Babolat Pure Aero 2019

BBender716

Professional
Anyone use a full bed of Hyper G on this? Just ordered my Babalot APD Tour and have BHB7, Cyclone, and Grapplesnake CES Hybrid on hand but love Hyper G in my other racket.

Thoughts?

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Just ordered my Babalot APD Tour

What is a Babolat APD Tour?

Do you mean a PURE AERO TOUR?

I've been dealing with Babolat racquets for many years and have never heard of an "AeroPro Drive Tour". Babolat did release a racquet called the AERO TOUR many years ago.

But afaik, there has never been a retail version called "AeroPro Drive Tour."

(Of course there is a PURE DRIVE TOUR ... but this is a PURE AERO thread.)

In my experience, Solinco Hyper-G 16 works very well in the last two iterations of the AeroPro Drive either as a full bed, or in a hybrid with a slippery round Poly cross string. Full bed Hyper-G provides best Control potential. Hybrid provides better spin potential (if you can generate sufficient RHS) and better depth potential.
 

BBender716

Professional
What is a Babolat APD Tour?

Do you mean a PURE AERO TOUR?

I've been dealing with Babolat racquets for many years and have never heard of an "AeroPro Drive Tour". Babolat did release a racquet called the AERO TOUR many years ago.

But afaik, there has never been a retail version called "AeroPro Drive Tour."

(Of course there is a PURE DRIVE TOUR ... but this is a PURE AERO thread.)

In my experience, Solinco Hyper-G 16 works very well in the last two iterations of the AeroPro Drive either as a full bed, or in a hybrid with a slippery round Poly cross string. Full bed Hyper-G provides best Control potential. Hybrid provides better spin potential (if you can generate sufficient RHS) and better depth potential.
Thanks! Do you mean hybrid poly in the last part? I'm thinking of crossing with either Monogut ZX, Ghostwire, or Cream since they are all round and slick (I think?).

Any recommendations from those three?

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Thanks! Do you mean hybrid poly in the last part? I'm thinking of crossing with either Monogut ZX, Ghostwire, or Cream since they are all round and slick (I think?).

Any recommendations from those three?

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I would try Monogut ZX. Keep in mind Monogut is not a Poly string - it is made of material called Zyex. There has been a lot of discussion about using Zyex as a cross string in a hybird on these boards. I suggest you do some searches and read other peoples experience with it.

I don't know anything about Ghostwire.

Cream is quite expensive and is probably overkill but you could try it.

You could also try a thicker gauge (15G) slick synthetic gut as a cross string. You would have to tension synthetic gut crosses a few pounds tighter than your Poly mains.
 

terminator97

New User
UPDATE..

I was using full bed RPM rough 16g at 55lbs.. and just switched to VS gut 56lb main and 54 RPM rough 54lb cross with a few Babolat string savers - they worked on other rackets.

More power, more control, more spin and better feel.. There were online reviews that had claimed this racket would not suit gut.. WRONG. No going back.

Huge improvement on serves... I could just crush it, shape it and place it.. Controlled power. The full poly always had a vagueness which caused me to dial it back a bit.



I also had the butt cap just start to creak and move very slightly. Tennis shop claimed only fix is to epoxy it. So, I thought I'd fix it myself.

Removed the grip and trap door.. noticed the pin has a large cavity side and a small one, the staples on the the small side went through two layers of the pin but the staples on the large side went through only one layer - this is where the loose/creak was coming from. You can see it by removing the trap door.

The fix.. From inside the pin I pushed the two large cavity staples back out partially enough to loosen the cap on that side, maybe 1/8". Never push staples out all the way, you'll never get them back in without proper staple equipment.

I cut a piece of thin scrap laminate counter top trim (rigid thin plastic) to match the main bevel on the pin side with the large cavity.

Slid it under the cap along the main bevel all the way to end and cut it off.. that bevel has no staple. pushed the staples back in, flared them slightly and re-gripped.


The problem is the pin has a large cavity on one side and a small cavity on the other. The staples on the small side go through two layers of the pin and are kept tight. The staples on the large cavity side only reach through one (outer) layer of the pin and are less secure. They work loose.

The best solution would be to fire much longer staples in that can reach through the second layer of the pin, but that would require very long staples and special equipment. Adding the rigid thin plastic under one bevel tightened the cap up nicely.
 

bigdaddy

Semi-Pro
Demoed the 2019 pure aero when it came out. Really liked it. Eventually went with the prince tt100 310. Great racquet. Went back to the pure aero, wow! So easy to play with. Friend if mine has the new pd 107. Gonna Demo it. I’ll 66, just retired and want to settle into a good frame. Need to get the feel of one and stick with it.
 

