Babolat Pure Storm Tour GT customization (removing the headguard)

[Bud]

Anyone notice how crappy and brittle the headguards are on the Pure Storm frames? Needless to say, the headguard wore out way before the natural gut strings I'd initially installed in the racquet (BTW, not a string breaker, here). Any light strike(s) on the court and the headguard is pretty much toast at each point of contact. It actually broke apart in 3-4 different places. To be clear, I've never had a racquet headguard do this in the past.

So, replacing the grommets this evening, I noticed the headguard is completely separate from the top grommets (similar to the PK Core series frames). So, I decided to try the frame without the headguard installed.

Simply removing the headguard changed the balance by 3 additional points HL. The stock headguard only (no grommets) weighs approximately 8 grams and adds quite a few additional SW points to the frame (probably 10-15 additional SW points).

Previously (with the head guard installed), my personal setup was simply a leather grip replacement and 8g of lead at 3/9 to stabilize the head a bit. With those small changes, the racquet was approximately 12.7 oz. and 8.5 pts. HL

I was always a bit disappointed I couldn't make the racquet about 10 pts. HL while maintaining a weight near 12.5 oz. and even thought about simply customizing the Pure Storm GT (non-tour) to achieve those specs.

So, after removing the headguard and re-balancing, the racquet is now 12.5 oz. (354g) and 10.5 pts. HL

2009 Pure Storm Tour GT
No headguard (-8g)
Leather grip (+12 to 15g)
Additional lead at 3/9 (+8g)

Final weight/balance (strung):
12.5 oz. (354g) / 10.5 pts. HL

- - - - - - - - - -

Will test drive it, tomorrow during doubles and singles

 

[journeymonk]

Wow. That might be a good solution for me (PST user looking for more maneuverability).

Could you please post pics of how this would look like?

 

[Bud]

Wow. That might be a good solution for me (PST user looking for more maneuverability).

Could you please post pics of how this would look like?

Yeah, it looks great. Will post some in a bit.

Posted... see post #1

BTW, that damage in pic 2 occurred when the original headguard was in place.

Also, the string still sits below the grommet channel so no risk of breaking it by striking it against the court.

 

[ClubHoUno]

I use Babolat Super Head Protection tape on all my PUre Storm Tour and Limited frames because of that.

 

[Bud]

I use Babolat Super Head Protection tape on all my PUre Storm Tour and Limited frames because of that.

I wonder why they just don't fix the issue. It's obvious the plastic is way too brittle.

If you look at the pics in the OP, you can see the damage that occurred when the headguard was in place.

I haven't even tried the racquet yet without the guard.

 

[ClubHoUno]

I wonder why they just don't fix the issue. It's obvious the plastic is way too brittle.

If you look at the pics in the OP, you can see the damage that occurred when the headguard was in place.

I haven't even tried the racquet yet without the guard.

Yeah, they ought to fix this issue for sure :twisted:

But since they don't plan to, and I like the frame, I had to use the Head Protection tape, and it works fine for me.

I see you use the Pacific Blue Spiral natty gut - what gauge do you use and how does it play compared to my favorite natty gut - Babolat VS 17 and VS 16 ?

 

[Fedace]

GREAT AWSOME POST. I agree removing the headguard is a great idea.. but Can you tell me if the head is still stable when miss hitting the ball ? and also be careful not to scrape the graphite up top,, that will Weaken the graphite composite significantly. Perhaps putting on the Babolat tape on top might be a solution

 

[G-12]

How can remove the headguard without it bothering the grommet system?

 

[benasp]

these are two different pieces at least on babolat racquets

 

[Bud]

How can remove the headguard without it bothering the grommet system?

these are two different pieces at least on babolat racquets

What he said.

The grommet system for the PS consists of 7 separate pieces of plastic.

 

[Bud]

Playtest results

Will add an additional 2-4 grams at 3/9... the SW is slightly too low, now (definitely a noticeable difference!)

Otherwise, played like a dream

 

[Fedace]

Will add an additional 2-4 grams at 3/9... the SW is slightly too low, now (definitely a noticeable difference!)

Otherwise, played like a dream

Why not just add the headguard tape to get some protection up there...

 

[Bud]

Why not just add the headguard tape to get some protection up there...

Never cared too much for headguard tape. One good strike and it's toast along with what's below it. It also adds too much additional SW to the frame.

I like the nice clean bumperless look of the frame and it definitely moves through the air better. It will just take some getting used to again as I was using it for about 4 weeks in its previous state.

