Power Player
Bionic Poster
Super Smash Orange sounds awesome. I decided I'd buy a Team today to match up to the Blades. Great racquet, very soft and has incredible feel. I think a lot of folks here would like it.
PP,
In the racketaholic way of how things roll in these parts, I can confirm I'm officially down to be investigating the Black Blade soon (could be end of this week/start of next.) Along with the 99s, at the end of last year these were the 2 frames I identified as being the ones I'd most like to look at, so, yes...
BTW, like the truncated signature... "ing" indeed.
I think ross may love it. It's not that tough to play with. You have to remember he almost went to a Prestige Pro full time, and the Blade is easier to use then that.
I think ross may love it. It's not that tough to play with. You have to remember he almost went to a Prestige Pro full time, and the Blade is easier to use then that.
BTW, like the truncated signature... "ing" indeed.
I loved it, but I feel it's more stick than a 3.5 or so like Ross should be playing with. FWIW The Prestige Pro is easier to use IMO...larger sweet spot. Something about the almost even balance of the Blade makes it very difficult for shots when your body isn't ready. If you have good form and proper footwork most of the time, then sure go for the Blade.
My man, so many goodies in that post.
Speed Pro: nice. Sounds lovely. Would love to hit this stick to see what it's like. Epic specs, save for the stiffness? How's it feel? Like a 66? Hollow? Full?
TB/hexa: NICE. Welcome. It's an incredible setup in the right frame. Credit goes to MD for the discovery. It's been my go-to in Zeus whilst I've tried out other setups in my other frames. Thus far, it's No. 1 in softer feeling frames for me. ...
Sonic Pro Edge: nothing to see here, move along. Epic first hit, all downhill from there - it's a really powerful string but after the initial hit I lost more and more ball feel, the string got too powerful for me and by hour 4 it was a nightmare.
The OTHER trial stringbed, Super Smash Orange - awesome. It's extremely 4G like but with slightly better feel (especially after break in period of an hour or two). Extremely controlled. And just like 4G, it's getting better by the hour , not worse. Very confidence inspiring string. And at the awesome price (four pack for 16 bucks!?) I just got a four pack to experiment with ogsm as a cross and maybe some other setups down the road.
Gads,
I would say the speed is somewhere in between hollow and solid if that makes sense? Not prestige like in the solidity but not Tweener like either? Feel is still fairly solid so no worries there but at 11.5 it doesn't have the Prestige type of pancake plow. It has more of an aero type of construction at the hoop and really seems to come through the air quickly as a result. What I lose in the plow department I gain back in RHS. The flex was the one thing that worried me going into the play test but I have to say it hasn't bothered me at all even strung with full poly. I would say if anything it plays a little more flexy than the specs would indicate.
Super smash Orange sounds awesome. I read somewhere that is a update to the old string but with a little better tension maintenance and some more pop. I have yet to try 4g as can't get my head around the price (with so many good strings out there at close to half the cost)but I wonder if this might be a good string to try in the Steam? I may need to investigate this string soon.
I think it could be great in the Steam, big question is how long it will last before breaking in that stick - like all strings in that frame. Definitely the 16L version. I Have the 17 gauge in one of my tgks now but moving to a 16L/ogsm hybrid in two others that I'm picking up from MD today. Note that TW lists a 16 gauge and 17 gauge but the 16 is actually a 16L, as you can see if you look closely at the packaging. Excited about that since 16L is my favorite TB gauge. Usually like my strings a bit thicker than 17 for the fuller feel.
2-3 hours in I like the SS more than the 4G bed but the 4g bed got better and better and better the more it wore in and lasted forever in my Rad.. We'll see if the SS can come close to that but really liking it so far.
Yeah I am investigating some thicker gauged strings ATM but there isn't much out there in the poly world. Black Magic 1.33, Cyber Flash 1.35, Still in Black Resistretch 1.35, Black Code 1.32, Beast 1.35, Isospeed Baseline 1.35 an of course the 4g in 1.41
Black Magic and Cyber flash are the only strings on the list that are of decent value but are only marginally thicker than a regular 16g. I am already starting to get cold feet about this incoming Steam as the string choices are not a plenty.
It's just a wierd stick since it is made for people who can't generate a lot of spin, but it requires full poly which those people probably shouldn't even be using.
I got cold feet after the strings started moving in 30 minutes..lol. Great idea by Wilson though. It's just a wierd stick since it is made for people who can't generate a lot of spin, but it requires full poly which those people probably shouldn't even be using.
Brand new Team is in hand. I will modfather this badboy today and try to hit with it tonight. Stringing it up with the classic Ice/OGSM combo.
"Maybe I'll love it but find it a bit too demanding? Maybe it will be akin to the C10 Pro and N95 and Pure Control and not find it so very out of my zone or whatever? Maybe I'll be incapable of hitting three rally balls in a row? Maybe it will magically transport me into a different realm of aesthetic rapture and performance heights where all my past tennis playing wrongs can be righted?"
Poetry in motion, its like Shakespeare in tennis. Just try it, what the heck.
