Babolat E-Sense Frames (PD mold)
- Thread starter Bud
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ItalianStallion
Rookie
I just looked at the stringing instructions posted on KlipperMate's site:
Racquet Name Tension Length Pattern Skip M Holes Tie Off M Start C Tie Off C
PURE DRIVE + CORTEX GT 55 - 62 20'M - 19'C 16M X 19C 8T - 8B 6B 8T 7T - 10B
PURE DRIVE LITE GT 55 - 62 20'M - 19'C 16M X 19C 8T - 8B 6B 8T 7T - 10B
E-SENSE COMP 50 - 55 20'M - 19'C 16M X 19C 7,9T - 7,9B 8B 7T 8T - 5B
The skip holes are different from the Pure Drives..doesn't that also mean so will the grommet pattern will also be different?
Anton
Legend
From my extended experiment, not too bad, but not good either.
The loop feels like it's got too much give and I think that hurts spin potential and stability, I like my rackets with flex towards midsection. Ended up gifting it to a beginner.
Conclusion - no where near APDo
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-Bobo-
Semi-Pro
Its funny you say that because there is something that feels a little odd but im not sure if its just the lack of weight at 12 o clock and have been considering trying the racquet in your sig. How's that compare?
Anton
Legend
Well my E-sense had A LOT of lead on the loop as it is very light stock, so I would suggest you trying to add some weight before calling it quits and spending money on another racket.
Having said that, I feel the Pure Control has that solid loop but still with some overall flex so you get good spin with mid-low power and a lot of control.
-Bobo-
Semi-Pro
I've already put in about 70 grams of lead, so if it needs more than that i think i'm out. Like i said it does play nice, but i keep noticing that leaded up frames never seem to be quite as solid as one that comes with a higher weight/swing weight stock, at least for me.
Good to hear about the pure control, hows the stiffness, reading some reviews there are some people who complain in that regard.
Anton
Legend
Wow 70 grams is quite enough lol.
PC feel is awesome, among the best I've tried. But in stock form is low on swing weight and needs a few grams of lead to really bring out that nice feel and stability.
I have two PC Tours and three regular PCs. If you don't mind adding weight go for regular, it will give you more customization flexibility without any downside.
-Bobo-
Semi-Pro
So I played a singles match today for pennant with the leaded up E sense comps. Won 6-2 6-3.
First about me. Huge serve, both first and second, big fh, terrible bh (no seriously terrible!). I guess aggressive baseliner is the best term since I am about the worst volleyer i have seen in all my matches.
The good:
While my serve is a weapon against even much better players I have been struggling with consistency the last year or so and it has seeped into the rest of my game. (though i did realise a large part of the sudden issue with consistency was the way i was gripping the racquet but anyway). Today i served great, and it felt rock solid, i got many free points. This was apparent when i used it for the second doubles match last week also.
There was a lot of stability for the weight and great power on all shots.
The biggest benefit would have to be volleys. I honestly dont know how to convey how bad i am at volleying. This is even more odd because the pick up off the shoe laces volleys i dig out really well, but as soon as its an easy shot i butcher it, last week in doubles everyone on the court couldnt figure out how i managed to hit a volley under the net when i was about 15cm away from it.....
With this racquet i wasn't having any trouble, really confusing. I think its related to one of my dislikes in that its harder to swing so I'm not wristing the ball.
The bad: Some arm discomfort, which i haven't had with much stiffer frames including the RF 97 which is my current go to. Also not quite as quick to whip through even though again its got a lower SW and static weight than my RF97. But the lack of whip has made it a bit harder to go for shots as often as it requires more time and better positioning.
The only thing i can think of is that its due to the lead being almost exclusively at 9 and 3. I've noticed that frames have played stiffer before when i have added lead there, not sure why.
It's hard to tell if this is because i'm used to very polarised frames. I might try moving some lead to 12 o clock but if i notice arm tenderness again i will probably move on.
First about me. Huge serve, both first and second, big fh, terrible bh (no seriously terrible!). I guess aggressive baseliner is the best term since I am about the worst volleyer i have seen in all my matches.
The good:
While my serve is a weapon against even much better players I have been struggling with consistency the last year or so and it has seeped into the rest of my game. (though i did realise a large part of the sudden issue with consistency was the way i was gripping the racquet but anyway). Today i served great, and it felt rock solid, i got many free points. This was apparent when i used it for the second doubles match last week also.
There was a lot of stability for the weight and great power on all shots.
