Anyone compared a Strike VS to the new Strike 97?

socallefty

socallefty

G.O.A.T.
Has anyone who plays with the Gen 3 Strike VS (red/black) tried the new Strike 97 (white) that just got launched and if so, can you do a comparison? Is it just the paintjob that is different or are there some layup changes that affect the performance? Babolat in general claims in its Gen 4 Strikes that they changed the dampening material/location so that it is less muted than the Gen 3, but I don’t know if it applies to the VS/97 mold also which is completely different from the other Strikes.

The Gen 3 Strike VS was launched a year later than the other Gen 3 Strikes and being a different mold based on the old Pure Control, it had a totally different feel anyway compared to other Strikes. So I don’t know if the relabeled Strike 97 is just a paint job that is different from the Strike VS or if they actually made some tweaks in the racquet design. Considering that the Strike VS is on sale at a less expensive price than the new Strike 97, this is an important factor to consider if a player wants to buy more of these models.
 
Paging @Kozzy, who wrote about it in the Strike 2024 thread:

Pure Strike 2024

It doesn't sound very good that different shops (all of them) report flex Stiffness index out of specs, including differing with the official Babolat specs by a good margin. What is going on ??? Quality Control issues again ??? Again? I don't think they ever left. QC out of the China...
tt.tennis-warehouse.com tt.tennis-warehouse.com
 
TwinCinema said:
Paging @Kozzy, who wrote about it in the Strike 2024 thread:

Pure Strike 2024

It doesn't sound very good that different shops (all of them) report flex Stiffness index out of specs, including differing with the official Babolat specs by a good margin. What is going on ??? Quality Control issues again ??? Again? I don't think they ever left. QC out of the China...
tt.tennis-warehouse.com tt.tennis-warehouse.com
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Thanks. I missed his comparison on the other thread because I fell sick around that time.
 
TwinCinema said:
Honestly, you could tell me the new Strike 97 is a little better than the VS and I would still resist it because the paintjob on the VS is so friggin cool.
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Yeah, seriously it's one of the all time greatest paint jobs. I love the new aero paint job too, but I also recognize it's not for everyone. It's hard to knock the PSVS. It's got Darth Vader/Maul sith vibes in all the best ways.
 
TwinCinema said:
Honestly, you could tell me the new Strike 97 is a little better than the VS and I would still resist it because the paintjob on the VS is so friggin cool.
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Early favorite for ‘Boneheaded Move of 2024’ by a tennis manufacturer is getting rid of the VS paint job that everyone loves! Next to not introducing a Gen 3 VS Tour version unlike with the Gen 2 Strike VS and with the Strikes.
 
I only hit with the Strike 97 for about an hour, so you can take my impression with a grain of salt, but the only change I detected was a slightly more muted feel, which was not really a problem that needed solving in my opinion, and could have been down to the strings in the demo. I will still probably pick one up used at some point, but really there's no point to buying it new if you have access to the PSVS. To me, anyone saying there's much any improvement in the Strike 97 is likely imagining it (placebo/paintjob effect).
 
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socallefty said:
Early favorite for ‘Boneheaded Move of 2024’ by a tennis manufacturer is getting rid of the VS paint job that everyone loves! Next to not introducing a Gen 3 VS Tour version unlike with the Gen 2 Strike VS and with the Strikes.
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In fairness, they had to change it at least a little. But you are right in that the VS used modern art color pallet gloss masterpiece and the 97 did…er… that.
 
tim-ay said:
In fairness, they had to change it at least a little. But you are right in that the VS used modern art color pallet gloss masterpiece and the 97 did…er… that.
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They should've at least made the white a metallic gloss, and had either black or orange grommets. That would've been pretty sweet looking, if not as sexy/cool as the PSVS. Hard to beat that, really.
 
I have for the past week. New one feels and responds better on higher in the hoop shots compared to VS and feels a bit more damp but not much more. Solid frame with beautiful paint job. My son got some of the new 97s from the shop he works at and the 12 bag. The bag is very cool.
 
