Babolat Aeropro Drive playtest

[Bloodshed]

My current racquet of choice is the Wilson Prostaff 90 which I kead it up to 13 oz.

I have no problem beating players who doesn' t generate more powr than I do.

However against big servers, my backhand is not as consistant, hard low shots are difficult to hit it back with authority and I'm not very good at passing shots. I was wondering how to rectify this issue.

A friend of mine told me to demo the newest Babolat Aeropro drive which I did.

I didn't had alot of expectations because it's a light racquet strung with cheap Tecnifibre polys at mid range and it was a 100 square inch racquet but boy did it shock me.

Sure the lack of weight sucked being at the net and it didn't had as much plowthrough because of a lower swingweight (nothing that lead tape can fix) but it rectify all my other problems that I had with the prostaff.

Now I'm planning to buy a Aeropro Drive but what are the differences between this Aeropro drive and the previous versions?

 

[RetroSpin]

Demo a PDR. It solves all the issues you had with the APD.

 

[Bloodshed]

Demo a PDR. It solves all the issues you had with the APD.

Funny that you mention it because I was just about to demo afterwards and compare.
Thanks for the tips

 

[jonestim]

I have been using a 12.4 oz Diablo and have similar issues with it. Fine most of the time until I am pushed.

I have an APD+ on the way. It has a higher swingweight, and with the extended length it puts the middle of the 100 sq inch head the same distance from the butt as my old 93 inch head - kind of like the stringbed is getting bigger all around instead of just growing wider and down. Give that a try too.

 

[Bloodshed]

I have been using a 12.4 oz Diablo and have similar issues with it. Fine most of the time until I am pushed.

I have an APD+ on the way. It has a higher swingweight, and with the extended length it puts the middle of the 100 sq inch head the same distance from the butt as my old 93 inch head - kind of like the stringbed is getting bigger all around instead of just growing wider and down. Give that a try too.

Here's my problem with extended length racquets is that I feel it's more fitting for 2HBH and I use a 1HBH.

I guess I could still demo the extended length nknetheless but I always had timing issues with extended length racquets.

 

[jonestim]

Here's my problem with extended length racquets is that I feel it's more fitting for 2HBH and I use a 1HBH.

I guess I could still demo the extended length nknetheless but I always had timing issues with extended length racquets.

I do as well. I haven't hit with the APD+ yet, but have hit with an older Pure Drive + that had a 335 SW. I was able to get easier depth on my backhand with it. Hoping that the APD+ is similar once I add a gram or so of lead at 12.

 

[Bloodshed]

I do as well. I haven't hit with the APD+ yet, but have hit with an older Pure Drive + that had a 335 SW. I was able to get easier depth on my backhand with it. Hoping that the APD+ is similar once I add a gram or so of lead at 12.

Really?

Interesting analogy.

It's something I'll consider along with the Pure Drive Roddick.

I'll keep you guys up to date after the demos.

 

[jonestim]

I will tell you that my backhand isn't great. I'm not going to hit many winners with it. A good backhand shot for me is one that lands deep enough in the court that it can't be attacked. I'm not out painting lines with my backhand.

 

[Bloodshed]

Well after demoing the Pure Drive Roddick, I'm still going to stick with the Aeropro series.

Now here's my dilemma: I cannot demo neither the APD extended lenght nor the Aerostorm tour.

How do they compare vs the APD 2013?

 

[2Hare]

My current racquet of choice is the Wilson Prostaff 90 which I kead it up to 13 oz.

I have no problem beating players who doesn' t generate more powr than I do.

However against big servers, my backhand is not as consistant, hard low shots are difficult to hit it back with authority and I'm not very good at passing shots. I was wondering how to rectify this issue.

A friend of mine told me to demo the newest Babolat Aeropro drive which I did.

I didn't had alot of expectations because it's a light racquet strung with cheap Tecnifibre polys at mid range and it was a 100 square inch racquet but boy did it shock me.

Sure the lack of weight sucked being at the net and it didn't had as much plowthrough because of a lower swingweight (nothing that lead tape can fix) but it rectify all my other problems that I had with the prostaff.

Now I'm planning to buy a Aeropro Drive but what are the differences between this Aeropro drive and the previous versions?

Put 3 to 8 grams of lead on 12, change to leather grip underneath overgrip. Bam! Whole new racket!

 

[Salar]

My current racquet of choice is the Wilson Prostaff 90 which I kead it up to 13 oz.

I have no problem beating players who doesn' t generate more powr than I do.

However against big servers, my backhand is not as consistant, hard low shots are difficult to hit it back with authority and I'm not very good at passing shots. I was wondering how to rectify this issue.

A friend of mine told me to demo the newest Babolat Aeropro drive which I did.

I didn't had alot of expectations because it's a light racquet strung with cheap Tecnifibre polys at mid range and it was a 100 square inch racquet but boy did it shock me.

Sure the lack of weight sucked being at the net and it didn't had as much plowthrough because of a lower swingweight (nothing that lead tape can fix) but it rectify all my other problems that I had with the prostaff.

