2012 Pure Drive Roddick to Pure Storm Tour GT?

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Dasol

Rookie
Hi,

I got a 2012 Pure Drive Roddick Standard as a gift from a freind and used it for a month. I liked it but the problem is that PDR is just too powerful for me and I am always hesitating before swinging fully and fast since balls might fly away. With moderate swing speed, I think PDR is very easy to swing with less effort, but I am not sure whether I should stick with it.

Recently I am reading many positive reviews of Pure Storm Tour GT and wondering if I have to switch to this stick. I really like the Babolat feel and many people say that PST is a very control oriented yet powerful racquet.

So, my question is whether I might need big adjustment if I switch from PDR to PST, and whether PST has also enough power. I am a 4.0 player and hits mostly flat with eastern grip. Also, any recommendation for string and tension for PST?

Thank you in advance!!
 
Interesting... I'm thinking about going the other way. The Pure Storm Tour GT is nice, but I'm interested to see what the PDR is like.

I've found that the PSTGT is sensitive to strings. I tend to like a more crisp feel, and since it is a softer frame, my favorite string has been Solinco Tour Bite.
 
PDR 2012 is a very solid stick, but the only problem is I am not able to swing with confidence due to its monster power. I tend to hit flat with little spin and whenever I go for winner, I am kinda holding back little. On the contrary, it might be an advantage of this stick since with little effort, you can easily place the ball deep in the court. Overall, very solid and powerful racquet but I do want to know how PST feels. Is it easy to flatten out with PST?
 
I don't hit flat or with super heavy topspin... somewhere in between. It's definitely good at flattening out when you need to.
 
I use the PSTGT and I wouldn't say its similar to the PDR..the PSTGT is a solid frame and is a lot more plusher than the PDR which has a very stiff feel. Power wise you'll get way more with the PDR and more control with the PST. Its really preference between the 2 frames.
 
I agree, two completely different racquets. PST is solid, plush, offers plenty of power. PDR is like a rocket launcher especially if you are a flat hitter and feels tinny.
 
Thanks so much guys!

In terms of sweet spot, does PST have much smaller one than PDR? And what kind of string/tension should I use for PST? I got RPM Blast 16 at 57 for PDR and it feels very powerful.

Thank you!
 
Hi Guys,

I'm also thinking on moving to the PSTGT as I found a very nice frame on the PDR but as you know too much power. The only thing that kind of scares me of the PSTGT is the combination of added weight and less power that might affect my game on long matches.

What do you think about that?
 
adso1973 said:
Hi Guys,

I'm also thinking on moving to the PSTGT as I found a very nice frame on the PDR but as you know too much power. The only thing that kind of scares me of the PSTGT is the combination of added weight and less power that might affect my game on long matches.

What do you think about that?
Click to expand...

I suppose it depends on your stroke style, but I've found the PSTGT to have a surprising amount of power available on groundstrokes with the right string setup.
 
Agreed with ^. The PSTGT is actually surprisingly powerful for a control oriented frame. Babolat's just always have that power I suppose!

And yes the sweetspot is smaller than the PDR, but to me it isn't small by any means.
 
Thanks guys,

Today I happened to playtest Pure Storm GT (Non-Tour), which has multifil rather than poly string, and yes, I felt the difference between PDR and Pure Storm line. Maybe it was because of different strings and tensions, but for me Pure Storm GT Standard was very flex and plush.

Are there big differences between Pure Storm GT and Pure Storm Tour? And do you guys recommend full poly for PST? I just guess multi string on PST would make it too plush...

Please let me know what you guys think!!

Thank you so much!
 
Does the PST have that slightly tinny Babolat feel? Or is it a more solid block of wood type of feel? I note that it was the older GT tech construction.
 
I didn't like the Pure Storm. I found it to be too light and underpowered, which has always been a weird combination for me. The PST has a solid feel to it compared to the Pure Storm, and has some really good pop to it.
 
Can anyone compare the Pure Storm with lead to the Pure Storm Tour? I just hit with a PSGT leaded up 12.4 ounces and loved it (somewhat surprisingly). Does the Pure Storm Tour have a different feel, or is the feel the same and the weight the only big difference?
 
Circa 1762 said:
Can anyone compare the Pure Storm with lead to the Pure Storm Tour? I just hit with a PSGT leaded up 12.4 ounces and loved it (somewhat surprisingly). Does the Pure Storm Tour have a different feel, or is the feel the same and the weight the only big difference?
Click to expand...