Yeah I am investigating some thicker gauged strings ATM but there isn't much out there in the poly world. Black Magic 1.33, Cyber Flash 1.35, Still in Black Resistretch 1.35, Black Code 1.32, Beast 1.35, Isospeed Baseline 1.35 an of course the 4g in 1.41
Black Magic and Cyber flash are the only strings on the list that are of decent value but are only marginally thicker than a regular 16g. I am already starting to get cold feet about this incoming Steam as the string choices are not a plenty.
I got cold feet after the strings started moving in 30 minutes..lol. Great idea by Wilson though. It's just a wierd stick since it is made for people who can't generate a lot of spin, but it requires full poly which those people probably shouldn't even be using.
Brand new Team is in hand. I will modfather this badboy today and try to hit with it tonight. Stringing it up with the classic Ice/OGSM combo.
RHs
Who knows how I'll fare with the Black Blade?
Maybe I'll love it but find it a bit too demanding? Maybe it will be akin to the C10 Pro and N95 and Pure Control and not find it so very out of my zone or whatever? Maybe I'll be incapable of hitting three rally balls in a row? Maybe it will magically transport me into a different realm of aesthetic rapture and performance heights where all my past tennis playing wrongs can be righted?
Seriously, as a racketaholic of some years who views previous experiences with racs like the PSC 6.1, the PT 630, the PC Swirly, the Rad Tour TT, the i. Prestige MP, RD7, Pro No 1, C10 Pro, 200G MW, TGK PP, and a few others as almost 'spiritual moments' , and not as someone who thinks he'll be winning Wimbledon any time soon, pardon me if I don't look forward to investigating a racket that has a great rep and that I've been curious about for a while.
You know what I mean?! This thread is actually all about being a racketaholic. About loving checking out rackets. About the weird, geeky, OCD-ish love we all have and share in daily for this tennis racket malarky that occupies so much of our thoughts and deepest yearnings or whatever. If I ever start getting censorious and on people's backs - just give me a very sharp nudge, B.
Love this thread so felt compelled to post. I (the wife made me sell my old rackets including 3 pro staff classics, 2 prestige pros, 2 radicals and a 6.1 kfactor. I am currently about to demo the steam 99s but am dreading the experimenting with stringing. It took me about 6 attempts to find my current setup of x-one biphase/big banger rough@46lbs in my head prestige mp. I'm not sure i (or my wallet) can take another experiment we will see...
I totally agree. Trying out racquets is one of the many true pleasures in playing this game. I would never discourage anyone trying out a stick regardless of their playing ability or style. I hope my response to Jack's post on who the target audience is for the Blade is not the reason for your above comment as this was not it's intent. I bought a Steam out of curiosity knowing full well that it is likely not going to be a good fit for my game. I might get surprised and find it to be the "game changer" or I might not. Hearing all the good things about the stick on this and other threads peaked my curiosity enough to pull the trigger as demoing in my area is a little difficult.
Now back to my OCD ish search for strings for the Steam. Narrowed it down to the Black Magic 15L, Topspin Cyberflash 1.35 and Signum Pro Megaforce 1.35. Leaning towards the Megaforce and Black Magic as they both seemed to hold tension very well.
Hello, where am I ?........I get abducted for a few minutes and you're all talking Steam?? Good god!!
Welcome back my friend. How is it over in Volkl land? Still with the C10 or have you moved on?
RHs
Who knows how I'll fare with the Black Blade?
Maybe I'll love it but find it a bit too demanding? Maybe it will be akin to the C10 Pro and N95 and Pure Control and not find it so very out of my zone or whatever? Maybe I'll be incapable of hitting three rally balls in a row? Maybe it will magically transport me into a different realm of aesthetic rapture and performance heights where all my past tennis playing wrongs can be righted?
Seriously, as a racketaholic of some years who views previous experiences with racs like the PSC 6.1, the PT 630, the PC Swirly, the Rad Tour TT, the i. Prestige MP, RD7, Pro No 1, C10 Pro, 200G MW, TGK PP, and a few others as almost 'spiritual moments' , and not as someone who thinks he'll be winning Wimbledon any time soon, pardon me if I don't look forward to investigating a racket that has a great rep and that I've been curious about for a while.
This is why Ross is our Pope, and here's to hoping he will never pull a Benedict. Love that post. Love this thread.
Welcome back my friend. How is it over in Volkl land? Still with the C10 or have you moved on?
C10, x10, pb10 mid and hopefully soon the x10 mid, doesn't really matter which one.....
Ok here is my official Pure Storm Team review:
I set it up like this - 6 grams in the head at 3 and 9 and 8 grams of putty in the handle. Final weight is 325 with everything. This is an EASY mod. It took me 10 minutes.
If you loved the Blade but found it too demanding, this is your stick. With the setup I have, it still swings faster and feels lighter than the Blade, but it hits a very, very nice ball that is similar to the 95D and the Blade. I could easily add more lead to this racquet and get it on par with the Blade in terms of power, but I like it where it is for now.
In all honesty, we all know you can't have it all, but this spec setup is as close as I have gotten. Massive racquet head speed, very good power, lots of spin, lots of drive, tons of control.