Now I'm planning to buy a Aeropro Drive but what are the differences between this Aeropro drive and the previous versions?

thanx all for response
i wanted to buy exo3 tour 1 year ago but one of my friend that do stringing job for me,told me that 3 out of 10 exo3 tour frame broken during stringing job,so i buy the aeropro gt 2012 and customize it,it was awesome but after i buyed 2 reels of rpmblast 16g evrything goes terrible,the string broke during stringing in cross,so i decide to buy another racquet,and because my customized racket was about 335g i thought it's completely like a puredrive roddick,then i buyed it,what a mistake,even in same balance and wight its never give me the control that i haved with APD.
now iam at first point again APD or Exo3 tour,and this time i decide to buy Exo3tour16*18,but i thought its good to ask others about control of both racquets to dont make a mistake again

thank you Tata
iam now know that he was wrong,becouse i see lot of people that play with prince exo3tour without any problem,and now iam thinking to buy one.
but i want evryone know that Aeropro drive gt 2012 not work with rpmblast 16g,you must chose a tension lower than 50lbs for cross or it will broke specialy on 5 downs,and i read that other strings like signompro tornado or hex are broken on it too

Hi,its good to see that you demo PDR befor buying it,yes its different with APD,and i like APD GT 2012 but as said it has some kind of grommet problem that will cause some rough string break on it during stringing job until you keep the cross tension under 50 lbs.
if you are able to demo Exo3tour 16*18 it will be nice cuz i am thinking to go with Apd2013 or Exo3tour 16*18.
i add 4g at bottom and about 4.5 to the 3 and 9(2-10 was good too) oclock and using 3.5g dampner on Apd gt 2012,it works perfect for hard hitting rallys.

 

[tdhawks]

Put 3 to 8 grams of lead on 12, change to leather grip underneath overgrip. Bam! Whole new racket!

For my APD 2013 -

I put 6 grams at 12 o'clock and 3 under the butt cap last night, felt like a sledgehammer. It wasn't bad but I could tell my arm would tire out fast if I kept this.

I then tried 12 grams at 3 and 9 o'clock with 3 under the cap. I liked this a whole lot better and my game was better in general.

Worth a shot.

 

[Power Player]

Now I'm planning to buy a Aeropro Drive but what are the differences between this Aeropro drive and the previous versions?

It's stiffer and the SW is lower. The bonus is the feel is less hollow.

I prefer the higher SW models to be honest. You can keep the stick lighter silicone the handle if you wanted to.

 

[Chico]

My current racquet of choice is the Wilson Prostaff 90 which I kead it up to 13 oz.

I have no problem beating players who doesn' t generate more powr than I do.

However against big servers, my backhand is not as consistant, hard low shots are difficult to hit it back with authority and I'm not very good at passing shots. I was wondering how to rectify this issue.

A friend of mine told me to demo the newest Babolat Aeropro drive which I did.

I didn't had alot of expectations because it's a light racquet strung with cheap Tecnifibre polys at mid range and it was a 100 square inch racquet but boy did it shock me.

Sure the lack of weight sucked being at the net and it didn't had as much plowthrough because of a lower swingweight (nothing that lead tape can fix) but it rectify all my other problems that I had with the prostaff.

Now I'm planning to buy a Aeropro Drive but what are the differences between this Aeropro drive and the previous versions?

Another one turning to the dark side. Why?

 

[Salar]

Another one turning to the dark side. Why?

Because in this side you will see the light side in front of yourself and that's magnificent

 

[Salar]

It's stiffer and the SW is lower. The bonus is the feel is less hollow.

I prefer the higher SW models to be honest. You can keep the stick lighter silicone the handle if you wanted to.

Hi power player
i see your comment around and it seems you hit with APD and EXOtour 16*18,can you tell me which one has more control on shots,specialy when you want to hit forehands and backhands to both corners from baseline and run your opponent around?

 

[LeeD]

At our courts, SanPablo in Berkeley, there are about 30 players in the top 3.5 thru lower 4.5 range that I play with and against.
About 10 of them use APD's, maybe 3 PD's of various configurations.
All hit weak or average, none have any big shots. The weak hitting guys are still pretty consistent, adopting slice or just a slow swingspeed to push the ball back.
The hardest hitting players all use thin beam, standard rackets, and most use older rackets like 4-10 years old.
Not saying you can't hit a decent ball with a AeroPro, but this is just an observation.

 

[Chico]

At our courts, SanPablo in Berkeley, there are about 30 players in the top 3.5 thru lower 4.5 range that I play with and against.
About 10 of them use APD's, maybe 3 PD's of various configurations.
All hit weak or average, none have any big shots. The weak hitting guys are still pretty consistent, adopting slice or just a slow swingspeed to push the ball back.
The hardest hitting players all use thin beam, standard rackets, and most use older rackets like 4-10 years old.
Not saying you can't hit a decent ball with a AeroPro, but this is just an observation.

Totally agree. Consistent with my observations as well.

