Babolat Pure Strike 16X19 Project One 7 string help

[kee1]

I'm purchasing the Babolat Pure Strike Project One 7. I would like advice on the following:
1) Best control multi full bed and tension
2) Best poly/gut hybrid and tension
I am coming back from a 2 year layoff. I'm a chronic string breaker with history of elbow problems years ago. I prefer to hybrid with a soft poly with low spin potential as I create a lot of spin with my natural swing. I will start with the hybrid, but would love advice on the full bed multi in the event that my elbow doesn't cooperate. I don't mind spending a little more money on the strings.
I am a 4.5 player with full swing off both wings. Semi western FH, 2 handed BH.

 

[SPMoney]

If your a string breaker and you need a comfortable string in a hybrid, try Ashaway’s Monogut ZX. String the ZX at 55 and pair with any soft-ish round poly like Kirschbaum Pro-Line X at 50-52. You’ll get terrific durability and good comfort.


10SNE1?

 

[Moveforwardalways]

This racquet plays really nicely with a loosely strung poly. Don’t go over 50 lbs. Maybe even 45 or lower. It’s a tight string bed for a 16x19 too. Just FYI.

 

[kee1]

If your a string breaker and you need a comfortable string in a hybrid, try Ashaway’s Monogut ZX. String the ZX at 55 and pair with any soft-ish round poly like Kirschbaum Pro-Line X at 50-52. You’ll get terrific durability and good comfort.


10SNE1?

Thank you!!

 

[kee1]

This racquet plays really nicely with a loosely strung poly. Don’t go over 50 lbs. Maybe even 45 or lower. It’s a tight string bed for a 16x19 too. Just FYI.

Great! I've used Solinco Hyper G so I'll try it at 48 lbs. Thank you!

 

[Daniel Waters]

I agree with previous comments that the Pure Strike plays better at low tensions when using polys. I use hybrid stringing with Luxilon Power Soft at 46 lbs and a synthetic gut or soft poly at 48 to 50 lbs. If I string a poly in the frame at say mid 50s, it makes the frame feel like a completely different racquet (but that can be said about a lot of frames).

I'm not sure one string is necessarily better than another, as I think it depends on what you like. I just think stiffer polys seem to make the racquet feel stiff, whereas softer polys at lower tension made the frame much more playable for me.

I've also used Isospeed Creme in the racquet, which I thought worked very well. Softer than most polys and slightly stiffer than synthetic guts in my opinion. Adequate spin, good tension control, nice softer feel (compared to a stiff poly), good durability. I have no experience with multis with this frame.

 

[Sebang]

This racquet plays really nicely with a loosely strung poly. Don’t go over 50 lbs. Maybe even 45 or lower. It’s a tight string bed for a 16x19 too. Just FYI.

I can attest to this. made the switch to the ps 98 16x19 about six months ago and have always kept the tension loose. I have even gone down to 42-43lbs. The idea is that with enough racquet head speed the balls wont fly on you. Everyone who has tried the racquet has been blown away. Have fun and enjoy them

 

[kee1]

I can attest to this. made the switch to the ps 98 16x19 about six months ago and have always kept the tension loose. I have even gone down to 42-43lbs. The idea is that with enough racquet head speed the balls wont fly on you. Everyone who has tried the racquet has been blown away. Have fun and enjoy them

Thank you so much!

 

[kee1]

I agree with previous comments that the Pure Strike plays better at low tensions when using polys. I use hybrid stringing with Luxilon Power Soft at 46 lbs and a synthetic gut or soft poly at 48 to 50 lbs. If I string a poly in the frame at say mid 50s, it makes the frame feel like a completely different racquet (but that can be said about a lot of frames).

I'm not sure one string is necessarily better than another, as I think it depends on what you like. I just think stiffer polys seem to make the racquet feel stiff, whereas softer polys at lower tension made the frame much more playable for me.

I've also used Isospeed Creme in the racquet, which I thought worked very well. Softer than most polys and slightly stiffer than synthetic guts in my opinion. Adequate spin, good tension control, nice softer feel (compared to a stiff poly), good durability. I have no experience with multis with this frame.

Thank you!

 

[netlets]

I'll add my two cents, which seems to be a bit different. I just switched to the Pure Strike 16x19 3 weeks ago. I had been playing with a Pure Drive for about 15 years, which I strung at 48 or 49 lbs with Solinco Tour Bite 17G depending on the season. I wasn't quite sure how the thinner beam would affect the string, as well as the slightly smaller head and the slightly heavier weight. So I tried TB17 at 48 lbs initially and since I was getting the racquet around faster than the PD I found that I was hitting deep or wide. I then strung one at 50 and it felt a bit better. After that I tried it at 52lbs and it was better than 50. I think 51 is where I will settle in. I am a 5.0 player with a semi-western FH and 2 handed BH as well. I really like the racquet, but it's a process getting used to something new after using the PD for so long. The PD is so stiff my shoulder was starting to feel it. The PS feels so plush compared to my PD.

