First Look from TW: Babolat Pure Strike!

Nostradamus

Bionic Poster
A lot of Babolat fans that crave softer and more control oriented frame will LOVE this racket. You could string with full bed of poly and not have arm problems. Very solid and control frame that will give you power just when you need it. What else can you ask for ?
 

Shaun

Rookie
This racquet looks really stylish. Look at Wilson's new Pro Staff line up for 2014. I'm disappointed in Wilson. Except for providing something more stylish and classy, they have provided something rather ugly.
 

LanEvo

Hall of Fame
Hmmm... looks like the PJ from the Pre-GT Pure Storms, looks nice, simple yet eye catching.
 

Bartelby

Bionic Poster
Blade-Speed-Strike-Vcore category of racquet: stiffish, thin-beamed control racquets with a bit of power.
 

ultradr

Legend
So the flex is 65-66, not 70 which seems to be the number Babolat put out
initially? Many early reports from TWers claimed it plays pretty stiff...

I know there are a bunch of Pure Strike threads going already, but I wanted to add to the Pure Strike craze and create this one for you guys to ask us about our initial thoughts on this one.

Just put up a blog on my first hit with the frames and we will have more coming your way!

http://blog.tenniswarehouse.com/miscellaneous/first-look-sneak-peak-babolat-pure-strike/

Michelle, TW
 

Bartelby

Bionic Poster
It probably plays pretty stiff despite the numbers or, perhaps, it just requires better ball striking and people are hitting off centre more and they're more jarring than on a A/PD racquet.

PS. I'm jsut guessing but a lot of comparisons will be made by people who play the A/PD lines and that may not necessarily be the best way to review these ones.
 
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Phantasm

Semi-Pro
Looked orange in the pictures until I saw it in person and I love the red and black matte. Looking forward to demo'ing when I can!
 

cork_screw

Hall of Fame
Hey TW,

Do you happen to know if the Strike Series is going to replace the Storm Series, or is it just an additional line that Babolat has setup? If it isn't, do you know if or when Babolat is coming out with updates to the Storm Series? Have you heard anything about those releases?

And is there anyway you can give mention to what you can confirm that Head and Babolat are releasing for 2014, just the lines/series, please?
 

Bartelby

Bionic Poster
There were some pictures of the control - more like the current storm - and from memory there will be a control 95 and standard and plus versions of both the tour and the standard 98, but no 100 team - so 5 in all.
 
Bab Pure Strike 305

Thanks Michelle. The Strike 305g looks amazing. Thanks for sneak peeking it for us. I got a great feeling that this will be my new stick! Can't wait! By the way, do you think it will be possible to purchase in December? Thanks.
Johnny
 

TW Staff

Administrator
Let's see if I can answer some questions here.

The Pure Strike doesn't replace anything, it is it's own iteration. But yes, the Storm series is going away.

Yes, there will be two Pure Control frames coming (no plus racquets at this time, at least that we are aware of -- just the Pure Control and the Pure Control Tour) that we know of.

The Pure Strikes consist of the Pure Strike, the Pure Strike Tour, and the Pure Strike 100. These will be available January 2014.

As far as stiffness, it is a bit of a joke around here that I'm immune to the Babolat so-called "stiffness" as I don't really have issues stringing up PD/PDRs in the high 50s/low 60s with polys...so, at this point, I don't find the Strikes to be stiff. We also have them currently strung with a multi that we are playtesting, so poly will be next. There is some new technology in there as well which helps. But, Andy, who uses the Blade 98, says it feels comparable to that -- he says it doesn't feel as stiff as the PD or APD, but not as soft as the Storm.

The paint job is that fluorescent red-orange color and matte black, it looks sharp in my opinion!

Also, our numbers are the specs on the frames we have (not what the manufacturers put out). We only have one of each at the moment and usually give specs based on an average of racquets, so we are hoping to get a couple more testers to see what the numbers really look like.

Hope that helps and I'd be happy to answer any other questions I can.

Michelle, TW
 

cmendez79

Semi-Pro
Hi Michelle,

How did you feel the grip size??

Normally I use Head or tecnifibre 4 3/8, but the babs turn to be a little large so in the APD i´m 4 1/4....

How do you find the grip size same as APD or your PD or it runs "normal" like the heads....
 

FD3S

Hall of Fame
The Strike Tour looks really appealing now - it almost looks like it'll be a better replacement for my PCT Swirly than the new Pure Control! (My Swirly measures in at 12.5 with string and an overgrip, a swingweight of 332, with most people reporting an RA of 66 - the Strike Tour that TW had is 12 ounces strung, 65 RA, and has a swingweight of 330).
 

