That will be a racket I will definitely buy. Can it distinguish serve speeds and spin from groundstrokes?
Bonjour from Babolat
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That will be a racket I will definitely buy. Can it distinguish serve speeds and spin from groundstrokes?
purple-n-gold
Hall of Fame
local pro here used to play the POG for yrs, now hits a leaded up pure storm.
v-verb
Hall of Fame
Thanks - will check it out - saw a few on sale at TW. Which Pure Storm version is closest - GT, Ltd?
Cheers
drakulie
Talk Tennis Guru
Don't mean to sound disrespectful, but:
- Not sure why you feel the need for me to email you privately to discuss a topic about Babolat, being that you started this thread to discuss, "Babolat".
- I've worked in the tennis industry for enough years, and have enough experience with Babolat and all other major tennis companies to know why they do or don't open up lines for certain shops, and how the inner workings of sales rep effect shops and the surrounding tennis community.
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MikeHitsHard93
Hall of Fame
Feisty feisty aren't we...
drakulie
Talk Tennis Guru
again, with all due respect, why the need to email him privately, and ask him "why?", when
- I didn't ask the question to begin with
- I already gave an answer
- I know the industry
- He started a thread to discuss babolat and now feels the need to discuss babolat privately.
Use gut crosses then or LTec Flex synthetic gut or Genesis Thunderbalst crosses which are cheaper. Solinco also sells a synthetic gut and multi in a hybrid pack with Tour Bite, could work out also
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purple-n-gold
Hall of Fame
the GT version, although not sure if it's the regular or tour.
I'm gonna hit with it again today hopefully and see if there's any change...granted it's Tourbite mains but I was expecting it to be softer with some pocketing. And yes I am gonna try some gut in the crosses with 4G mains soon as well.
Babolat Official
Hall of Fame
I break them in about 2-4 hours. Poly loses tension pretty fast (and in RPM's case, there are some on this forum who claim with RPM it is within minutes...their experience). For me it isn't the string going dead, but I like all my racquets to be the same tension when I switch mid-match or session.
Babolat Official
Hall of Fame
1. some topics are much easier to explain and convey over the phone/email. There are some complex issues at hand and I don't know your background (besides your dislike of RPM but interest/support of our stringers...free market, totally cool) and I don't want to do my company the disservice of failing to communicate effectively with a concerned consumer. Global sales structures are a different animal than "which string do you recommend?" or "is there going to be an Aerostorm in 2013 (there is not)?" I've got a very basic level of understanding and may need to seek further explanation.
2. Perhaps I misread your posts but I'm not sure you have a full grasp of Babolat's policies and intentions...however, it's my style that before jumping to conclusions and making assumptions, I like to discuss in deeper detail and address any questions other party's may have. In all likelihood, there are some questions I may not know the answers to and need to talk to different members of my team to provide you the most accurate information. As someone with years of experience in the industry, I'm sure you recognize we don't function like every other company and there are differences in policies.
Read through the forum, I email directly with people on a variety of subjects.
Thanks for the interest.
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Babolat Official
Hall of Fame
I have not used Nvy. Full poly is more spin, more durability, less comfort, less power.
Babolat Official
Hall of Fame
This is one topic I'm not permitted to speak on as the project is still being finalized. Sorry.
Babolat Official
Hall of Fame
great sticks...VERY different than the PD.
We don't make a small head open string pattern racquet (much to my chagrin). The closest thing would be a Pure Storm Tour (98 in, 16X20)...or a Pure Storm Limited with a custom skip holes string job (95 in, 18X20)? I can't recommend the later as it might void the warranty, but just speculating.
Same for the OS...not a spec we've traditionally had. The PD and APD don't have the classic feel and our Pure Storm Line i all 98 in except for the Team (100).
Not sure if this was terribly helpful...my apologies.
Babolat Official
Hall of Fame
Could be interesting to see what his custom specs are.
Federerkblade
Hall of Fame
Drak s a pro stringer and knows his stuff
db10s
Hall of Fame
This...... He has more experience than most of us combined. And experience is key.
It would be a shame because the thread is giving you all a great interest in what babolat is doing. Drakulie is a basically good guy who loves the sport & has made his job stringing & getting involved in the tennis industry.He has posted many good threads on this forum. Daniel is a bit younger but is actually doing a pretty good job representing babolat.
He has been working as an agent for a well respected agency prior to babolat but has admitted he doesnt have total knowledge of new accounts/shops etc(nobody does).
