Is It Just Me Or Are The Babolat Aero Line More Popular Than the Pure Line?

[WilsonPlayer101]

I see so many more post about the Aero line over the Pure line of Babolat. Why do you think the Aero are more popular than the Pure Storm Line? I think the Aero Storms are on the top of popularity then the Pure Drive then the Pure Storm.

I have not tried the Aero line but I have tried the Pure Storm and I actually like the PS. It is the Pure Storm Tour GT that I have demoed that I like so much. But what about the Aero line that seems to overshadow the PS line? Also what about the Pure Drive that makes them overshadow the Pure Storm line also?

By the way, I was at a local tennis club a few months back just watching people play and so many people at Babolats, more than any other brand and of those it was the Aero line, not the Pure Drive or the Pure Storm. It was like a whole Babolat Aero army out on the courts. I have not returned to that club since.


Thanks

 

[bcart1991]

They're yellow. They're flashy. Nadal "uses" that frame. That's more why they're popular than anything.

I see 2.5 women using PD and APD frames. Their games are not suited to that racquet. They bought it because "it's pretty."

 

[WilsonPlayer101]

bcart, you are most likely right on the fact that they are flashy and the paint job is considered to be nice by a lot of people out there and that Nadal has that racquet might contribute to it. Even at the public courts if I see a Bab I see a Nadal racquet not the Pure Storm. I have seen the Pure Drive but mostly the Aero line.

I've seen kids with their parents a local tennis shop buying the Nadal racquet and I wonder how many of those kids have tried out the Aero as well as the Pure Drive and the Pure Storm lines first before making their decision.

Spec wise I don't think I'd like playing with the Aero or even Pure Drive but I do like the Pure Storm Tour GT.

 

[Sreeram]

I know more than 80% of its users are influenced by Nadal. But nothing can be taken away from aero design. I have never played with APD nor even attempted to try it from a friend who plays with it. But i own an aero strom tour, aero as such makes the fame more easy for the upward movement that you require for topspin. My second serve improved a lot with it. But then came the problem with stiffness. But aero as such is very useful.
I want Bab to produce a racquet with pure strom stiffness and aero shaft. How good will it hit? It will be the best racquet ever. My aero strom non GT would have been perfect without cortex and stiffness.

 

[movdqa]

Nadal > Roddick.

BTW, I have a PDR and do like it. But my arm doesn't.

 

[li0scc0]

It depends at what level...
Around here....
For Juniors, AeroPro Drive is more popular.
For adult men >=4.5, the Pure Drive is more popular but you see a lot of AeroPro drives still
For adult women, the AeroPro Drive is more popular until you reach the 4.5 level, then the Pure Drive is more popular (neither are very popular with adult women, Prince line is many times more popular with women here)
For 5.0+ men, the Pure Drive is far more popular, and I have only seen one 5.0+ using an APDC

 

[Nextman916]

how everything changed when nadal surpassed roddick in the rankings...

 

[Macro80]

Nadal > Roddick.

BTW, I have a PDR and do like it. But my arm doesn't.

Ditto! They play so damn well though, mine are weighted to around 336 unstrung and I love em.

 

[backatcha]

I know more than 80% of its users are influenced by Nadal. But nothing can be taken away from aero design. I have never played with APD nor even attempted to try it from a friend who plays with it. But i own an aero strom tour, aero as such makes the fame more easy for the upward movement that you require for topspin. My second serve improved a lot with it. But then came the problem with stiffness. But aero as such is very useful.
I want Bab to produce a racquet with pure strom stiffness and aero shaft. How good will it hit? It will be the best racquet ever. My aero strom non GT would have been perfect without cortex and stiffness.

I wanted so much to play with the aero storm tour gt... but it was like swinging a huge club... it was just too thick as the SW was high due to the weight in the lower hoop and throat. I also purchased a aero storm gt (non-tour) then attempted to polarize the weighting by adding a leather grip and a little lead to the hoop (4g @ 12). Now I can play with it but it is still very thick to swing. The aero pro gt (Nadal's racket) was too powerful and very difficult to dial in the control. I had to go to a full bed of BC at 58 and add a leather grip to even make it playable. I wanted to like the aero line but just could not make them work for me... will stick with my polarized (and customized) YT Prestiges. Although I am looking forward to purchasing the new Pure Storm Tour... This is a fantastic racket and I am surprised that more folks don't recognize the value of this excellent control frame.

 

[Sreeram]

yes, pure strom racquet with aero throat will be a huge hit.

 

[The Baseline]

I know more than 80% of its users are influenced by Nadal. But nothing can be taken away from aero design. I have never played with APD nor even attempted to try it from a friend who plays with it. But i own an aero strom tour, aero as such makes the fame more easy for the upward movement that you require for topspin. My second serve improved a lot with it. But then came the problem with stiffness. But aero as such is very useful.
I want Bab to produce a racquet with pure strom stiffness and aero shaft. How good will it hit? It will be the best racquet ever. My aero strom non GT would have been perfect without cortex and stiffness.

Just think if Nadal didnt use that frame.

