Need help to choose? :)

[AHMET]

I am Head XT Instinct Mp and Rpm Blast user and I am planning to buy a new racquet. I have some choices but I need your suggestions and thoughts. I am 4.0-4.5 attack player and I love to go to net and hard hitting. I am 32 years old and 1.75m height. Never head any arm or wrist problem.

I looked at Babolat Pure Drive Tour, Wilson Pro Staff 97, Wilson Blade 16 X 19 CV. What are your thoughts and advices?

 

[Tordne]

I would definitely recommend adding the Babolat Pure Strike 16x19 into your trial. I'm a recent convert, but I tried A LOT of different rackets (including CV Blade) before settling on the Strike. I'm very happy with every aspect of this racket.

 

[AHMET]

First I wanted to buy Pure Strike but in Turkey it is not possible to find Pure Strike L2. So I need to find other racquet. Also I added Pro Staff 97 RF to the list.

 

[Tordne]

Does TW or TWE send to Turkey? I can't speak for the latest RF97, but I found my self quite disconnected from the feel with the original.

 

[Fintft]

Wilson Prostaff 97s 2016 model (last year, red and black); you can scoop it up new for $100.

 

[AHMET]

What are pros and cons Wilson Prostaff 97s?

 

[Liam Grennon]

What makes you want to switch?
We need info on what you liked and disliked with your current stick!
"Advice is like snow - the softer it falls, the longer it dwells upon, and the deeper it sinks into the mind" - Samuel Taylor Coleridge
Happy Hitting - Liam Grennon

 

[2HBH-DTL]

either of the new pure strikes in the 16x19 or 18x20. (personally i'd go with the 18x20 but that's just me). i owned the PS97 and wasn't super impressed with it so stay away from that one IMO.

 

[Crocodile]

If you like to come to the net then the pro staff is your best bet out of the 3 you have mentioned.
Btw just because you don't have arm problems now, doesn't mean you won't later. From experience many wrist and elbow issues take time to develop. Combining a Babolat Pure Drive with RPM blast will definitely accelerate this process, do don't say you haven't been warned OK.

 

[AHMET]

Today I found Pure Strike 16X19 for my hand size but I didnt buy because I havent decided it yet.

Did you say Pro Staff 97 or 97 RF? About RF, I am thinking if I can swing it or not because of weight. For Pro Staff 97, some says it has inconsistent string bed. What do you think about RF and standart Pro staff 97?

 

[AHMET]

After a lot of search,before I buy new raquet I decided to add lead and heavier overgrip and than try. I want to have more stability. In Turkey, I found Wilson Tungsten tape.

I am planning to customise my Head Xt Instinct:
1- 10 gr lead at 3 & 9
2- 12 gr overgrip
3- 3 gr. vibration bumper

New specs will be
– 325 gr. with overgrip (It was 306 with overgip)
– 6 pt head light without strings (It was 6 pt head light without strings)
– 338 Swing weight (It was 319)

Should I do this customisation? This is my first try. So I need your suggestion

 

[saleem]

After a lot of search,before I buy new raquet I decided to add lead and heavier overgrip and than try. I want to have more stability. In Turkey, I found Wilson Tungsten tape.

I am planning to customise my Head Xt Instinct:
1- 10 gr lead at 3 & 9
2- 12 gr overgrip
3- 3 gr. vibration bumper

New specs will be
– 325 gr. with overgrip (It was 306 with overgip)
– 6 pt head light without strings (It was 6 pt head light without strings)
– 338 Swing weight (It was 319)

Should I do this customisation? This is my first try. So I need your suggestion

I would go with smaller changes and gradually increase rather than adding 10 grams at 3 & 9, here is my suggestion add 4 grams (2 grams on each side) at 3&9, add 6 grams under the grip close to the buttcap, play test it for few days and see how it plays if you need to increase SW afterward add 2 grams to 12 position and that would give you high sw.

 

[AHMET]

I would go with smaller changes and gradually increase rather than adding 10 grams at 3 & 9, here is my suggestion add 4 grams (2 grams on each side) at 3&9, add 6 grams under the grip close to the buttcap, play test it for few days and see how it plays if you need to increase SW afterward add 2 grams to 12 position and that would give you high sw.

Hmm. Good idea. I bought another overgrip which is 6 gr heavier So for your suggestion, I will use 6 gr heavier overgrip, than add 4 grams 3 & 9 than try right? How much stability will change with 4 grams?

 

[fuzz nation]

After a lot of search,before I buy new raquet I decided to add lead and heavier overgrip and than try. I want to have more stability. In Turkey, I found Wilson Tungsten tape.

I am planning to customise my Head Xt Instinct:
1- 10 gr lead at 3 & 9
2- 12 gr overgrip
3- 3 gr. vibration bumper

New specs will be
– 325 gr. with overgrip (It was 306 with overgip)
– 6 pt head light without strings (It was 6 pt head light without strings)
– 338 Swing weight (It was 319)

Should I do this customisation? This is my first try. So I need your suggestion

I agree with our pal saleem in post #12 - if you want to stabilize the hoop of your racquet, you'll probably get good results by applying weighted tape at 3 and 9 o'clock, but a total of 10 grams is probably too much for your first try. Adding a total of perhaps 4 or 5 grams there will likely make a difference without drastically altering your racquet's balance. If that doesn't help with its stability, you can add a little more.

I've become a fan of tuning my racquets by feel instead of going for specific numbers or spec's. My most recent customizing included adding weight to the racquet's hoop at 3/9 o'clock until it felt solid enough at contact, both for ground strokes and volleys. Then I added lead tape to my handle (under my overgrip) until the maneuverability was comfortable for me. I use somewhat heavy racquets and prefer a balance of 9-10 pts. HL. It took a little trial and error, but I used a wall for hitting balls so that it was easy to stop and start as I made my adjustments.

 

[saleem]

Hmm. Good idea. I bought another overgrip which is 6 gr heavier So for your suggestion, I will use 6 gr heavier overgrip, than add 4 grams 3 & 9 than try right? How much stability will change with 4 grams?

twistweight on your racket is fairly good to begin with it is 14.11, if I was going to modify it I will not increase it too much 4 grams there should be good starting point.

 

[AHMET]

twist on your racket is fairly good to begin with it is 14.11, if I was going to modify it I will not increase it too much 4 grams there should be good starting point.

6 gr heavier overgrip, and 4 grams 3 & 9? Correct? OR only 4 grams to 3 & 9 and not heavier overgrip? Which one?

 

[saleem]

6 gr heavier overgrip, and 4 grams 3 & 9? Correct? OR only 4 grams to 3 & 9 and not heavier overgrip? Which one?

you need 6 grams on the tail end to keep the balance

 

[AHMET]

I started to customise Head racquet but when I put racquet on scale, I saw that it is 295 gr. instead of 300 gr I am very very confused. It must be 300 gr but it seems 5 gr. off. Is it normal?