I dont know either of them personally, but know Drakulie is pro Wilson but is very interested in a new babolat stringing machine being developed(about time).
I would also be interested as I heard rumours about this for a year & have been looking at buying a Star 4(used) for about 3 years!
As a caveat to this: I worked for both Head & Babolat as a free sales agent in the 90s & am now a babolat ambassador(coach).I have a conflict of interest some might say but I was also sponsored by Wilson & several other companies as a player/coach. There is a lot of good product out there & each company has their own strategy of how they sell it.
So guys...peace
MikeHitsHard93
Hall of Fame
It would be a shame because the thread is giving you all a great interest in what babolat is doing. Drakulie is a basically good guy who loves the sport & has made his job stringing & getting involved in the tennis industry.He has posted many good threads on this forum. Daniel is a bit younger but is actually doing a pretty good job representing babolat.
He has been working as an agent for a well respected agency prior to babolat but has admitted he doesnt have total knowledge of new accounts/shops etc(nobody does).
I dont know either of them personally, but know Drakulie is pro Wilson but is very interested in a new babolat stringing machine being developed(about time).
I would also be interested as I heard rumours about this for a year & have been looking at buying a Star 4(used) for about 3 years!
As a caveat to this: I worked for both Head & Babolat as a free sales agent in the 90s & am now a babolat ambassador(coach).I have a conflict of interest some might say but I was also sponsored by Wilson & several other companies as a player/coach. There is a lot of good product out there & each company has their own strategy of how they sell it.
So guys...peace
Well said
awesome that we have some sponsored people here and some officials of companies. Makes for a good read!
db10s
Hall of Fame
Well said
Well then. I'm a "preferred player" lol.
Babolat Official
Hall of Fame
Well said
I hope they don't boot us, this is way too much fun.
All I'm asking is that on topics I am not as versed in and are less tied specifically to product (a topic I know more and the community benefits more from), email me so I can get you in contact with the right people.
In my opinion, DBecker is in a tough spot because this forum has a few experts that can ask him questions that he cannot respond to.
In the ladder of a French enterprise, he is almost nothing. An entry level sales/marketing newbie who has no decision making over anything that is product related.
So, we shouldn't be too serious with him. However, his passion is genuine.
If I were him, I would give the top guns on the forum freebies and have them talk about the wonders of Babolat. It's easier that way.
Hi Daniel
Do you know what Babolats quality control policy is? In terms of rackets not being like at the right weight as what it should be.
I know Wilson rackets that I have had are inconsistent and know others have the same issue with them. But I currently have 11 Aeropro drives (pre cortex) 8 being grip 3 not 1 of them unstrung is identical in weight with the others... Worst one being 9 grams under 291g unstrung and the highest being 311g unstrung.
Only one is at 300g.
It's not bothered me before (not really checked) as I just keep changing rackets from babolat to whatever since I have quite a lot of different ones, I at the moment am looking to customize them so I can get about 4-6 be identical..
Thanks
Do you know what Babolats quality control policy is? In terms of rackets not being like at the right weight as what it should be.
I know Wilson rackets that I have had are inconsistent and know others have the same issue with them. But I currently have 11 Aeropro drives (pre cortex) 8 being grip 3 not 1 of them unstrung is identical in weight with the others... Worst one being 9 grams under 291g unstrung and the highest being 311g unstrung.
Only one is at 300g.
It's not bothered me before (not really checked) as I just keep changing rackets from babolat to whatever since I have quite a lot of different ones, I at the moment am looking to customize them so I can get about 4-6 be identical..
Thanks
I am another one who is not happy with BT7.
For last one year or so, I have been trying to find right tension on BT7 to feel the
same feel as original VS or Tonic. It failed.
BT7 guts feels like synthetic. It has lost that magical all mighty feel of original
babolat natural gut. It feels now stiffer than Klip natural gut.
I sincerely hope Babolat bring back original VS and Tonic.
Thanks.
For last one year or so, I have been trying to find right tension on BT7 to feel the
same feel as original VS or Tonic. It failed.
BT7 guts feels like synthetic. It has lost that magical all mighty feel of original
babolat natural gut. It feels now stiffer than Klip natural gut.
I sincerely hope Babolat bring back original VS and Tonic.
Thanks.
Kam,
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=QbA39s0dznQ
Tennis frames are not mass produced in the sense of processes such as injection molding. They're really hand made in many ways. For example, when they are removed from the mold they're smoothed out by hand, not machine. It's natural to get lots of variation with so many human actions involved.
