AeroPro Drive (Original, Non-Cortex) vs. Pure Drive's (Team, Non-Cortex)

[C2.RowErg]

Interested to see what people's experiences have been with these ~20 year old models and how they compare to each other.

Of all of the Pure Drive's I've tried, the "swirly" and "lava" models from the early '00's were my favorites - pattern not too open, feel rather good with basic graphite and kevlar layup, able to take customization quite well.

The AeroPro Drive without cortex from the same time period has similar specs on paper and they share the same string pattern as grommets were interchangeable between frames. Specs on paper can be deceiving though, and one thing I have not been able to drill down is twistweight on both; the original non-cortex AeroPro Drive's reportedly had a very low twistweight for a 100" "tweener" and that changed on the cortex models but I haven't found information on the twistweight of the non-cortex Pure Drive's.

Lots of comparisons out there of the AeroPro Drive with the more current Pure Aero but frankly, the Pure Aero's (I haven't hit with the latest) just never clicked with me as the pattern was much too open. Lots of comparisons out there of the APD vs. PD as well but haven't seen too much info on those pre-cortex.

All of that said, interested to hear from folks who have hit with both the AeroPro Drive without cortex and the Pure Drive's without cortex and how they compare. I would guess the differences would not be that drastic but defer to the board to hear first hand feedback!

 

[emhtennis]

Not quite apples to apples, but I have recently acquired a swirly Pure Drive + and a couple of APDOs of standard length.

The swirly PD+ is such a "fun monster" of a frame. I have Hit Pro 1.25 which is a round lively poly and it makes the PD+ come alive even more. Groundstrokes have great shape, volleys have touch, and serves feel like you're channeling a 20 year old Andy Roddick.

The APDO is a bit of a different beast. Stock it does have low TW, but who wants to play it stock? Everyone wants the Rafa experience!

I have lead from roughly 9 to 3 in a full arc thru 12 and some tungsten in the buttcap. Unstrung I think I'm around 310g. So, not Rafa heavy, but the frame can now handle itself without getting pushed around.

I have the same string in the APDO and it pairs well also. The APDO is lower powered than the PD but has even easier natural spin and slightly higher launch angle. For me, it is a great doubles stick but I have to work harder than I would prefer in singles to keep the ball deep with pace. In doubles where pace is not paramount the APDO has great soft touch, wicked short angle returns, and heavy kick and slice serves to setup easy putaways. I would love to get an elusive APDO+

 

[C2.RowErg]

Not quite apples to apples, but I have recently acquired a swirly Pure Drive + and a couple of APDOs of standard length.

The swirly PD+ is such a "fun monster" of a frame. I have Hit Pro 1.25 which is a round lively poly and it makes the PD+ come alive even more. Groundstrokes have great shape, volleys have touch, and serves feel like you're channeling a 20 year old Andy Roddick.

The APDO is a bit of a different beast. Stock it does have low TW, but who wants to play it stock? Everyone wants the Rafa experience!

I have lead from roughly 9 to 3 in a full arc thru 12 and some tungsten in the buttcap. Unstrung I think I'm around 310g. So, not Rafa heavy, but the frame can now handle itself without getting pushed around.

I have the same string in the APDO and it pairs well also. The APDO is lower powered than the PD but has even easier natural spin and slightly higher launch angle. For me, it is a great doubles stick but I have to work harder than I would prefer in singles to keep the ball deep with pace. In doubles where pace is not paramount the APDO has great soft touch, wicked short angle returns, and heavy kick and slice serves to setup easy putaways. I would love to get an elusive APDO+

Very interesting, thank you!

I took a PD (without cortex) and customized it with a little lead at 3/9 and a leather grip, bringing it to 330g strung, 32.7cm balance (~5pts head light), and a ~335 swing weight and liked it.

I then took it up a tad more with just a smidge more lead in the head and some more in the handle; it seems a bit much but it was actually very easily playable at 340g strung, 32.5cm balance (~6pts head light), and ~340 swing weight.

I recently came into an APD without cortex in pretty decent shape for a decent price (given the market) and plan on taking it up to the same specs. Considering I am more of a counterpuncher / grinder and like to play percentage tennis, but rely heavily on kick serves, and like to come to the net when someone is a bit stretched or leaves a short ball, it seems like the APD might fit that even more so that the PD.

 

[emhtennis]

Very interesting, thank you!

I took a PD (without cortex) and customized it with a little lead at 3/9 and a leather grip, bringing it to 330g strung, 32.7cm balance (~5pts head light), and a ~335 swing weight and liked it.

I then took it up a tad more with just a smidge more lead in the head and some more in the handle; it seems a bit much but it was actually very easily playable at 340g strung, 32.5cm balance (~6pts head light), and ~340 swing weight.

I recently came into an APD without cortex in pretty decent shape for a decent price (given the market) and plan on taking it up to the same specs. Considering I am more of a counterpuncher / grinder and like to play percentage tennis, but rely heavily on kick serves, and like to come to the net when someone is a bit stretched or leaves a short ball, it seems like the APD might fit that even more so that the PD.

If you can keep the ball deep enough, it sounds like you will make people miserable with an APD! Haha.