Customizing Babolat PD GT --> Babolat PD GT Roddick

Roberto_spin

Roberto_spin

Rookie
Hi,

After playing with the Babolat PureDrive GT for over a year, I want something heavier so I bought some lead tape. As the PD Roddick is a playersstick where there are good reviews on, I want to upgrade my current PD GT (not the new 2012 version, but the version before that) to the specs of the PDR.

Have someone already upgraded/customized their Babolat Pure drive GT to an PD Roddick model? Where dit you put the leadstrips on the racket?
Stiffness and length will be the same.

And furthermore: what are the experiences with playing with a customized Babolat Pure Drive, can someone tell if you feel the difference with a fabric PDR? Makes a stiffness of 2 such a difference?

I have searched on this forum and Internet but could not find suitable info on this topic... Hope someone can help me out!
 
Hey thanx for the reply, but how would you divide the 17 grams of weight?
And do you have played with a customized PD and compared it with a PDR?
 
Roberto_spin said:
Hey thanx for the reply, but how would you divide the 17 grams of weight?
And do you have played with a customized PD and compared it with a PDR?
Click to expand...

Well I have never used lead tape but pdr has a higher swing weight but also has more HL balance. So maybe add 3 grams on each side and the rest to the handle? Idk.
 
My fav custom PD was 20g silicone inside the handle and 5g lead at the tip, weight strung with damp & og was 350g strung.

Try 10-15g in the handle for starters and experiment various placements in the hoop to see what works for you.
 
I will experiment... But actually I was hoping that some folks already customized their own Pure Drive Roddick so I can experiment with more knowledge.
Right now I'm thinking about 3grams on 3 and 9 sides and 11 gram on the racket throat/handle so I will maintain the same 4pt HL.
 
I know the exact specs of both of my rackets (I have 2 PDGT). Actually they differ a bit in weight (also after removing strings, overgrips and dampeners!) and balance! I guess no racket is exactly the same. :???:

Thanx for the customization tool tip, I have already looked around, just as the other fantastic tools on TW. :)

But before I play around with my leadstrips and notices differences in balance, maneuverability etc... i'm very curious on those who have been there, done that.. I have read many posts where people say: "buy a PDGT and later on you can customize it to a PDGTR" But the strange thing is: I couldn't find posts where people have done this (exactly copying a PDGTR)

Once I have experimented and things are the way I want, then silicon will be the way to go. But first playing around with lead.
 
I did it before and if memory serves me right it was something like 10-15 grams in the handle and 5 grams on 12 o'clock. This all will vary depending on roddick specs u are trying to match.

I was lucky enough to own both roddick and non roddick 2012 pure drive at that time so I matched them up perfectly. I could not tell the difference. That ultimate lead me to sell roddick since I could easily add and remove lead as I see fit vs with roddick I was stuck with high weight
 
I added a babolat leather grip and 4 grams to 3 & 9 to my pd last night. The weight now feels very compairable to the Roddick.

I am going to test it out tonight.
 
It looks like most people have a preference for adding most of the weight in the handle and some weight in the hoop (on 12 or divided between 9 and 3)

@Babolatking... I'm very curious on your results!
 
Roberto_spin said:
It looks like most people have a preference for adding most of the weight in the handle and some weight in the hoop (on 12 or divided between 9 and 3)

@Babolatking... I'm very curious on your results!
Click to expand...

The first thing I noticed was the plow through. It took about a set to get us to since Ive been playing with no lead for so long. I did actaully like it, but I may cut the lead strips down to 2" on each side to add more maneuverability since that was the main reason I liked the racquet in the first place.

The plow was addictive though. The first set I hit alot of balls long but once I got use to it, I started crushing winners but once I reached the net it got a little cumbersome. I play in a 5.0 dubs league so the reflex volleys were not the best last night.

I think once I get the lead dialed in, I may never switch racquets again. The good thing about the tape is that if you dont like it, take it off and try something different. Its kinda fun trying to make the perfect weapon and customize it to your perfect specs. This is a great base racquet for that.

Hope that helped. Let me know how your customizing is coming along. It would be cool to hear how your coming along.
 
Roforot said:
Babolat King, do you also have a Roddick frame? I'm curious as to how close you feel this is?
Click to expand...

No but I have used the Roddick frame alot. You know what the feel was very compairable. I think the plow thru on both were about the same also.

I still like the pd standard with a little lead just because of how fast it is around the net. The Roddick is great for a baseliner but I play in a few doubles leagues and didnt really care for it on volleys.
 
Okay, not a real Roddick-mako-over over my PDGT, but I have put 4 strips of 0,5 gram (Tourna lead tape) on the 3 and 9 o clock position.
Wow what an extra stability and power it brought me.
My groundstrokes have an extra pop and my volleys feel more solid. So I have played with 4 gram extra.

I will play further with this configuration until I meet the specs of the Roddick (net thing will be the handle or the throat)
I'm still very curious about other experiences with customizing the PD.
 
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