The biggest benefit would have to be volleys. I honestly dont know how to convey how bad i am at volleying. This is even more odd because the pick up off the shoe laces volleys i dig out really well, but as soon as its an easy shot i butcher it, last week in doubles everyone on the court couldnt figure out how i managed to hit a volley under the net when i was about 15cm away from it.....
With this racquet i wasn't having any trouble, really confusing. I think its related to one of my dislikes in that its harder to swing so I'm not wristing the ball.
The bad: Some arm discomfort, which i haven't had with much stiffer frames including the RF 97 which is my current go to. Also not quite as quick to whip through even though again its got a lower SW and static weight than my RF97. But the lack of whip has made it a bit harder to go for shots as often as it requires more time and better positioning.
The only thing i can think of is that its due to the lead being almost exclusively at 9 and 3. I've noticed that frames have played stiffer before when i have added lead there, not sure why.
It's hard to tell if this is because i'm used to very polarised frames. I might try moving some lead to 12 o clock but if i notice arm tenderness again i will probably move on.
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ItalianStallion
Rookie
After moving from the E-Sense last summer/fall to the Head You Tek IG Prestige S this spring...watching all the Babolats in action at the French Open made me want to bring this stick back on the court. It felt horrible on the ground strokes...but great when I served. I'm thinking I got used to the balance of the Prestige S after using it for the last 3 months.
So...I replaced the stock butt-cap with one from at PD/APD and added some lead weight and silicone inside the hairpin under the trap door:
Then added more lead weight at the 3 and 9 o'clock positions:
It now weighs about 11.5 ounces and 4 pts head light..so very close to the stock specs of my Prestige S. Have been patiently waiting for the rain to stop before I take it back on the courts.
So...I replaced the stock butt-cap with one from at PD/APD and added some lead weight and silicone inside the hairpin under the trap door:
Then added more lead weight at the 3 and 9 o'clock positions:
It now weighs about 11.5 ounces and 4 pts head light..so very close to the stock specs of my Prestige S. Have been patiently waiting for the rain to stop before I take it back on the courts.
ItalianStallion
Rookie
Looks like 11.5 ounces and 4pts head light is right on the money - felt great on ground strokes and volleys today - much, much better than stock form.
ItalianStallion
Rookie
Bump to see if anyone still uses the E-Sense? I recently got a Wimbledon Pure Drive on clearance at a local Sports Authority going out of business and loved the feel. I just took one of my old E-senses and opened up the butt cap and filled with with silicone caulk to try to match the 334g / 4pts HL my stock PD is. I got it within 333g's and 3pts HL and hope to have a free day this week to take it for a spin and compare.
ItalianStallion
Rookie
Posting an update - spend several hours practicing serving with the modded E-Sense and loved it! Played a singles match on clay and actually won in straight sets with it...I would not hesitate to get another E-sense and mod her up!
Thanks to all posters to clue me in this hidden jewel. I've modded my second one too and hope to try her in some doubles action this weekend.
Thanks to all posters to clue me in this hidden jewel. I've modded my second one too and hope to try her in some doubles action this weekend.
Zoolander
Hall of Fame
Been looking again at these while im playing lighter racquets until my shoulder gets better. Did you notice any difference in the string pattern between the esense and the wimbledon PD? And did you notice a big difference in power between them, or at least when the esense was stock? A lighter, less powerful racquet in a PD mold would be great. I have an original PD too so if i get one i could compare.
ItalianStallion
Rookie
Even though they are both 16x19, the grommets are not the same. It didn't seem to make any difference to me, they seemed about the same as far as spin generation. I do think the PD felt more powerful since it was stiffer than the E-Sense. I wasn't happy with the E-Sense in stock form, it was close to even balance and I'm used to HL racquets. Since I added the lead strips and filled the handle with silicone, I'm happy with the softer and solider feel of the E-Sense sort of less powerful PD...the loss in power seemed negligible.
Benjamin Paul
New User
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teachingprotx
Legend
According to Babolat rep the e sense is the original pure drive . Don’t know which original he was speaking of . Possibly the moya light blue and black OG.. my old back in the day pure drive had a flex of 64 ra .. can’t remember the weight
teachingprotx
Legend
I believe Roddicks pure drive was in the mid 60,s ra, If memory serves
Benjamin Paul
New User
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Zoolander
Hall of Fame
Funny, his specs must be almost identical to Nadals and his original APD..... tried it once since thats about the weight I use, but making it only 2-3pts HL like they do for a higher SW makes it harder to control the racquet head in the backswing for a flatter hitter like me. The head naturally dips lower as you start the forward swing which is great if you really brush low to high in your swing like Nads, but I found myself losing control.
