Babolat Aero storm gt collection including pro stocks

[codonnell]

Hello, I wanted to share my aero storm collection. My goal is to get all of the paintjobs issued for the aero storm gt. I started using the frame back around 2019 and I’ve started collecting and looking for pro stocks back in 2022. I have finally found the last paint job that I consider to complete it. The only paint jobs I’m missing not counting variations of the 2016 (bronze stripes, vs model) and 2018 (French open red stripes) are the:

-2016 Stars and Stripes vs paintjob
-2023 pure aero 98 paintjob

I’ll still look for these but due to very few players using the frame this generation, the 98 may be very unlikely. The only players I knew with this paint job were Steve Johnson, Ryan Harrison, and Federico Delbonis. All of which played only one season with it, besides Delbonis.

The players racquets included here that I know are Ryan Harrison, Stefan Kozlov, and Jack Socks (his came un customized). Let me know if anyone wants to know any information such as lead, specs, grip sizes. The ones I acquired new had barcodes on them like a retail racquet with the babolats internal racquet name for the molds. Thank you for looking!

IMG-2871 hosted at ImgBB

Image IMG-2871 hosted on ImgBB

ibb.co

IMG-2869 hosted at ImgBB

Image IMG-2869 hosted on ImgBB

ibb.co

IMG-2867 hosted at ImgBB

Image IMG-2867 hosted on ImgBB

ibb.co

 

[lidoazndiabloboi]

Hello, I wanted to share my aero storm collection. My goal is to get all of the paintjobs issued for the aero storm gt. I started using the frame back around 2019 and I’ve started collecting and looking for pro stocks back in 2022. I have finally found the last paint job that I consider to complete it. The only paint jobs I’m missing not counting variations of the 2016 (bronze stripes, vs model) and 2018 (French open red stripes) are the:

-2016 Stars and Stripes vs paintjob
-2023 pure aero 98 paintjob

I’ll still look for these but due to very few players using the frame this generation, the 98 may be very unlikely. The only players I knew with this paint job were Steve Johnson, Ryan Harrison, and Federico Delbonis. All of which played only one season with it, besides Delbonis.

The players racquets included here that I know are Ryan Harrison, Stefan Kozlov, and Jack Socks (his came un customized). Let me know if anyone wants to know any information such as lead, specs, grip sizes. The ones I acquired new had barcodes on them like a retail racquet with the babolats internal racquet name for the molds. Thank you for looking!

IMG-2871 hosted at ImgBB

Image IMG-2871 hosted on ImgBB

ibb.co

IMG-2869 hosted at ImgBB

Image IMG-2869 hosted on ImgBB

ibb.co

IMG-2867 hosted at ImgBB

Image IMG-2867 hosted on ImgBB

ibb.co

Great collection! Theres a Stars and Stripes on the BAY, but its not cheap

 

[codonnell]

Great collection! Theres a Stars and Stripes on the BAY, but its not cheap

Thank you! I noticed and it’s Jack Socks personal, he’s my favorite player which started this whole thing. I would love to pick it up but it’s too expensive, I’d be happy to purchase for a more reasonable price. Do you have any favorite racquet molds or pro stocks you’d want to collect?

 

[ozbikebuddy]

Really nice, another of the....I really should should have tried/got one.... racquets, for me

 

[lidoazndiabloboi]

Thank you! I noticed and it’s Jack Socks personal, he’s my favorite player which started this whole thing. I would love to pick it up but it’s too expensive, I’d be happy to purchase for a more reasonable price. Do you have any favorite racquet molds or pro stocks you’d want to collect?

I currently have collect some PT57A in Radical pjs as they are a little more rare than the Prestige pjs.

 

[codonnell]

Really nice, another of the....I really should should have tried/got one.... racquets, for me

Have you tried the frame before? The cortex and gt models are both relatively easy to find and generally the condition is decent on them compared to some of the Aeros and drives that you see.

 

[ozbikebuddy]

Have you tried the frame before? The cortex and gt models are both relatively easy to find and generally the condition is decent on them compared to some of the Aeros and drives that you see.

Not here in Australia, there's one on **** but it's $300+ AUD. Even harder to find in a 4 1/2

 

[Lavs]

Great collection! But you miss very original one (red/white), which I have, both retail and extended length pro stock versions

 

[codonnell]

Great collection! But you miss very original one (red/white), which I have, both retail and extended length pro stock versions

Thank you! Those sound like great pro stocks. I would love to try the frame in a 27.25 extended. My main goal was to collect the gt model ones, I’ve seen a couple cortex models (retail) that tempted me but then that opens up the 2016 vs too which only makes more racquets to collect hahah. The cortex tour had a 340 swing weight too I believe which makes it a bit harder for myself to use as I prefer mid 320s to low 330s.

 

[Lavs]

Thank you! Those sound like great pro stocks. I would love to try the frame in a 27.25 extended. My main goal was to collect the gt model ones, I’ve seen a couple cortex models (retail) that tempted me but then that opens up the 2016 vs too which only makes more racquets to collect hahah. The cortex tour had a 340 swing weight too I believe which makes it a bit harder for myself to use as I prefer mid 320s to low 330s.

