Need advice - what instead Pure Strike 305g 16x19 3gen

[alabuz]

Hello guys, I need your help.

I wanted to switch my Pure Strike 3gen 305g 16x19 for something new. It's a pretty good stick but a little bit too stiff and I need more power.

My level is 5.0 NTRP, style is between agressive baseliner and all-court player. Flat forehand (eastern grip), double-handed backhand.

My weapon are serve (flat), forehand and dropshots.

I tested:
1. Tecnifibre TF40 305g 16x19 - i like forehand but lack of power on serve and backhand (for now my favourite stick), volley ok.
2. Tecnifibre T-fight ISO305 - too stiff and high swingbalance, compare to TF40 - I prefer TF40
3. Wilson Blade 98 305g 16x19 v9 - good feel and serve but I need a more power
4. Yonex vcore 98 305g - unexpectedly good, maybe too high launch angle, power is good
5. New Pure Strike 305g 16x19 - i prefer my oldest version

What should I test?

 

[socallefty]

I wanted to switch my Pure Strike 3gen 305g 16x19 for something new. It's a pretty good stick but a little bit too stiff and I need more power.

Pure Strike Tour G3 has a similar SW, but more static weight and a much lower vibration frequency. It feels like it has more power due to the extra mass while being as maneuverable due to being more headlight and is more comfortable. I’ve switched a couple of players including my wife from the regular 16x19 to the Tour after they tried my racquet. It plays good with poly in the low forties or gut/poly hybrids in the mid-forties.

 

[Leen]

Ezone 98. Lower launch than vcore. More power and spin than blade. Comfort wise I assume better then pure strike but not blade.

 

[Sideline_22]

For sure Yonex Ezone Tour 2022, it crushes the Ball if you can handle the Racket weight over the distance of a Match. Maybe pair it with a 1,20 mm Poly like Head Lynx Tour and your are good to Go!

 

[alabuz]

Thanks.
Two tears ago I played Pure Struke Tour but in the long run, it was too heavy and I came back to regular Pure Strike. I have to try ezone 98, but firstly 305g.
What else?

 

[nyc]

tf40 315 - surprisingly maneuverable, comfortable and good power with extra weight vs the 305
Pure Aero 98 at low tension (44-48)
Maybe even pure strike 100 16x20

 

[nintendoplayer]

How about trying out other strings first? Making your PureStrike „a little bit less stiff“ and „a little bit more powerful“ should be possible with a different string setup, possibly also a hybrid string setup.
Of course you‘d need to share your current strings and tension for that.

 

[alabuz]

I decided to change my racket. I need new challenges
So far I have played with a Razor Code white 1,25mm 23kg. I really like this setup.

I have tested 9 rackets so far:

1. Tecnifibre TF40 (305) 16x19
2. Tecnifibre TFight ISO 305
3. Wilson Blade 98 16x19 v9
4. Yonex VCORE 98 (305g) (2023)
5. Head Radical MP 2023
6. Babolat Pure Strike 16x19 (2024)
7. Yonex Percept 97
8. Head Gravity Tour 2023
9. Wilson Blade 98 PRO 18x20 v8

The order is not random, it is from best to worst. I'm taking for tests today:
Head Speed MP 2024
Yonex EZONE 98 (305g)

 

[nintendoplayer]

....ah, good old racketoholism

 

[Tan Tennis]

Percept 100D
Ezone 98
Whiteout 18x20

 

[Tranqville]

"It's a pretty good stick but a little bit too stiff and I need more power." Pure Strike is the most powerful racquet in its class of "pleener" control-power racquets. To get even more power, you need to reach into power racquets category, like Diadem Nova, Ezone, FX500 Tour.

If you want a softer Pure Strike, Gen 4. Pure Strike will work perfectly.

In search of a better, softer Pure Strike I switched to Technifibre Tfight ISO and I'm extremely satisfied with the product line. In control-power category, you can also demo Speed MP and Dunlop CX 400 Tour.

 

[yourtennisfit]

Hello guys, I need your help.

I wanted to switch my Pure Strike 3gen 305g 16x19 for something new. It's a pretty good stick but a little bit too stiff and I need more power.

My level is 5.0 NTRP, style is between agressive baseliner and all-court player. Flat forehand (eastern grip), double-handed backhand.

My weapon are serve (flat), forehand and dropshots.

I tested:
1. Tecnifibre TF40 305g 16x19 - i like forehand but lack of power on serve and backhand (for now my favourite stick), volley ok.
2. Tecnifibre T-fight ISO305 - too stiff and high swingbalance, compare to TF40 - I prefer TF40
3. Wilson Blade 98 305g 16x19 v9 - good feel and serve but I need a more power
4. Yonex vcore 98 305g - unexpectedly good, maybe too high launch angle, power is good
5. New Pure Strike 305g 16x19 - i prefer my oldest version

What should I test?

You could try the Vcore Tour - it takes a bit away from the launch and produces an even heavier ball

 

[Djinn]

As @Tranqville said above, Pure Strike is one of the most powerful racquets in its class, so it would be difficult to find something even more powerful in its category. Only thing that comes to mind is maybe Babolat Pure Drive 98.

 

[Bill Lobsalot]

Drop your tension. Use gut. I think adjusting your strings will benefit you more than a new racket.

 

[alabuz]

In search of a better, softer Pure Strike I switched to Technifibre Tfight ISO and I'm extremely satisfied with the product line. In control-power category, you can also demo Speed MP and Dunlop CX 400 Tour.

