Help selecting a new stick

[aceprojesus]

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[LeeD]

Blade98 is great, but it's SW is closer to 335 than 320. Some 11 and 14 year old girls use it to get NorCal top 10 rankings. So you can use it, but it's SW is heavier than you spec'ed.
I like some iteration of Dunlop's 300 series. They're softer in flex, 320 in SW, and about 11 oz, a touch lighter than you spec'ed.
Other's will invariably reco Tfight 315's, but they need some lead at the head.

 

[spinovic]

If you're willing to and comfortable with adding lead to tweak the racquet and get to your target SW, then the 315 is definitely worth a look. Otherwise, I think the 320 would be a better bet from the Tecnifibre TFight line.

I'm not sure what is intended when you say you want something over 11.2 oz. Does that mean anything over 11.2, or do you want something reasonably close to that weight, but not below it?

Without knowing, and since you're a Babolat user currently, why not try the AeroPro Drive - new or previous version? They're around 11.4 oz, I believe, so it seems they'd get you pretty close to your target and may be and easier transition since Babolat makes both racquets.

There are plenty of options, I'm sure, especially if you're willing to get up into the 12 oz range in weight.

 

[aceprojesus]

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[MikeHitsHard93]

There's a lot to choose from from the specs you're giving us. I'm currently deciding between the speed pro and blade 98. Can't make up my mind...

 

[S&V Specialist]

I would strongly encourage you to look at Yonex's offerings as they have several racquets that fit into your spec range, and that are not extremely demanding.
Wilson's BLX Six.One 95's are good options as well.
If none of those interest you, check out the Volkl C10 Pro.

 

[TheBaseliner55]

Try the babolat pure storm tour gt. It's specs are close to what you are looking for. I use it and I can get plenty of topspin and get enough control with it that I'm not afraid to go for risky placement shots.

I have also demoed the Wilson BLX pro staff 90 for fun and enjoyed the control I got from the racquet so I would also look at that racquet as well.

 

[fuzz nation]

I like some of the suggestions above, including the Babolat Storms, Yonex options, and the nod to Volkl. Softer racquets ought to be a bit more predictable, but you'll also need a little more heft to be able to tell the ball where to go.

Another Volkl I'll suggest is the Organix 10 (325g). The strung weight on mine is only 11.8 oz. and I've done a little tuning with some lead tape to get the stability and balance more comfortable for me. So far so good. Compared with my beloved Volkl C10's, this O10 is a little more crisp and lean, but the control and spin potential I'm enjoying with it have me thinking about making "the big switch".

 

[ClintimusPrime]

As stated above, Yonex does have some good options. Two models I've demoed and would recommend checking out are:

http://www.tennis-warehouse.com/Yonex_EZONE_Xi_98/descpageRCYONEX-YEZX98.html

This stick reminded me a bit of my old pure drive + I played with, but felt much better on my arm, as well as more control.

And this:

http://www.tennis-warehouse.com/Yonex_VCORE_Tour_97_330g/descpageRCYONEX-YVCT97.html

This is hands down the best racquet I've demoed to date. I put it right there with my Pro Staff 6.1 95. I found it great to play with, lots of control and it had the extra pop that my PS doesn't. I was 95% sold on it, but I just couldn't get it to have quite the balance I wanted without weighting it up a ton.

The PS 95 is also a great racquet if you customize it. In my opinion, at the stock specs it's a terrible racquet. If you customize it though, it's phenomenal. The only downside is it doesn't give you anything when you start getting fatigued, so you really have to focus on hitting clean shots or you will start shanking balls left and right.

 

[tmc5005]

I would suggest any one of these racquets, all have great feel and control and are very arm-friendly.

Babolat New Pure Storm-LTD GT (95)
DUNLOP Biomimetic Max 200G
Dunlop Biomimetic 200 (95)
HEAD-Youtek-IG-Prestige-MP
Prince EXO3 Rebel (95)
Prince EXO3 Tour (100) 16 x 18
PRO KENNEX Black Ace 98 MP
Volkl Power Bridge-10 Mid (93)
Volkl Organix 10 325G
Wilson Prostaff Six.One BLX (95)

 

[spinovic]

I like some of the suggestions above, including the Babolat Storms, Yonex options, and the nod to Volkl. Softer racquets ought to be a bit more predictable, but you'll also need a little more heft to be able to tell the ball where to go.

Another Volkl I'll suggest is the Organix 10 (325g). The strung weight on mine is only 11.8 oz. and I've done a little tuning with some lead tape to get the stability and balance more comfortable for me. So far so good. Compared with my beloved Volkl C10's, this O10 is a little more crisp and lean, but the control and spin potential I'm enjoying with it have me thinking about making "the big switch".

My X10 325 came in at 330 g (11.6 oz) strung. 1/2 oz below specs. That racquet didn't work for me.

 

[kingcheetah]

As far as 12oz+ weight and control-- I'd say the Wilson Pro Staff 90 plays solid and swings faster than it's 12.6 strung weight would suggest. The Blade 93 and 98 18x20 are also good options. The Head radical Pro is also a solid frame.