 

[newpball]

Not saying you can't hit a decent ball with a AeroPro, but this is just an observation.

I recently purchased an APD and currently test it with RPM Team and yes you got to hit this thing pretty darn hard to get a maximum shot in (deep, low net clearance and lots of spin).

I have a Volkl with a full bed of gut and by comparison to the APD it feels like going autopilot with the Volkl.

 

[v-verb]

I use APD originals and Pro Staff 85s. I hit a lot better with the PS85s, but still enjoy the APDs.

I can hit flat or topspin with the PS85. With the APD, I have to use a lot of spin or the ball will fly. Still can get some nice pace with the APD - but you can't hold back on a full stroke

 

[zapvor]

yea.....going from a blx 90 to apd is pretty funny.

 

[kimguroo]

I use BLX tour 90 tour and got APD GT (previous version) yesterday.
Very similar reason as OP. Recently, played against a young hard heavy hitter with heavy topspins. I barely returned balls and I thought I might need some helps so I decided to try APD.
I thought about trying the racket without customization but I felt APD is too light and I prefer head light balance.
4" lead tape at 12 (under grommet: pain to reinstall the grommet though), added weight at butt cap. Total weight is around 350g/12.4oz.
The balance was similar to BLX. Strung with MSV focus hex at 57lbs.
So far so good ( APD offers decent valleys, controls, more power and good plow through feeling). Hope my arm can handle APD without problems hahaha.

 

[2Hare]

For my APD 2013 -

I put 6 grams at 12 o'clock and 3 under the butt cap last night, felt like a sledgehammer. It wasn't bad but I could tell my arm would tire out fast if I kept this.

I then tried 12 grams at 3 and 9 o'clock with 3 under the cap. I liked this a whole lot better and my game was better in general.

Worth a shot.

I guess it depends on your swing style and game. I like it polarized for that extra spin and crushing flat serve. But if you hit a flatter ball (btw in which case you should consider pure drive), I can see lead tape works better at 3 and 9.

 

[tdhawks]

I guess it depends on your swing style and game. I like it polarized for that extra spin and crushing flat serve. But if you hit a flatter ball (btw in which case you should consider pure drive), I can see lead tape works better at 3 and 9.

I play with a tremendous amount of spin. Yet, this set up was better for me. This set up has great stability whereas lead at 12 made my strokes loopy. Shows that's everyone is different in there set ups.

 

[2Hare]

I play with a tremendous amount of spin. Yet, this set up was better for me. This set up has great stability whereas lead at 12 made my strokes loopy. Shows that's everyone is different in there set ups.

Sorry didn't mean flatter balls, I meant flatter swing style instead of the high cuts like Nadal's forehand which this racquet is fantastic at doing.

 

[Bloodshed]

IInteresting customization combinations.

Yeah the switch from prostaff 90 to APD is an interrsting one but demoing with the APD felt good.

The problem is a lack of mass, plowthrough for groundstrokes and drop shots/ volleys which lead tape can fix.

If I choose a APD it would be GT since it's stiffer and has a higher Swingweight.

However I found out the specs for APDGT+ and especially the Aerostorm better looking specs on paper. However the extended length for the 1HBH could be a challenge with the APD+ and apparantly the Aerostorm is very unforgiving.

I cannot demo either racquets.

Can anyone make a fair comparaison of those 2 racquets vs APD?

Thanks.

 

[Power Player]

Hi power player
i see your comment around and it seems you hit with APD and EXOtour 16*18,can you tell me which one has more control on shots,specialy when you want to hit forehands and backhands to both corners from baseline and run your opponent around?

The EXO tour is awesome for that. Total grinder's racquet.

 

[Salar]

The EXO tour is awesome for that. Total grinder's racquet.

thank you,so you make me sure to buy it,maybe in less than a week

 

[Salar]

thank you,so you make me sure to buy it,maybe in less than a week

sadly i heard that prince exo3tour racquets are crack in down the frame about after 100 hours of play and two guys told me that in defensive cut against heavy hiters the cross string is break.
so i search more and i hear more about cracking frames and breaking string in prince exo3tour then i decide to dont change my racquet i will stay with Aeroprodrive gt 2012 and if i switch only i will go to 2013 version of it.

 

[RetroSpin]

IInteresting customization combinations.

Yeah the switch from prostaff 90 to APD is an interrsting one but demoing with the APD felt good.

The problem is a lack of mass, plowthrough for groundstrokes and drop shots/ volleys which lead tape can fix.

If I choose a APD it would be GT since it's stiffer and has a higher Swingweight.

However I found out the specs for APDGT+ and especially the Aerostorm better looking specs on paper. However the extended length for the 1HBH could be a challenge with the APD+ and apparantly the Aerostorm is very unforgiving.

I cannot demo either racquets.

Can anyone make a fair comparaison of those 2 racquets vs APD?

Thanks.

You might want to try a Pure Storm or PS Tour. Less power than a PDR but great control and easy spin.

I have PDR+ and most people who hit with it are not aware of the extra length. I think it helps a bit on serves.