Only workaround: when buying frames try to match them as closely as possible at that point or buy them really light enough so you have plenty of margin for error when you customize them. Somewhere on this forum there are photos of Federer's frames. The variation in lead tape from frame to frame is HUGE compared to my three PSGTs which I bought randomly from TW. And he's a multi-millionaire with access to select stock!
Recently I tried to buy frames really close to my ideal specs. Huge mistake. It's simply not possible to buy off the shelf frames that match with so little margin for error.
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=QbA39s0dznQ
Tennis frames are not mass produced in the sense of processes such as injection molding. They're really hand made in many ways. For example, when they are removed from the mold they're smoothed out by hand, not machine. It's natural to get lots of variation with so many human actions involved.
Only workaround: when buying frames try to match them as closely as possible at that point or buy them really light enough so you have plenty of margin for error when you customize them. Somewhere on this forum there are photos of Federer's frames. The variation in lead tape from frame to frame is HUGE compared to my three PSGTs which I bought randomly from TW. And he's a multi-millionaire with access to select stock!
Recently I tried to buy frames really close to my ideal specs. Huge mistake. It's simply not possible to buy off the shelf frames that match with so little margin for error.
Nice vid,
I can understand the point that it goes through several stages of production.
But as a paying customer I would expect the item that I paying for to be what it should be.
Rackets are not cheap and compared to the amount it costs to actually mass produce i'm sure quality control can be improved from any company.
I can understand the point that it goes through several stages of production.
But as a paying customer I would expect the item that I paying for to be what it should be.
Rackets are not cheap and compared to the amount it costs to actually mass produce i'm sure quality control can be improved from any company.
drakulie
Talk Tennis Guru
Could you point out to me anywhere in this thread where I have stated my "dislike of RPM"? or is anytime a truth spoken in this thread about a Babolat product that is not convenient for Babolat, that suddenly the person making the claim will be labeled as someone who "dislikes" the product?
I simply stated the truth,,,,, RPM loses tension extremely quickly and in a matter of minutes, not "weeks".
I could completely appreciate that and understand you are in a tough position. However, Babolat has given you permission to come on these boards and represent and speak all things Babolat, or is it only what is convenient?
Ok, Cool and I understand. That said, I have enough experience with sales reps (prince, wilson, babolat, head, etc) to know that in the end, money talks and bullsht walks, and sales reps will at times be inclined to open up or deny opening up accounts based on that principle. Period. Babolat is not immune.
Babolat Official
Hall of Fame
1. Our marketing/communications and product departments are separate entities. I've got a couple years of experience in the tennis industry, not hard to figure out with a little google search.
2. I encourage you to be very serious, as I work with the product managers and advocate for the US consumer perspective. I came into the forums to hear what you have to say about our products. I go to France every two months and US consumer feedback is one of the topics we discuss. Global sales strategy, not so much.
3. We are slowly rolling out a digital product testing program with the help of TW. Our first iteration was the 2013 APD. We'll have more in the coming months.
Babolat Official
Hall of Fame
1. My fault on the RPM comment. I apologize. I should not have made the correlation between tension loss in your test and a dislike of product. Even if that was the case, as I have said before, not everyone likes our products and that is fine. The free market is beautiful.
2. I try to communicate on things I know. As a tennis enthusiast, tennis products I feel confident speaking on. I don't know what to tell you. I'm not part of the sales team and they don't have a representative in the forums (sorry, just me). But all of them do have email, which I can give you, so you can get answer to your question or the correct information (I did this with a local account who wanted Babolat...copied in the territory manager who could explain the rationale). I'm not why this is such a problem (unless you don't have email). Similarly, when people email me warranty questions or have issues with racquet authenticity, I direct them to the warranty department....because it is something I don't know as much about and we have dedicated teams.
3. I'm sorry if I have offended you in some capacity. I started this thread because people have questions about our products (specs, releases, etc.) and I want to provide them with information so they can feel confident in their choices for tennis equipment (be it Babolat or someone else). I'd like to keep the thread as an information resource from the company's perspective. I don't know everything...but I have continually put emailers in contact with the people who do.
Perhaps, I've violated some forum culture. Still learning. Your patience and understanding is not unnoticed. Let me know if you have any other questions. I'll answer them or put you in contact with someone who can.
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1. Yes, as it is in most companies. Glad to hear you have many years of experience.
