Future of Babolat Rackets

DarkXBlazer

New User
I've been debating buying another Babolat Racket, the Pure Storm Tour, Ltd, and maybe even some other babolat rackets, but I'm reconsidering because of updates.. They have just added the 2011 Pure Storms, despite the fact that the specs didn't really change..

So before I made a mistake I would regret, I wanted to ask you, TW, what you predict of the future of the Babolat rackets. I feel like buying the new Red Babolat AeroPro Drive GT, but I'm wondering what if they update it at the end of the year or in 2012. Which line do you think will be the next one updated? Do you think it'll be a simple paintjob change or an actual change in the specs and abilities of the racket?

Could you answer the questions for each of the lines?

When do you think the racket will next be updated?
AeroPro Drive:
Pure Drive:
Pure Storm:

Do you think the racket will be changed in the next update or just a new paintjob?
AeroPro Drive:
Pure Drive
Pure Storm

And lastly, just to throw it out there, which one do you guys prefer hitting with? And if you are a babolat user, what string setup works for you?

If none of them are getting updated soon, I may get a Pure Storm and the new AeroPro Drive..

Thanks in advance!
 
Babolat does not make huge changes to their racquets mostly it's cosmetics.

But if they are to make some changes next year and it will most likely be cosmetic it's the Pure Drives that are getting a make over.

Pure storms got made over this year so you will have to wait till 2014 for an update.
 

alidisperanza

Hall of Fame
The Aeros are getting a new paintjob a la anniversary deal, not sure about the rest/ if there will be a "frame" update.
 

richsox

Rookie
I've been debating buying another Babolat Racket, the Pure Storm Tour, Ltd, and maybe even some other babolat rackets, but I'm reconsidering because of updates.. They have just added the 2011 Pure Storms, despite the fact that the specs didn't really change..

So before I made a mistake I would regret, I wanted to ask you, TW, what you predict of the future of the Babolat rackets. I feel like buying the new Red Babolat AeroPro Drive GT, but I'm wondering what if they update it at the end of the year or in 2012. Which line do you think will be the next one updated? Do you think it'll be a simple paintjob change or an actual change in the specs and abilities of the racket?

Could you answer the questions for each of the lines?

When do you think the racket will next be updated?
AeroPro Drive:
Pure Drive:
Pure Storm:

Do you think the racket will be changed in the next update or just a new paintjob?
AeroPro Drive:
Pure Drive
Pure Storm

And lastly, just to throw it out there, which one do you guys prefer hitting with? And if you are a babolat user, what string setup works for you?

If none of them are getting updated soon, I may get a Pure Storm and the new AeroPro Drive..

Thanks in advance!

Pure Drive and Pure Storm = Updates in 2012
AeroPro Drive = Update in 2013

The above updates will be more than cosmetic, it will be the typical 3 year lifecycle new generation being launched
 
The word "update" is enslaving. Babolat started using tungsten in racquets about two years ago, Prince used it in the last century. Was either occasion progress?
 

VGP

Legend
1. Try out the rackets in which you're interested that are currently available.

2. Buy the one you like best.

3. If you really like it and can afford it, buy more than one if you break strings or just need backups.

4. Be sure to purchase replacement bumper guards and grommets.

5. Work on finding your preferred string set up.

6. Don't look back.

7. Work on your stroke mechanics and competition skills.

That should hold you for five or more years.

Barring any "real" changes in technology which most recreational players are not part of the development (i.e. graphite composites after wood, polyester strings, etc.) pick what you like that doesn't cause you physical harm with which you can satisfactorily compete with your playing cohort and go have fun!
 

mctennis

Legend
1. Try out the rackets in which you're interested that are currently available.

2. Buy the one you like best.

3. If you really like it and can afford it, buy more than one if you break strings or just need backups.

4. Be sure to purchase replacement bumper guards and grommets.

5. Work on finding your preferred string set up.

6. Don't look back.

7. Work on your stroke mechanics and competition skills.

That should hold you for five or more years.

Barring any "real" changes in technology which most recreational players are not part of the development (i.e. graphite composites after wood, polyester strings, etc.) pick what you like that doesn't cause you physical harm with which you can satisfactorily compete with your playing cohort and go have fun!