 

[Ross K]

I wanted so much to play with the aero storm tour gt... but it was like swinging a huge club... it was just too thick as the SW was high due to the weight in the lower hoop and throat. I also purchased a aero storm gt (non-tour) then attempted to polarize the weighting by adding a leather grip and a little lead to the hoop (4g @ 12). Now I can play with it but it is still very thick to swing. The aero pro gt (Nadal's racket) was too powerful and very difficult to dial in the control. I had to go to a full bed of BC at 58 and add a leather grip to even make it playable. I wanted to like the aero line but just could not make them work for me... will stick with my polarized (and customized) YT Prestiges. Although I am looking forward to purchasing the new Pure Storm Tour... This is a fantastic racket and I am surprised that more folks don't recognize the value of this excellent control frame.

Agree... it's a different kind of frame obviously to the APD or PD or whatever... imo it hits a more driving ball, has better feel, and, as a few of us remarked on another thread, has ballpark similarity to the YTPP.

 

[user92626]

Let's try this perspective...

Most people who got a aeropro drive racket or just any babolat racket are right about their decision. They play for fun and good times. So, probably designs, colors, trend, inspiration, personal preference and whatnot should be their most influential factors, NOT playability.

If it's just playability, any racket from any brand will do. I doubt that you couldn't get used to playing with a Radical, EXO Black, Dunlop 500 or some blx blade. They are all the same after a while.

 

[flashfire276]

Let's get one thing straight here.
99% of Babolat users have a Babolat because... It's a Babolat. It's a hype now! It's something that Nadal is endorsing, so they follow what's hot right now! They think "Ooo... French company," and they spring $200 for a racquet they don't even know about! They look at TV and internet ads and see Rafa playing with an APD and say, "Nadal is using it! It should be the best racquet ever!". They go online and see how expensive the APDGT is compared with competitors like the HEAD YTK Extreme and Wilson BLX Pro Open, and think "It's more expensive. It must be better!!". They look at a paintjob that's yellow and flashy! They think, "Oooo, I'll stand out and look cool!" Well guess what, EVERYONE has an APD! If you wanted to look flashly and stand out of the crowd, you just mixed into it.

I remember this one question on Yahoo! Answers. This kid just bought a new APDGT, and I know he bought it because of Nadal! He asked the question, "I bought a new APDGT. Which strings can I buy that come with the 2 stripes that go with the racquet logo?". REALLY NOW??? I mean, even a beginner that strung his racquet ONCE knows that doesn't happen! Obviously, this kid bought this racquet SOLELY for the hype. He doesn't know a thing about racquets, about his game, and how this racquet really is if he played it himself.

I remember on these Talk Tennis boards about so many people asking for advice on the APDCs. I mean, sure it's okay to recommend strings for more spin, power, etc. But there were posts like, "How do I put a new overgrip on my APDC?" REALLY NOW??? I mean, IS there a TOTALLY new and crazy way to apply overgrip on the APDs?? If there is, then I must be doing it wrong, because I own the original APD. And if it is wrong, I don't care because the standard way feels just right to me. But if there ISN'T ANY SPECIAL WAY to apply overgrip on the APDs, then what the heck?? Do you even KNOW about racquets to shell out $200 on an APD that you don't even know it's gonna give you tennis elbow in the future? Do you even know HOW to play tennis and what the advantages/drawbacks of using this racquet? Do you even know how to SERVE, and I don't mean tap serves!!

On top of the hype of APDs and PDs, the other hype is PHT and RPM Blast. I mean like, these guys only buy it because they hear that Rafa is using it! There are SOOO many people on these boards that just rave about these strings, saying "Best string ever!!" and stuff like "It's perfect in every way!!". Well, have you even TRIED different strings? Do you even KNOW you're getting RIPPED OFF?? I mean, yes RPM and PHT may be a great string for some of you. But for those that are like me and HATE THAT CARDBOARD FEEL, you know you can buy MUCH better strings for like half the price. Why pay $15 on strings that are just popular and rave on how Rafa and Roddick are using it, while you can easily get better strings for $6 or $7??

Like, I have a friend that I used to play tennis with. I got him an Aero Storm because it was my recommendation. Yea, it's a great racquet. But when he broke his, I told him to get a different racquet (not suited for his game). He told me like, "No! It's awesome for me!!" Well, then explain WHY you can't SERVE!! Explain WHY you can't even BACKHAND!! Explain WHY you can't even KEEP UP A RALLY!!! Just because it's a Babolat doesn't mean it has magical powers for you to play super well! I mean, if you want the same racquet, AT LEAST get it used! Or get the new ASGT one AT LEAST! Because you can find Aero Storms for around $50-$70 used on the boards. Next thing you know, he gets ripped off. He buys a new Aero Storm for $200 at some crappy tennis shop. Why are you buying a racquet YOU CAN'T EVEN HANDLE????

Because it's a hype.

 

[flashfire276]

Sorry if my response sounded really aggravated. This is a big subject that just pisses me off every time it's mentioned.

 

[Dave M]

yes, pure strom racquet with aero throat will be a huge hit.

Isn't that an aero storm?