I have a friend that used a pure drive who is probably switching to the Pro Staff 90 because of its great control and feel.

 

[Lukhas]

I would suggest any one of these racquets, all have great feel and control and are very arm-friendly.

Rebel 95 is a bit heavy. I'd rather go for the Rebel 98. It's less head light, but the SW is smaller and the frame a bit lighter too. I kinda agree globally with the list though, maybe needs some tweaking. Also, I'd rather go with Pure Storm Tour or "Standard" than Ltd. I tried the extended version, the stringbed is really too tight, even compared with the Blades. Needs some lead on the hoop, the head vibrates a bit, even with a dampener.

 

[aceprojesus]

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[KenC]

+1 on the Babolat Pure Storm Tour. Anyone using the Pure Drive or Aero Pro should give the PST a test run. It offer much more control, hits a harder ball if you have proper technique, gives a lot of spin, and most importantly won't ruin your arm. It is the most arm friendly racquet I have used except for the ProKennex Ki5 315.

You could try the PK Ki5 315 to see if you like it. It gives a lot of control, decent power and is the one all round best racquet I have ever used. The arm friendliness is amazing and I can play 4 hours straight with no arm pains. My legs give out long before my arm does.

 

[fuzz nation]

My X10 325 came in at 330 g (11.6 oz) strung. 1/2 oz below specs. That racquet didn't work for me.

I believe that - if I didn't have some lead tape handy to tune up my O10, I would have had only one or two outings with it before putting it away for good. With the "leaded up" version of this O10, I'm getting the swing behavior I like, enough power when I want to step on the gas pedal, but also getting all the spin I want.

I'm not one to tell everyone to buy bundles of lead to throw at every racquet they own, but I'm enjoying a huge improvement with this new Volkl over its stock layout.

 

[Ramon]

I like the same kind of racquets you're looking at. Right now I'm using the Pro Kennex Ki 5x. It has a nice blend of power and control and is great for the arm.

You might want to consider waiting for some new models to come out. I heard Wilson is coming out with a Blade 98S that will use a special string pattern for extra spin. Also, Babolat will have an updated Pure Storm and a new line to replace the Aero Storm.

 

[aceprojesus]

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[spinovic]

I believe that - if I didn't have some lead tape handy to tune up my O10, I would have had only one or two outings with it before putting it away for good. With the "leaded up" version of this O10, I'm getting the swing behavior I like, enough power when I want to step on the gas pedal, but also getting all the spin I want.

I'm not one to tell everyone to buy bundles of lead to throw at every racquet they own, but I'm enjoying a huge improvement with this new Volkl over its stock layout.

Sounds like me - except I didn't lead it up. I put it away after a few sessions. Still have it though - you interested? haha

 

[wyutani]

Babolat aeropro is your choice. or mayb any Wilson BLX


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[spinovic]

I would recommend checking out some Tecnifibre offerings, if possible.

The TFight 315 and 320 are both great sticks, IMO.

 

[BLX_Andy]

The 2012 Wilson BLX 6.1 95 (16 x 18). That's what I switched to from the Pure Drive. It's more control-oriented so you can use your aggressive playstyle effectively. I didn't seem to have a period where I need to get used to the smaller headsize.

 

[JasonPerelman]

The 2012 Wilson BLX 6.1 95 (16 x 18). That's what I switched to from the Pure Drive. It's more control-oriented so you can use your aggressive playstyle effectively. I didn't seem to have a period where I need to get used to the smaller headsize.

Isnt it to heavy from the pure drive?

Im trying to make the switch from the pd and suggestions i find i cant hit winner because it goes out.

 

[RetroSpin]

Update: I got to try out both the Blade 98 18x20 and 16x19 versions. The new 18x20 seemed to lack power, at least compared to the previous version. It may have been the string setup but it didn't feel lively at all. The 16x19 had decent power and spin but was less stable.

I'm probably going to try the Volkl Organix 10 325g, Volkl C10 Pro and Babolat Pure Storm Tour this week. Any idea how these three stack up compared to the blades and the POG mid?

I think the PST will play a lot like the POG. Probably easier to spin the ball with it.

But instead of all this racquet testing, why not just add some lead to your PD+? Goose it up to PDR specs and you have something better than any of the alternatives.

 

[JasonPerelman]

Ig Radical Midplus

 

[aceprojesus]

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[MikeHitsHard93]

Less powerful, more maneuverable, plays almost like a mid...

Pure storm limited

 

[RetroSpin]

Well, I'm looking for a racquet that's less powerful and more maneuverable. Wouldn't leading it up just make it more cumbersome?

You said you wanted something with higher static weight and more SW. I think that might address the problem of losing control. A regular PD is pretty light, more of a women's stick. You said you have gotten bigger and stronger, so you're probably just overpowering the regular PD.

Also, are you using poly? I think that is going to be mandatory in a PD for control.

Look, do what you want, but I think the PDR+ is by far the best racquet going. You can at least try it out for the cost of some lead tape. Put in Tour Bite in maybe mid 40's or so. It's a proven setup.