Looking to Upgrade from 1st Gen Babolat Pure Strike

[JRstriker12]

Been looking at the new 3rd Generation Pure Strike and I'm wondering if it's worth the upgrade from the 1st generation? Anyone upgrade from the 1st to the 3rd generation stick?

While I love my Pure Strikes, I just not playing/practicing as much (work, kids, etc...) and I'm thinking of maybe going with something that is slightly more forgiving. Generating power usually isn't an issue for me, but getting some easier spin and a bit more forgiveness when I'm a bit off center or off my timing would be nice.

I don't want to go to a stiffer tweener due to previous issues with tennis elbow when I played with the Pure Drive.

Only concern with the 3rd gen is the slightly increased swing weight.

- Former 4.0 (Not playing USTA right now)
- Playing mostly dubs
- One handed backhand (Both Slice and Topspin)
- Kick serve
- Forehand is my best shot
- I can serve and volley if needed but generally prefer to hit an aggressive ground stroke and come in
- current sticks: 1st Gen Pure Strike strung with Volkl V-Square 18 at about 55 lbs
- Previous Sticks: Pure Drive Roddick, Microgel Prestige Pro

Currently considering:

T-Fight 315 RS
T-Fight 300 RS
Pure Strike 3rd Gen
Prince Twistpower X100 Tour
Head Graphene 360+ Extreme Tour
Yonex EZONE 100
Head Boom Pro
Babolat Pure Aero VS

 

[yessir]

Been looking at the new 3rd Generation Pure Strike and I'm wondering if it's worth the upgrade from the 1st generation? Anyone upgrade from the 1st to the 3rd generation stick?

While I love my Pure Strikes, I just not playing/practicing as much (work, kids, etc...) and I'm thinking of maybe going with something that is slightly more forgiving. Generating power usually isn't an issue for me, but getting some easier spin and a bit more forgiveness when I'm a bit off center or off my timing would be nice.

I don't want to go to a stiffer tweener due to previous issues with tennis elbow when I played with the Pure Drive.

Only concern with the 3rd gen is the slightly increased swing weight.

- Former 4.0 (Not playing USTA right now)
- Playing mostly dubs
- One handed backhand (Both Slice and Topspin)
- Kick serve
- Forehand is my best shot
- I can serve and volley if needed but generally prefer to hit an aggressive ground stroke and come in
- current sticks: 1st Gen Pure Strike strung with Volkl V-Square 18 at about 55 lbs
- Previous Sticks: Pure Drive Roddick, Microgel Prestige Pro

Currently considering:

T-Fight 315 RS
T-Fight 300 RS
Pure Strike 3rd Gen
Prince Twistpower X100 Tour
Head Graphene 360+ Extreme Tour
Yonex EZONE 100
Head Boom Pro
Babolat Pure Aero VS

300 RS since you want something easier!

 

[socallefty]

Try lowering your tension to 42-44 lbs with your current racquet and string - might give you what you are looking for. I switched from a Gen 1 Pure Strike Tour to the Gen 3 - plays similar, but Gen 3 is more comfortable.

 

[JRstriker12]

Try lowering your tension to 42-44 lbs with your current racquet and string - might give you what you are looking for. I switched from a Gen 1 Pure Strike Tour to the Gen 3 - plays similar, but Gen 3 is more comfortable.

I find when I string lower I tend to go a bit long.

I could try a thicker string, maybe 16 at 44lbs?

Thanks for the input. Plusher feel might be nice. Don't know why but I noticed one of the the rackets started having a high "ping" sound when hit. I don't think it's cracked but the sound difference is noticeable.

 

[JRstriker12]

300 RS since you want something easier!

Have you hit with the 300 RS? I have to say the Tecnifibre frames look great and every review gives them high marks.

 

[yessir]

Have you hit with the 300 RS? I have to say the Tecnifibre frames look great and every review gives them high marks.

Yes , super racquet with Pure Aero levels of spin. Very nice feel. A tad more powerful for my game but I may try it again , so good! I think you should also try 360+ Rad Mp!

 

[socallefty]

I find when I string lower I tend to go a bit long.

I could try a thicker string, maybe 16 at 44lbs?

Thanks for the input. Plusher feel might be nice. Don't know why but I noticed one of the the rackets started having a high "ping" sound when hit. I don't think it's cracked but the sound difference is noticeable.

Definitely worth trying 16 or 17 gauges at lower tension first before you switch racquets. I personally like Cyclone Tour and HyperG/HyperG Soft at low tensions on the PS Tour. I haven’t played with your string.

The racquet that is giving a higher ping noise likely has internal cracks that you cannot see yet -can cause injury if the vibration response has become worse and you might want to stop playing with it.

If you demo the Gen 3, try the PS Tour also as I think it plays better than the regular weight racquets while being as maneuverable.

 

[JRstriker12]

Yes , super racquet with Pure Aero levels of spin. Very nice feel. A tad more powerful for my game but I may try it again , so good! I think you should also try 360+ Rad Mp!

Sounds good... man this demo list is getting long. I was watching the Ezone 98 reviews this weekend.

One of my friends also had good things to say about the radical.

 

[JRstriker12]

Test rackets inbound:

Pure Strike 3rd Gen
Vcore 98
Radical MP

 

[StringStrungStrang]

Been looking at the new 3rd Generation Pure Strike and I'm wondering if it's worth the upgrade from the 1st generation? Anyone upgrade from the 1st to the 3rd generation stick?

While I love my Pure Strikes, I just not playing/practicing as much (work, kids, etc...) and I'm thinking of maybe going with something that is slightly more forgiving. Generating power usually isn't an issue for me, but getting some easier spin and a bit more forgiveness when I'm a bit off center or off my timing would be nice.