So you're not into marketing then flashfire?
The thing is there is an aero racquet for virtually every ability so they can all look like Nadal and that is both very good planning and great marketing!

 

[flashfire276]

yes, pure strom racquet with aero throat will be a huge hit.

It's called and Aero Storm. The newer GT models are nothing like them though.

 

[flashfire276]

Isn't that an aero storm?

So you're not into marketing then flashfire?
The thing is there is an aero racquet for virtually every ability so they can all look like Nadal and that is both very good planning and great marketing!

The last thing I'm into is marketing.

 

[jhutch]

Sorry if my response sounded really aggravated. This is a big subject that just pisses me off every time it's mentioned.

Does it really **** you off that bad? It's just a racquet, it would be different if they grew out there hair like rafa, got the bandana, knee tape, exact clothes and shoes, changed there technique just to be like rafa.

Nothing is wrong with babolat, one of the best tennis brands NOT because of there endorsers, but because of there products.

 

[li0scc0]

Nothing is wrong with babolat, one of the best tennis brands NOT because of there endorsers, but because of there products.

I tend to agree with this. The Pure Storm Tour and Aero Storm Cortex are magnificent 'players' racquets. The APDC is a fantastic racquet, that lends itself to customization. Although too stiff for many, the Pure Drive is popular with many top players for a reason.

Additionally, even if you don't buy into innovation, the Cortex IS something that is unique. Good or bad , it IS different.

 

[SaberTennis]

Flashfire, you sound a little bitter! Perhaps people play with them because they really do enjoy the racket? Because it's lightweight and powerful? Perhaps we're not all idiots....?

 

[Dave M]

The last thing I'm into is marketing.

I don't think you'd fit the company profile for selling the babolat brand!!! ;-)

 

[Donny0627]

Does it really **** you off that bad? It's just a racquet, it would be different if they grew out there hair like rafa, got the bandana, knee tape, exact clothes and shoes, changed there technique just to be like rafa.Nothing is wrong with babolat, one of the best tennis brands NOT because of there endorsers, but because of there products.

U say this as if people dont do this...

But i do have the displeasure of knowing a guy just like this...

He even does the "tap the net and run in a zig-zag pattern" before the match...

 

[flashfire276]

I don't think you'd fit the company profile for selling the babolat brand!!! ;-)

Who said I was endorsing Babolat? xD
But I get you. Babolat is all about marketing. Like the new Pure Storms. They just slap on a new PJ so they can call it a "2011" model and sell it even faster.

 

[flashfire276]

Flashfire, you sound a little bitter! Perhaps people play with them because they really do enjoy the racket? Because it's lightweight and powerful? Perhaps we're not all idiots....?

That's the 1%. Like Bud uses an APDGT. But he customized it to the max, because he knows what he wants. Rabbit and I play with Aero Storms. Not because the name Babolat, but because it's a racquet suited for us.
The other 99%, I'm not sure about that!

 

[Power Player]

I use a Pure Storm myself. I'd use it if it was made by Head, Wilson, tecnifibre..etc. It just happens to be an amazing stick made by Babolat.

I would much rather Bab did not touch the PSTGT and just changed the paint job each year instead of having to make up new technology to sell racquets. I do not see anything wrong with a new PJ. It's a great stick as is..no cortex, youtek..etc needed.

 

[jhutch]

99% of Babolat users have a Babolat because... It's a Babolat.

This is the same for every brand out there, not limited to tennis.

 

[tennisnoob3]

Who said I was endorsing Babolat? xD
But I get you. Babolat is all about marketing. Like the new Pure Storms. They just slap on a new PJ so they can call it a "2011" model and sell it even faster.

as if every other company in the world isnt? :roll:

slapping on a pj or making slight changes can apply to almost every market, even cars, shoes, etc.

 

[Dave M]

Who said I was endorsing Babolat? xD
But I get you. Babolat is all about marketing. Like the new Pure Storms. They just slap on a new PJ so they can call it a "2011" model and sell it even faster.

I was using their stuff around the time Moya won his French, I was impressed by the tactics they had, they went after young coaches then young players to endorse their stuff.A quite inexpensive way of getting the name out there i suppose and we've seen since with companies like Adidas in the racquet market that it's a tough nut to crack, they do have some good stuff avaliable now but i know what you mean.I have always disliked the people who buy gear because player X uses it irrespective of how it suits them or their game.I liked that they don't have a guaranteed new technology every 2 years, though i think it's getting that way more like the others now.

 

[backatcha]

I use a Pure Storm myself. I'd use it if it was made by Head, Wilson, tecnifibre..etc. It just happens to be an amazing stick made by Babolat.

I would much rather Bab did not touch the PSTGT and just changed the paint job each year instead of having to make up new technology to sell racquets. I do not see anything wrong with a new PJ. It's a great stick as is..no cortex, youtek..etc needed.

Hey Power Player, I noticed in another thread that the shape of the frame may have changed for the Pure Storm (the sides appeared rounder)... if this is true then something has changed... have you heard anything?

 

[tenapasi]

@flashfire276

Yeah, i understand. If people have a lot of money for equipments, why not spend more than half of it for tennis lesson, then pick a stick that will match your gameplay ?