nothing out of the ordinary inside the handle.

This was with demo that was strung what felt like low to mid 60's maybe 62 with sensation but gotta ask tennis plaza for details if this is in fact the case.
 
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dgoran

Hall of Fame
Goran..whats up man..you going to the Ericsson? I'm headed there tonight.

No man unfort. I cannot. I was out of town too much with work and Wife and i had a baby girl in January so I would love to spend some time with her.

Next year when she turns one we will probably go for a beach vacation there (conveniently hahaha) so daddy can enjoy some tennis and wife and little one can enjoy the beach. :)
 

Power Player

Bionic Poster
Congrats..yours and Bob's kid can have epic tennis wars for years..lol.

Let me know if you get freed up some time and we can smash some balls at each other with our PDs .:)
 

Torres

Banned
The string is the key, w/poly always elbow issues, put soft string in & no problems, at least for me.

Surely, you need a poly to tame that beastly power and add some control?

It's interersting because I had brief hit with the 2012 last night, and have been trying the IG Prestige MP recently, and I cannot think of 2 sticks that are at such opposite extremes of the racquet spectrum.
 
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Power Player

Bionic Poster
You can hit with full gut in the 60s..rip control..there are tons of options..not even all the male pros using the pd use full poly so it is not a must.
 

Hi I'm Ray

Professional
Since when did stiffer than a MOFO become comfortable?

Sorry but the Pure Drives are the most uncomfortable frames I have ever hit with without a doubt, nothing even comes close.

I've hit with 3 versions of the PD about 6-7 times, a different frame each time. All were "buzzy," hollowing feeling, and with a trampoline effect (except one where the guy tensioned the crap out of it with full stiff poly). The Cortex was harsh feeling, the GT the same but more solid feeling. The one with the swirl pattern wasn't so harsh or stiff feeling but still hollow. The PDR 2012 was definately different feeling, solid, no harshness or vibrations, no buzz. First time trying a PD Roddick of any kind but I'm hearing the 2012 is an improvement over the GT.

BTW the PD GT 107 is VERY comfortable, more power than the Roddick, but tough to control for me.
 

Korso

Semi-Pro
if using poly.. i would def hybrid with a soft string

but i love this racquet for the fearhand... my opponents would tremble at net

Agree 100%. I was using polys in the low range to keep comfort but really had to control my swing. I am having better results with a copoly main in the mid range with a soft multi in the cross.
 

jorel

Hall of Fame
Agree 100%. I was using polys in the low range to keep comfort but really had to control my swing. I am having better results with a copoly main in the mid range with a soft multi in the cross.
i used alu in the mains and a soft multi in the cross and strung it pretty tight at around 67
 

Bmr

Rookie
I hit with all of the Pure Drive line last night, minus the Plus series. I really *really* wanted to like them, but just could not get used to the feel. It definitely has a different feedback to your arm than the Prince Black line i'm used to. I was using them all with a multi and it definitely produced a stronger shock to my arm. I could feel it more in my rotator when I was serving. Even with full poly, the Black isn't as hard on my arm.

I was playing a friend singles and went down 0-3 with the Pure Drive. I went back to my Speedport Black with BHBR and ended up winning 6-4.

Just not for me. They are great from the ground, though and the feel at the net is pretty good also. In the end it just really comes down to feel and what suits your game best as a player.
 

Nostradamus

Bionic Poster
Put this thread here for those who are interested in the PD line but think it might be too harsh. I got to hit with the standard Roddick for a few min and it was surprisingly comfortable. Maybe it is the extra weight and in the right places that makes it more comfortable. I have tried the PDGT(not the 2012 yet) with the same strings and it was quite harsh feeling. The TW reviewers gave the 2012 Roddick better comfort ratings over the normal PD 2012 as well. It feels quite firm on contact but not at all harsh.

Definately will give this one some good demo time.

i strung this with RPM blast and it started to hurt my shoulder at about 15 minutes of hitting. RPM may not be the best string for this racket ?
 

OTMPut

Hall of Fame
My brief fling with this one (PDR+) is ending soon. Going to sell my frame. One thing i liked about this frame is b/h slice.

I am back to my trusted wife 88. It is a difficult and demanding relationship. But i think i will stay on.
 

syke

Professional
What is the actual swing weight on the PDR? The other site states 6HL, 318sw. TW states 5HL, 328sw. Quite a huge difference.
 

jorel

Hall of Fame
My brief fling with this one (PDR+) is ending soon. Going to sell my frame. One thing i liked about this frame is b/h slice.

I am back to my trusted wife 88. It is a difficult and demanding relationship. But i think i will stay on.
i see u enjoy abusive relationships
 
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