What spec of your Storm GT that you play with?

 

[codonnell]

What spec of your Storm GT that you play with?

I mainly use the tour models in my collection, I put a Tourna thin on them all to shrink the grip size and add a small bit of lead at the buttcap and at 12 to give it a more polarized feel. The spec falls around 11.9-12 with around 6pts headlight and a 332 333ish swing weight. What specs do you like your aero storms at?

 

[Lavs]

I use only leather grip.
Strung specs are 330g static weight, 32.5cm balance and Swing weight: 328 for 27' standard length version and 330 for 27.5' plus version (Pro Stock)

 

[ozbikebuddy]

I use only leather grip. 330g strung, 325cm balance and 238SW

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Wish they still made these

 

[Lavs]

Wish they still made these

Me too! Still one of the best feeling Babolats. GT version was already something stiffer and much firmer

 

[Leandro_Martino]

Wish they still made these

Why do/did you like them?

 

[Lavs]

@Leandro_Martino
They feel very solid, soft but firm enough (not being stiff), kind of raw feeling without any sign of vibration.
They have not much power and enormous amount of control with amazing ball feel (due to a thin box beam). But what separates this racket from other thin beamed classics is aero shape in the throat that makes its swing much more effortless.
They are far from modern feeling rackets that I personally hate.
Not for a modern tennis especially competition-wise (in this case I would definitely prefer GT version).
In other words, you play with a smile on your face while hitting with the rackets like those

 

[Lavs]

Why do/did you like them?

I have just given my 2 cents above
@ozbikebuddy will surely add his opinion as well

 

[codonnell]

I use only leather grip.
Strung specs are 330g static weight, 32.5cm balance and Swing weight: 328 for 27' standard length version and 330 for 27.5' plus version (Pro Stock)

Our specs don’t sound too far off from eachother. I think these frames definitely play better in the mid to high balance range.

 

[codonnell]

Why do/did you like them?

I’ve tried both versions and preferred the gt version. I like the stiffer feel (67-68) over the 65 of the first generation. I felt it was easier to swing, better string bed response, and a bit of extra pop, it it’s all about preference. I like the low powered response and the frame plays excellent when you string low with nice raw feedback, not so muted like many modern frames. Additionally the frame swings really easy even with higher swing weights and static weights In my opinion (depending on tolerance). I also really enjoy the launch angle, it’s a really dense 16x20 and it’s hard to find a racquet with a similar angle and it generates great topspin due to its stiff aero throat. It’s truly a great hybrid between a modern frames and players frame. Shockingly I didn’t care for the vs tour after it since it didn’t feel quite the same when swinging through the air(may pick one up again at some point). But if you look at the pros on tour that used tour versions, none of them switched to that rendition. Numerous players use the base vs 2016 model though.

 

[Leandro_Martino]

@Leandro_Martino
They feel very solid, soft but firm enough (not being stiff), kind of raw feeling without any sign of vibration.
They have not much power and enormous amount of control with amazing ball feel (due to a thin box beam). But what separates this racket from other thin beamed classics is aero shape in the throat that makes its swing much more effortless.
They are far from modern feeling rackets that I personally hate.
Not for a modern tennis especially competition-wise (in this case I would definitely prefer GT version).
In other words, you play with a smile on your face while hitting with the rackets like those

Thank you for sharing. I guess you talk about the 300g version. As a PA98 user I’m quite interested in those sticks. Unfortunately I only find the 320g on the secondhand market for a good price. Is there an easy way to reduce weight?

 

[codonnell]

Thank you for sharing. I guess you talk about the 300g version. As a PA98 user I’m quite interested in those sticks. Unfortunately I only find the 320g on the secondhand market for a good price. Is there an easy way to reduce weight?

I have and used both. I prefer the 320g version. The only way you can reduce the tour a bit is by using a thin replacement grip and overgrip and a thinner gauge string. But there is still an extreme difference in weight. They do come up now and then. Maybe wait until you see one more in line with what you’re looking for. I find the cortex model harder to find in the non 320 version since the 300 version was released later. People also used heavier frames back then. These frames are pretty different from the aero 98 2023. Mostly in power level, feel, forgiveness will be the major differences.

 

[Lavs]

Thank you for sharing. I guess you talk about the 300g version. As a PA98 user I’m quite interested in those sticks. Unfortunately I only find the 320g on the secondhand market for a good price. Is there an easy way to reduce weight?

Yes, I talk about 300g version (never played with Tour). All I can advise is to use light grip (Karakal PU or Babolat Syntec Team), thin OG and I would highly suggest to string this old school racket with multi to add some pop into it.. also multi weight less than any poly (eg Head RIP Control)
If you find 320g Tour version, go fo it, you can easily make it 330g strung using tips above!

 

[Leandro_Martino]

I imagened that they are quite different to the PA98 but I would see it as some sort of side project, just to give them a try. Let’s see if I go for the 320g version or maybe wait for a cheap 300g model.

 

[Lavs]

Go for it! You won't be disappointed!