Any real difference between Pure Aero & Drive & Strike ?

[TimeToPlaySets]

They all seem like the same racket.
Is there really a need for 3 models, and all their sub-models ?

These flex specs all seem close.
PA 67RA
PD 71RA
PS 68RA

Weight is 318, 318, 315
All are 16x19
All are 4 points HL

Pure Drive power is listed as "Low-Medium" ????

 

[A_Instead]

Not much differences..really only paint...
All 3 can hit a tennis ball nicely..
The pure strike I found to better a better choice to slam against the net post..

 

[TimeToPlaySets]

Even if basically the same,
how are they marketed differently ?

Why does someone buy one and not the other ?

 

[J B]

They all have different beams and sweetspots. All those number are the same but the beam and designs are different so they racquet performs differently. The drive and aero are easy to play with. Anyone can play with a 100 drive or aero. If you want to be accurate and can generate power and spin then thinner beamed strike would be the choice.

 

[glenWs]

Strike is a little heavier in the head. Aero quick and firmer and Drive probably a mix of the 2. Little more head stability in the Drive. I use Aero + and Strike — dubs and singles respectively.

 

[AJvR]

I recently switched from a PS17 18 x 20 (with some lead) to a PDT+, the PS17 provides better control and RHS comes easier. I find the PDT+ more solid and has a larger sweetspot, they are different but I like them both.

 

[TennisHound]

Another quality thread from Fedastrodamus

 

[1990's Graphite]

Another quality thread from Fedastrodamus

I thought it was, makes sense now

 

[TimeToPlaySets]

Strike is a little heavier in the head. Aero quick and firmer and Drive probably a mix of the 2. Little more head stability in the Drive. I use Aero + and Strike — dubs and singles respectively.

How is it heavier in the head when they are all 4 points HL ?
How is Drive more head stable is Strike is more head heavy?

I recently switched from a PS17 18 x 20 (with some lead) to a PDT+, the PS17 provides better control and RHS comes easier. I find the PDT+ more solid and has a larger sweetspot, they are different but I like them both.

What characteristic makes the PS give "more control" ?
In fact, doesn't 18x20 give more control than 16x19 ?

If one has a larger sweet spot, why would anyone choose the racket with smaller sweet spot?
What advantage does smaller sweet spot racket have?

 

[TennisHound]

How is it heavier in the head when they are all 4 points HL ?
How is Drive more head stable is Strike is more head heavy?




What characteristic makes the PS give "more control" ?
In fact, doesn't 18x20 give more control than 16x19 ?

If one has a larger sweet spot, why would anyone choose the racket with smaller sweet spot?
What advantage does smaller sweet spot racket have?

Here’s an idea for you- try them yourself and give us your impression (something you have never done).

 

[TennisHound]

Since we’re talking about these, the APD and PD used to be closer, since the string patterns were similar. Now the PA is quite a bit different than the PD, mainly because of the ultra wide string pattern.

 

[jmacdaununder2]

Here’s an idea for you- try them yourself and give us your impression (something you have never done).

Yeah buddy, it's time to play sets...

 

[Bartelby]

The Aero and Drive are very similar, but the Strike has quite a different beam profile.

The Aero is derived from the Drive, whereas the Strike seems a hybrid of those with the Control/Storm line.

 

[TforTommy]

more bait, nice

 

[hurworld]

more bait, nice

A master at baiting, you say?

 

[TimeToPlaySets]

The Aero and Drive are very similar, but the Strike has quite a different beam profile.

The Aero is derived from the Drive, whereas the Strike seems a hybrid of those with the Control/Storm line.

What difference does the beam profile make, if the RA flex is the same ?

 

[shapovalovnextgoat]

One yellow
One blue
One white.

 

[mxvb]

Drive -> power
Aero -> spin
Strike -> control

 

[tennis4me]

[On older models] I have owned PD, demoed Aero, and tried a friend's Strike. The Drive is a pure power monster, the Aero swings very fast due to the frame's aerodynamic shape, but it felt a lot stiffer than PD. Lastly, the Strike has the lowest power of all with the most control.