So, I've slightly reduced the static weight, increased the twistweight and decreased the swingweight. With the new gut strings I just installed last night (at 47#), I found myself overhitting the ball, this afternoon... especially on the FH side (by about 12-18" beyond the baseline), when going for a FH winner.

These minor modifications noticeably increased the power of the racquet... probably due to a faster swing (on my part) and the more stable head.

 

[Fedace]

47 lbs ??? that is low. it must be like trampoline. anything below 55lbs on a babolat racket is adds too much power for me. I am thinking about taking off the head guard on Pure drive plus GT but i think the Head will be too unstable. Serve is perfect as is. Haven't served so big in a long time and volleys were awsome.

 

[Bud]

47 lbs ??? that is low. it must be like trampoline. anything below 55lbs on a babolat racket is adds too much power for me. I am thinking about taking off the head guard on Pure drive plus GT but i think the Head will be too unstable. Serve is perfect as is. Haven't served so big in a long time and volleys were awsome.

The PST is much different than the PD, as far as string tension. For the PD, I have to have the gut at 55 lbs. or more. The PST is good at 47-50#. It's a smaller head with a longer/narrower head shape.

I think I'll get a PDRGT next and fiddle around with it as well. I really love the feel of the latest Babolat frames.

 

[Kcraig]

I never knew the bumper guard/grommets were seperate? Maybe this is why I sometime get a slight rattling sensation/sound at the top hoop area--racquet is brand new and not thrown (atleast not yet):twisted: I may remove this bumperguard on next stringing and just use some head tape--then again I would be concerned with too much fatique on the graphite? Great stick overall

 

[Bud]

I never knew the bumper guard/grommets were seperate? Maybe this is why I sometime get a slight rattling sensation/sound at the top hoop area--racquet is brand new and not thrown (atleast not yet):twisted: I may remove this bumperguard on next stringing and just use some head tape--then again I would be concerned with too much fatique on the graphite? Great stick overall

Naw... all the classic racquets had no headguard... and they were fine. Just got a little scratched up.

 

[Kcraig]

Naw... all the classic racquets had no headguard... and they were fine. Just got a little scratched up.

How hard was it removing the bumper and reinstalling the grommets? Seems like those woofer grommets could be a real pain n the ***? :evil: Also, any difference in playability/stability on those upper hoop shots?

 

[Fedace]

How hard was it removing the bumper and reinstalling the grommets? Seems like those woofer grommets could be a real pain n the ***? :evil: Also, any difference in playability/stability on those upper hoop shots?

I think he has so much lead on the head already, it doesn't affect the stability any. but with Pure Drives, it makes the head little bit more unstable, at least that has been my experience

 

[Bud]

How hard was it removing the bumper and reinstalling the grommets? Seems like those woofer grommets could be a real pain n the ***? :evil: Also, any difference in playability/stability on those upper hoop shots?

I think he has so much lead on the head already, it doesn't affect the stability any. but with Pure Drives, it makes the head little bit more unstable, at least that has been my experience

It's a piece of cake. I simply removed/replaced the top grommets only. The grommet set consists of 7 total pieces. Babolat does flare some of the grommets after installing at the factory... so you have to clip off the 'flare' in order to remove the top grommet strip and headguard.

The frame is more stable now than stock because I've added lead at 3/9 to achieve the balance I prefer (approx. 10 pts. HL).

Removing the headguard is a win-win all around on the PST. You can increase the HL balance of the frame, lower the SW and increase the twistweight... while maintaining the same static weight.

I really don't have alot of lead currently at 3/9... only 8g (.3 oz) or so.

 

[Bud]

I see you use the Pacific Blue Spiral natty gut - what gauge do you use and how does it play compared to my favorite natty gut - Babolat VS 17 and VS 16 ?

It's actually Gaucho gut 17g. I just noticed, BTW, that it broke while in my bag at lower grommet #5 (main). It was strung at 47# and I played only 2-3 hours with it, so I'm a bit perplexed and disappointed :-?

 

[Fedace]

It's a piece of cake. I simply removed/replaced the top grommets only. The grommet set consists of 7 total pieces. Babolat does flare some of the grommets after installing at the factory... so you have to clip off the 'flare' in order to remove the top grommet strip and headguard.

The frame is more stable now than stock because I've added lead at 3/9 to achieve the balance I prefer (approx. 10 pts. HL).

Removing the headguard is a win-win all around on the PST. You can increase the HL balance of the frame, lower the SW and increase the twistweight... while maintaining the same static weight.

