Wilson Hits Homerun with Wilson Steam 99S (mini review)

Rabbit · Jun 25, 2013

drakulie said:
Store where I work, it is the best selling frame.

As for Wilson's plans on the whole "SET", they will be launching several frames by the end of the year with the same engineering (ie, 16X15,etc).

On another note,,, I'm still using mine. Find it very hard to put down and begin playing again with my other frames. Last week I hit with a friend whom I haven't hit with since before I began using this frame. At the end of our hit, he said, "I don't recall you ever hitting with as much spin as you hit with today."

Truth be told, nothing feels as solid. This frame gives me confidence that if I commit to a swing, the ball will have form and go where I want it to. The more I commit, the more form the ball has and the better the results.

I just spent a week in Florida playing 3 hours a day on clay. I could and did hit at will playing with guys my age.

drakulie · Jun 25, 2013

Rabbit said:
Truth be told, nothing feels as solid. This frame gives me confidence that if I commit to a swing, the ball will have form and go where I want it to. The more I commit, the more form the ball has and the better the results.

I just spent a week in Florida playing 3 hours a day on clay. I could and did hit at will playing with guys my age.

Where in Florida? Would have been great to meet up.

It's been a bit hot in Ft. Lauderdale.

bad_call · Jun 26, 2013

Rabbit said:
Truth be told, nothing feels as solid. This frame gives me confidence that if I commit to a swing, the ball will have form and go where I want it to. The more I commit, the more form the ball has and the better the results.

I just spent a week in Florida playing 3 hours a day on clay. I could and did hit at will playing with guys my age.

next time in FL give a shout to this 60 yr old GE recovering hacker. maybe i'll share a home brew with u.

naturallight · Jun 26, 2013

Asking again… If you guys open the trapdoor on the handle of the 99s, do you see silicone in there? Or is it completely hollow? Thanks appreciate it

JackB1 · Jun 26, 2013

drakulie said:
Store where I work, it is the best selling frame.

So where are all of these frames then? I play also in the Southeast in Atlanta, which has more tennis players per quare mile than anywhere else in the country and besides the one I had for a while, have not seen ANY of the new Steams on the courts whatsoever.

rlau · Jun 26, 2013

naturallight said:
Asking again… If you guys open the trapdoor on the handle of the 99s, do you see silicone in there? Or is it completely hollow? Thanks appreciate it

Mine has silicone in one chamber

The Dark Knight · Jun 26, 2013

Rabbit said:
Truth be told, nothing feels as solid. This frame gives me confidence that if I commit to a swing, the ball will have form and go where I want it to. The more I commit, the more form the ball has and the better the results.

I just spent a week in Florida playing 3 hours a day on clay. I could and did hit at will playing with guys my age.

I'm a BIG steam fan. I can say a lot of great things about this absolutely awesome stick ......but solid is not one of them .

It's my only real complaint to an otherwise perfect frame.

Stroke · Jun 26, 2013

The Dark Knight said:
I'm a BIG steam fan. I can say a lot of great things about this absolutely awesome stick ......but solid is not one of them .

It's my only real complaint to an otherwise perfect frame.

Tail weighting makes this racquet very solid. The swing weight is plenty high. Most all racquets nowadays have to be thought of as platforms for more weight if you want a solid racquet that can comfortably hold up vs a fast incoming 57 gram tennis ball.

The Dark Knight · Jun 26, 2013

Stroke said:
Tail weighting makes this racquet very solid. The swing weight is plenty high. Most all racquets nowadays have to be thought of as platforms for more weight if you want a solid racquet that can comfortably hold up vs a fast incoming 57 gram tennis ball.

Huh ?

...

Rabbit · Jun 26, 2013

drakulie said:
Where in Florida? Would have been great to meet up.

It's been a bit hot in Ft. Lauderdale.

Sorry, I should have said more Lower Alabama than what you call Florida. We were in Destin. My wife and daughter love it there.

bad_call said:
next time in FL give a shout to this 60 yr old GE recovering hacker. maybe i'll share a home brew with u.