DropvolleysRhard said:
I have for the past week. New one feels and responds better on higher in the hoop shots compared to VS and feels a bit more damp but not much more. Solid frame with beautiful paint job. My son got some of the new 97s from the shop he works at and the 12 bag. The bag is very cool.
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The VS struggles in the top of the hoop until you add lead tape at 12, then I found it was pretty solid. Maybe placebo, but it sure felt more responsive.
 
TwinCinema said:
The VS struggles in the top of the hoop until you add lead tape at 12, then I found it was pretty solid. Maybe placebo, but it sure felt more responsive.
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The demo I got had a 330 SW with no lead - which is about 10 more than most of the PSVS were coming in stock. Felt like the PSVS at 330 - still a bit too low for me (I find 335 to be the best)
 
Kozzy said:
The demo I got had a 330 SW with no lead - which is about 10 more than most of the PSVS were coming in stock. Felt like the PSVS at 330 - still a bit too low for me (I find 335 to be the best)
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Yes, plus I got an underspec VS. Adding an overgrip, dampener, and 4g at 12 still only got me to 329SW so I could even go with more lead. Since I have 2 sticks I may tinker with one and leave the other one at the above specs to see if I can get to 335 with 2 more grams at 12.
 
TwinCinema said:
The VS struggles in the top of the hoop until you add lead tape at 12, then I found it was pretty solid. Maybe placebo, but it sure felt more responsive.
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I should have mentioned both our VS and 97s have lead at 12. Total static weight on them is around 350 and SW is in the 333-335 range we even put two three inch long strips at 12 on the demos on the VS and the new 97 at the shop because we know they need some weight there.
 
I also can’t help but wonder why Babolat didn’t make the VS or 97 a 315 gram stick. It comes with leather and is a players stick, so this isn’t a huge jump to make. A few more grams of graphite in the hoop (instead of having to use lead) and a couple in the handle to maintain balance would be awesome.
 
EggSalad said:
I also can’t help but wonder why Babolat didn’t make the VS or 97 a 315 gram stick. It comes with leather and is a players stick, so this isn’t a huge jump to make. A few more grams of graphite in the hoop (instead of having to use lead) and a couple in the handle to maintain balance would be awesome.
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I see what you're saying, but maybe it's a nod to a more modern players frame. You can add hoop weight if you want a heavier classic players frame, but it's lighter for a more modern swing if you want. For me, it's as heavy as I want to go in a stock stick. I don't want a thick beamed tweener but I also don't want a thin beamed heavy frame either.
 
EggSalad said:
I also can’t help but wonder why Babolat didn’t make the VS or 97 a 315 gram stick. It comes with leather and is a players stick, so this isn’t a huge jump to make. A few more grams of graphite in the hoop (instead of having to use lead) and a couple in the handle to maintain balance would be awesome.
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Gen 2 Strike VS had a Tour version, but Gen 3 and 4 don’t. For the Strike, Gen 1 and 3 had a Tour version, but Gen 2 and 4 don’t. Maybe they don’t want to do heavier 12 oz (strung) Tour versions anymore and keep their brand image as someone catering to lighter racquets.
 
EggSalad said:
I also can’t help but wonder why Babolat didn’t make the VS or 97 a 315 gram stick. It comes with leather and is a players stick, so this isn’t a huge jump to make. A few more grams of graphite in the hoop (instead of having to use lead) and a couple in the handle to maintain balance would be awesome.
Click to expand...
Maybe they wanted it as more of a “platform” frame, so the end users can tinker however they wanted. Abit like the UT/UP, me thinks.
 
esm said:
Maybe they wanted it as more of a “platform” frame, so the end users can tinker however they wanted. Abit like the UT/UP, me thinks.
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If so, they are over-estimating the number of players willing to tinker. And the players willing to open the buttcap and put weight in the handle to adjust swing weight are even rarer - even many of the ones who customize might just stick some lead tape on the hoop.
 
socallefty said:
If so, they are over-estimating the number of players willing to tinker. And the players willing to open the buttcap and put weight in the handle to adjust swing weight are even rarer - even many of the ones who customize might just stick some lead tape on the hoop.
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True, the overall numbers may be small, but with the increasing number of YT tennis customisation experts/reviewers atm, I think the manufacturers have realised that it maybe be a new trend… donno…
Supposed it is (sometimes) good to have options.
 
tophersuwita said:
Can you add bumper guard (4g) to even the weight distribution instead placing a tape at 12?
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I suppose, but I’m not sure the change in weight distribution that comes with lead is a negative. It enhances the performance of the racket. The stability around the rest of the hoop isn’t an issue.
 