The Pure Storm GT is not solid in stock form compared to the PSTGT and it would be rather difficult to add that much weight and still retain the appropriate SW and head balance.

Torres said:
Does the PST have that slightly tinny Babolat feel? Or is it a more solid block of wood type of feel? I note that it was the older GT tech construction.
Click to expand...

I don't think the PSTGT has a tinny feel unlike many Babolat racquets I have tried. It is a very solid racquet and one of the most underrated ones here on TW forum. TW doesn't even bother to review this racquet which is odd considering the positive feedback on this forum. In stock form, it's probably on of the few racquets that doesn't need much customization.

On a side note, Torres, did you ever get my emails I sent to you? If it's too much trouble or you decided to changed your mind, just let me know.
 
parasailing said:
The Pure Storm GT is not solid in stock form compared to the PSTGT and it would be rather difficult to add that much weight and still retain the appropriate SW and head balance.
Click to expand...

Thanks for your advice, parasailing. A better way to put my question might be this: I have a target spec (~353g, 32.6cm, 340 SW) that I want to get to regardless of the racket. Spec-wise, I'm pretty sure I can get there with either the PSTGT or the PSGT. Do you think there's any advantage to using the PSTGT as the platform rather than the PSGT? The good thing about the PSGT is that the lower weight would give me slightly more options for lead placement.
 
DustinW said:
I suppose it depends on your stroke style, but I've found the PSTGT to have a surprising amount of power available on groundstrokes with the right string setup.
Click to expand...

So have hit with both. Regarding weight I did not find PST ie the pure storm tour non GT that heavy in fact as I recall it felt less clumsy than PDR2012, it has been awhile since I hit with the PSTagain non GT. I believe the specs for the GT and non GT are similar and if you go to TWU the power on the GT is slightly less. This latter site( TWU) is invaluable as it only accounts for the rkt not ones technique and that is what you are asking.
I still marvel at comments to powerful a rkt. The pros hit with these rkts and control them well hence think technique re control and not it's the rkts fault
In any event the PST is a nice rkt softer feels decent power good control but my control with the PDR is good great actually when my technique is on stiffer feel and a dynamite serving rkt, hence my choice
 
Circa 1762 said:
Thanks for your advice, parasailing. A better way to put my question might be this: I have a target spec (~353g, 32.6cm, 340 SW) that I want to get to regardless of the racket. Spec-wise, I'm pretty sure I can get there with either the PSTGT or the PSGT. Do you think there's any advantage to using the PSTGT as the platform rather than the PSGT? The good thing about the PSGT is that the lower weight would give me slightly more options for lead placement.
Click to expand...

The only advantage I see using a PSTGT is it might be easier to use .4oz of lead tape instead of over 1 oz. of lead tape to balance the racquet and if you already like how it is balanced. Without a RDC device, getting that SW to be 340 is going to be difficult but I would think since the PSTGT comes stock at 330, you are a lot closer. I have demoed many racquets and know that everyone hits differently but all my tennis buddies love the general qualities of the racquet in stock form.

TennisMD said:
So have hit with both. Regarding weight I did not find PST ie the pure storm tour non GT that heavy in fact as I recall it felt less clumsy than PDR2012, it has been awhile since I hit with the PSTagain non GT. I believe the specs for the GT and non GT are similar and if you go to TWU the power on the GT is slightly less. This latter site( TWU) is invaluable as it only accounts for the rkt not ones technique and that is what you are asking.
I still marvel at comments to powerful a rkt. The pros hit with these rkts and control them well hence think technique re control and not it's the rkts fault
In any event the PST is a nice rkt softer feels decent power good control but my control with the PDR is good great actually when my technique is on stiffer feel and a dynamite serving rkt, hence my choice
Click to expand...

The problem is that most of us don't have pro strokes and most of us can not generate the kind of topspin to tame the power of the racquet. Also, pros have customized racquets with specs that are different than the stock ones we get from retail. They could play with any racquet due to their excellent form and timing.
 
parasailing said:
The only advantage I see using a PSTGT is it might be easier to use .4oz of lead tape instead of over 1 oz. of lead tape to balance the racquet and if you already like how it is balanced. Without a RDC device, getting that SW to be 340 is going to be difficult but I would think since the PSTGT comes stock at 330, you are a lot closer. I have demoed many racquets and know that everyone hits differently but all my tennis buddies love the general qualities of the racquet in stock form.
Click to expand...

