Official Babolat Strike VS 2022 thread

[alexsoin]

Has anyone successfully modded away the vibration on off-center hits closer to the tip? It's worse on this racket than any I've previously used. I added 2 grams at 10 and 2 which helped the overall performance of the racket but hasn't really effected that boardy vibration on these mis-hits. Should I try weight at 3 9, and 12 or add extra weight at 10 & 2? Or..... just hit the sweet spot 100% of the time

I did 6g of lead at 12, mitigated most of vibrations on off center hits. And I tend to hit closer to the hoop in general, 20+ years of using Yonex isometric rackets pays me back now lol

 

[Chairman3]

Agree with the former! I think a lot of people here would agree that Bab QC is not the best (same with Wilson) and would wish more brands would be like Yonex.

Babolat's QC is probably worse on racquets they sell as a matched pair, as is the case with the PSVS. They are pushing people to the matched bundle with wide variances on single frames. Shady but smart

My frame was at the other end, way underspec. 304g and 30.4cm balance instead of the 310g and 31cm printed on the frame.

 

[Sahbatage]

I did 6g of lead at 12, mitigated most of vibrations on off center hits. And I tend to hit closer to the hoop in general, 20+ years of using Yonex isometric rackets pays me back now lol

I've been on Yonex frames the past 2 years as well haha. Will try lead at 12 and see how that changes things.

 

[ClaudTT]

Has anyone successfully modded away the vibration on off-center hits closer to the tip? It's worse on this racket than any I've previously used. I added 2 grams at 10 and 2 which helped the overall performance of the racket but hasn't really effected that boardy vibration on these mis-hits. Should I try weight at 3 9, and 12 or add extra weight at 10 & 2? Or..... just hit the sweet spot 100% of the time

Veeery difficult subject in Engineering... trust me. You can trial and error, but adding to the head will not get you too far IMO. The racket has its frequency modes that are a result of stiffness-mass distribution... and therefore difficult to 'rearrange' successfully.
BTW, I do not feel that 'problem' at all (but I did in other rackets), love the response of the full string bed... but my body is different than yours and resonates differently. Maybe try add weight to grip and see if it helps.

 

[naturalexponent]

Veeery difficult subject in Engineering... trust me. You can trial and error, but adding to the head will not get you too far IMO. The racket has its frequency modes that are a result of stiffness-mass distribution... and therefore difficult to 'rearrange' successfully.
BTW, I do not feel that 'problem' at all (but I did in other rackets), love the response of the full string bed... but my body is different than yours and resonates differently. Maybe try add weight to grip and see if it helps.

I don't have this problem with the PSVS either, but as noted in prior posts, I likely have more mass distributed toward the head in my particular case. That said, @Sahbatage what is your string setup? I have a fairly loose 44 lbs poly string job and no part of the face feels jarring to me.

 

[ClaudTT]

Babolat's QC is probably worse on racquets they sell as a matched pair, as is the case with the PSVS. They are pushing people to the matched bundle with wide variances on single frames. Shady but smart

My frame was at the other end, way underspec. 304g and 30.4cm balance instead of the 310g and 31cm printed on the frame.

Yeap, same here.... I also ordered a matched pair and aside from total weight they were different dynamic stiffness etc, so much that I had to return one because my other 2 were same as one of the pair... Then, I ordered a single one and have 4 quite similar after tuning to my specs.

 

[Sahbatage]

I don't have this problem with the PSVS either, but as noted in prior posts, I likely have more mass distributed toward the head in my particular case. That said, @Sahbatage what is your string setup? I have a fairly loose 44 lbs poly string job and no part of the face feels jarring to me.

I'm currently using Black Knight at 48/46. It feels quite nice everywhere except mis-hits close to the tip. Those are definitely jarring. Haven't had this experience with any of the three Yonex I've been using the past couple years (VCP HD, VC95, VCP97).