 

[netlets]

I can attest to this. made the switch to the ps 98 16x19 about six months ago and have always kept the tension loose. I have even gone down to 42-43lbs. The idea is that with enough racquet head speed the balls wont fly on you. Everyone who has tried the racquet has been blown away. Have fun and enjoy them

So, should I go in the other direction and try 45 lbs? 48 didn’t feel right - I’m using 17g Solinco Tour Bite. 52 has less power. Still so new to the frame that I am trying to find the best solution.

 

[Daniel Waters]

So, should I go in the other direction and try 45 lbs? 48 didn’t feel right - I’m using 17g Solinco Tour Bite. 52 has less power. Still so new to the frame that I am trying to find the best solution.

You didn't ask me, but if I might add a suggestion....you could try looser tension but try a slightly thicker gauge, say a 16L (if they offer it) or 16 gauge (versus the 17 gauge). The lower tension will help counter the slight loss of power from the thicker string, but the string bed should feel more plush.

If you're still just trying to figure out tensions on the frame, adjusting by 3 to 4 lbs either direction from your original base tension should be enough of a difference to help you figure out what your preference might be. Sounds like you've tried 48 and 52 lbs, so trying 45 lbs should give you some definitive feedback as what you might prefer. The mid 40s range is low enough with a poly string where you should be able to tell a change in string and frame playability. If you were dropping from 58 to 55 lbs, for example, I would say that is still in a range where you might notice a difference in the string tension but the playability of the frame and strings might not come "alive" yet.

 

[netlets]

I appreciate the feedback. I’ve been using 16L TB for the last 5 years in a PD. Was told by a Solinco guy to try 17 so I could get better feel and slightly more spin. I like 52 but wonder what 45 is like - just want to cover my bases. Also may experiment with some lead tape a bit. Just need to be settled in by the time my tournaments start in a month.

 

[netlets]

You didn't ask me, but if I might add a suggestion....you could try looser tension but try a slightly thicker gauge, say a 16L (if they offer it) or 16 gauge (versus the 17 gauge). The lower tension will help counter the slight loss of power from the thicker string, but the string bed should feel more plush.

If you're still just trying to figure out tensions on the frame, adjusting by 3 to 4 lbs either direction from your original base tension should be enough of a difference to help you figure out what your preference might be. Sounds like you've tried 48 and 52 lbs, so trying 45 lbs should give you some definitive feedback as what you might prefer. The mid 40s range is low enough with a poly string where you should be able to tell a change in string and frame playability. If you were dropping from 58 to 55 lbs, for example, I would say that is still in a range where you might notice a difference in the string tension but the playability of the frame and strings might not come "alive" yet.

Hi Daniel,

Had to come back and thank you for your post. I tried 45lbs after using 48, 50 and 52 (liked 52 the best but something was missing on serves and volleys) and LOVE 45. Volleying and serving was so much better for my dubs and I had a bit more power and feel off the ground without hitting it deep or feeling mushy. This is where I'm staying - the racquet plays so much better for me at 45 than anything higher.

 

[Daniel Waters]

Hi Daniel,

Had to come back and thank you for your post. I tried 45lbs after using 48, 50 and 52 (liked 52 the best but something was missing on serves and volleys) and LOVE 45. Volleying and serving was so much better for my dubs and I had a bit more power and feel off the ground without hitting it deep or feeling mushy. This is where I'm staying - the racquet plays so much better for me at 45 than anything higher.

Thanks for the follow up! That's good feedback. It really amazed me how much different the Pure Strike frame plays at mid 40s versus low 50s with polyester strings. I would never have believed it if I hadn't tried it myself. Even with other frames, I tell people who play poly strings that they need to experiment with lower tensions...too many people are so ingrained to think higher tension = more control, which is not necessarily the case with poly strings. But you nailed it...the trick is to find the tension where the string bed is responsive but not too mushy or trampoline like. That just requires a lot of trial and error because each string, gauge, and frame will impact the overall dynamic.