That's a good point about the amount of lead tape needed. All good stuff to keep in mind. Thanks!
 
I have two pure Drives and one Pure Storm GT in my bag, the thing I like about the storm is, it has that Prestige buttery feel, but smaller sweetspot than the PD, so I had it strung with NXT tour 17 at 55lbs. Haven't had a hit yet, but hoping it'll enlarge the sweetspot some.
 
Hey,

I also commented on DustinW's post, but I want to know what you guys think.

I personally think that you need to swing "fast and full" for PDR in order to enhance its control. I cannot deny that PDR is not a control oriented racquet and it is one of the most powerful frame. Yet, fast and full swing rather than moderate swing can actually tame its power since it can produce lots of spin. I myself sometimes hold back before going for a winner with PDR due to its monster power, but the confidence that "fast and full" swing at perfect timing can tame its power always brings me a great winner! :)

So, I want to know how you guys swing with PDR. The spec says it fits to "moderate-fast" swing and my opinion is PDR should be tamed by "fast and full" swing.

Thanks in advance!
 
yes. a fast swing it's a must to hit big a forehand that goes in. you can hit moderate but because the PDR is not a control oriented racquet it's a little difficult to hit aggressive angles and touch shoots.
 
I used PDR GT long time ago, so I do not quite remember, but I think 2012 PDR GT has a larger sweetspot than PDR GT. I will demo PST GT Wednesday and let you know how it feels, but most of guys here mentioned that PST is less powerful than PDR.
 
Finally, I had a chance to playtest PST GT (2009), and here is my impression. I played one hour drill and two games with PST today.

Since I am comparing PST to PDR 2012, first I want to point out some similarities and differences between them from my own experience. Compared to PDR, yes, PST is less powerful and forgiving. Yet, I do not agree with those who say that PST is too plush or soft, since it itself is "powerful" too. I can only say that PST is less powerful than "PDR," and if I compare PST to other control oriented frames, I think PST is very powerful one with great pop and pace.

Like PDR, PST has "babolat" feel, which I like, but it has more control than PDR. With full and fast swing, PST produces good pace and enough spin. If I describe PDR's ball as "fast," I can say PST's one is "heavy." Yes, sweet spot of PST seems to be smaller than PDR, yet I could hit many winners with PST, though many of them were actually off-centered ones.

Some say that serve with PST is not great, but I think it is only compared to PDR. I did not have any difficulty of serving flat with PST, and it was more accurate than PDR. Maybe speed might be reduced, but not that much I think.

Overall, I really liked PST today! PDR 2012 has definitely strength in its monster serve and powerful groundstrokes, but PST has more control, and if you hit with full and fast swing, I think powerwise PST is also awesome. Yes, PDR 2012 is stiffer than PST, but neither of them is uncomfortable to me, and PST is very solid and stable.

I do not think they are "totally" different racquets, since PDR also has good control and PST has enough power. I do not think trasition from PDR to PST or the other way would not be so hard.
 
I think the PDR really needs a low powered poly string to get control out of it. This combined with the stiff frame is going to be hard on the arm and shoulder. The PST works well with multi strings at average tension. The PST combined with a multi will give it pretty much the same power as the PDR with a poly, but in a more arm friendly configuration. I would think the control balances out as well.

As for serve, I never understood why the PDR is considered a serve monster. Probably because a serve monster used it. There are much better racquets for serves, usually the heavier, more head light racquets allow more racquet head speed. I can hit a serve harder with the Pure Storm Limited GT than I can with my PSTs.
 
I use the Pure Storm Tour GT, VS mains, BiPhase crosses, #17 at 24 to 25 KG. I like it s!@tloads. If your balls are flying with any racquet, try finishing up around your neck to bring the ball down into the court.
 
I use RPM blast 16 for my PDR 2012 at 57 lb, and controlwise, I do not have big problem. If I do not control well, I think It is not because of my racquet and string but most of time it is because of my technique. Also, PDR 2012 is great for serve because of its stiffness and pop. PDR is also headlight and no problem with swing speed when serve.

PST that I playtested today was strung with Pro Hurricane 16 at 55, and it felt great. I think full poly with PST is not a problem.

PST that I playtested today
 
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