I sure will, I'd love to!

Ross K · Jun 26, 2013

The Dark Knight said:
I'm a BIG steam fan. I can say a lot of great things about this absolutely awesome stick ......but solid is not one of them .

It's my only real complaint to an otherwise perfect frame.

Well, just goes to show how subjective all this kind of thing is, as for me it's definitely solid enough.

Rabbit · Jun 26, 2013

Ross K said:
Well, just goes to show how subjective all this kind of thing is, as for me it's definitely solid enough.

Same here, I can't remember a more solid feeling frame!

drakulie · Jun 26, 2013

JackB1 said:
So where are all of these frames then?

I would imagine if you are in Atlanta and don't see ANY, and I'm in Ft. Lauderdale Florida and store where I work it is outselling all other frames, then you could find them in Ft. Lauderdale.

But seriously, they are selling very well down here, and by the looks of the TW site where it is listed as a "Best Seller", then I'm going to assume they are selling well all over the USA, so can't answer your question.

JackB1 said:
I play also in the Southeast in Atlanta, which has more tennis players per quare mile than anywhere else in the country and besides the one I had for a while, have not seen ANY of the new Steams on the courts whatsoever.

The Dark Knight · Jun 26, 2013

Ross K said:
Well, just goes to show how subjective all this kind of thing is, as for me it's definitely solid enough.

Well it's comparative.....it's not as solid as a donnay, ps 85 , or k90.

Ross K · Jun 26, 2013

The Dark Knight said:
Well it's comparative.....it's not as solid as a donnay, ps 85 , or k90.

Indeed. As said before, for me it's solid enough. Okay, it's not an RD7, or a PT630, or a PSC 6.1, or a Pure Control Swirly (to name but a handful of mega-super solid frames from my racketaholic dabblings down the years); but then those don't swing as sweetly for me as a 99s.

JackB1 · Jun 27, 2013

drakulie said:
I would imagine if you are in Atlanta and don't see ANY, and I'm in Ft. Lauderdale Florida and store where I work it is outselling all other frames, then you could find them in Ft. Lauderdale.

But seriously, they are selling very well down here, and by the looks of the TW site where it is listed as a "Best Seller", then I'm going to assume they are selling well all over the USA, so can't answer your question.

I am good friends with the manager of a large tennis store down here....I'll ask him next time I see him how the 99s is selling compared to other frames.

naturallight · Jun 29, 2013

rlau said:
Mine has silicone in one chamber

Okay thanks. So the silicone is stock. Kind of surprised it's only in one chamber just like mine.

Rabbit · Jun 29, 2013

naturallight said:
Okay thanks. So the silicone is stock. Kind of surprised it's only in one chamber just like mine.

Wilson may be using the silicone as a means to balance/weight the frames. I know years ago when using the Hammer 5.0, if you took the grip off, you'd find a wide strip of lead tape on some of the handles.

morandi · Jun 29, 2013

Mine doesn't have silicone, just spray foam inside the handle.

The Dark Knight · Jun 29, 2013

Ross K said:
Indeed. As said before, for me it's solid enough. Okay, it's not an RD7, or a PT630, or a PSC 6.1, or a Pure Control Swirly (to name but a handful of mega-super solid frames from my racketaholic dabblings down the years); but then those don't swing as sweetly for me as a 99s.

Lets agree to disagree

bertrevert · Jun 30, 2013

naturallight said:
Okay thanks. So the silicone is stock. Kind of surprised it's only in one chamber just like mine.

Yes was in one chamber in stock frame as well.

But then the seller "evened it up" by adding silicone in the other chamber.

Perhaps not the best idea if it was added at factory as a balancing measure...

ps. went off the 99s - too much swingweight for me, too many random launch angles, too many balls left sitting-up...

drakulie · Jul 2, 2013

JackB1 said:
I am good friends with the manager of a large tennis store down here....I'll ask him next time I see him how the 99s is selling compared to other frames.