Bender

G.O.A.T.
Any advice for someone who is trying to choose between this and the upcoming Pure Strike 16x19? I've hit with the current Pure Aero and I liked it but I haven't used it for long enough to make up my mind. Can't demo in my area at all, so that's out of the cards re: Strike 2019/2020.
 

Harry_Wild

G.O.A.T.
Any advice for someone who is trying to choose between this and the upcoming Pure Strike 16x19? I've hit with the current Pure Aero and I liked it but I haven't used it for long enough to make up my mind. Can't demo in my area at all, so that's out of the cards re: Strike 2019/2020.
2020 Pure Drives comes in 100” too! Is more elbow and arm friendly but is more powerful then current model. You have 98” and 100” size!
 

Power Player

Bionic Poster
Any advice for someone who is trying to choose between this and the upcoming Pure Strike 16x19? I've hit with the current Pure Aero and I liked it but I haven't used it for long enough to make up my mind. Can't demo in my area at all, so that's out of the cards re: Strike 2019/2020.

The strike will play similar to a blade in terms of power i am guessing. They usually lack the same plow though, the blade has more. My issue with the strike is that it should be easier on the arm than it actually is. So you arent sparing your arm much, at least with the prior model. This is all a guess until it comes out.

That said here is a basic rule - the aero in general will be a nice fit if you like to brush the ball with a
Sw or more grip. The strike is going to benefit you if you like to hit through the ball a little more.
 

Bender

G.O.A.T.
2020 Pure Drives comes in 100” too! Is more elbow and arm friendly but is more powerful then current model. You have 98” and 100” size!
The strike will play similar to a blade in terms of power i am guessing. They usually lack the same plow though, the blade has more. My issue with the strike is that it should be easier on the arm than it actually is. So you arent sparing your arm much, at least with the prior model. This is all a guess until it comes out.

That said here is a basic rule - the aero in general will be a nice fit if you like to brush the ball with a
Sw or more grip. The strike is going to benefit you if you like to hit through the ball a little more.
Thanks both. I have no arm issues--I do have shoulder issues (but that's because of an unrelated injury from years ago), but I don't think what I swing with has any influence on that. It's hurt with various classic flexy frames strung with natural / synthetic gut in the past, and I've had no racquet-induced injuries since using the Pure Strike 16x19 strung at 55 lbs with RPM.

I do feel like I've lost a fair bit of rpm on my forehand since switching to the Strike from the PS90 / RF97A. Some extra rpm on the second serve would also be awesome since I've a tendency to DF a lot trying to go for too much on seconds.

Used to use a strong SW grip on the forehand, but have since moved slowly towards eastern, and am currently using an extreme eastern grip. I play on fast, but fairly high bouncing hards. The SW grip was difficult to hit early with, which is what I like to do, and hitting out in front of the body seemed harder with the old grip.

Some other concerns:
  • I hated the previous version of the Pure Aero (but to be fair, I used the Pure Aero Tour, and I have used the current non-Tour 2019 version for about an hour and liked it a lot)
  • touch shots I enjoyed with the Strike might be difficult (I hit a fair few drop shots and drop volleys)
  • volleys in general (on one hand I do have a tendency to hit them a bit short, so the Pure Aero's higher launch angle would be useful, but I've read that it's not nearly as point as shoot at net as it is with the Strike)
  • I've read that the Pure Aero is a bit difficult to flatten out shots with when they are needed; for context, I am a heavy hitter with a flat backhand hit very early, and a heavy topspin forehand. I know the forehand will do better, but I'm worried about that backhand. I also tend to hit aggressive, deep, and flat returns, so the higher launch angle might be an issue. If it's not nearly as difficult as the reviews suggest then I don't think it'll be an issue.
 

Pleb123

Semi-Pro
Just put Kirschbaum PLII red 16G in my PA19 at 42lbs. Feels sublime, comfortable and control is still there. Previously tried hybrid Pacific Poly/ Gosen OG-Sheep (52/56 lbs) and Lux BBO/ VS Touch (50/54 lbs). The first hybrid gave good spin and feel but the mains getting stuck out of place required adjustment on every point. The second was comfortable but felt quite dead and the spin was toned right down, meaning less control. Now I understand why some reviews say PLII is comfortable. I previously strung PLII in other racquets in mid-50's and it felt harsh. Like a different string at low tension in this racquet.
 

