Babolat Pure Strike Tour vs 16x19

[RuloDayz]

Hi guys!
I hired both Babolat PS Tour (320g) and 16x19 (305g) for testing them for a week.
My current racket is a Head Speed MP and I like it but a friend of mine let me the PS 16x19 once and I really enjoyed it.
So I hired it and the heavier one and I'm wondering which one to buy.
Is a lovely feeling when you hit the ball clean with the PS Tour and I find it easier to drop bombs and make your rival uncomfortable from the baseline. But a lot of balls go too much deep, specially on serve, where I'm struggling a little bit because of the weight.
With the 305g version, it is easier to handle and I have a better control on my server but I don't have that feeling that I have with the PS Tour.
Is it easy to get used to a heavier racket?
Would you choose the safe and most manageable option or would you try to get used to a heavier racket so you would be forced to improve your technique?
I'm posting this since I just have a week to decide before a return both rackets and I would like to know your opinion.

 

[Trip]

The answer to this depends more on where you are as a player, than the racquets themselves.

If you've been consistently playing for a while and your fitness and game are at a growth stage that have somewhat leveled off, then it's probably a better idea to choose the 305g stick, which you can always spec up via customization if/when you desire more weight. With the 320g option, it's all or nothing; you get no such luxury.

If on the other hand you suspect your fitness and skill level could stand to improve a fair amount more without it being too grueling or taking years and years, then you might be able to play with the 320g just fine, albeit it will likely take a while to build up to it. The question then is: would you be OK with not necessarily playing your best during the initial phase of that build-up, but knowing that you'll improve slowly over time? If winning at all cost isn't that important during that time, then the answer may be "Yes".

Anecdotally, I've had a somewhat analogous experience with the Yonex VCore Pro 97 (310g 16x19) and 97D (320g 18x20). Initially, I was drawn to the 97 because it's noticeably easier to play with, but that was at the very beginning of a return to tennis after a long hiatus (of only ever playing maybe once per year). Over the following 18-24 months, though, I moved from a rusty 3.5 to a borderline 4.5, building up my fitness along the way, and upon revisiting both sticks a couple months ago, actually have come away preferring the 97D's higher natural solidness and more consistent string bed. Different from your case, though, my acclimation challenge has been less the weight and more the 18x20 pattern, as the launch angle is low and any free trampoline-based power is virtually non-existent. Those limitations acknowledged, it's still one of the best choices on the market for a flatter-hitting OHBH with the strength to wield it.

As for your situation, if you can afford it, I'd buy both, then see if you can play your way into the 320g over time, ideally by slowing spec'ing up the 305 to match the strung spec of the 320, then see which plays best for you at the same strung spec, keep the winner, and potentially sell the loser.

Hope that helps!

 

[RuloDayz]

The answer to this depends more on where you are as a player, than the racquets themselves.

If you've been consistently playing for a while and your fitness and game are at a growth stage that have somewhat leveled off, then it's probably a better idea to choose the 305g stick, which you can always spec up via customization if/when you desire more weight. With the 320g option, it's all or nothing; you get no such luxury.

If on the other hand you suspect your fitness and skill level could stand to improve a fair amount more without it being too grueling or taking years and years, then you might be able to play with the 320g just fine, albeit it will likely take a while to build up to it. The question then is: would you be OK with not necessarily playing your best during the initial phase of that build-up, but knowing that you'll improve slowly over time? If winning at all cost isn't that important during that time, then the answer may be "Yes".

Anecdotally, I've had a somewhat analogous experience with the Yonex VCore Pro 97 (310g 16x19) and 97D (320g 18x20). Initially, I was drawn to the 97 because it's noticeably easier to play with, but that was at the very beginning of a return to tennis after a long hiatus (of only ever playing maybe once per year). Over the following 18-24 months, though, I moved from a rusty 3.5 to a borderline 4.5, building up my fitness along the way, and upon revisiting both sticks a couple months ago, actually have come away preferring the 97D's higher natural solidness and more consistent string bed. Different from your case, though, my acclimation challenge has been less the weight and more the 18x20 pattern, as the launch angle is low and any free trampoline-based power is virtually non-existent. Those limitations acknowledged, it's still one of the best choices on the market for a flatter-hitting OHBH with the strength to wield it.

As for your situation, if you can afford it, I'd buy both, then see if you can play your way into the 320g over time, ideally by slowing spec'ing up the 305 to match the strung spec of the 320, then see which plays best for you at the same strung spec, keep the winner, and potentially sell the loser.

Hope that helps!

Wow. Thank you so much for your reply. It is my first post and I didn't expect to have such a detailed response.
I use to play 3 times per week and I don't know how you determine your level in your country but here in Spain I'm a 4.5.
My mid-long term goal is to gain a little of muscle mass and weight since I'm fit but skinny (174cm tall and 63kg) so I think I could get used to the PS Tour (I'm afraid about spec'ing up the 305g because I don't have any idea).
In any case, I have a couple of days to test them again and making a decision since I cannot afford both.
Really appreciate your answer.

 

[Ramjet]

I also play with the head speed MP and also the pure strike 16x19 305g. I started with the PS and went to the speed, but the PS kept calling me back. I put leather grip on mine which makes it about 315g unstrung and more head light. I think doing something similar might be a good compromise for you.

 

[Trip]

@RuloDayz - Welcome to TTW and you're very welcome. If I were you, I might try what @Ramjet suggest and weight up the 305g PS very simply by adding a leather grip, which will add about 7-12g more static weight and also make the racquet 1-2pts more head-light. That may be enough to tip the scales in the 305's favor. If you still yearn for the PS Tour -- which is completely understandable -- then just make sure the feel and performance is really what you're going for when you're hitting in your best form, and if so, go all-in and commit to it. It will be a bit of a process to strengthen up and skill up to the point where you can wield it automatically as well as the PS 305g, but it could be well worth it. That is, if you believe you have it in you.

 

[RuloDayz]

@RuloDayz - Welcome to TTW and you're very welcome. If I were you, I might try what @Ramjet suggest and weight up the 305g PS very simply by adding a leather grip, which will add about 7-12g more static weight and also make the racquet 1-2pts more head-light. That may be enough to tip the scales in the 305's favor. If you still yearn for the PS Tour -- which is completely understandable -- then just make sure the feel and performance is really what you're going for when you're hitting in your best form, and if so, go all-in and commit to it. It will be a bit of a process to strengthen up and skill up to the point where you can wield it automatically as well as the PS 305g, but it could be well worth it. That is, if you believe you have it in you.

I think I'll go with weighting up the 305g one with a leather grip.
Thank you guys! @Ramjet @Trip