RSI July issue has the top selling new racquets over the last 12 months as follows:

1. 2013 aero pro drive
2. Steam 99s
3. Steam 105s

Steam 99s is also the #4 overall selling frame year to date.

JackB1 · Jul 2, 2013

drakulie said:
RSI July issue has the top selling new racquets over the last 12 months as follows:

1. 2013 aero pro drive
2. Steam 99s
3. Steam 105s

Steam 99s is also the #4 overall selling frame year to date.

It doesn't say anything about "best selling". It just says "hot new racquets".

The best selling racquets for Jan-Mar 2013 were:
1-APD '13
2-PD
3-Juice
4-99s
5-APD

Still......#4 is pretty impressive, even though its still behind the Juice.
The better question though is how many people bought it and are STILL playing with it?

drakulie · Jul 12, 2013

JackB1 said:
It doesn't say anything about "best selling". It just says "hot new racquets".

The best selling racquets for Jan-Mar 2013 were:
1-APD '13
2-PD
3-Juice
4-99s
5-APD

Still......#4 is pretty impressive, even though its still behind the Juice.
The better question though is how many people bought it and are STILL playing with it?

Apologies for not responding sooner,,,,, been very busy. Anyhow, I would imagine that the 5 "hot new racquets" are at the top of the list of best sellers, not the bottom 5.

As for your comment as to how many are "still playing with it",,, I would say you could make that same statement for every frame on the list. Fact remains, contrary to what you implied, the racquet is selling quite well.

To add, I got it from a well-respected Rep down here that according to the SMS?? the top 5 selling racquets this year thru the end of May from 1 to 5 are as follows:

1. Pure Drive
2. Aero
3. Steam 99s
4. Juice 108
5. Steam 105s

So you now have yet another list showing the sales to be going very well.

Ross K · Jul 14, 2013

Just an update...

Have to confess to exiting the steam room as of late and have been preoccupied going down a lighter more predictable route with the Tfight.

The 'good' about this frame - especially how it swings, as well as it's solidness, serve pop/action and baseline performance (albeit sporadically in my hands), means I'm not entirely ruling it out. For now though, I'm afraid I'm cooling down a bit and stepping out of the steam.

M J · Jul 15, 2013

Woofer grommets in 99s

This thread convinved me to try out a 99s demo and ultimately switch to the 99s from the APD. I agree with others' positive reviews of this stick, and there is really no way I could not switch to this racquet given that my game is all about topspin and I obviously get more spin on any given swing. I have strung with Babolat gut 15 in the mains and 4G 15 in the cross, and, per Drakulie's excellent suggestion, strung reletively low at 50 lbs. I love this setup so far.

I realized that Pure Drive 107 woofer grommets fit pretty well in the throat, and installed in one of my two frames, leaving the other with the Wilson grommets but otherwise identical so I could compare between the two. Right now I prefer the one with the woofer grommets because it feels and sounds a bit more like the Babolat I am used to. There also seems to be more power, though I honestly have not yet hit enough balls with both frames to be sure of that.

Rabbit · Jul 15, 2013

I am still really digging mine. The Prince EXO Tour was a pretty good racquet, but I didn't realize until hitting with the 99S that I had "settled". The Wilson does everything well for me.

I'm getting about 15 hours out of a string job now, but that's OK as well.

drakulie · Jul 17, 2013

Testing out the new spin cycle 15g from wilson. Its going to be about 5 bucks per set, so inexpensive string to look into.

Will give an update after hitting with it for few days.

On a side note, tested the new Blade 98, 18/16. SUPER comfortable frame and it looks sweet....matte black. balance, swing weight are great. Will try and give a better review once I get more time with it.

JackB1 · Jul 18, 2013

drakulie said:
On a side note, tested the new Blade 98, 18/16. SUPER comfortable frame and it looks sweet....matte black. balance, swing weight are great. Will try and give a better review once I get more time with it.

