Looking for a Pure Strike 98 16x19 replacement (2nd gen - Project One7). Maybe TFight 305s/300s?

[electricityscape]

Hi everyone! As the title states, I'm looking for a replacement for my Babolat Pure Strike 98 16x19 (2nd gen). I have a couple of these I've been using for quite some time (nearly 7 years) and I think its time to get some new sticks. Lately I've been testing some frames people recommended but haven't quite found anything I like as much as the 2nd gen Strikes:

- 3rd gen Strike: found it to have a much higher swingweight than I'm used to (and from what I've read this is also the case with the new 4th gen which has an even higher average SW). Most similar to the 2nd gen one obviously but gets difficult to use over long sessions (> 1.30h)
- Head Speed MP: same as above, swingweight seems too high and also the racket doesn't feel as natural on my backhand.
- Pure Aero 98: didn't like the feel of the racket, I've tried it with stiff and soft strings at different tensions but it always felt tinny and hollow. Also it seems to force you to hit with topspin 100% of the times to be able to find consistency (not as good as the Strike on flat shots).

I've seen the 2025 Tecnifibre TFight line, particularly the 305s has been praised a lot. It seems to share a lot of specs with the Strike (I am particularly interested in its average SW of around 322). Has anyone been able to try both the 2nd gen Strike and this one to share some comparison details? The only thing that I'm worried about is the 18x19 string pattern. Perhaps it turns out to be too control oriented, so maybe the 300S with the 16x19 pattern is a better option. Those 5g of weight difference are an easy fix.

Thanks!

 

[jimdontcare]

Me too man.

So nothing is going to be a direct replacement and that’s just something we have to accept. TFight 300s is a really good option and if I had to pick something as the closest I might go with that. The more open string pattern is noticeable, though, and I might test it more thoroughly if you would be wary of more easy spin/angle. The weight distribution also is a little different. But again, I think from feel and performance it might be the closest on the market. 305s is a very good racquet and on paper more similar but to me the 300s is more pure strikey while the 305s is its own thing.

The Pure Drive 98 has a super stiff babolat feel but is more comfortable than the PO7 imo. It likes bigger swings and a clean hitter. Would suggest a demo if you really like the Babolat feel and are primarily an offensive baseliner, as it is really good for that style but struggles on defense and net for me. And this might be crazy, but check out the regular PD too (edit: specifically the 2025 update). Yes the bigger head size takes a smidge of getting used to which may or may not be a deal breaker, but its stiffness levels reminded me of the PO7 while being more comfortable and less buzzy.

A lot of people seem to think the Radical MP is similar. I think it’s more similar than the Speed at least. I don’t like modern Head feel so I didn’t give it much of a shot but it is stiff and a light-feeling, all-round control stick like the PO7 was.

FWIW I’ve landed with the Prince Tour 100 310. The 2019 version specifically, as I like its stiffness level, but the ATS version is great too. On paper they don’t look the same, but multiple TW playtesters as well as a bunch of people here said it was a great alternative when it came out. It’s a maneuverable, fairly forgiving, good feeling, control-oriented racquet like the PO7. When I played with it I required no adjustment technique-wise and I even got more spin out of it. May or may not work for you.

 

[electricityscape]

Me too man.

So nothing is going to be a direct replacement and that’s just something we have to accept. TFight 300s is a really good option and if I had to pick something as the closest I might go with that. The more open string pattern is noticeable, though, and I might test it more thoroughly if you would be wary of more easy spin/angle. The weight distribution also is a little different. But again, I think from feel and performance it might be the closest on the market. 305s is a very good racquet and on paper more similar but to me the 300s is more pure strikey while the 305s is its own thing.

The Pure Drive 98 has a super stiff babolat feel but is more comfortable than the PO7 imo. It likes bigger swings and a clean hitter. Would suggest a demo if you really like the Babolat feel and are primarily an offensive baseliner, as it is really good for that style but struggles on defense and net for me. And this might be crazy, but check out the regular PD too (edit: specifically the 2025 update). Yes the bigger head size takes a smidge of getting used to which may or may not be a deal breaker, but its stiffness levels reminded me of the PO7 while being more comfortable and less buzzy.

A lot of people seem to think the Radical MP is similar. I think it’s more similar than the Speed at least. I don’t like modern Head feel so I didn’t give it much of a shot but it is stiff and a light-feeling, all-round control stick like the PO7 was.