Merpriest

New User
Has anyone has issues with the grommets cutting the string? My stringer knows someone at Babolat who confirms it's a design flaw, but they won't correct until they change the production run.
Also, has anyone used the Plus in doubles?
 

time_fly

Hall of Fame
Has anyone has issues with the grommets cutting the string? My stringer knows someone at Babolat who confirms it's a design flaw, but they won't correct until they change the production run.
Also, has anyone used the Plus in doubles?

I have two Pure Aero Plus (2019) racquets. I haven’t had grommet issues with either. However, I use poly in these frames so I would be unlikely to have an issue. I like hybrid and even the occasional full-multi setup in other frames, so I did try a full bed of HDX Tour for the heck of it. As I expected, it frayed and notched very quickly. I don’t recommend anything except poly in these frames.

I chose these sticks while playing mostly singles outdoors over the summer. Here in New England it’s now indoor season and I am playing a lot more doubles. Honestly I don’t love these frames for doubles. I definitely feel the extra length and chunkiness in quick exchanges around the net. I can make it work, but I also keep considering using the Blade 98 v7 16x19 or even one of my old Princes for doubles.

Edit: I don’t want to sound like I’m knocking these frames overall. These are the best feeling iteration of the Aero Pro / Pure Aero that I’ve ever tried. Most other Babs give me arm problems. These things are wicked on offense and solid on defense. The mindless topspin keeps the ball dipping inside the lines — mostly.
 

Babolat Official

Hall of Fame
Has anyone has issues with the grommets cutting the string? My stringer knows someone at Babolat who confirms it's a design flaw, but they won't correct until they change the production run.
Also, has anyone used the Plus in doubles?

Hi Merpriest,

We did have an issue with the 2016 Pure Aero Lite, but that appears to have been corrected with the 2019 version. I have seen sporadic issues with the new frames, but most have been due to something besides the grommets, at least from what I've seen. If you or your stringer are having any issues, let me know and I can try to help. Thanks!

-Josh
 

gvd24

New User
Hi Merpriest,

We did have an issue with the 2016 Pure Aero Lite, but that appears to have been corrected with the 2019 version. I have seen sporadic issues with the new frames, but most have been due to something besides the grommets, at least from what I've seen. If you or your stringer are having any issues, let me know and I can try to help. Thanks!

-Josh

Me and my son both use the pure aero 2019 (6 racquets in total) strung with rpm blast, 27kg.
The last couple of weeks we broke +- 10 new or nearly new strings in the grommets of different racquets (mostly upper grommets, but also 2 in the low grommets)
My stringer took the problem to the local sales representative, no solution yet.
It sometimes happens after 2 minutes of play, sometimes it takes half an hour or longer but they all break in the grommets.
 

Boubi

Professional
No one uses the tour version of the aero ? It's a very solid racquet...
I use it with volkl cyclone 16, it's especially good on returns and groundstrokes in general
 

DTennis3

Rookie
Me and my son both use the pure aero 2019 (6 racquets in total) strung with rpm blast, 27kg.
The last couple of weeks we broke +- 10 new or nearly new strings in the grommets of different racquets (mostly upper grommets, but also 2 in the low grommets)
My stringer took the problem to the local sales representative, no solution yet.
It sometimes happens after 2 minutes of play, sometimes it takes half an hour or longer but they all break in the grommets.
What string & tension? Do you have a picture of the breaks and how it’s strung?
 

gvd24

New User
What string & tension? Do you have a picture of the breaks and how it’s strung?
Rpm blast, 27kg tension (59 lbs), strung on a professional technifibre machine according the specified pattern by babolat (4 ties)
My son broke another during training yesterday after 15 minutes of play, clean hit in te middle, broken in the spin grommets on top.
I took it to my stringer so i will take a picture the next time it happens.
He received new tubings-grommets from babolat, lets see what happens now.
 

[d]ragon

Hall of Fame
Rpm blast, 27kg tension (59 lbs), strung on a professional technifibre machine according the specified pattern by babolat (4 ties)
My son broke another during training yesterday after 15 minutes of play, clean hit in te middle, broken in the spin grommets on top.
I took it to my stringer so i will take a picture the next time it happens.
He received new tubings-grommets from babolat, lets see what happens now.

If this happens even with new grommets, I hate to say it, but the most likely cause is shanking. It can happen on any racquet with any strings (though some more than others).
 

gvd24

New User
What do you mean by shanking, mis-hitting the ball? :) thats certainly not the case.
The weird thing is it suddenly started on al six rackets, at first i thought it was the grommets but i also think it could be the strings itself.
Anway my stringer took a new reel now to be sure.
 