I have now had a chance to use the 97 in a few sessions and while it doesn’t seem to play much differently from the VS, it looses the bit of unpleasant noise that is present with the VS during contact and feels a little smoother (muted). My VS has a regular synthetic grip and the 97 still has leather. Both use over grips and are 341 grams, 8 pts HL and 327 SW. The 97 came in with only a 317 SW (with strings, over grip and dampener). I put head guard tape to bring up the SW to match the VS SW. If given a choice, I would take the 97, but it’s probably not worth upgrading for that small of a change.
 
I am currently demo'ing this.

I used a Pure Control Tour from 2015 to 2018 (L2 grip)
Then Pure Strike VS Tour from 2018-2020 (L2)
Pro Staff 97 (with lead tape) from 2020-2023 (L3 grip).

Pure Control Tour is still my favorite frame (I used the Pure Storm Tour before that).

The Strike 97 demo I received, has RPM blast rough and some type of multifilament (probably NXT). Haven't had time to string it with anything. With my PCT and VS Tour I used to use red code 17g then went to isospeed 16L (for cost efficiency). Pro Staff I was using Lux 4G.

With my VS Tour, I've probably been able to plow through my 1HBH the best. Slices are bliss and fully controlled. Topspin BH's I can unleash my racquet head speed and never worry about it going out. Pure Control Tour was probably right behind it. Only issue with my VS Tour is forehands weren't up to par.

Pro Staff 97 with lead tape, my forehands were probably the best they've ever been. I play extreme eastern, and I feel I could hit any forehand I wanted from any position and plow through for power, or spin it how I wanted. The issue is my 1HBH just felt like I could never drive through the shot like I can my VS Tour. Same contact point, and I'd get the racquet feeling like it was being bullied by the ball, and then instead of going crosscourt like I want, the ball would go up the line with side spin action (not what I intended).

With the Str97, it is a bit different because it's an L3 grip, and with the previous generations of Babs racquets I used an L2. Right now I'm having almost the same experience as the Pro Staff 97 with lead tape. Forehands feel solid, but could be better. I hven't strung the demo with my own strings yet to mess around with it and see if I get different results with it. With backhands, it's more or less the same issue I had with the Pro Staff 97+lead. Backhands I just don't feel the plow and ability to drive through especially cross court. One of my favorite shots with my Pure Strike VS Tour is low topspin 1HBH's. With the L2 grip I can really whip through it with max racquet head speed and go baseline to baseline. But with this racquet, I'm just not getting that same plow through as I did the VS Tour.

Debating on whether to add lead tape on it.

Any suggestions? I have the Strike 97 for at least another 5 days to test it out. I'm gonna restring it once or twice more with different tensions to see if that might be causing the issues with the backhand. I'm also very curious if the L3 grip is affecting me.

Weirdly enough, when I played with the Pure Storm Tour years ago, I also used a 1/2 grip and played great with it. Only when I switched to the L2 did my forehands really improve though. For some reason the L3 just feels weird. That's why I only used an L2 for my PCT and VS Tours. Was able to get a bit more wrist on my extreme eastern forehand for power + spin.

I'm also demo'ing tecnifibre racquets for the first time. The Eubanks and also the TF 16x19. The TF handles remind me of the wideness of when I used to use a Head Prestige. I'm interested in trying the TF 18x20 since some people have said it plays close to the Pure Control Tour, but since 1/4 demos aren't an option on any of the big sites including this one, I may just have to find it on an auction site used to just buy it new and playtest it with the L2 grip.
 
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MasturB said:
Debating on whether to add lead tape on it.

Any suggestions?
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The Strike 97 is reportedly so similar to the 2022 VS that I think you can probably lead it up in a similar way. What works for me is 4g at 12, which gets me to 335g static and 329sw — and I think a mid-40s tension works good with a crispy, spinny, thin string.