How open is the drill pattern in the center of the new Blade? It can't look anything like the 16/15 99s. Does the swingweight feel lighter than the 99s or about the same?

Devilito · Jul 18, 2013

drakulie said:
Testing out the new spin cycle 15g from wilson. Its going to be about 5 bucks per set, so inexpensive string to look into.

Will give an update after hitting with it for few days.

On a side note, tested the new Blade 98, 18/16. SUPER comfortable frame and it looks sweet....matte black. balance, swing weight are great. Will try and give a better review once I get more time with it.

I find racquet reviews a bit meaningless without mention of string and tension used. I'm interested that you referred to it as comfortable, but anymore details in terms of set up? (string/tension) How it felt, etc. Thanks!

Gut4Tennis · Jul 18, 2013

steam stinks

Devilito · Jul 18, 2013

Gut4Tennis said:
steam stinks

so do trolls

Rabbit · Jul 18, 2013

It'd take something really special for me to put down the 99S. This frame is perfect for me.

loosegroove · Jul 18, 2013

So is feasable to do a poly mains, synthetic gut crosses hybrid on this stick if you have like a durable 1.4mm synthetic gut? Or would it be too lacking in control and durability? I played a demo with full syn gut and it was a rocket launcher. Picked up my buddy's with a poly setup and I really liked it, lots of action on the ball though an extreme launch angle. I can't handle full poly in rackets, so I was wondering if the hybrid was doable.

bad_call · Jul 18, 2013

Rabbit said:
It'd take something really special for me to put down the 99S. This frame is perfect for me.

happiness is a warm...STEAM. lol - few oldies don't get it.

good to read Mr Rabbit. any vids of u pummeling the opposition?

drakulie · Jul 18, 2013

JackB1 said:
How open is the drill pattern in the center of the new Blade? It can't look anything like the 16/15 99s. Does the swingweight feel lighter than the 99s or about the same?

sw is more/less same. The drill pattern is definitely tighter than the 99s.

Devilito said:
I find racquet reviews a bit meaningless without mention of string and tension used. I'm interested that you referred to it as comfortable, but anymore details in terms of set up? (string/tension) How it felt, etc. Thanks!

Full poly in the low 50's. I'll give a more detailed write up once I get a chance to hit with it more.

rnrd001 · Jul 22, 2013

This frame eats strings so bad..
I loved the savage on it but it hardly lasts 3h..

I am thinking about switching to the 99 instead of this 99S.

Will I get more durability with the 99 pattern? What are the main differences between 99 and 99S? less spin but more control, stability?

The Dark Knight · Jul 22, 2013

rnrd001 said:
This frame eats strings so bad..
I loved the savage on it but it hardly lasts 3h..

I am thinking about switching to the 99 instead of this 99S.

Will I get more durability with the 99 pattern? What are the main differences between 99 and 99S? less spin but more control, stability?

Did you use the suggested 4g or a 15 guage string .

If you use anything else do not be surprised at the way it eats strings

rnrd001 · Jul 22, 2013

no, I haven't tested the 4G 15 yet. But 15 sounds way too thick for me... And I doubt it can last 10+ hours? which makes it quite pricey in the end for a less enjoying feeling setup.

I really enjoyed the Savage which lasts +-3/4H for me so I was wondering if I could get 8-10h out of it on a 99 rather than a 99S..

Rabbit · Jul 22, 2013

rnrd001 said:
no, I haven't tested the 4G 15 yet. But 15 sounds way too thick for me... And I doubt it can last 10+ hours? which makes it quite pricey in the end for a less enjoying feeling setup.

I really enjoyed the Savage which lasts +-3/4H for me so I was wondering if I could get 8-10h out of it on a 99 rather than a 99S..

The 15 gauge and the attendant lower tension you'll need with it will equal longer lasting string.