TW Staff

Administrator
cmendez79,

Without looking, I would say they are running average. I just grabbed my PDR and the Pure Strike feels slightly (and I mean slightly) smaller if anything than the previous Babolat grips.

The 4 and 3/8s feels like a 4 and 3/8s to me :)

Michelle, TW
 

mrmo1115

Hall of Fame
Hey Michelle,
Is there any racquet on the market right now that you can say plays like the Strike and Strike Tour?
 

lidoazndiabloboi

Hall of Fame
A friend mentioned to me that Babolat will also have black replacement grommets for the Pure Strike. I'm wondering if there is any news on this and if it is true. If not, I might need to spray paint the grommets myself.
 

Torres

Banned
So the flex is 65-66, not 70 which seems to be the number Babolat put out
initially? Many early reports from TWers claimed it plays pretty stiff...

It's definitely on the firmer side despite what the RA suggests. Definitely a firmer beam than say the 2013 Wilson 6.1 95. The good thing is though that they seem to have got rid of that hollow/tinny Babolat feel of old. The Tour has a nice weighting and balance to it and is pretty solid. Despite the TW readings on swingweight, it doesn't feel heavy to swing (for this class of racquet) - it feels more like a low 320s SW stick than a 330SW stick. It has a nice distribution of weight to it and unlike say the Pure Storm Tour, the Strike Tour is fairly 'tip light'. The Tour swings very nicely IMO.
 
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TW Staff

Administrator
Hey Michelle,
Is there any racquet on the market right now that you can say plays like the Strike and Strike Tour?

Similar feeling to the Six.One 95, Blade 98, Radical MP, Head Speed Pro...but different. ;)

We haven't heard anything about the black grommets.

Michelle, TW
 

ultradr

Legend
It's definitely on the firmer side despite what the RA suggests. Definitely a firmer beam than say the 2013 Wilson 6.1 95. The good thing is though that they seem to have got rid of that hollow/tinny Babolat feel of old. The Tour has a nice weighting and balance to it and is pretty solid. Despite the TW readings on swingweight, it doesn't feel heavy to swing (for this class of racquet) - it feels more like a low 320s SW stick than a 330SW stick. It has a nice distribution of weight to it and unlike say the Pure Storm Tour, the Strike Tour is fairly 'tip light'. The Tour swings very nicely IMO.

Thanks for inputs.

I have tried Donnay Pro One 18x20 with 10g butt weight (probably similar balance
as the upcoming Pure Strike).

Enormous power in all stroke with reasonable control but it was somewhat
hoop heavy and sluggish on reflex volleys.

Pure Strike will be my 2nd venture into more powerful frames than my current
Head Prestige.
 

Lukhas

Legend
So the flex is 65-66, not 70 which seems to be the number Babolat put out
initially? Many early reports from TWers claimed it plays pretty stiff...
Well Babolat's numbers are unstrung and ungripped. You can drop like 3 to 4 RA points once all of this added, depending of your strings of course. Now you know, some racquets plays stiffer than what their RA suggest. For example, the Blades, especially the [K]Factor and the BLX ones play slightly firmer than 66RA strung (not so much the Amplifeel one though).
 

Matchball

Semi-Pro
Michelle,

Did I get this right? There will also be a Pure Control "line"? Do you know anything more about it, like if they will be released concurrently with the Strikes and how they will compare?
 

TW Staff

Administrator
Michelle,

Did I get this right? There will also be a Pure Control "line"? Do you know anything more about it, like if they will be released concurrently with the Strikes and how they will compare?

There is a Pure Control line. Replacing the Pure Storm line.

As of right now, they are set to launch in February 2014.

I actually haven't hit with the Controls yet (but will today and can give you some more feedback later).

Michelle, TW
 

teekaywhy

Professional
Hi Michelle. Thanks for the peek behind the curtain on the Pure Strikes. I'm a big time Pure Storm Ltd fan and was curious how the new Control frame stacked up against the Pure Strike.
 

PMarton

New User
Great infos in this thread, thanks.

The Strike Tour is just exactly the same specs I currently have with my nBlade 98s :)
330SW, 340gr static weight and 6pts HL balance. It is now on my top demo list as my nBlades are getting old, and one of them is cracked in the throat area...

I would be interested in recommended string tensions, what is your experience in this front? I prefer playing at low tensions (23/21kgs) with poly strings. Do you think that these tensions with a soft poly will suit the Strike Tour?

Thanks
 

TimothyO

Hall of Fame
There is a Pure Control line. Replacing the Pure Storm line.

As of right now, they are set to launch in February 2014.