I used to be sceptical about trying another RA68 racquet after moving away from my RA68 PD due to stiffness, but the shop owner convinced me to try another racquet with the same RA, I had to admit despite having the same RA as the PD, the new racquet didn't feel as stiff.

Materials, beam shape/width, layup, etc make the difference in feel even if two racquets have the same RA. In short, nothing beats a demo.

 

[Dartagnan64]

Drive -> power
Aero -> spin
Strike -> control

Take a similar platform and tweak it to accentuate these three characteristics. That's babolat racquets in a nutshell. The Aero adds a more aerodynamic throat and FSI to accentuate spin. The Strike adds a narrower beam and tighter string pattern to accentuate control.

 

[Crocodile]

They all seem like the same racket.
Is there really a need for 3 models, and all their sub-models ?

These flex specs all seem close.
PA 67RA
PD 71RA
PS 68RA

Weight is 318, 318, 315
All are 16x19
All are 4 points HL

Pure Drive power is listed as "Low-Medium" ????

They have varying degrees of giving you arm pain.

 

[A_Instead]

I cant wait to the new Pure Speed line comes out later this summer around the US Open timing. the 19 mm flexy beam babolat..

 

[heninfan99]

Pure Drive feels tinny, too stiff for many

 

[Username_]

all those babolats feel like little toys

 

[AJvR]

all those babolats feel like little toys

I agree, my PDT+ feels like a Tonka toy truck.

 

[Traffic]

I feel like opponents playing with a PA get more pop out of their swing. The ball feels a lot heavier than it would appear.

My son plays with a 98 PS. Definitely lower powered. Gotta generate your own.

 

[Dartagnan64]

Pure Drive feels tinny, too stiff for many

They all feel that way.

 

[heninfan99]

They all feel that way.

No, they don't but your arm/feel might not be sensitive enough to notice.

 

[J B]

tiny? its sweet spot compares with a 115!

 

[Traffic]

They all feel that way.

I never felt like the Pure Drive felt tinny. I think the Pure Strike does. Don't remember Pure Aero.

 

[smalahove]

Pure Drive feels tinny, too stiff for many

I'm demoing a bunch of rackets these days, and the Pure Drive is by far the tinniest and most hollow-feeling of them all. It also transmits vibration from the frame through the handle, and as a result I can feel a slight tinge in my TE arm. But it helps me deliver big(ger) forehands.

In comparison, the Pure Aero (2019) feels solid and relatively comfortable. The Pure Strike 16x19 falls in between, with a touch of a strange type of "bristled fiberglass" feeling. I also tested the Ezone 100, and that felt super plush compared to the Babs.

The 360 Extreme MP felt hollow, light and soft. The 360 Radical Pro felt super solid and bit sluggish.

 

[Dartagnan64]

No, they don't but your arm/feel might not be sensitive enough to notice.

My arm's sensitive enough to notice they are all too harsh and doesn't like it. I think the only one that didn't feel hollow was the Pure Strike VS Tour.

 

[Rabbit]

OP doesn't consider another, if not the most, important aspect...the difference in the layups from model to model.

 

[crazyvictor]

I go back and forth between the strike (po7) and PA. Pros and cons with both. I’m trying to get my my backhand feels “light” with the PA. Forehand is light on returns, I’m assuming do to less mass overall but backhand was hard to adjust. Does .2oz have that much effect or is is weight and speed through the air? Should i just add lead to the throat to up weight or head for head weight or head and handle?


Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk

 

[Wonie88]

What difference does the beam profile make, if the RA flex is the same ?

The beam shape makes all the difference. You should take some demos out and hit so have a frame of reference for your questions!

 

[4-string]

The beam shape makes all the difference. You should take some demos out and hit so have a frame of reference for your questions!

He’s too busy starting new threads, no time to demo. Let alone play sets. [emoji849][emoji6]

 

[mad dog1]

He’s too busy starting new threads, no time to demo. Let alone play sets. [emoji849][emoji6]

He wants everyone else to do the work for him and then tell them how clueless they are when they try to be helpful.