I must be doing something different, my string jobs are lasting about 5 days now.

bad_call · Jul 22, 2013

Rabbit said:
The 15 gauge and the attendant lower tension you'll need with it will equal longer lasting string.

I must be doing something different, my string jobs are lasting about 5 days now.

you're hitting the snot out of it now.

robdotcom · Jul 22, 2013

drakulie said:
Testing out the new spin cycle 15g from wilson. Its going to be about 5 bucks per set, so inexpensive string to look into.

Don't you mean the RipSpin? Not sure about the $5 per set though, I think it will be more like $10 retail.

I'm really liking the string. Supposedly it doesn't have a low friction coating, but rather the low friction material is blended into the string, so it doesn't wear off. So far, it seems as slippery as anything I've tried.

The Dark Knight · Jul 22, 2013

rnrd001 said:
no, I haven't tested the 4G 15 yet. But 15 sounds way too thick for me... And I doubt it can last 10+ hours? which makes it quite pricey in the end for a less enjoying feeling setup.

I really enjoyed the Savage which lasts +-3/4H for me so I was wondering if I could get 8-10h out of it on a 99 rather than a 99S..

Well if your not going to use the recommended string or at least a 15 guage then you really have no right to comment .

You should try it the recommended way even if you have a boss against it . Then if it doesn't work your comments would carry more weight

Rabbit · Jul 23, 2013

bad_call said:
you're hitting the snot out of it now.

I will have to agree. The racquet "agrees" with my game much more than my previous frames and I find myself swinging away. I have rediscovered my kick serve to the point that one of my regulars told me he found himself hoping 1st serves would go in so he wouldn't have to deal with the spin. I have also started moving my 2nd serve around much more, particularly serving in the deuce box. I'm a lefty and the kick out to a right-handers forehand on clay, when hit well, is a thing of beauty.

Rabbit · Jul 23, 2013

rnrd001 said:
no, I haven't tested the 4G 15 yet. But 15 sounds way too thick for me... And I doubt it can last 10+ hours? which makes it quite pricey in the end for a less enjoying feeling setup.

I really enjoyed the Savage which lasts +-3/4H for me so I was wondering if I could get 8-10h out of it on a 99 rather than a 99S..

An alternative would be to purchase Iso-Speed's Baseline Control string. It isn't as thick as the Luxilon 4GS,, but still slightly larger than 16 gauge at 1.35mm, and is extremely reasonable. You can buy a reel of it for less than you'd pay for 4 sets of 4GS.

http://www.tennis-warehouse.com/ISO...ife_String_15L_Reel/descpageACISO-BASELL.html

The 99S is perfect for reels of string as it takes 30 feet to string it. Given that, you can get 22 string jobs out of a reel which takes the cost of the Iso-Speed string listed above to a ridiculous $1.81 per stringing.

nickarnold2000 · Jul 23, 2013

Rabbit said:
The 15 gauge and the attendant lower tension you'll need with it will equal longer lasting string.

I must be doing something different, my string jobs are lasting about 5 days now.

Hi, so how many hours is 5 days of hitting?

quest01 · Jul 23, 2013

I string both the 99S with luxilon 4gs 15g strings. I find this string lasts quite a bit longer than the luxilon 4g 16g and way longer than alu power. I string them at 58 pounds tension and also lead tape at the 12 position.

Rabbit · Jul 23, 2013

nickarnold2000 said:
Hi, so how many hours is 5 days of hitting?

10 to 12 hours max. I will say that I don't find a lot of the "snap back" effect working to my advantage through any stage of the string's life.

drak · Jul 25, 2013

glad so many are still enjoying their Steams, I would expect with the success of this frame Wilson has other "lesser main string" rackets in the pipeline, has anyone heard anything on this? I'm looking for perahps a bit more of an arm/shoulder friendly version.

Drak

El Diablo · Jul 25, 2013

^^ the arm friendly version is called the Prince ESP 100.

Wilson Hits Homerun with Wilson Steam 99S (mini review)

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