Demoing the dreaded AeroProDrive ...

prjacobs

prjacobs

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Hi fellow forum members....
So - I'm a solid 4.0 all court lefty player with a good serve for my advanced age :) and a one handed backhand. I've recently demoed the Yonex Ai98, The PS97 - 315, the Head GRadPro, the 6.1 95S, the brand new Head Speed MPA, with the 16X19 string pattern as opposed to the optional 16X16.
Out of all these frames, the GRadPro felt the most solid, with heavy ground strokes and a powerful serve.
The Yonex felt best on defense, especially on my weaker backhand side. I felt like I could really lean into my backhands, which I really like.

I've been playing with two very different frames of mine recently. The Dunlop 4D500 tour, leaded up to 11.5 ounces and my 12.2 ounce MGRadPro.

Because I've never hit with one, I decided to demo the APD.
I have to say, I played really well with it. Yes, I've been on the forum quite a while and know of the potential arm issues with it, but my 4D500 tour is just as stiff. The thing about the dunlop is while it has similar power, it feels hollow compared to the APD. Both the dunlop and the APD put the ball where I want it.

What I found with the APD was:
I had to work a bit to get depth. Or to put it another way - you have to play tennis with this stick. I liked that. This frame was under spec at 311 grams, 33cm balance and 313 swingweight. I added 3grams of lead, (all I had left at home) at 10 and 2, but because I didn't want to leave any tape marks on the demo, it started coming off, so I removed it...

It's obviously a totally different feel than playing with my 12.2 ounce MGRadPro or the GRadPro, but if all of these frames were blacked out, I played best with the APD. I'm also playing again after taking a long time off.

This is a very long winded way of asking. How does the APD hold up against pace? The person I played with/against yesterday is a good player but his pace never bothers me.

Thanks....
 
It does fine through the college level, where many players use it bone stock with maybe an overgrip. It's a very stable racket. It's also very clean feeling in my opinion.
 
Mike, I have kids that graduated college :) . I have no chance of making it on the senior tour...
 
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I used to play with the APD, and I switched to the heavier and flexier PK Ki 5x. Besides the arm issues, the only problem I had was the power was so high I couldn't take a full swing on my groundstrokes with the kind of confidence I have with a heavier, less powerful player's stick. As far as plow and stability against big hitters, the APD is so solid it's not a problem even in stock form. If you really like it but are worried about your arm, you'll probably be fine if you stay away from poly and aramid (aka. Kevlar).
 
prjacobs said:
Mike, I have kids that graduated college :) . I have no chance of making it on the senior tour...
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Hahaha! I wasn't saying that you'd be playing in college or anything! I was just saying that since they do just fine against crazy pace with no mods, then you should be ok :)
 
Thanks, Ramon. I also own a Prokennex 5G. 11.8 ounces and solid. I got this frame from ****. The strings were from mid August and I asked Roman Prokes, an old friend and the RP in **** if he felt that the power level from those strings was at a realistic level. He said yes. I expected a lot more power and a lot less control on the APD. It was poly main, multi cross @ 53/55. The mains are his own string. I forget what the crosses were.
 
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It's great frame, but before you buy it, I'd say at least give a try to a PDR strung with either Tour Bite or Blast. They play similarly but I prefer the feel of the PDR.
 
prjacobs said:
Thanks, Ramon. I also own a Prokennex 5G. 11.8 ounces and solid. I got this frame from ****. The strings were from mid August and I asked Roman Prokes, an old friend and the RP in **** if he felt that the power level from those strings was at a realistic level. He said yes. I expected a lot more power and a lot less control on the APD. It was poly main, multi cross @ 53/55. The mains are his own string. I forget what the crosses were.
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My experience with poly main hybrids on the APD was that they felt fine for the first few hours, but after they started dying there was a loss of control and spin, and the elbow problems came back into the picture.

Of course, we are all different. My joints are probably not as tough as most people's.
 
I am back to the GT version (2010?), and I like it better on serves and volleys. The demos I hit with seemed too whippy. I would maybe add a total of 3 grams of lead between the 3 and 9 positions. I have to wait a year for the next version.
 