I put in some Ice mains and OGSM crosses and strung it at 48. I will probably go up a little more and set it up just like the Blade next time at 50/53, but the hybrid works like a charm.
This stick is still 5 grams lighter than my Wilsons and the SW is 325ish instead of 333, so the stick was coming through real easy and fast. Once I got my timing down, this racquet was cracking balls almost as heavy as the Blade does. The difference is negligible, but the power advantage goes to the Blade. Which is good, I wanted something a little less powered and softer as an alternative racquet.
I loved the Pure Storm Tour because it simply can do any shot in the book and the Team is the same way. I was sticking volleys, my backhands were good and my forehands were point and shoot. Spin was excellent. Actually a little more kick off the bounce than the Blade. The stand out shot is slice. Best slice stick I have used in a long time. I was approaching the net with DTL forehand slices and they were lethal. Heck with the "modern game" and the APD. If someone can hit bigger top than me, I have my answer and it is slice. The ball off the team stays low and is very tough to attack.
The feel on the racquet is top notch. On the level of the Blade except softer. The Blade has more crispness and the Team is softer, but they are both excellent feel racquets.
I can not discount the 1/4 grip. I had a better grip on my volleys and was switching grips a lot easier. So the Team grip, combined with the smaller size is awesome. If I get a new Blade, it will be a 1/4 size.
Anyway, this is an amazing find by Gads. Really a racquet that you can make into your own. A 100 size thin beam stick with major control and exquisite ball feel in a light and flexy package. It is not a stiff, free power racquet like a PD or APD, but what it has is tons of control, and enough power to allow you to attack out of a defensive position. I spent some time with the 2013 APD, and the Team blows it away if you like control and feel, but don't want to lug around a 355 gram racquet.
The main reason I have gone back to 325-330 is my serve. I serve better with lighter sticks as it is easier on my shoulder to swing out of the racquet drop. This racquet serves as well as my Blade and that is no small feat. The Pure Storm Tour was not a great serving racquet, but the Team is. Probably one of the best I have used for second serves, but flats are big as well.
So is it better than the Blade? No. I think they are both right up there for me. I can use both and will. But I could see the Team edging it out if I am able to continue to hit slice and drop shots this well in mtachplay. When you can hit a big forehand into corners and pin a guy back for a few games, drop shots are insanely valuable, but you have to stick them and make them die fast. The Team is incredible at this.
I give the Team a thumbs up and would suggest it to anyone who wants a players stick that is easy to use and finds the Blade too demanding. Even if you are like me, and don't find the Blade too demanding and love that style of stick, this would be a must try. It is pretty sweet to have both in the bag.
Welcome back my friend. How is it over in Volkl land? Still with the C10 or have you moved on?
What do you folks think about Polyon? Especially the Steamers? seems like a cheap reel of poly that the TW testers liked a lot.
I think the best way to handle all the issues with the Steam is to buy a cheap control poly like Ice or Polyon and restring a lot. Sounds like Super Smash should be on that list as well. But Polyon is $35 a reel, and honestly my experience with the Ice has been so good that I am starting to think that any poly over $10 should be questioned.
IMO,I think cheap poly is a false economy, it costs less but it usually doesn't play as well either. I've never found one of these sub $4 polys that's worthwhile.
I agree with you on the $10 level though. TB off a reel is $7.50.
Regarding restringing the Steam, you don't have much choice lol, it mows through strings
It will be nice if Black Magic 1.33 works out: at the reel price, it works out to be $5 a set.
IMO,I think cheap poly is a false economy, it costs less but it usually doesn't play as well either. I've never found one of these sub $4 polys that's worthwhile.
I agree with you on the $10 level though. TB off a reel is $7.50.
Regarding restringing the Steam, you don't have much choice lol, it mows through strings
It will be nice if Black Magic 1.33 works out: at the reel price, it works out to be $5 a set.
Volkl Cyclone is not mentioned alot in this thread. Its only 7.99 per set and 120 per reel. I will use it for the first time this week. TW playtesters like this string very much (see review) and use it as their primary string.
Huh, so there's a Dunlop Ice and a Gosen Polylon Ice. I wonder if there's any difference, or if its like Cyberflash & SilverString.
I've never hit w/ SilverString, just read posts on TT saying they were effectively the same, so my analogy may be off.
Fuji played spin cycle and switched to Ice I believe. Let's see if he chimes in.
What do you folks think about Polyon? Especially the Steamers? seems like a cheap reel of poly that the TW testers liked a lot.
http://www.tennis-warehouse.com/reviews/GPLY17/GPLY17Review.html
You folks know how I feel about polybreak, and really Gosen strings in general. Just awesome quality. the Sheep micro is so good I may try a full job of it in a Blade while I jam out with the Team. I love syn gut. I can still get a ton of spin and string tight. Old school, like when I was growing up.
I think the best way to handle all the issues with the Steam is to buy a cheap control poly like Ice or Polyon and restring a lot. Sounds like Super Smash should be on that list as well. But Polyon is $35 a reel, and honestly my experience with the Ice has been so good that I am starting to think that any poly over $10 should be questioned.
Good call fuji. I don't think I can go past Ice in terms of stiffness. It is about perfect for me. So I will stick with that.