I actually haven't hit with the Controls yet (but will today and can give you some more feedback later).

Michelle, TW

Our family owns three PSGTs and really enjoys them. My 12-year old uses them now and remains undefeated since his switch. He's hitting with a ton of confidence and loves their unique combination of spin and precision.

Has there been any word on flex and beam width for the new Control line? I'm hoping they remain at the mid to lower end of the scale (64 or less) and thin. Otherwise I guess we'll have to buy some extra PSGTs in the 2011 color scheme once they get discounted in prep for the Control release.

Really looking forward to your impressions on how they compare to the 2009/2011 PSGT.
 
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TW Staff

Administrator
The specs in the blog were from the strung up racquets, here they are:

Babolat Pure Strike: Babolat Pure Strike Tour:
Pattern: 18×20 Pattern: 18×20
Length: 27″ Length: 27″
Balance: 5HL Balance: 6HL
Strung Weight: 11.4 oz Strung Weight: 12
Flex: 66 Flex: 65
Swingweight: 324 Swingweight: 330

We had a new Prince control-oriented multi (one of the new Prince Premiers) that we are playtesting to start with. Just restrung it this morning with 4g Rough (I think). I'm excited to hit it with a poly and will report back!

I hit with the Pure Control yesterday (and will again today alongside the Strike). I'm really enjoying this one (just wish the cosmetics looked better). I think if you liked the Storms, you'll love the new Controls.

@PMarton,
A low tension with a poly would work out really well because of the tight string pattern, so you will probably find that definitely would work well and you can continue with that setup in the Strike Tour.

Hope that helps,

Michelle, TW
 

tlimster

Rookie
Michelle,

In terms of arm comfort, how would you rank: Pure Strike, New Pure Control, Blade 98 2013?

Thanks!
tlimster
 

TW Staff

Administrator
Michelle,

In terms of arm comfort, how would you rank: Pure Strike, New Pure Control, Blade 98 2013?

Thanks!
tlimster

Pure Control is at 62, the Pure Strike is at 66, and the Blade 98 18x20 is at 66...and my order would be just that with the Pure Control being the most comfortable, then the Pure Strike, then the Blade 98.

Just my two cents, but Andy and Granville agree with me on that as well ;)

Michelle, TW
 

Torres

Banned
Looking forward to the TW review of the Strike Tour and the Control Tour.

When do you think the reviews will be up Michelle?
 

TW Staff

Administrator
Looking forward to the TW review of the Strike Tour and the Control Tour.

When do you think the reviews will be up Michelle?

It's going to be a bit...we JUST started this playtest this week and won't film the review til mid-late November.

As of right now, this racquet won't be available to purchase until January 2014...so the sneak peek is as close as it gets for a bit!

Michelle, TW
 

tlimster

Rookie
Pure Control is at 62, the Pure Strike is at 66, and the Blade 98 18x20 is at 66...and my order would be just that with the Pure Control being the most comfortable, then the Pure Strike, then the Blade 98.

Just my two cents, but Andy and Granville agree with me on that as well ;)

Michelle, TW

Thanks for the info, very useful!
 

GoudX

Professional
Do we know the specs of the new Pure Controls yet?

Wondering how it compares to old Pure Controls and the Pure Storms. Other than the stiffness of course.
 

Hal

Rookie
The specs in the blog were from the strung up racquets, here they are:

Babolat Pure Strike: Babolat Pure Strike Tour:
Pattern: 18×20 Pattern: 18×20
Length: 27″ Length: 27″
Balance: 5HL Balance: 6HL
Strung Weight: 11.4 oz Strung Weight: 12
Flex: 66 Flex: 65
Swingweight: 324 Swingweight: 330

Michelle, TW
Head Sizes???
 

TW Staff

Administrator
Head Sizes???

The Pure Strike and Pure Strike Tour are 98 square inches.

There is a Pure Strike 100 as well (blog coming soon!).

Can't say too much about the Control racquets yet.

Michelle, TW
 
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TimothyO

Hall of Fame
Pure Control is at 62, the Pure Strike is at 66, and the Blade 98 18x20 is at 66...and my order would be just that with the Pure Control being the most comfortable, then the Pure Strike, then the Blade 98.

Just my two cents, but Andy and Granville agree with me on that as well ;)

Michelle, TW

That's wonderful news about the Pure Control! Definitely looking forward to its release.
 

BigM

Rookie
I got the chance to hit with 2 versions of the strike last night. The 290g and the 18x20 heavier version. First off I would like to say the cosmetic is killer! I found both frames to be very comfy but still provided me with a crisp feel off the string bed. Really nice!
 
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