I don't want to go to a stiffer tweener due to previous issues with tennis elbow when I played with the Pure Drive.

Only concern with the 3rd gen is the slightly increased swing weight.

- Former 4.0 (Not playing USTA right now)
- Playing mostly dubs
- One handed backhand (Both Slice and Topspin)
- Kick serve
- Forehand is my best shot
- I can serve and volley if needed but generally prefer to hit an aggressive ground stroke and come in
- current sticks: 1st Gen Pure Strike strung with Volkl V-Square 18 at about 55 lbs
- Previous Sticks: Pure Drive Roddick, Microgel Prestige Pro

Currently considering:

T-Fight 315 RS
T-Fight 300 RS
Pure Strike 3rd Gen
Prince Twistpower X100 Tour
Head Graphene 360+ Extreme Tour
Yonex EZONE 100
Head Boom Pro
Babolat Pure Aero VS

You may like to the new Pure Strike VS too. I am playing the 2nd Gen Pure Strike and have liked it much more than 1st gen and a bit less SW than 3rd gen. 2 other rackets to consider might be the new Blade which has more flex than all Babolats and feels a bit more substantial, and the Pro Staff. Both feel much more solid than my Pure Strike, but I do like the Pure Strike better.

 

[yessir]

You may like to the new Pure Strike VS too. I am playing the 2nd Gen Pure Strike and have liked it much more than 1st gen and a bit less SW than 3rd gen. 2 other rackets to consider might be the new Blade which has more flex than all Babolats and feels a bit more substantial, and the Pro Staff. Both feel much more solid than my Pure Strike, but I do like the Pure Strike better.

Isnt the new Pure Strike Vs low powered though?

 

[StringStrungStrang]

Isnt the new Pure Strike Vs low powered though?

Yes a touch more control oriented and softer. I think sometimes you have to try things outside of "specs" to find what you really want.

 

[JRstriker12]

Demo last night, so far the ranking is:

1. Radical MP - Solid from the baseline, plow through was great for a 11.2 oz racket, was able to accelerate on my serve. It could be the demo strings but felt a little "hot" at the net sometimes, but still good response at the net with solid contact. Got good spin but might go for a softer string for more dwell time. I played with this one most of last night. Just felt good from the first hit. Two shots that stood out last night. A mid court forehand that I took with a ton of spin and it just dove for the baseline. The other players stopped like they thought that ball was 10ft long. A slice / Topspin Ace I hit. Ball just swung wide and kicked, felt easy.
2. Vcore 98 - Whippy. Good spin. Plush feel. Seemed to lack stability in my hands. Got good spin but felt like the head was getting pushed around. Maybe I don't swing fast enough or my swing path is too flat for this racket.
3. Pure Strike 3rd Gen - I don't know if it's the demo strings or what but I didn't get the response I was looking for. Feel is muted, plush, but didn't get the power or spin i was seeking. Just didn't feel good....

I'm going to find a hitting wall today and give the Vcore and Pure Strike another shake out.

 

[yessir]

Demo last night, so far the ranking is:

1. Radical MP - Solid from the baseline, plow through was great for a 11.2 oz racket, was able to accelerate on my serve. It could be the demo strings but felt a little "hot" at the net sometimes, but still good response at the net with solid contact. Got good spin but might go for a softer string for more dwell time. I played with this one most of last night. Just felt good from the first hit. Two shots that stood out last night. A mid court forehand that I took with a ton of spin and it just dove for the baseline. The other players stopped like they thought that ball was 10ft long. A slice / Topspin Ace I hit. Ball just swung wide and kicked, felt easy.
2. Vcore 98 - Whippy. Good spin. Plush feel. Seemed to lack stability in my hands. Got good spin but felt like the head was getting pushed around. Maybe I don't swing fast enough or my swing path is too flat for this racket.
3. Pure Strike 3rd Gen - I don't know if it's the demo strings or what but I didn't get the response I was looking for. Feel is muted, plush, but didn't get the power or spin i was seeking. Just didn't feel good....

I'm going to find a hitting wall today and give the Vcore and Pure Strike another shake out.

Yeah , the 98s that stand out for me with a tight 16x19 pattern are Extreme Tour , Radical Mp and the new Ezone 98 2022.

 

[JRstriker12]

Demo Day 2 -

What a difference a day made. So got together with some of my regular dubs groups. It was warm enough to hit for 10 mins and warm up outside. In the bubble, all the big hitters were on my court. I forced myself to play more with the Vcore and the PS since I wanted to make sure I gave them a chance.

Vs the bigger hitters today, my order totally changed:

1. Vcore 98 - Just day and night from monday. I played AD side (I usually play Deuce) and wow! My backhand returns felt rock solid. Smoked a few return winners off my backhand DTL. At the net, I just connected. All the volleys were clean and the racket felt maneuverable. I think having the sweet shop higher in the hoop really helped my backhand. Serves, hit an ace out wide from the ad side and tons of kick off my second serve. Didn't get to hit too many forehands today but overall felt solid and the YOnex damped feel is growing on me.
2. Pure Strike 3rd Gen - Felt better today. But for some reason it just feels head heavy and sluggish for me. It's more head heavy than the 1st gen. I got plenty of plow-through vs hard hit balls, but shows were flat.
Whippy. Good spin. Plush feel. Seemed to lack stability in my hands. Got good spin but felt like the head was getting pushed around. Maybe I don't swing fast enough or my swing path is too flat for this racket.
3. Radical MP - Started to notice the hollow-tin like feedback from this racket. Everything was off... maybe it was going from the slightly heavier vcore to the Radical that threw me off. Everything was shanking off the the very top of the string bed/ frame. Volleys were allshank winners, not clean. Serving with this slightly lighter stick did feel good and I carved out another slicer ace.