 

[naturalexponent]

I'm currently using Black Knight at 48/46. It feels quite nice everywhere except mis-hits close to the tip. Those are definitely jarring. Haven't had this experience with any of the three Yonex I've been using the past couple years (VCP HD, VC95, VCP97).

Good to know it feels nice otherwise! I am using Tour Status and was wondering how BK would feel. I wonder if the VDM in those Yonexes made the difference. I feel like the 2021 VC95 feels comfortably muted no matter where I hit it, including on the frame haha.

 

[alexsoin]

BTW, I do not feel that 'problem' at all (but I did in other rackets), love the response of the full string bed... but my body is different than yours and resonates differently. Maybe try add weight to grip and see if it helps.

Logically, weight to the handle result in more headlight balance i.e. more vibrations from the lighter hoop?! I was feeling these weird vibrations on off-center shots closer to the hoop even despite having some weight at 12 but I think it was due to dead poly sitting in the demo. Once I restrung it with Volkl Cyclone 16 at 55lbs the frame felt much better. Still I could find the feel of being able to swing fully and as fast as I want without fear of overhitting and actually overhitting quite a bit.

 

[naturalexponent]

Logically, weight to the handle result in more headlight balance i.e. more vibrations from the lighter hoop?! I was feeling these weird vibrations on off-center shots closer to the hoop even despite having some weight at 12 but I think it was due to dead poly sitting in the demo. Once I restrung it with Volkl Cyclone 16 at 55lbs the frame felt much better. Still I could find the feel of being able to swing fully and as fast as I want without fear of overhitting and actually overhitting quite a bit.

Don't mean to speak for @ClaudTT but I would think the logic in adding weight to the handle in that regard is to increase the recoil weight and thus stability of the racquet when the ball hits the tip, to counteract the force at the end of the lever.

 

[Chairman3]

I'm currently using Black Knight at 48/46. It feels quite nice everywhere except mis-hits close to the tip. Those are definitely jarring. Haven't had this experience with any of the three Yonex I've been using the past couple years (VCP HD, VC95, VCP97).

I think the jarring sensation is why most have found success with adding weight at 12 oclock. Moves the sweetspot higher up and adds power, plus some stability from the mass.
I never found it jarring but definitely zero power near the tip in stock form.

 

[Kozzy]

I think the jarring sensation is why most have found success with adding weight at 12 oclock. Moves the sweetspot higher up and adds power, plus some stability from the mass.
I never found it jarring but definitely zero power near the tip in stock form.

I haven't ever found it jarring either. I string it with Cyclone 19 at 45lb, and that's a sweet setup - extremely plush. I started out with a lot more weight (almost 350g static, with a 340+ swingweight), but have gradually been working my way down, and am now thrilled with the setup. Both are 335g, with a SW of 330 and a balance of 31.5. Incredilbly easy and rewarding to play with. Spin levels, for me, are insane, but I'm not a heavy spin player. The dwell time is also over the top. Dagnamit, I will probably have to order at leat one more...

 

[Angelface]

I demoed this frame today and really liked it. Coming from IG Prestige MP and Blade V5 as my go-to racquets it offered much more power than the Prestige but great control and really quick through the air, as compared to the 'sluggish' feeling Blade. It felt very crisp, a great hybrid of many qualities. I felt some stiffness but that might be coming from how it was strung.

I hope to see these being discounted in the near future, especially the bundle.

 

[YellowBallFanatic]

I haven't ever found it jarring either. I string it with Cyclone 19 at 45lb, and that's a sweet setup - extremely plush. I started out with a lot more weight (almost 350g static, with a 340+ swingweight), but have gradually been working my way down, and am now thrilled with the setup. Both are 335g, with a SW of 330 and a balance of 31.5. Incredilbly easy and rewarding to play with. Spin levels, for me, are insane, but I'm not a heavy spin player. The dwell time is also over the top. Dagnamit, I will probably have to order at leat one more...

My setup was similar with Cyclone Tour 18g at 44lbs , very plush and great control. Although I've ultimately decided to move on so selling both of mine now.