2. I like Babolats very much but they hurt my elbows. That's all. It's great!
3. As long as you don't own the products, you can only influence them. And I bet TW's sales revenue has more impact to product decisions than our opinions.
I bought a 2013 APD and may buy another one in the future. Asking TW to match both rackets in stock form is tough according to your statement?
I can predict than in one year Daniel will change Drakulies perspectives toward Babolat and he will play exclusively with APDs strung with RPM Blast.
mikeler
Moderator
I'm with Drakulie on appreciating your input. I used to be a PST user for 1.5 years. Now I'm realizing I need to be on the lighter end of the spectrum in terms of weight for arm health so I had to sell mine. Great thread.
zapvor
G.O.A.T.
hahhaha nice!
So many issues here. I myself have tried Babs but found them too stiff and did not like the feel. But club players who get hurt may also get hurt due to bad technique, in addition to stiff frames.
About the pros - they may be hurting for all you know. They have superior technique. They may have much stronger arms which can cope with it. They may have gotten used to it, keeping it for the competitive advantages.
parasailing
Legend
I think most Babolat racquets are on the stiff side but the Pure Storm Tour GT is not one of them at least when you put natural gut mains in the racquet. I am pretty sensitive to stiff racquets but the PSTGT never gave me any issues with arm or shoulder pain.
All these posts tell a story: Parasailing, you probably nailed it. The stringing of Babolats , like any racquet actually, is really important.
Probably Polyester has been a huge "arm breaker", especially for those that wanted the power & spin of a Nadal or a Roddick, whether you are 15 or 65 it doesn't mean you should use RPM Blast or PHT or any stiff poly.
So many players get bad advice, drink the magic Kool Aid if you like, put the wrong string or even incorrectly string their racquets & pay the price.
Forums like this should help people get the right advice.
Daniel, a nice Xmas present for me & Drakulie would be some news on the new stringing machine?? You see what I did there??
Bartelby
Bionic Poster
It's somewhat bizarre that the Play and Connect technology looks like it will have been announced more than a year before it's actually released.
In the bizarre world of marketing where 'graphene' is presented as top secret this is an unusually early revelation.
Its possible that Babolat announced it first because they know others are working on such a technology as well, so they have nothing to gain from hiding their plans but some credit to be gained from announcing them.
In the bizarre world of marketing where 'graphene' is presented as top secret this is an unusually early revelation.
Its possible that Babolat announced it first because they know others are working on such a technology as well, so they have nothing to gain from hiding their plans but some credit to be gained from announcing them.
Larrysümmers
Hall of Fame
where do i sign up for an internship at Colorado. I've always wanted to work for a tennis company, i eat, sleep, dream tennis lol.
Babolat Official
Hall of Fame
All these posts tell a story: Parasailing, you probably nailed it. The stringing of Babolats , like any racquet actually, is really important.
Probably Polyester has been a huge "arm breaker", especially for those that wanted the power & spin of a Nadal or a Roddick, whether you are 15 or 65 it doesn't mean you should use RPM Blast or PHT or any stiff poly.
So many players get bad advice, drink the magic Kool Aid if you like, put the wrong string or even incorrectly string their racquets & pay the price.
Forums like this should help people get the right advice.
Daniel, a nice Xmas present for me & Drakulie would be some news on the new stringing machine?? You see what I did there??
Agree, too many people use poly or use it incorrectly. I've always believed if you are not breaking string every 8-14 hours, stay away from a full set.
Nothing new for 2013...still too early in the development phase.
pshulam
Hall of Fame
Parasailing was referring to the Pure Storm series - low stiffness albeit strings do make a big difference (as you said). Nonetheless, most racquets from Babolat are stiff (with the exception of the Pure Storm series).
Babolat Official
Hall of Fame
From a purely scientific standpoint, changing tension in a poly does not affect power in the traditional if we understand that polyester is not elastic. However, tension changes feel, the amount the strings can slide, etc.
I like stringing polys looser (48 lbs on a constant pull) because I like the amount the strings slide and the sin it produces. However, poly loses tension quickly. If you really want to add more power, you can try with a multi or natural gut. This will also hold tension better. If you aren't breaking string every 8-14 hours, this may be worth trying.
A lot of string tension is experimenting. 50 is probably a good place to start. If you feel you need more control, tighten it up. If you want more spin, loosen, etc. We can give you some advice, but at the end of the day, the racquet is in your hand.
Let me know how the testing goes.
Babolat Official
Hall of Fame
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