Babolat Aeropro Drive Crack?

[cheecl]

My son uses a Bobolat Aeropro Drive strung with Luxilon Big Banger @ 55lbs. He recently noticed a crack next to the gromet hole @ the 2 o'clock position. He's only been using the racquet for 3 months and hasn't thrown the racquet about.

Could this be because of stringing? Or is this common with Babolat frames?

 

[gurj_v]

If its a manufacturing fault Babolat will replace it if you send it back. Hope that helps mate.

 

[cheecl]

Thank, but the likelihood of that happeningt is probably very low, unless I can show that it's a common occurence with this type of racquet

 

[kobe3pointer]

i know old old thread, but i didnt wana pen a new one....

so mine just cracked, i had it repaired with glue and what not... plays like nrmal.

but i was wondering if babolat would replace it for free...

i never threw this racquet around either...

 

[LanEvo]

u never know unless you try so go ahead, they wont bite back

 

[kobe3pointer]

Yeah ok.

I couldnt find their phone number or an email.

Anyone know it?

 

[LanEvo]

http://www.babolat.com/english/divers/mail/index.php?src=general heres the link to contact them

 

[kobe3pointer]

Thank you for your email and support of Babolat. I am sorry to hear about your racquet. All Babolat racquets have a 1 year warranty. You will need to take it back to where you purchased it. They will send it back for you. Please let me know if you have any other questions. Have a great day!

Regards,

Seth McKinley
Promotions/Babolat USA
Phone: 877-316-9435 x 103
Direct: 720-542-6295
Email: smckinley@babolatusa.com

I sent another reply telling him I received it as a gift and I dont know where it was purchased from... lets see what he says.. oh wait!

I will be out of the office until Monday, July 7th. Please be patient and I will get back with you as soon as possible. Have a great 4th of July!

Thank you,
Seth McKinley

crap...

 

[jasonchu]

serial number

I sent another reply telling him I received it as a gift and I dont know where it was purchased from... lets see what he says.. oh wait!



crap...

From the hologram barcode on the racquet or if you have the white sticker barcode, they can tell who it was distributed to, and when it was manufactured.




just leave him a message ... I've dealt with Seth in the past and he was always responsive...and fair.

 

[jasonchu]

one more thing

My son uses a Bobolat Aeropro Drive strung with Luxilon Big Banger @ 55lbs. He recently noticed a crack next to the gromet hole @ the 2 o'clock position. He's only been using the racquet for 3 months and hasn't thrown the racquet about.

Could this be because of stringing? Or is this common with Babolat frames?

------------------

i would question the stringer on this one and see if he/she noticed
any sounds (popping sounds) when stringing

.... a 2 o clock crack is rarely manufacturing but often due to impact or other stress (tension imbalance issue).... since your son did not hit the ground at all at the 2 o'clock, i'd recommend he stop playing with the racket until he gets this resolved. any impact on the guard or racquet might be construed as cause for the crack.

the 2 o clock is close to the tie off position and also the transition from main to cross....
so that might be explained by tension imbalance... or a lack of support if using a 4 or 6 pt mount stringer....

i just got back a prostaff six-one from a stringer and he had over clamped the racquet with the inside support at 12. the result was a hairline crack in the paint between the two center grommets. he heard a really faint "crunch" occur and informed me right away. ... when i scraped off the paint to see, the graphite was not cracked only the paint...

lots of reasons... and sorry, but I can only speculate from here.... PICTURES WOULD BE HELPFUL....


Good luck!

 

[jasonchu]

i know old old thread, but i didnt wana pen a new one....

so mine just cracked, i had it repaired with glue and what not... plays like nrmal.

but i was wondering if babolat would replace it for free...

i never threw this racquet around either...

where did yours crack????

I heard (anecdotally only -- no real verifiable data) that the first line of cortex aeropro's had some issues with the throats breaking at the cortex joint, but not many with the head (hoop) area... the non cortex has had no issues...

 

[armsty]

Pics? 10 char

 

[kobe3pointer]

 

[kobe3pointer]

 

[jasonchu]

Your picture

kobe3,

I hate to say it... but it looks like this is a crack from ground impact at the 11 o'clock (chop volley/slice?). (THIS IS MY OPINION... and only based on a 2 dimensional photo. without a closer in person look, i just am speculating .. so I hope that is clear)

You noted that you do not throw the racquet around but it's seems that there are a lot of chips and scuffs (deep) that come from hitting the ground during strokes. The area right under the head guard has rash that comes from scraping the racquet on the ground.... and not in the way that comes from using it to support weight on a turn, or sliding across the ground (maybe not from throwing... but could be also)

From the condition, I dont think Babolat will help out much. IMHO only ok? I cant speak authoritatively without seeing and testing the racquet...

Can you take a picture of the head guard where the crack occured?

 

[TheShaun]

sure looks like it hit the ground.

 

[kobe3pointer]

Well, it did not hit the ground, it may have been scraped on the ground when it was not being played with(reason for scratches around rim) but nope never have i hit a racket on the ground

So Seth told me he cant do anything, and that i should contact a nearby babolat dealer..