FWIW I’ve landed with the Prince Tour 100 310. The 2019 version specifically, as I like its stiffness level, but the ATS version is great too. On paper they don’t look the same, but multiple TW playtesters as well as a bunch of people here said it was a great alternative when it came out. It’s a maneuverable, fairly forgiving, good feeling, control-oriented racquet like the PO7. When I played with it I required no adjustment technique-wise and I even got more spin out of it. May or may not work for you.

I've tried the 100sq in Pure Drive (not the current gen though, but the 30th anniversary one) but I found it extremely overpowered (wasn't able to control it even with a thick poly like RPM Blast 1.30 at 58 lbs). Also hated the feel of such a stiff racket with a stiff string at a high tension. I usually play with softer strings at low tensions (my preferred string is Hyper-G Soft at 48/46 lbs).

I've heard good things about the current gen PD 98, but everyone says it has the same stiff feel as the regular 100sq in. I tend to prefer "control oriented" rackets like the Strike over power/spin rackets like the Drive/Aero. I am tempted to use TW's matching service to see if I can find a couple of under-spec 4th gen Strikes with a similar swingweight to that of the 2nd gen.

Would you say the string spacing (not pattern) of the 305s is more similar to the 16x19 Strike than that of the 300s? Everyone says the 305s has fantastic access to spin despite the 18 mains.

 

[kblades]

I tried 50+ frames over the past few years looking for a replacement for the gen2 PS and finally settled on under spec’d gen4 PS’s. I originally demoed a gen4 that was over 330sw and hated it. But I ended up finding a pair that were under spec’d and decided to try it again, and I have grown to like them even more than the gen2’s. I actually played them side by side with the gen2’s for awhile and preferred the gen4’s. Before switching, I played with the PA98 for two years but it didn’t quite suit my strokes and play style as well as the PS’s. My experience very closely aligns with this guy’s and my the specs of mine are very close to his as well:

 

[electricityscape]

I tried 50+ frames over the past few years looking for a replacement for the gen2 PS and finally settled on under spec’d gen4 PS’s. I originally demoed a gen4 that was over 330sw and hated it. But I ended up finding a pair that were under spec’d and decided to try it again, and I have grown to like them even more than the gen2’s. I actually played them side by side with the gen2’s for awhile and preferred the gen4’s. Before switching, I played with the PA98 for two years but it didn’t quite suit my strokes and play style as well as the PS’s. My experience very closely aligns with this guy’s and my the specs of mine are very close to his as well:

That's nice to know, but it kinda throws me off that the guy in the video had to measure a sample of 15 rackets just to get 3 with unstrung swing weights around 290-292...TW's matching service usually measures a sample of 6 rackets, so I guess I'd have to get extremely lucky to find 2 under-spec ones.

 

[Trip]

That's nice to know, but it kinda throws me off that the guy in the video had to measure a sample of 15 rackets just to get 3 with unstrung swing weights around 290-292...TW's matching service usually measures a sample of 6 rackets, so I guess I'd have to get extremely lucky to find 2 under-spec ones.

That being the case, there's a silver/gray paint job update about to release in a few days, with refreshed stock levels. So if you were thinking about it, then potentially no better time to try for a match than a bit later this week.

That notwithstanding, for stock unstrung SW that averages closer to what you're used to, I would recommend looking at the following (alphabetical by brand/model):
- Babolat Pure Drive 98 2025 - If you didn't mind trading a bit of control/precision for a tad higher power-to-SW ratio, the current PD98 might be workable.
- Head Radical MP Auxetic 2.0 - It probably won't pack quite as much of a punch as a PO7 Strike, but with the right string setup, again, it could be doable.
- Tecnifibre TFight 2025, any one of the 300S, 315S and/or 305S, per your preference - If you can get past the yesteryear grip shape, could be a winner (ie. buy one size down and add material to bevels 3 and 7).
- Volkl Vostra V10 300g, with some lead at 10 & 2 and a heavier grip (Gamma Hi-Tech, medium-weight leather, etc.) - I know it's a bit of a black sheep, but for a 98 w/ 8-throat-mains and a firm flex, it shouldn't be overlooked.

If you didn't mind going boutique, direct-to-consumer, you might also consider:
- Nordicdots Model 98 S or 98 Pro, the S with a bit of lead at 9/3+12 or 10/2, the Pro probably stock - Both just released; firm, Babolat-like flexes and raw, unfiltered feel. Target SW - S: 290; Pro: low-290's to 295.