II think I will also go in this direction and buy a Tecnifibre Tfight ISO, but 305g. Have you compared these two models 305 and 315g?

 

[Trip]

@alabuz - Apart from the list you've tried already, if you're looking for frames that need little-to-zero customization, I would also try the following:
- Yonex EZone Tour (burly weight, but a high-power cannon)
- Yonex VCore Tour (might need a bit of lead at 12)

Since you said the ISO 305 was too stiff (probably from stringing the 18x19 too firm/tight and/or that combined with the layup), then you probably have to exclude the Pure Drive 98 and Shift (very firm when hit Eastern).

If full customization is a possibility for you, ie. spec'ing up a lighter "platform" frame, then your options open up considerably, to the following flat/eastern-friendly frame (and I would urge you keep an open mind about try some 100's; many of the following are more controllable than you may think):

- Babolat Strike 100 16x20
- Dunlop CX 400 Tour
- Dunlop FX 500/500LS
- Head Instinct MP
- Prince Warrior 100 300g (a sleeper - DON'T overlook it)
- Prince Textreme Warrior 100
- Prince TwistPower X100/Tour
- Wilson Ultra 100/100L v4
- Yonex EZone 98
- Yonex Ezone 100
- Yonex Percept 100

Hope that helps. Any questions, feel free.

 

[Tranqville]

II think I will also go in this direction and buy a Tecnifibre Tfight ISO, but 305g. Have you compared these two models 305 and 315g?

I prefer the 305 due to its lower stiffness, better control and plough. 305 is more demanding. I'd say that 315 is a racquet for NTRP 4.0-4.5, and 305 is for NTRP 5.0+. I ordered two 305 but I'm yet to see if they work for me long-term. Working hard on the practice court to be somewhat worthy of this Excalibur.

 

[NattyGut]

Hello guys, I need your help.

I wanted to switch my Pure Strike 3gen 305g 16x19 for something new. It's a pretty good stick but a little bit too stiff and I need more power.

My level is 5.0 NTRP, style is between agressive baseliner and all-court player. Flat forehand (eastern grip), double-handed backhand.

My weapon are serve (flat), forehand and dropshots.

I tested:
1. Tecnifibre TF40 305g 16x19 - i like forehand but lack of power on serve and backhand (for now my favourite stick), volley ok.
2. Tecnifibre T-fight ISO305 - too stiff and high swingbalance, compare to TF40 - I prefer TF40
3. Wilson Blade 98 305g 16x19 v9 - good feel and serve but I need a more power
4. Yonex vcore 98 305g - unexpectedly good, maybe too high launch angle, power is good
5. New Pure Strike 305g 16x19 - i prefer my oldest version

What should I test?

Babolat PA 98, Dunlop, Wilson Blade Pro v9 16M (maybe impossible to demo unless a friend has one), Yonex Ezone 98

 

[SinneGOAT]

The ezone is a must try.

 

[Leen]

I decided to change my racket. I need new challenges
So far I have played with a Razor Code white 1,25mm 23kg. I really like this setup.

I have tested 9 rackets so far:

1. Tecnifibre TF40 (305) 16x19
2. Tecnifibre TFight ISO 305
3. Wilson Blade 98 16x19 v9
4. Yonex VCORE 98 (305g) (2023)
5. Head Radical MP 2023
6. Babolat Pure Strike 16x19 (2024)
7. Yonex Percept 97
8. Head Gravity Tour 2023
9. Wilson Blade 98 PRO 18x20 v8

The order is not random, it is from best to worst. I'm taking for tests today:
Head Speed MP 2024
Yonex EZONE 98 (305g)

I actually been testing the Speed MP 2024 myself this week looking for more arm comfort. Unfortunately I think my pain stems more from technique and a softer RA might not be the solution, though still probably good long term for my arm.

But I personally am likely going to go back to my Ezone 98 after this weeks demo. Going to try a softer string set up in the speed mp to see if makes any last minute difference.

Currently I have speed MP with lynx tour which feels more uncomfortable then Ezone 98 with poly tour pro.

I also found the diadem nova to be kind of a sleeper. Lots of power maybe a scootch more then Ezone 98 but still controllable , mid launch angle but very consistent, high stiffness but was not that uncomfortable with that foam filling. Now that I think about it, I think I actually liked the diadem nova more then speed mp. Way more predictable launch angle and felt more natural to swing on my forehand side. But was not a huge increase in performance to make me want to shell out away from my current Ezones.

I just didn't' get the instant pain relief i was hoping for with a 60RA from the speed MP which is kind of a let down. Had high hopes. Maybe the lynx tour ruined it.

Just my 2 cents.

 

[heavyD]

PA98

 

[alabuz]

I tested two rackets today: speed mp and ezone 98 305g. definitely speed suits me better. adequate power, great serve and forehand, slightly worse backhand. With ezone, the ball often flew too far and out of control (I play flat).
When I switch from Pure Strike, I need more control, I think.

I will choose between tecnifibre tf40, tfight 305 and speed mp.

I play too flat for pure aero.

 

[alabuz]

Wow, what a change! I wanted to try Pure Aero 98 at the end of the tests, but unfortunately they didn't have it available. and proposed the Head Extreme Tour. I wasn't satisfied, but I decided to try. I had Speed mp and Extreme in my bag. I started playing Speed, but unfortunately I wasn't regular. Great power, but lack of control. I took Extreme from my bag, started playing and felt shocked. What a great stick! Adequate power and precision, excellent feeling at the net, atomic serve, playing on the rising ball, simply everything I wanted. WOW.