New Idea for Babolat Aeros: Are You In?

[TheOneHander]

I was out today with a regular hitting partner of mine who uses the PSLGT. We got to talking about the Storm line from Babolat, and we thought...well, the ASGT is a best seller at TW, as is the PSGT. This brought up the question...could Babolat beef up their Aero Storm line?

With the release of the new 2011 Pure Storms, we've seen five models released: the Pure Storm, the Pure Storm Team, the Tour and the Tour+, and the Ltd. By comparison, the Aero Storms only have two offerings-the Storm and the Storm Tour.

After some discussion, we came to these conclusions:

1) There might be a market for an Aero Storm Team. Like the PSTeam, it's not too far away from its older, heavier brother, but it'd provide a good base for customization as well as give the line some more presence in the market for lower level players (or just players who like lighter racquets in general).

2) However, it'd be unlikely that there'd be a Ltd. Even though the ASTGT is a pretty good player's stick, the PSLGT is the flagship player's frame and is quite demanding. Meshing it with the Aero design would put it in a weird place between the PSLGT and the ASTGT.

3) And then we came to the Tour. If there's a PSTGT+, why not have an ASTGT+? I believe the extra length would intrigue some players looking into manageable player's sticks, and it would (yet again) provide more options to the advanced market of players.

So, if this thread generates enough interest, I was thinking about setting up a petition. The new frames would surely generate interest and revenue as well as generate more curiosity about the Aero line-"so what's the difference between the Aeropro Team and the Aero Storm Team?"

So who's with me?

 

[TheOneHander]

Delete post.

 

[TheBoom]

I agree with everything but I do think that there should be a limited but not like the pure storm one. also I think different pj from the apd line would be nice

 

[TheOneHander]

I agree with everything but I do think that there should be a lye but not like the pure storm one. also I think different pj from the ape line would be nice

EDIT: How would the Aero Storm Team be different from the Pure Storm Team?

And I do like the idea of having a sightly different paint job. I've had so many people talk to me about "Nadal's" frame just because they look so similar. I did like the Cortex paintjob, though.

 

[TheOneHander]

Apologies for another bump, but if you voted on the poll for any option, would you mind explaining your choice here?

Thanks!

 

[thebeast73]

I think a aero storm team would be to close to the pro drive series.

 

[Up&comer]

I say no because all of the current babolat Cortex rackets are so similar it would be almost unnecessary to introduce anything new. An aerostorm team would just be a ever so slightly flexier pure drive or apdgt. All the rackets are like a slightly different version of the same racket as far as feel and stiffness go. That's just my opinion, so don't attack me for it.

 

[TheOneHander]

I think a aero storm team would be to close to the pro drive series.

Fair point. However, I think the boxier head and the thinner beam overall make a huge difference in the playability of the two. Out of curiosity, have you played with both frames?

I say no because all of the current babolat Cortex rackets are so similar it would be almost unnecessary to introduce anything new. An aerostorm team would just be a ever so slightly flexier pure drive or apdgt.

Perhaps a closer racquet to the Soft Drive, then!

Okay, in all seriousness, I think what you said may be a selling point for Babolat. Having a lighter racquet in their line that's a bit more arm-friendly while still retaining the characteristics of a tweener would satisfy people who like the AeroPro Lite or the Pure Drive Lite but have arm issues. Babolat really doesn't have many racquets that are light (sub-11oz) and tweenerish while being suitable for those who have elbow issues, so this would fill in that gap.

------

On a related note, what do the two of you think about an Aero Storm Tour+?

 

[Up&comer]

I don't think the plus would be anything to cheer about. I hit with both a regular and plus apd and I really didn't notice a big difference. I have pretty compact strokes, so maybe that's it, but unless they have a 28 inch racket or more, it's not really necessary.

 

[airdupont]

a + version!!!

 

[TheBoom]

An idea for the limited aero storm! 95 in head, same frame thickness, weight would be 11.6 oz, balance would be 8pts hl, 16x20 pattern and a flex of 64! Anyone else like?

 

[edman9898]

An idea for the limited aero storm! 95 in head, same frame thickness, weight would be 11.6 oz, balance would be 8pts hl, 16x20 pattern and a flex of 64! Anyone else like?

16x19 instead and a flex of 61 and I would bite! And I'm not a Babolat fan (although I did like the APDC but not the beam and balance).

 

[TheOneHander]

An idea for the limited aero storm! 95 in head, same frame thickness, weight would be 11.6 oz, balance would be 8pts hl, 16x20 pattern and a flex of 64! Anyone else like?

I actually really like this idea! It's a lighter, more flexible PST with a more head-light balance. I think keeping the string pattern the same would make for an interesting frame, and it would give it more of the Aero Storm feel. Only thing I would change is to make the beam two millimeters thinner.

That being said, would it make sense to put an 18x20 pattern in an ASLGT? I'm waffling on it. And like I said in the OP, it would be in a weird place between the PSLGT and the ASTGT. And then there's the issue of a different paintjob for the Limited, as the only difference between the ASGT and the ASTGT is the word "Tour" on the throat.

I guess I like the idea personally, but from a marketing perspective, it wouldn't make as much sense.

16x19 instead and a flex of 61 and I would bite! And I'm not a Babolat fan (although I did like the APDC but not the beam and balance).

I think the 16x19 would make it too far removed from the Limited/Aero Storm lines. And 6 points in flex is a huge difference.

a + version!!!

I think an ASTGT+ would have a good share of the market. Now that I think about it, an extended ASGT would also be interesting...

Good ideas though, keep the discussion coming!

 

[Fed Kennedy]

I suggest making the astgt mainly black with red accents. That would be sweet.

 

[thebeast73]

Fair point. However, I think the boxier head and the thinner beam overall make a huge difference in the playability of the two. Out of curiosity, have you played with both frames?

I have hit with both and agree with you, however people wanting a light racket with a midplus are looking for power, which a wider, shaped beam gives. I don't think that babolat could sell enough of them to make it worth it. While some may buy it as a good platform for customization, there just wouldn't be enough

 

[TheBoom]

The ltd would need a leather grip as well

 

[TheOneHander]

I suggest making the astgt mainly black with red accents. That would be sweet.

How about paint similar to the current Aero line? All black with red stripes and yellow/white accents? That would be sweet indeed.

I have hit with both and agree with you, however people wanting a light racket with a midplus are looking for power, which a wider, shaped beam gives. I don't think that babolat could sell enough of them to make it worth it. While some may buy it as a good platform for customization, there just wouldn't be enough

I think there are plenty of lightweight control racquets. EXO3 Rebel Team, Dunlop 300s, 6.1 Team, Blade Team, Volkl 10 295g, Head Radical Lite and the old Rad/Prestige teams, the list goes on. The gap in Babolat's lineup is their light, arm friendly, controllable frames-which the Storm Team fills somewhat, but the Aero Storm Team would give APD lovers who have sensitive arms something to enjoy.

The ltd would need a leather grip as well

Agreed. I think it would need more detailed accents for the paintjob too, such as more defined lines in the top of the head.

By the way, in your first post in this thread, I asked you how the Storm Teams would be different, I'd love to hear your thoughts!

 

[TheBoom]

The Teams should be the same specs except for flex so one is softer and one is stiffer depending on which feel one prefers