Benjamin Paul
New User
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teachingprotx
Legend
Roddick won the 2003 with the og pure drive I think in pics anyway it’s the first version before the swirly one .. but was the first pure drive called a soft drive ? Like Moyas racket ?
Benjamin Paul
New User
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teachingprotx
Legend
Well when I spoke with our Babolat rep who is an amazing guy salt of the earth 
very knowledgeable as well / which is not always the case like you would assume . I’ve had the awkward conversation with some that knew very little about their own product . But not in this case .. he seemed to think that the e senses were the “old “ pure drive .. so I thought that to be so interesting . It’s cool someone made a thread on this topic .. and it’s cool to go back in time when Babolat made softer frames ..which I selfishly enjoy more and have even before I got old .
Anyone know “all “the specs on the soft drive original ? Would be cool to compare with the e sense
very knowledgeable as well / which is not always the case like you would assume . I’ve had the awkward conversation with some that knew very little about their own product . But not in this case .. he seemed to think that the e senses were the “old “ pure drive .. so I thought that to be so interesting . It’s cool someone made a thread on this topic .. and it’s cool to go back in time when Babolat made softer frames ..which I selfishly enjoy more and have even before I got old .Anyone know “all “the specs on the soft drive original ? Would be cool to compare with the e sense
teachingprotx
Legend
Great info Italian ! That’s what I was trying to find out what was the difference in the comp and the lite versions . Same stick except for balance and weight .. mostly was concerned about the flex .. but with your info it seems to be the sameE-Sense Family Pic:
- Left (Blue) - E-Sense Comp Lite
- Middle (Red) - E-Sense Comp
- Right (Brown/White) - E-Sense Comp (Roland Garros Edition)
These are all the same racquet in feel and composition. The only difference is the E-Sense Comp Lite (Blue) is lighter and head heavy due to less silicone gel inside the handle. I was able to bring it up to spec to an E-Sense Comp by adding 10 grams of lead tape inside the handle. If anyone needs a spare, the Comp Lite and Roland Garros editions are viable since they were around $50.
thank you .
Zoolander
Hall of Fame
There was an original pure drive AND an original soft drive. Pure drive was graph/kevlar and the soft drive was graph/fibreglass, both looked very similar..... Roddick was playing the PD team version in 2003 which was actually the 3rd version after the original and then the swirly.
original 1994
swirly 1999
team 2001-ish?
soft drive 1994ish
all info from @ericsson and his awesome thread......!
https://tt.tennis-warehouse.com/index.php?threads/babolat-first-generation.326173/
mark johnson
Rookie
Hey Bud, would you be interested in customizing an e sense for me? I can pay you with paypal and send you the racket, lead, grip, do not have silicone though. Email me mark.johnson.1981@gmail.comI was at Sports Chalet yesterday and noticed these recreational Babolat frames. It's basically a Pure Drive without the cortex. It also has side woofer grommets only... none in the head or throat. The price is $85-$99 (online)
Here are the specs:
Babolat E-sense Comp (blue)
Length: 27"
Stiffness (unstrung): 65 (62-63 strung)
Head size: 100 sq. in. (appears to be PD mold)
Pattern: 16x19
Material: 100% graphite
Weight: 9.7 oz. unstrung (10.2 strung)
Balance (unstrung): 335 mm or about 2.5-3 points HL (even balance strung)
With the low static weight and HL balance, a frame like this is perfect for customization. I'm wondering if the drill pattern is the same as the PD (so I can install and try new Woofer grommets as well).
There's also an e-sense lite (yellow) that is 0.5 oz. lighter and 3 points more HH ◄◄
Anyone know if these frames play similarly to the original Pure Drive being it's the same mold and composition with no cortex?
Benjamin Paul
New User
Hmm, started reading in this thread and decided to remove the strings and grommets, base grip, too. It's 242g now, which is indeed a nice platform for customizing. Wondering if I should do a paintjob project with it. On the other hand, I have enough frames, anyway, and actually a (used) IGPPro coming in I want to paint, so I suppose if anybody wants this frame (hair pin with butt cap now, grip size is 4 3/8), I'm willing to give it away for free, just want my shipping costs covered (racquet is in Germany).
Benjamin Paul
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