RetroSpin said:
It's great frame, but before you buy it, I'd say at least give a try to a PDR strung with either Tour Bite or Blast. They play similarly but I prefer the feel of the PDR.
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I tried the PDR a long time ago. I hit well with it, but somehow, it felt like I didn't get good feedback from the frame. I found, although perhaps atypically, I didn't serve well with it. My serves seemed to naturally go long. I served and played better with my Dunlop 4D 500 tour...

I also found that the GRadPro was way more powerful than the APD.

Thanks
 
Switching to the APD is like hitting the "easy button". Very forgiving, good power and spin, and excellent on offense or defense. There are 2 main complaints about them - the stiff, hollow feel and the lack of control.

Can your arm handle the stiffness? I'm in my late 40's and have no problem playing the APD with full poly. I string it reasonably low (upper 40's) and use a softer poly. I'm not a fan of the hollow feel but that is a much lower priority for me than how it performs.

It's a powerful racquet with an open pattern. If you play a control based game and hit flatter it's probably not a good choice. It definitely won't compete with a Blade 18x20 or a Prestige when it comes to control. It sounds like you didn't have any control issues.

The APD is one of the best baseliner racquets at any level. You may have to experiment with weight but should be able to easily come up with a setup that can handle pace. I have 3 of the original (non-Cortex) APD+ that I use. I have a slight amount of lead to get them to just under 12 oz. They are 10-pts. HL. I have a love / hate relationship with them. I often try other racquets but usually end up back with the APD.

Edit: I use a Wilson Shock Shield grip on them. They add a slight amount of weight (similar to a leather grip) but help with the feel. I think they also help the arm friendliness a bit.
 
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People can be so weird about Babolat!!! Here it's the "dreaded" APD, usually it's the "dark side" (of the force) that people invoke, as if liking a racquet makes you some sort of sell-out (from bloated 12+ ounce clubs) or sucker for popular culture. It's OK, prjacobs! Nobody will think less of you for using an APD, even if you think less of yourself.
 
ollinger said:
People can be so weird about Babolat!!! Here it's the "dreaded" APD, usually it's the "dark side" (of the force) that people invoke, as if liking a racquet makes you some sort of sell-out (from bloated 12+ ounce clubs) or sucker for popular culture. It's OK, prjacobs! Nobody will think less of you for using an APD, even if you think less of yourself.
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It's true. People get very emotional about tweener frames and especially the APD :) . I used the "dreaded" word because the APD seems to always be a volatile issue on the forum. And I thought I'd get everyone's attention. People say things like "it's cheating," etc.
25 years ago I was my club champ and undefeated for two years with a 12.9 ounce stick that I used for over a decade. Granted, it was a very small club in New Hampshire, but, as you can see, I can still brag about it on the TW Forum :) ...
I took a really long time off from the game and don't play nearly as often or as seriously as I did back then, and as always, It's all about what works best with my game.
 
ollinger said:
People can be so weird about Babolat!!! Here it's the "dreaded" APD, usually it's the "dark side" (of the force) that people invoke, as if liking a racquet makes you some sort of sell-out (from bloated 12+ ounce clubs) or sucker for popular culture. It's OK, prjacobs! Nobody will think less of you for using an APD, even if you think less of yourself.
Click to expand...

Could you make a comparison between the apd or pd vs your tc105. I also asked in another thread for a comparison vs the tc100 so hopefully this will work...
 
monomer said:
Switching to the APD is like hitting the "easy button". Very forgiving, good power and spin, and excellent on offense or defense. There are 2 main complaints about them - the stiff, hollow feel and the lack of control.



Can your arm handle the stiffness? I'm in my late 40's and have no problem playing the APD with full poly. I string it reasonably low (upper 40's) and use a softer poly. I'm not a fan of the hollow feel but that is a much lower priority for me than how it performs.



It's a powerful racquet with an open pattern. If you play a control based game and hit flatter it's probably not a good choice. It definitely won't compete with a Blade 18x20 or a Prestige when it comes to control. It sounds like you didn't have any control issues.