My two favorite setups in it are razor code white 18ga at 47, and Tru Pro FireWire Boost 18ga at 48/46. I’ve also had success with a deader string like Toro Toro because of its excellent control.
 
TwinCinema said:
The Strike 97 is reportedly so similar to the 2022 VS that I think you can probably lead it up in a similar way. What works for me is 4g at 12, which gets me to 335g static and 329sw — and I think a mid-40s tension works good with a crispy, spinny, thin string.

My two favorite setups in it are razor code white 18ga at 47, and Tru Pro FireWire Boost 18ga at 48/46. I’ve also had success with a deader string like Toro Toro because of its excellent control.
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Ended up doing this. 4g at the 12 with red code 17g strung at 46/44 on an electric. What a night and day difference.

Slices are now low line drives skidding and staying low. Not floating and sitting. Forehands I'm able to freely rip and not fly out.

Only minor qualm is my topspin 1HBH isn't plowing through like my pure control tour or VS Strike Tour. It is about 90% there. So I'm thinking of adding a bit more weight. Should I just add more weight to the head (so 6g instead of 4) or add 2/4g somewhere else?
 
MasturB said:
Ended up doing this. 4g at the 12 with red code 17g strung at 46/44 on an electric. What a night and day difference.

Slices are now low line drives skidding and staying low. Not floating and sitting. Forehands I'm able to freely rip and not fly out.

Only minor qualm is my topspin 1HBH isn't plowing through like my pure control tour or VS Strike Tour. It is about 90% there. So I'm thinking of adding a bit more weight. Should I just add more weight to the head (so 6g instead of 4) or add 2/4g somewhere else?
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I’m afraid adding much more than 4g in the hoop (even at places other than 12) will tip the balance to too head-heavy but not sure what your actual specs are, especially swing weight. Backhands aren’t going to be cannon blasts with this frame, that’s just now how it plays. And you want to keep the nimble feel at net.
 
TwinCinema said:
I’m afraid adding much more than 4g in the hoop (even at places other than 12) will tip the balance to too head-heavy but not sure what your actual specs are, especially swing weight. Backhands aren’t going to be cannon blasts with this frame, that’s just now how it plays. And you want to keep the nimble feel at net.
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I don't necessarily need cannon blasts. But what I'm more talking about is, with my PCT or VS Strike Tour, when I plow through the 1HBH, I don't feel the ball pushing back against the racquet. So if I'm aiming up the middle or cross-court it goes exactly where I want. Now before I added lead tape with this frame, if I went for the same shot/stroke, I could feel the ball resist against my racquet and then make my contact point push further back inducing some side spin on the ball I didn't want and make it go up the line unnecessarily when I'm aiming for let's say down the middle.
 
Yeah I can see that. Maybe 1g each at 3-9 could help with a touch of plow. But the stick isn’t as natively heavy as the Tour lines.
 
Just an update, bought one of these new. I've strung it with red code 17g, 45M/43C. Put the lead tape at the 12 again.

Took about 15 minutes to break in the string but I love this set up. Only thing is the red code waxiness makes me feel like I can't rip it sometimes because feels like it stays on string bed too long.

It's a very minor complaint as I'm still hitting fantastic overall with it.

I bought some packs of Ice Code 17g and Razor Code White 17g.

Interested in trying them to see how they feel in this racquet. Also my hand is getting used to going back to the 1/4 grip, after the Pure Strike 97 demo was a 3/8 that I played with for a week.
 
Royp91 said:
I have not strung the bottom, but never thought about not doing the top string. The bottom is so low it really makes no difference.
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By not stringing the top string on PSVS then My theory is that it will make the top of the hoop flex more... as the string with tension should stiffen the hoop.... but without it
Maybe that also can add to make the hoop not be "funny"/irr in the top of the hoop.... I guess that adding lead to the top of frame also adds flex, this on top of stability (of mass).
Question is if the hoop needed more flex or more stability..... As the grommets and guard on top is quite strong and already "helping" with stiffness, my guess is it needed more flex.
By not stringing the top string my guess is that it will improve mains string movement too... and add to spin and power.
 
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