If you didn't mind a 100, your options open up somewhat, but I'll limit to 98's unless you divulge otherwise.

Hope that helps. Any questions, feel free.

 

[electricityscape]

That being the case, there's a silver/gray paint job update about to release in a few days, with refreshed stock levels. So if you were thinking about it, then potentially no better time to try for a match than a bit later this week.

That notwithstanding, for stock unstrung SW that averages closer to what you're used to, I would recommend looking at the following (alphabetical by brand/model):
- Babolat Pure Drive 98 2025 - If you didn't mind trading a bit of control/precision for a tad higher power-to-SW ratio, the current PD98 might be workable.
- Head Radical MP Auxetic 2.0 - It probably won't pack quite as much of a punch as a PO7 Strike, but with the right string setup, again, it could be doable.
- Tecnifibre TFight 2025, any one of the 300S, 315S and/or 305S, per your preference - If you can get past the yesteryear grip shape, could be a winner (ie. buy one size down and add material to bevels 3 and 7).
- Volkl Vostra V10 300g, with some lead at 10 & 2 and a heavier grip (Gamma Hi-Tech, medium-weight leather, etc.) - I know it's a bit of a black sheep, but for a 98 w/ 8-throat-mains and a firm flex, it shouldn't be overlooked.

If you didn't mind going boutique, direct-to-consumer, you might also consider:
- Nordicdots Model 98 S or 98 Pro, the S with a bit of lead at 9/3+12 or 10/2, the Pro probably stock - Both just released; firm, Babolat-like flexes and raw, unfiltered feel. Target SW - S: 290; Pro: low-290's to 295.

If you didn't mind a 100, your options open up somewhat, but I'll limit to 98's unless you divulge otherwise.

Hope that helps. Any questions, feel free.

Yeah, the new Strike paintjob looks sick. Isn't the PD98 way too stiff? Some reviewers have said it feels just as stiff as the regular PD. I'm very tempted by the new TFights to be honest, particularly the 305s, and I love the all white cosmetic - not only the frame but bumper and grommets as well.

I'm curious about the 100s, what would you suggest? I've seen the Strike 100 16x20 and it has some very interesting specs as well. Maybe a bigger headsize (still in a control focused frame) won't do any harm.

 

[Trip]

You might have a point with the PD98. If you'd like to stay more down in the mid-60's for RA and/or lower Hz profile, completely understandable, and in that case I would certainly look at the 305S, but ironically enough, like the Strikes, there's a very wide QC spread on those as well, mainly due to the foam fill, so you'll see unstrung SW's range from the low 280's all the way up to 300-ish, so again, matching service is highly recommended. If you want to avoid having to do a matching service, you could just roll the dice on a Strike or 305S, else I would steer you to the Radical MP or Vostra 10 300, who's lower stock SW's give you a higher chance of landing one that feel maneuverable enough in stock form.

As for a 100" alternative, having spent good hours with the 100 16x20 myself, with both an over-spec sample (304sw unstrung) and on-spec sample (292sw unstrung), if the through-the-air maneuverability of the PO7 98 is something you've really grown used to, I would say it's questionable where or not you'd like the 100 16x20, or even the 100 16x19. One thing is for certain, you definitely won't like an over-spec one, so once again, match serving required IMHO. I know that sounds quite annoying and like a broken record by now, but such is the QC spread on the Strikes and similar frames in the same weight class. Another option might be to customize up the Pure Strike Team, with extra handle weight and a bit of hoop lead. As for other possible 100's, kind of depends on how much balance-to-control ratio you're going for. If something slightly lower-powered is appealing, I think the Nordicdots Model 100 is potentially one worth looking at. Basically a better-playing, better-feeling Blade 100. On the higher-powered side, you could look at something like the Dunlop CX 400 Tour, which handles a bit more like a 98 as well, but again, the QC spread on those is also upper-280's to 300+, so we're back to the same old diatribe on matching service again (suggest no more than 290-ish SW unstrung).

Hope some of that helps. Happy to chat further on this.

 

[Peyote Bjornsson]

Solinco Whiteout 98 v2 might be worth a go, maybe a bit lighter on paper than the Strike 98, but a reasonably similar frame if you can tolerate the paintjob.