I really don't have alot of lead currently at 3/9... only 8g (.3 oz) or so.

Yea win win except that when scrape the cement surface with the head, the graphite will be grinded off,,,,little by little....

 

[Bud]

Yea win win except that when scrape the cement surface with the head, the graphite will be grinded off,,,,little by little....

Just be careful. All (the vast majority) classic graphite frames had no headguard and those did fine.

 

[Bud]

Swingweight Decrease Calculated

Using TW's customization tool, I calculated the swingweight decrease that occurs after simply removing the bumper.

Removing the 8g bumper decreases the SW from 333 to 306. That's a huge reduction and more than I was expecting! It also explains the marked difference in SW I experienced when playing (after removing the bumper).

 

[Fedace]

Using TW's customization tool, I calculated the swingweight decrease that occurs after simply removing the bumper.

Removing the 8g bumper decreases the SW from 333 to 306. That's a huge reduction and more than I was expecting! It also explains the marked difference in SW I experienced when playing (after removing the bumper).

That's got to be Wrong.....You took off 30 points of SW. that is Impossible. that would make the head feel like Feather and heavy topspin balls will push it back to the wall and you won't be able to control anything...

 

[Bud]

That's got to be Wrong.....You took off 30 points of SW. that is Impossible. that would make the head feel like Feather and heavy topspin balls will push it back to the wall and you won't be able to control anything...

No, it's definitely correct.

Removing 8g of weight from 12 o'clock reduces the SW from 333 to 306. That's how dramatic a change can be affected by adding weight at 12 o'clock.

 

[Fedace]

No, it's definitely correct. Removing 8g of weight from 12 o'clock reduces the SW from 333 to 306. That's how dramatic adding weight at 12 o'clock can be.

so you are saying if i take off the bumper from my Pure drive plus GT, it will reduce the SW from 330 to like 295 ??? That is insane....
and for Instance Racket like K90 with fairly high SW,,, what would happen if i remove the Bumper off the top ?????? Would it become SW of like 310 ??? That would make that a Perfect racket for me....If you are right, it might be worth trying....

 

[Fedace]

Also how do you get around the problem with Yonex bumper guards that has the Grommet built into them ??

 

[Bud]

so you are saying if i take off the bumper from my Pure drive plus GT, it will reduce the SW from 330 to like 295 ??? That is insane....
and for Instance Racket like K90 with fairly high SW,,, what would happen if i remove the Bumper off the top ?????? Would it become SW of like 310 ??? That would make that a Perfect racket for me....If you are right, it might be worth trying....

Are the Pure Drive grommets/top bumper different pieces like the Pure Storm?

If so, crunch the numbers through the TW customization tool. You have to know the weight of the top bumper piece. I'm assuming it's probably a gram or two heavier than the Pure Storm. The plus version's new SW would be 303.

BTW, I just ran the numbers assuming 8g for the top bumper guard and the new SW is 300, down from 327 (stock).

http://twu.tennis-warehouse.com/learning_center/customizationReverse.php

 

[Bud]

Also how do you get around the problem with Yonex bumper guards that has the Grommet built into them ??

If the grommets/bumper are integrated.. you must trim the excess bumper guard from around the grommets.

 

[Fedace]

Are the Pure Drive grommets/top bumper different pieces like the Pure Storm?

If so, crunch the numbers through the TW customization tool. You have to know the weight of the top bumper piece. I'm assuming it's probably a gram or two heavier than the Pure Storm.

BTW, I just ran the numbers assuming 8g for the top bumper guard and the new SW is 300 down from 327 (stock).

http://twu.tennis-warehouse.com/learning_center/customizationReverse.php

did you use pure drive ? I meant Pure drive PLUS GT. thanks.

 

[Bud]

did you use pure drive ? I meant Pure drive PLUS GT. thanks.

See my modified post. The + version's SW is 303 if you remove the bumper. The new balance is 9 pts. HL as opposed to 6.

 

[Fedace]

See my modified post. The + version's SW is 303 if you remove the bumper. The new balance is 9 pts. HL as opposed to 6.

Yea, if true, that is insanely low Swingweight for a puredrive. I am really afraid that the Head will be extremely Unstable with that much weight taken off it.......and Yea, the bumper does look like it is seperate from the Grommets.

 

[Fedace]

If the grommets/bumper are integrated.. you must trim the excess bumper guard from around the grommets.

You mean like Cut the sides off with a Big Scissor or something like that ,??