 

[netlets]

The PS has that plush feel in the mid 40s with poly that just isn't there in the low 50s. I could hit groundstrokes fine but when I volleyed it felt like there was zero power and the serve lacked oomph. At 45 my volley, serve and touch shots were so much better. I'm staying there and feel really great about the racquet switch. My shoulder is so much happier with this stick than with the PD. It's interesting how so many people post reviews about the playability of a racquet but don't include string type, gauge, tension and type of game they play. The racquets vary so much based on those factors.

 

[kblades]

The PS has that plush feel in the mid 40s with poly that just isn't there in the low 50s. I could hit groundstrokes fine but when I volleyed it felt like there was zero power and the serve lacked oomph. At 45 my volley, serve and touch shots were so much better. I'm staying there and feel really great about the racquet switch. My shoulder is so much happier with this stick than with the PD. It's interesting how so many people post reviews about the playability of a racquet but don't include string type, gauge, tension and type of game they play. The racquets vary so much based on those factors.

I'm finding this to be true as well. I owned a PS last year but always strung in the 50's. I think the lowest I ever strung it with previously was 52lbs. Strung at those tensions, the PS always felt very boardy to me and lacked feel.

However, I decided to give the PS another go and this time around I've been stringing it lower. Thus far, my favorite setup I've tried is PTP 1.20 @ 48/46. It's crazy how much more plush it plays, feels like a completely different racquet to me. I'm also not having the same issue I've had in the past with PTP 1.20 notching as it did when I strung it in my 2015 PD in the low 50s. I think I will try 45lbs next just to see how it plays.

 

[netlets]

I'm finding this to be true as well. I owned a PS last but always strung in the 50's. I think the lowest I ever strung it with previously was 52lbs. Strung at those tensions, the PS always felt very boardy to me and lacked feel.

However, I decided to give the PS another go and this time around I've been stringing it lower. Thus far, my favorite setup I've tried is PTP 1.20 @ 48/46. It's crazy how much more plush it plays, feels like a completely different racquet to me. I'm also not having the same issue I've had in the past with PTP 1.20 notching as it did when I strung it in my 2015 PD in the low 50s. I think I will try 45lbs next just to see how it plays.

I didn’t like the feel at 48 - 45 felt MUCH better. I think you will like it. You get more spin and the serve has more power.

 

[Daniel Waters]

Well, all this talk of strings inspired me to string up my Pure Strike 98 16 x 19 tonight with a new experimental set up. I usually play with Luxilon ALU Power Soft 16L at around 46 to 48 lbs, and a synthetic gut cross around 50 lbs. The synthetic gut can sometimes get a little springy, so I tried a totally different set up tonight. I strung my mains with the ALU Power Soft 16L at 43 lbs, and I put some RPM Blast Rough 17 for the crosses at 41 lbs. Every time I've tried RPM blast rough in the past, I've always felt it was just too muted, stiff, or underpowered. However, I've never strung it this low nor as a cross string. I'm curious to see how the lower tension and the RPM blast rough does a cross string. Even though the RPM blast rough is a shaped poly, it's not your typical sharp edged poly (more a octagonal / round shape and it has that silicone coating so hopefully my mains will be able to slide easily against it). I'll report back in a week or so whenever I'm able to try it out on the courts!

 

[netlets]

I'll be interested to hear how that plays. What style of game do you play? Do you have a semi western forehand? Interested to know - it helps me project how I may like it.

 

[Daniel Waters]

I'll be interested to hear how that plays. What style of game do you play? Do you have a semi western forehand? Interested to know - it helps me project how I may like it.

I'm not sure how predictive one's style of game would translate over to how well one might like a particular string, setup, or racquet, but I don't mind sharing.

I'm a 4.5 singles player. I'm mostly a baseliner with a strong semi-western grip (almost close to being western) on the forehand side and hit a lot of heavy top spin on that side. I focus more on depth, as my stone hands couldn't hit a soft, short angled forehand if my life depended on it. On the backhand side, I play a one hand backhand, with a mix of topspin, flatter drives, and slices off that side. My grip is usually eastern on drives or continental on slices, but I do sometimes roll it past eastern to almost a semi-western backhand grip on higher bouncing balls to the backhand. Overall, my style is more for consistency and work the point versus playing super aggressive. I try to work the ball up and back and side to side with a variety of placement, spin, and paced. A lot of my goal when playing is to try to make the other player play badly. I will attack mid court and short balls and come in when needed, but I hate the net. My net game is "tolerable" in that it's good enough to allow me to come in and finish points if I have to, but I'm not going to beat anyone if I have to force the issue and come in a lot and create from the net. My serve is a variety of kick, flat, and slice. I use all 3 fairly regularly and work up the T and wide on both sides. My serve is something I have really tried to improve the last two years, and it was one of the reasons I switched racquets. I was specifically looking for a frame that would give me more free power on the serve, yet still be playable and not too stiff on the baseline. I feel like the Pure Strike gives me this....except when strung too tight (which for me is anything over 50 lbs with poly strings).