Exactly the advice for a lot of people here. Don't get caught up in the hype of the racquet. Very good advice VGP posted.
 

DarkXBlazer

New User
Thanks for the advice, but trying out rackets is the biggest problem. Where I live, there are no tennis stores around, and demoing online is an issue for me, for reasons I won't bother getting to.

Is it bad to have more than one main racket? I have my Pure Drive, but I'm soon going to test out the Pure Storm and AeroPro as well, and if I like those just as much, would it be problematic?

I'm really liking the AeroPro RG paintjob, and I've played with the standard yellow one once or two times and I really like the feel of it, but I'm not sure yet..

So, should I just not wait for the technology changes then?
 

VGP

Legend
It's not "bad" to have more than one different racket. It's your game, your time, your money, and your body.

If you like all three Babolat frames (four if you count the RG cosmetic APDCGT) and want to use them, that's fine. You seem really taken by the Babolat line.....

Although most people would recommend that if you're serious about tennis that a player would have at least two of their most preferred frame strung with the same string (perhaps different tensions), weighted and balanced the same.

The thinking behind that is to minimize the variables during match play. You're already dealing with your opponent plus the sun, the wind, the balls, people in the adjacent court, barking dogs, what have you.....the last thing you want to be concerned with is playing with a totally different frame once one becomes unplayable (broken string, unraveled grip, etc.). At least it's one less thing to blame should your game go south.

As for technology changes, as others mentioned, historically that's not as major as concurrently switching between different frames as you suggest. It's most likely minor changes in layup and cosmetics to keep people wanting the "latest and greatest" and for the major companies to keep counterfeiters at bay. For rackets, technology changes haven't been as radical as like the advent of graphite composites in 1982-83, or the prevalence of the widebody frames in the late 80s-early 90s. The use of polyester and co-poly strings in the late 90s-early 2000s has had a greater impact.

When it comes to rackets, take two pro examples for sticking with one model for an extended period of time.... Sampras used Wilson Pro Staff Midsize frames made in St Vincent for 20 years. Nadal uses the original APD with only changes in the cosmetics now for seven years.

In my experience, I went "backward" in technology. I used the Wilson Pro Staff Midsize Taiwanese frames for 13 years starting in 1992. Took time off the game and thought I needed something "new." I chose the Dunlop HM200g. It was nice, but I never really settled into the frame. Went back to the PS85. Then on a whim came across the Wilson Graphite Force Midsize, a frame available in 1985-86. Loved it right away.

At the beginning of 2010 I was part of TW's Wilson playtest experiment and was given to test a blacked-out BLX Tour 90 and was excited about trying out a new frame. I was open to the idea that if I liked the frame I might actually purchase them. After the playtest, I MUCH preferred the 25 year old Graphite Force. Plus it's a frame that can be scored on the used market between $20-$30.

That's just my experience. I have many other frames that I try out for fun all the time. But, when it comes to my playing frames, I stick with one model. There are players that stick with one frame, there are players that change it up all the time. It's totally up to you.
 

breek1

New User
Just wait for it!!!

The new aeropro drive is coming out soon so I would wait cause I've tried it and it is great in my opinion. Stable, solid feel, good control for pattern and weight, and great access to spin and power. Rh
 

Nostradamus

Bionic Poster
I really hope in the future , babalat makes Cortex system that really works. Vib dampening isn't really as good as the propaganda said it is
 

smirker

Hall of Fame
The new aeropro drive is coming out soon so I would wait cause I've tried it and it is great in my opinion. Stable, solid feel, good control for pattern and weight, and great access to spin and power. Rh

Don't you think he has waited long enough being as the original post was from spring 2011!
 

cluckcluck

Hall of Fame
Babolat quality control is in the toilet. If you demo a frame and like it, there is a very good possibility of when you buy one it will play differently from the demo.
 

rodrigoamaral

Hall of Fame
I really hope in the future , babalat makes Cortex system that really works. Vib dampening isn't really as good as the propaganda said it is

Fedace: you are a genius brother... i heard babolat is looking for some help in their production department.. i'll be your reference Cho
 

davo81

New User
I've just heard from the Babolat sales rep who covers the area where I live. The Play & Connect racquet will most likely come out in August 2013, and at the beginning there will be only a single Play & Connect racquet, most likely in the PD family.
 
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