Latest 3 Babolat Pure Drives - Query

[novaf4]

Apart from frame aesthetics, are the following 3 Pure Drive's absolutely identical to each other?..

1. 2021 (current) Pure Drive
2. Wimbledon 2024 Edition
3. 30th Anniversary

I've asked Babolat on Facebook but no response.

The reason I am asking is because I have one 2021 Pure Drive (second one broke), and instead of purchasing another 2021 Pure Drive, I am considering purchasing the Wimbledon and/or the 30th Anniversary, in the hope that they will be identical, apart from the frame design.

Many thanks

 

[coolbh6]

The Same

 

[Trip]

The same in theory, but since it's three different serial runs, and especially since it's Babolat, the actual average spec will most likely vary enough that most samples have a high-enough chance of being off from the spec of your current one, and for that difference to be noticeable during play.

The moral of the story: if you don't know it already, get the measured spec of your current frame (in stock, unstrung form) and order a new frame only via matching service for that spec. Or don't, and roll the dice. But for a bit of time, effort and $20-30, IMHO it's a no-brainer.

If that sounds like something you'd be interested in doing, you can return your current frame back to stock unstrung condition by cutting the strings, removing any over grip(s), reapplying the stock base grip if it's not original, and removing any further customization like lead, silicone, etc. Then go to your local pro shop and have them measure the spec (static weight in grams / balance point in cm / and swing weight in kg/cm^2). Note that down, then place a new order with that shop, or your favorite online retailer, and pay them for a full match to those measured specs. If they can't find a frame, then ask for a reshuffle, or switch retailers, and rinse-lather-repeat. At the end of the whole process, you should have an absolutely identical feeling and playing racquet (minus the paint job).

 

[ollinger]

Might be the same, though as I recall a few years ago Babolat had a special tournament edition of the PD and it was noted by TW that it was based on the PRIOR rather than the current PD

 

[novaf4]

The same in theory, but since it's three different serial runs, and especially since it's Babolat, the actual average spec will most likely vary enough that most samples have a high-enough chance of being off enough from the spec of your current one to feel different enough that you'll be able to feel it.

The moral of the story: if you don't know it already, get your current frame's stock, unstrung spec measured, and order a new frame only via matching service for that spec. Or don't, and roll the dice. But for a bit of time, effort and $20-30, IMHO it's a no-brainer.

If that sounds like something you'd be interested in doing, you can return your current frame back to stock unstrung condition by cutting the strings, removing any over grip(s), reapplying the stock base grip if it's not original, and removing any further customization like lead, silicone, etc. Then go to your local pro shop and have them measure the spec (static weight in grams / balance point in ##.# cm / and swing weight in kg/cm^2). Note that down, then place a new order with them or your favorite online retailer of choice is, and pay them for a full spec match to the specs of your current frame.

Thank you for your reponse. I didn't know this was possible. I understand everything you've written about bringing mine back to stock, but I'm keen to understand more about a retailer being able to match the specs. Let's assume a retailer stocks a box full of 2024 Wimbledon editions' and a box full of 30th Anniversary's... they'd take my specs... then what?

In a different scenario, if I didn't have a 2021 version and therefore did not have any specs to send to a retailer, and I wanted to buy a 2024 Wimbledon edition and a 30th Anniversary, would a retailer be prepared/able to match specs between those two?

Thanks.

 

[Trip]

Thank you for your reponse. I didn't know this was possible. I understand everything you've written about bringing mine back to stock, but I'm keen to understand more about a retailer being able to match the specs. Let's assume a retailer stocks a box full of 2024 Wimbledon editions' and a box full of 30th Anniversary's... they'd take my specs... then what?

Very welcome. They'd take your specs, then take, say, 5-10 new frames, remove the placards from the hoops, and measure them all (for static weight, balance, and swing weight), attempting to find the closest one to yours. In an ideal scenario, they would be able to, at least to within 1g of static weight, 0.1cm of balance and 1-2 points of swing weight. Then you buy that one and live happily ever after. If they couldn't find one, you'd either ask for a reshuffle or check with a different retailer (or both, in succession).

And let's be clear: what you're going for here is a racquet that matches yours in its natural stock form. While a customization service could be applied to certain individual samples that might be lower in spec than yours, and give you a "fabricated match", the racquets would still be different in naked, stock form, which is what you'd be having the retailer try and eliminate from the equation by using the matching service in the first place.

In a different scenario, if I didn't have a 2021 version and wanted to buy a 2024 Wimbledon edition and a 30th Anniversary, would a retailer be prepared/able to match specs between those two?

That retailer should be prepared to, yes, provided they carried both editions, offered a spec-finding service, and actually had stock of the target spec you were looking for. TW usually does. TExpress also usually does. Not sure about T-Point.

Hope that helps again.

 

[novaf4]

Very welcome. They'd take your specs, then take, say, 5-10 new frames, remove the placards from the hoops, and measure them all (for static weight, balance, and swing weight), attempting to find the closest one to yours. In an ideal scenario, they would be able to, at least to within 1g of static weight, 0.1cm of balance and 1-2 points of swing weight. Then you buy that one and live happily ever after. If they could find one, you'd either ask for a reshuffle or check with a different retailer (or both, in succession).

And let's be clear: what you're going for here is a racquet that matches yours in its natural stock form. While a customization service could be applied to certain individual samples that might be lower in spec than yours, and give you a "fabricated match", the racquets would still be different in naked, stock form, which is what you'd be having the retailer try and eliminate from the equation by using the matching service in the first place.


That retailer should be prepared to, yes, provided they carried both editions, offered a spec-finding service, and actually had stock of the target spec you were looking for. TW usually does. TExpress also usually does. Not sure about T-Point.

Hope that helps again.

That REALLY helps! I hope it helps others too. I had no idea a retailer could do this. Thank you.

 

[Trip]

@novaf4 - Very welcome. If you end up going this route, regardless of the retailer, I would highly recommend calling the order in directly to their MRT (master racquet technician) department, so that it gets placed properly as a custom matching order. If you just place it online, then try to add a note and/or communicate your wishes for the matching service afterwards, the order could (read: will) get missed, and dispatch you regular unmatched frame(s). Ask me how I know that.... because it happened to me before! If you go with TW USA, the number for their MRT department is 800-799-9230.

Best of luck!

 

[novaf4]

@novaf4 - Very welcome. If you end up going this route, regardless of the retailer, I would highly recommend calling the order in directly to their MRT (master racquet technician) department, so that it gets placed properly as a custom matching order. If you just place it online, then try to add a note and/or communicate your wishes for the matching service afterwards, the order could (read: will) get missed, and dispatch you regular unmatched frame(s). Ask me how I know that.... because it happened to me before! If you go with TW USA, the number for their MRT department is 800-799-9230.

Best of luck!

Maybe I should have said - I live in England.

 

[Trip]

Maybe I should have said - I live in England.

No worries. No sure if TW Europe is fair game for you, but they should offer the exact same matching service as TW USA. Actually it appears TWE's is even better, as they'll actually send you the measured spec on I believe six frames, and you can can pick the closest, or ask for a reshuffle if you can't find a close enough match.