[d]ragon

Hall of Fame
What do you mean by shanking, mis-hitting the ball? :) thats certainly not the case.
The weird thing is it suddenly started on al six rackets, at first i thought it was the grommets but i also think it could be the strings itself.
Anway my stringer took a new reel now to be sure.

Keep us updated. I'm curious to know the cause myself. I didn't notice anything unusual with the PA like this in our pro shop (apart from the guard wearing out so quickly).
 
The weird thing is it suddenly started on al six rackets, at first i thought it was the grommets but i also think it could be the strings itself.

Quite a while ago, we had a situation where strings started breaking frequently on the same three racquets after never having an issue previously. It ended up being a reel of string which had been exposed to heat. Got to the point where the string would break on the stringing machine when being tensioned.

Fresh reel of the same string. Problem solved.
 
Does the Pure Aero (2016) string break quicker than the previous Aero pro drive? Pr the same?

The simple answer is "Yes".

The 2016 Pure Aero has a more open string pattern than the previous AeroPro Drive models. It also has "technologies" that facilitate easier movement of the strings (especially the lateral movement of the Main strings). In the right hands, this will cause more rapid wear on the strings leading to the strings breaking more quickly.

But YMMV. It does depend on the player, and the string being used.

But the same player, using the same string configuration, will likely to break strings faster (with high RHS, much faster) using a 2016 PA than either a 2013 APD or 2010 APD.
 

gvd24

New User
Keep us updated. I'm curious to know the cause myself. I didn't notice anything unusual with the PA like this in our pro shop (apart from the guard wearing out so quickly).
Good news, since my stringer took a new reel the problems are gone, so something was wrong with the strings.
Just in time because my son plays a couple of tournaments in the next weeks, otherwise i had to buy a bunch of extra rackets to be sure he can complete a match :)
 
Sorry to gravedig a thread, but I purchased the 2019 PA from a fellow forum member @danbrenner. Transaction & communication was superb as was the deal. Now having had a chance to hit with it, with my ball machine, I am IN LOVE!!! It's my first Babolat and it really is what people say. A freaking cheat code. Spin is super easy and it's not an arm buster. I hit for an hour (I know not very long, but I have been eager to use it and had a window to use it). I'll use it more this week and I am impressed!

I'm coming from not playing since the mid 2000s. Got back into in summer '18 when I got a ball machine. Hit decently alone last summer one day a week (when I wasn't feeling bad due to severe Crohn's). I always played Prince. Used the old TT Hornet racquets and then when I got my machine, I tracked down a few NOS Prince ES110 Hornet. But I am sold on this. The size is minimal (110 vs 100) and didn't take long to get used to it. All I needed to do was add a shockbuster to quiet it down. Count me as a convert. I love this thing! Now, I just gotta eventually find someone to hit with.
 

Babolat Official

Hall of Fame
Sorry to gravedig a thread, but I purchased the 2019 PA from a fellow forum member @danbrenner. Transaction & communication was superb as was the deal. Now having had a chance to hit with it, with my ball machine, I am IN LOVE!!! It's my first Babolat and it really is what people say. A freaking cheat code. Spin is super easy and it's not an arm buster. I hit for an hour (I know not very long, but I have been eager to use it and had a window to use it). I'll use it more this week and I am impressed!

I'm coming from not playing since the mid 2000s. Got back into in summer '18 when I got a ball machine. Hit decently alone last summer one day a week (when I wasn't feeling bad due to severe Crohn's). I always played Prince. Used the old TT Hornet racquets and then when I got my machine, I tracked down a few NOS Prince ES110 Hornet. But I am sold on this. The size is minimal (110 vs 100) and didn't take long to get used to it. All I needed to do was add a shockbuster to quiet it down. Count me as a convert. I love this thing! Now, I just gotta eventually find someone to hit with.

Hi CC,

Glad to hear you're liking your new weapon! Or toy, depending on your perspective ;) I remember the TT Hornet for sure. Great stick and had a big sweetspot thanks to the grommets. The Pure Aero has a similar technology at 12 and 6, but they are rotated 90 degrees to assist in generating spin while also enlarging the sweetspot. I hope you continue to like it even more, and best of luck in finding a hitting partner! Stay safe and healthy!

-Josh
 

liftordie

Hall of Fame
Hi CC,

Glad to hear you're liking your new weapon! Or toy, depending on your perspective ;) I remember the TT Hornet for sure. Great stick and had a big sweetspot thanks to the grommets. The Pure Aero has a similar technology at 12 and 6, but they are rotated 90 degrees to assist in generating spin while also enlarging the sweetspot. I hope you continue to like it even more, and best of luck in finding a hitting partner! Stay safe and healthy!