 

[Bud]

Yea, if true, that is insanely low Swingweight for a puredrive. I am really afraid that the Head will be extremely Unstable with that much weight taken off it.......and Yea, the bumper does look like it is seperate from the Grommets.

You mean like Cut the sides off with a Big Scissor or something like that ,??

Yep... large scissors and/or perhaps nail clippers.

Also removing the top bumper won't affect the head stability very much. It lowers the twistweight just slightly (according to the TW customization tool).

 

[Fedace]

Yep... large scissors and/or perhaps nail clippers.

Also removing the top bumper won't affect the head stability very much. It lowers the twistweight just slightly (according to the TW customization tool).

So do you think with lower SW, the Pure drive plus would become even better volleying racket ??

 

[Bud]

So do you think with lower SW, the Pure drive plus would become even better volleying racket ??

Dunno... the best way is to try it

 

[Bud]

Additional Calcs

It also appears that to maintain the same (i.e. stock) SW on the PSTGT...

Having removed 8 grams of weight (i.e. the plastic bumper) from the tip (12 o'clock) to now re-match the SW prior to removing the bumper... I must now add 1.5x the amount removed (i.e. 16g) to 9/3 o'clock.

This then increases the stability (twistweight) by 20% and the plow factor at 3/9 by a whopping 55%.

Interesting results

I'll fiddle around with it further tonight... restring it, lead it up and hopefully, the balance will be near 10 pts. HL.

 

[Kcraig]

It also appears that to maintain the same (i.e. stock) SW on the PSTGT...

Having removed 8 grams of weight (i.e. the plastic bumper) from the tip (12 o'clock) to now re-match the SW prior to removing the bumper... I must now add 1.5x the amount removed (i.e. 16g) to 9/3 o'clock.

This then increases the stability (twistweight) by 20% and the plow factor at 3/9 by a whopping 55%.

Interesting results

I'll fiddle around with it further tonight... restring it, lead it up and hopefully, the balance will be near 10 pts. HL.

Interesting results--if I ever did venture to remove the bumperguard, I would have to atleast use some headguard tape for protection, which would probably add back to the SW--probably atleast 7-8g or even more. Anyone have any ideas how much a strip of the Babolat Super Headguard tape weighs?

 

[Fedace]

Interesting results--if I ever did venture to remove the bumperguard, I would have to atleast use some headguard tape for protection, which would probably add back to the SW--probably atleast 7-8g or even more. Anyone have any ideas how much a strip of the Babolat Super Headguard tape weighs?

Not as much as the Headguard, that is for sure...

 

[Fedace]

Question is this. When you removed the Headguard, did it take away some power ??? cause you put more weight at the 12 oclock position if you want more power so i thought if you take away from that position,,,, you would lose power ??????

 

[Bud]

Question is this. When you removed the Headguard, did it take away some power ??? cause you put more weight at the 12 oclock position if you want more power so i thought if you take away from that position,,,, you would lose power ??????

Yes, and why I added lead to 9/3 after removing the HG. I added 12grams to 9/3 to boost the SW back up to about 330 (from 340 previously). It's now a bit heavier, with a more HL balance and a higher twistweight... yet has a lower overall SW.

I played with it this evening and it felt great. It's definitely got more power and yet is easier to swing. It's also noticeably more stable.

 

[gflyer]

thank you for the great info.
Now have to try...

 

[Double_Bagel]

Bumping an old thread. I just bought a Pure Storm Tour (non-GT) the other day and am hitting with it today for the first time, with new strings and a fresh leather grip (24g).


I was a bit concerned about the high stock SW, and it's fantastic to find and read such a fascinating thread with great info to customize this racquet if its a tad too high a SW for me (I'm used to playing heavy but high HL racquets).

Many thanks to the OP for putting all this detailed info up!

 

[dgoat]

Rattling noise in the top hoop

I never knew the bumper guard/grommets were seperate? Maybe this is why I sometime get a slight rattling sensation/sound at the top hoop area--racquet is brand new and not thrown (atleast not yet):twisted: I may remove this bumperguard on next stringing and just use some head tape--then again I would be concerned with too much fatique on the graphite? Great stick overall

I've experienced the same thing. Had one racket replaced, still....What's up with that?

 

[Lukhas]

Maybe going to try it if I ever buy a PST(+). Like extended length, but whooping 349SW despite the 8 points HL (the specs are weird on this point). Although the 335 of the Blade BLX felt great, but too much weight in the tip. Tried Pure Storm Ltd (+), feels nice, not enough spin, the racquet head vibrates quite a lot even with a dampener and I don't like it.