The APD is one of the best baseliner racquets at any level. You may have to experiment with weight but should be able to easily come up with a setup that can handle pace. I have 3 of the original (non-Cortex) APD+ that I use. I have a slight amount of lead to get them to just under 12 oz. They are 10-pts. HL. I have a love / hate relationship with them. I often try other racquets but usually end up back with the APD.
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Thanks... I've played with pretty much every string pattern and from11 - 13 ounces...
Yes, there's plenty of room to add weight...
 
prjacobs said:
Thanks, Ramon. I also own a Prokennex 5G. 11.8 ounces and solid. I got this frame from ****. The strings were from mid August and I asked Roman Prokes, an old friend and the RP in **** if he felt that the power level from those strings was at a realistic level. He said yes. I expected a lot more power and a lot less control on the APD. It was poly main, multi cross @ 53/55. The mains are his own string. I forget what the crosses were.
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What were Roman's thoughts about the APD for you(age, playing characteristics, one hand bh, etc...)? Did he recommend the others that you had demo sessions with, or were they your choice? I'm always interested in his thoughts. Thanks in advance.
 
realplayer
My Angell frame actually plays alot like the PD, despite being larger, but is much more comfortable. I found the PD very jarring, have never felt that with the Angell. APD also feels more jarring, though less so than the PD, and probably offers a little more control than the Angell. The only shortcoming I find in the Angell is the power sometimes makes me overhit a bit; as a 105 with 16x19 string, it's a pretty open pattern, so I've ordered some 1.35 string and will try that for the first time in the next few weeks.
 
YesTennis said:
What were Roman's thoughts about the APD for you(age, playing characteristics, one hand bh, etc...)? Did he recommend the others that you had demo sessions with, or were they your choice? I'm always interested in his thoughts. Thanks in advance.
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I'd initially came in to see Roman to have my MGRadPro strung. He was surprised when I told him mine weighed 12.2 ounces with no lead and said that the GRadPro was a crisper, more modern version of my stick that he liked a lot. He also really liked the Babolat Pure Strike 16X19.
I wanted to demo both from him but the pure strike was out so I took the GRadPro and the 6.1 95S. I actually hit well with both frames but the GRadPro produced a much heavier ball. No comparison. I also don't feel I need a spin pattern. I get plenty of spin and it appears that those frames eat strings.
A few days later, I demoed thePure Strike. It was underpowered for me.
I also tried the PS97 315 from him and found it to be a bit all over the place, control wise, as all of the TW play tester said. Also not nearly as solid as the GRadPro.
I demoed the Yonex Ai98 from somewhere else because he didn't have one. I felt like I got pushed around with pace more than with any of the above.
Yesterday, in addition to the APD he had me try the new Head SpeedMPA - the one with two string pattern options. That frame actually was very nice for it's weight, (11.2, I think) but not as substantial feeling as the APD and the string pattern is closer.
He thinks that when properly strung, the APD isn't an arm killer and in general thinks it's a really great frame. All of his demos have his softer version of an RPM Blast type string in the mains. Don't remember the crosses.
I really liked the GRadPro but at least for now, it feels too sluggish off the ground and has so much power, it's hard to control. Way more power than the APD for me.
I really played well with the APD yesterday :) !
He likes to set them up at 11.6 ounces.
 
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ollinger said:
realplayer
My Angell frame actually plays alot like the PD, despite being larger, but is much more comfortable. I found the PD very jarring, have never felt that with the Angell. APD also feels more jarring, though less so than the PD, and probably offers a little more control than the Angell. The only shortcoming I find in the Angell is the power sometimes makes me overhit a bit; as a 105 with 16x19 string, it's a pretty open pattern, so I've ordered some 1.35 string and will try that for the first time in the next few weeks.
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I felt the same thing with the tc100. Sometimes I was overhitting and using synthetic gut probably didn't help either, maybe I should have used poly. No overhitting with the tc95 even though the string patterns seems just as open as the tc100:? The open pattern is actually the only reason what holds me back to order the tc105.
I didn't experience the jarring feeling with the pd but maybe that's because I strung them very low.
 