-Josh
PA is a spin killer weapon!!! o_O:love:
 
PA is a spin killer weapon!!! o_O:love:

It sure it buddy. When I turned on the machine and backed up, I really wasn't set up yet and just did a half swing with a little wrist turnover and the ball after impact just looped into the court. Crazy!! First set of 60 balls, none were hit into the net. Usually a handful are, as the spin I generate is on the lower side and a few here and there don't clear the net with a great deal of height because I pulled up too quick and the nets where I hit at (local park) aren't the best and who knows if they are the proper height. I really do love this thing! I am impressed!!
 
Hi CC,

Glad to hear you're liking your new weapon! Or toy, depending on your perspective ;) I remember the TT Hornet for sure. Great stick and had a big sweetspot thanks to the grommets. The Pure Aero has a similar technology at 12 and 6, but they are rotated 90 degrees to assist in generating spin while also enlarging the sweetspot. I hope you continue to like it even more, and best of luck in finding a hitting partner! Stay safe and healthy!

-Josh

Hey Josh, thanks for the reply. It really is a great stick. Neat to hear your familiar with the older Triple Threat Hornet. Great to hear the tech is similar. So it kinda makes sense when I swung it, it felt eerily familiar. Thanks again.
 

Mr_Zorg

New User
I recently switched to the Pure Aero after using Pure Aero Team for about a year. I remember reading a while back (on this forum) how the two racquets aren't the same. Whoever wrote that was spot on! I tinkered with mine and matched the balance and weight. The racquets were totally different! SW on the Team is noticeably lower while the two are spec'd the same.

All in all, I am absolutely in love with my new (regular) Pure Aero. It feels softer than the Team version but hits a much harder ball. The only downside is that it's chewing strings. I prefer thinner gauges, but that preference will need to change soon.
 

pinco000

New User
I just weighed my 2019, stock with RPM Blast rough 16ga + OG + Dampener = 325g
mine is super heavy in stock form
4443ebb0a33d09da536b1d4d2013eb20.jpg


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g4driver

Legend
mine is super heavy in stock form
4443ebb0a33d09da536b1d4d2013eb20.jpg


Sent from my SM-G988B using Tapatalk

Have that OG and dampener removed.. [emoji6]

the only way to properly weigh a frame when matching them is unstrung frame, no over grip and the same replacement grip or no replacement grip at all.
 

pinco000

New User
Have that OG and dampener removed.. [emoji6]

the only way to properly weigh a frame when matching them is unstrung frame, no over grip and the same replacement grip or no replacement grip at all.
the grip is the original, pristine cond. , will measure it once at home :)

Sent from my SM-G988B using Tapatalk
 

pinco000

New User
Have that OG and dampener removed.. [emoji6]

the only way to properly weigh a frame when matching them is unstrung frame, no over grip and the same replacement grip or no replacement grip at all.
325g , no overgrip, no dampener, original grip, rpm blast 16
bdc594e7cf931a875153760c0d005d64.jpg


Sent from my SM-G988B using Tapatalk
 
the only way to properly weigh a frame when matching them is unstrung frame, no over grip and the same replacement grip or no replacement grip at all.

??? @g4driver, I play tennis with a strung frame and overgrips.

I want all my racquets to be the same weight and balance when kitted up the way I play them.

If I am testing different strings, I match the differently strung racquet with my regular one. That way I know that any difference in performance is related to the actual string itself, rather than any changes the different string makes to the specs of the racquet.
 

SinneGOAT

Legend
I have actually gone on a half a year long racquet journey, trying everything from the blade 18/20 to the pure drive, and I have actually narrowed down my choices. Next week I will be demoing the aero tour, aero plus, strike 16/19 gen 3 and pure drive tour plus. I already own one aero standard, and one of these 5 frames is gonna be my racquet choice until the next pure aero/drive/strike. My arm can handle babolats, plus I think I have been getting good string options for these frames. I’m open to any string/tension recommendations to make sure my arm stays fine, but next week I will be trying:
Kirschbaum pro line evolution
Solinco hyper g 16 + 16l
Confidential 16l
Rpm blast rough 17
Head velocity 16+17
Technifibre triax 17(16 later if I need more durability + control)
What I want to know is what tension should I use for these? I was thinking 49-55 for polys and 53-57 for multi. And one last question, how does a babolat #2 compare to a wilson #2? Is it slightly bigger?
 
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