For full disclosure, I used to play with a two hand backhand and I used to have a Hawaiian forehand grip (that's past western!). Starting in July of last year I made the switch to the one hand backhand, and I started the forehand grip change about a month later. My game was crud for months, and it wasn't till about a month ago that things really started clicking back together. During the transition, I would play better than I ever had and worse than I ever had all in the same match! Since I could tell my ceiling potential was higher with the changes, I committed to sticking with them. I'm glad I did, but I wouldn't recommend someone do what I did. Making minor changes can be hard enough, but making 2 large changes so close together was very trying on my mental state. I still have a few shots on each wing that I have not had time to relearn and master where I can implement them consistently in a match (such as topspin lobs).

 

[FV_Br]

watching... same problem, can't find a tension for Sensation that keeps the playability for more than 3 hours on the PS. No problem with other frames using sensation, it plays well untill it breaks.

 

[Daniel Waters]

Well, my string experiment was okay. The lower tension played well, but I just prefer having a softer string bed that lower tension alone can't quite provide versus using a softer string. So it looks like I'll stick with a moderately low tension poly in my mains and stick with a synthetic gut cros.

 

[Daniel Waters]

watching... same problem, can't find a tension for Sensation that keeps the playability for more than 3 hours on the PS. No problem with other frames using sensation, it plays well untill it breaks.

I find that odd also. Synthetic guts aren't know to lose tension like some polys can. You could try isospeed creme in a hybrid setup. It holds tension very well. I'd put creme in the mains and synthetic gut in the crosses 2 to 4 lbs tighter than your mains. But you might need to lower your reference tension a few lbs versus your all synthetic gut reference tension to compensate for the slightly lower powered creme (relative to synthetic gut)

 

[netlets]

Thanks for the feedback, Daniel. I find it interesting to hear of someone's style of game as it reveals a lot. Knowing that you have a semi western like I do (you may be over a bit more) gives me more confidence that a tension or string may work for me. I really like 45lbs on my PS with Solinco TB so that's what I'm sticking with. The depth and feel on my touch shots and volleys go away when my strings are at 50lbs. I play an all around game and love to finish at net after I have my opponent on the run. I'm a 5.0 player that is starting to hit more shots that require feel instead of staying back and grinding all the time as I'm not getting any younger. If I need to play 3 or 4 matches in a tournament I want to shorten up the points a little bit. I forgot how complicated it can be to switch racquets as I have stayed with the PD for over 15 years. I'm about 90% acclimated now - still need a little more time getting used to volleying with the PS since I can get ahead of the ball a little bit and hit it too early. The PD was more bulky and I couldn't get it around as fast, even though the weight is less it was more heavy in the head.

 

[topspn]

A couple of very good polys out there that may surprise you on comfort and are a good fit for P17. Black zone is a round poly that is very comfy and slick so snap back is good. Tier 1 Black Night is a superb string that does everything well and very comfortable.

 

[VaMoose98]

I have been using Ytex Quadro Twist in this racket and its been pretty good. I had it strung at 50 lbs, but then i went down to 45 lbs and it was better. I am going to be trying out a bunch of different strings because I am almost done with my Ytex reel and am looking to buy a different string that gives more spin and less power.

 

[KluddKalle]

I'm purchasing the Babolat Pure Strike Project One 7. I would like advice on the following:
1) Best control multi full bed and tension

I’ve been playing with fb Velocity for the past two years. Been using 2014 pure strike, P07 and pure controls. I play pretty aggressive with a weapon in my forehand, one handed backhand that’s pretty decent and a pretty fast serve.
In my P07 I have fb V at 23kg, but could easily go lower since this string doesn’t seem to trampoline at lower tensions. Great spin and comfort an little power.

 

[dct693]

If your a string breaker and you need a comfortable string in a hybrid, try Ashaway’s Monogut ZX. String the ZX at 55 and pair with any soft-ish round poly like Kirschbaum Pro-Line X at 50-52. You’ll get terrific durability and good comfort.

I use Monogut ZX in my Yonex VCore Pro 97 (the 330g version) as a cross (at 45) with Kirschbaum Max Power Rough (at 50). Works great.