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prjacobs said:
I'd initially came in to see Roman to have my MGRadPro strung. He was surprised when I told him mine weighed 12.2 ounces with no lead and said that the GRadPro was a crisper, more modern version of my stick that he liked a lot. He also really liked the Babolat Pure Strike 16X19.
I wanted to demo both from him but the pure strike was out so I took the GRadPro and the 6.1 95S. I actually hit well with both frames but the GRadPro produced a much heavier ball. No comparison. I also don't feel I need a spin pattern. I get plenty of spin and it appears that those frames eat strings.
A few days later, I demoed thePure Strike. It was underpowered for me.
I also tried the PS97 315 from him and found it to be a bit all over the place, control wise, as all of the TW play tester said. Also not nearly as solid as the GRadPro.
I demoed the Yonex Ai98 from somewhere else because he didn't have one. I felt like I got pushed around with pace more than with any of the above.
Yesterday, in addition to the APD he had me try the new Head SpeedMPA - the one with two string pattern options. That frame actually was very nice for it's weight, (11.2, I think) but not as substantial feeling as the APD and the string pattern is closer.
He thinks that when properly strung, the APD isn't an arm killer and in general thinks it's a really great frame. All of his demos have his softer version of an RPM Blast type string in the mains. Don't remember the crosses.
I really liked the GRadPro but at least for now, it feels too sluggish off the ground and has so much power, it's hard to control. Way more power than the APD for me.
I really played well with the APD yesterday :) !
He likes to set them up at 11.6 ounces.
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Thanks for your detailed comments. I've really been wanting to try the APD, and think I'm going to give it a try. I recently tried the PS 315 and echo your thoughts. I'm just going to make sure that I string the APD with a soft poly.
I've also been waiting to try the new Graphene Speed MPA, but the demo is always gone at my club.
Keep us posted as you progress with the APD or any others that you try!
 
Honestly, I just can't get comfortably with the PD or APD. I'm not talking about stiffness or discomfort. I just don't like the hollow feel for some reason. I feel like I'm the only kid in my entire town that uses a racquet over 12 oz. It feels like everyone has either a PD, APD, Speed, or Steam. I've kind of settled on the six.one 95 16x18. Classic weight and feel with modern playability.
 
robok9 said:
Honestly, I just can't get comfortably with the PD or APD. I'm not talking about stiffness or discomfort. I just don't like the hollow feel for some reason. I feel like I'm the only kid in my entire town that uses a racquet over 12 oz. It feels like everyone has either a PD, APD, Speed, or Steam. I've kind of settled on the six.one 95 16x18. Classic weight and feel with modern playability.[/
Deleted.........
See below
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robok9 said:
Honestly, I just can't get comfortably with the PD or APD. I'm not talking about stiffness or discomfort. I just don't like the hollow feel for some reason. I feel like I'm the only kid in my entire town that uses a racquet over 12 oz. It feels like everyone has either a PD, APD, Speed, or Steam. I've kind of settled on the six.one 95 16x18. Classic weight and feel with modern playability.
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I get it...l've been there. I think the PD and APD are ferry different. However, I'm honestly more interested in the solidity of the APD.
Yes, many players like heavier frames. That not really the question I asked or need answered here :) .... Thanks
 
I mentioned to Roman Prokes (Google **** Tennis) who customizes frames for many pros including Agassi in his prime about my experiences with the PD and he said don't bother demoing this version either. He's not a fan.
I haven't bought a new frame in probably close to fifteen years, so I don't exactly run out and get the next new thing :) ....
I'll keep looking for a while since I enjoy seeing what's around, but as of now, the APD is my choice.
Roman told me the new blades are very different so I may wait until January and try them.
 
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I'm a big APD fan and it may be on my wish list for Christmas, however I think I just unlocked the hidden powers of my pure drive roddick gt, and I'm very happy with it at the moment. It's essentially a stiffer, heavier, less spinny APD.
 
prjacobs said:
I mentioned to Roman Prokes (Google **** Tennis) who customizes frames for many pros including Agassi in his prime about my experiences with the PD and he said don't bother demoing this version either. He's not a fan.
I haven't bought a new frame in probably close to fifteen years, so I don't exactly run out and get the next new thing :) ....
I'll keep looking for a while since I enjoy seeing what's around, but as of now, the APD is my choice.
Roman told me the new blades are very different so I may wait until January and try them.
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You've tried the new Head Speed MPA. How does the power of that racquet compare to the APD?
 
RollTrackTake said:
You've tried the new Head Speed MPA. How does the power of that racquet compare to the APD?
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I think it may be as powerful, but doesn't feel as substantial. I was the first person who played with that frame. Roman had just strung it up the day I came into his shop.
It felt really nice. Definitely worth demoing. As I mentioned in an earlier post, it's got a less open pattern and probably won't produce as much spin as the APD with equal strokes.
I think with a little lead, it could be a real winner.
 
prjacobs said:
I think it may be as powerful, but doesn't feel as substantial. I was the first person who played with that frame. Roman had just strung it up the day I came into his shop.
It felt really nice. Definitely worth demoing. As I mentioned in an earlier post, it's got a less open pattern and probably won't produce as much spin as the APD with equal strokes.
I think with a little lead, it could be a real winner.
Click to expand...

Thanks for the info. I did a demo with the previous Head Graphene Speed MP. I liked the Graphene Speed MP a lot so I definitely want to demo the new MPA version coming out. I also have a 2013 APD which is a very solid racquet. It should be interesting playing and comparing the two.
 
RollTrackTake said:
Thanks for the info. I did a demo with the previous Head Graphene Speed MP. I liked the Graphene Speed MP a lot so I definitely want to demo the new MPA version coming out. I also have a 2013 APD which is a very solid racquet. It should be interesting playing and comparing the two.
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The MPA was just slightly heavier and the swing weight was a few points higher, but despite that, the APD felt more solid in stock form.
I think that the MPA is has a 22" beam.
 
i play with th g speed mp but while i'm accustomed to it, the pd is easier to manoeuvre and more solid on offense and defense. Both serve great.

The speed is superior in feel and arm friendlyness of course. I really think the non problematic swingweight of the pd has an advantage over the +320 SW of player/tweener hybrids.
 
Not that I've faced college lv pace when I've demo'ed the racquet, but APD does really well with off-center hits and pretty much absorbs and stabilize a lot of your shot. I find it especially helpful for one handed backhand as it is one shot that I find seriously effective in that regard. As for worrying about arm issues, in my demo session along side PS97 and and Pure strike it gave me the most comfort. I don't know about long term but my arm was hurting from playing too much and I turn to APD to relieve my pain. Ultimately I think this stick is that controversial because it is literally an unbelievable weapon on the court.
 
prjacobs said:
I think it may be as powerful, but doesn't feel as substantial. I was the first person who played with that frame. Roman had just strung it up the day I came into his shop.
It felt really nice. Definitely worth demoing. As I mentioned in an earlier post, it's got a less open pattern and probably won't produce as much spin as the APD with equal strokes.
I think with a little lead, it could be a real winner.
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If the 16x19 version has the same string pattern as the graphene speed mp then there is no way that the string pattern is closer then the apd. The graphene speed mp has a very open string pattern.
 
realplayer said:
If the 16x19 version has the same string pattern as the graphene speed mp then there is no way that the string pattern is closer then the apd. The graphene speed mp has a very open string pattern.
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I've played with both and put them on top of each other and next to each other. The APD has a more open pattern..... I have no vested interest in this. I'm just reporting what was a clear observation....
 
I had total paralysis by analysis when demoing frames. Loved the Graphene Speed Pro but took a flyer on the IG Youtek Extreme Pro 2.0. It is the APD equivalent and I had seen few racquets reviewed that highly by TW. Considerably more power, however, which has taken time to adapt but is welcome on the backhand as I have a 1hbh. At the price TW sold them for I didn't even demo.
 
prjacobs said:
I've played with both and put them on top of each other and next to each other. The APD has a more open pattern..... I have no vested interest in this. I'm just reporting what was a clear observation....
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A picture of both rackets next to each other would clear things up.
 
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