 

[mattps81]

I'll add my two cents, which seems to be a bit different. I just switched to the Pure Strike 16x19 3 weeks ago. I had been playing with a Pure Drive for about 15 years, which I strung at 48 or 49 lbs with Solinco Tour Bite 17G depending on the season. I wasn't quite sure how the thinner beam would affect the string, as well as the slightly smaller head and the slightly heavier weight. So I tried TB17 at 48 lbs initially and since I was getting the racquet around faster than the PD I found that I was hitting deep or wide. I then strung one at 50 and it felt a bit better. After that I tried it at 52lbs and it was better than 50. I think 51 is where I will settle in. I am a 5.0 player with a semi-western FH and 2 handed BH as well. I really like the racquet, but it's a process getting used to something new after using the PD for so long. The PD is so stiff my shoulder was starting to feel it. The PS feels so plush compared to my PD.

I agree 100%. I have been using this racquet for the last 6 months, I use solinco tour bite 17g. I have tried stringing at 55lb, 51, and 48lb. At 51 lbs I feel I get really good control and plenty of power and still feels great on the arm.

 

[netlets]

I agree 100%. I have been using this racquet for the last 6 months, I use solinco tour bite 17g. I have tried stringing at 55lb, 51, and 48lb. At 51 lbs I feel I get really good control and plenty of power and still feels great on the arm.

So I was told to try 45 lbs from someone on this board and it is far and away the best tension for me. It feels so much more plush and comfortable than any other tension I have tried. The power and feel are much, much better. I am done experimenting. Every stroke is better at this tension for me.

 

[TomTennis495]

Im a 4.5 and I'll disagree with most of the above posts. Ive played with the PS for a year now. I play w 2 sticks 1- ALU power @ 55 the other w/ RPM Rough @53. Ive tried as low as 49 and as high as 60. The 55 tension feels best for me. Any looser and i feel loss of control. Note I added 1/2 inch lead tape at 3 and 9!

I'll be trying my first gut/poly hbrid next week. I'll let you know my results if interested.

 

[Crozzer95]

I’d advise you try something like JB Tour 100 or maybe even Laserfibre Smooth. I’ve recently made the change to Laserfibre Edge from Hyper G

 

[SPMoney]

Last night I strung up isospeed pyramid at 47 in the mains and Wilson revolve at 45 in the crosses. I really like the way it softened the feel of the racquet and the combo gave great spin which helped me control the depth of my shots all night. Higher tensions leave this frame feeling “glassy” where a lot of harsh vibrations are felt.

As an added plus, all white strings look great in this racquet. I suppose the orange revolve would look equally good with the white pyramid if you like a little more color. I’m going to play with this for a while.


10SNE1?

 

[netlets]

Im a 4.5 and I'll disagree with most of the above posts. Ive played with the PS for a year now. I play w 2 sticks 1- ALU power @ 55 the other w/ RPM Rough @53. Ive tried as low as 49 and as high as 60. The 55 tension feels best for me. Any looser and i feel loss of control. Note I added 1/2 inch lead tape at 3 and 9!

I'll be trying my first gut/poly hbrid next week. I'll let you know my results if interested.

You lost me at the “any looser and I feel loss of control’ and you didn’t go lower than 49 lbs. The properties of poly dictate anything over 55 and you are losing the best quality of the string - the snap back. Without that the only reason for using that over a tightly strung multi is durability. Pretty easy to get hurt over time as well. Babolat recommends not going over 53 if using all poly. I tried 52 lbs as I didn’t like 48. When I went to 45 the playability was better in a major way. I had no problem with a loss of control. Do you have a semi western forehand?

 

[Happypapy]

Last night I strung up isospeed pyramid at 47 in the mains and Wilson revolve at 45 in the crosses. I really like the way it softened the feel of the racquet and the combo gave great spin which helped me control the depth of my shots all night. Higher tensions leave this frame feeling “glassy” where a lot of harsh vibrations are felt.

As an added plus, all white strings look great in this racquet. I suppose the orange revolve would look equally good with the white pyramid if you like a little more color. I’m going to play with this for a while.


10SNE1?

My son just demoed the PS which came strung with Revolve (Orange) @53lbs from TW. He was hitting shots/angles with power and top like I have never seen him hit prior, the balls were really jumping. Needless to say he choose the PS over the other rackets (Blade 98 & Yonex Vcore) and we will be stringing the Revolve full bed in one stick and will try hybrid with Gamma Glide crosses in the other @45lb range. Glide was suggested by TW dude as a way to really increase the snapback of the Revolve. To be perfectly honest I have never felt a setup so well balanced and with such power and feel as the PS with Revolve, magic. He previous string was TB, very stiff compared to the Revolve. Mad stringing scientist that I am it seems to make sense that a round soft poly like Revolve paired with the slick glide would be a good thing for spin, at least on paper anyway.