 

[J-Wildcard]

I am struggling to find the string pattern instructions for 2 piece on this racket. I see it's 16 x 20, is the tie off for mains at 6 or 8?

 

[Angelface]

On an indirect topic to the subject, for those who've ordered the bundle with matched racquets, has the balance and swingweight deviated, I assume that Babolat don't assure any other matched metric than static weight.

 

[naturalexponent]

I am struggling to find the string pattern instructions for 2 piece on this racket. I see it's 16 x 20, is the tie off for mains at 6 or 8?

I couldn't find either but I tied mine off at 8.

 

[Kozzy]

I couldn't find either but I tied mine off at 8.

Yep - I've done the same. Seems like a natural place to do it.

 

[Wilsonbro]

How are you guys liking this . Thinking about pick one up again. Coming from a Tfight iso 305 . Need a little bit more spin and big serves

 

[YellowBallFanatic]

How are you guys liking this . Thinking about pick one up again. Coming from a Tfight iso 305 . Need a little bit more spin and big serves

Well I went the other way from PSVS to ISO. Everyone's experience is different but for me serves were definitely bigger with the ISO. PSVS in stock form is a more controlled lower powered racquet. I'm sure you can get there by adding enough weight, particularly in the head. My issue was the static weight was higher than I liked by the time I added enough weight.

 

[Wilsonbro]

Got it . I like the iso just not the balance . Also very demanding

 

[Kozzy]

I've been playing with this since it came out - I have had some dalliances with other frames (Pure Control Tour and Volk C10 EVO), but keep coming back to the PSVS. Can't say enough good things about it. For me, adding weight was required - I put 4-6g at 12.

 

[GummiiBear]

I've given up on this racquet. This is why one should gel with a racquet in stock form before anything else. Or at least, speaking for myself.

I thinned down the gauges of the strings - so 17ga Klip Legend mains @55 with 18ga Tecnifibre Razor Code (Carbon) crosses @51. That adjustment seemed to help the most. I also settled on 4g lead spread from 11-1, and 2g under the butt. A sensible 333-334g strung with overgrip. There's no replacing my good old Pure Control Team. Though it is indeed the closest I could probably get. That being said, I should bear in mind I'm a different player now than when I was in high school. Not to say the Strike VS isn't a good racquet; I believe I've futzed around with it to the point where no adjustment will really make a difference for the better. But I just prefer something else now.

I've enjoyed hitting with a Pure Drive Tour '21 with VT Advantec leather and overgrip more than I've enjoyed this VS.
Mayami Magic Twist 1.25 mains @51 with Tier One Ghost Wire 1.22 crosses @49. Using this stick almost feels like "cheating".

All that being said, I've long since returned back to my trusty VCP 97HDs. I stripped the lead off one of them. I seem to enjoy it just fine.

 

[Wilsonbro]

I've given up on this racquet. This is why one should gel with a racquet in stock form before anything else. Or at least, speaking for myself.

I thinned down the gauges of the strings - so 17ga Klip Legend mains @55 with 18ga Tecnifibre Razor Code (Carbon) crosses @51. That adjustment seemed to help the most. I also settled on 4g lead spread from 11-1, and 2g under the butt. A sensible 333-334g strung with overgrip. There's no replacing my good old Pure Control Team. Though it is indeed the closest I could probably get. That being said, I should bear in mind I'm a different player now than when I was in high school. Not to say the Strike VS isn't a good racquet; I believe I've futzed around with it to the point where no adjustment will really make a difference for the better. But I just prefer something else now.

I've enjoyed hitting with a Pure Drive Tour '21 with VT Advantec leather and overgrip more than I've enjoyed this VS.
Mayami Magic Twist 1.25 mains @51 with Tier One Ghost Wire 1.22 crosses @49. Using this stick almost feels like "cheating".

All that being said, I've long since returned back to my trusty VCP 97HDs. I stripped the lead off one of them. I seem to enjoy it just fine.

Why did you give up on it ???

 

[Wilsonbro]

I like the hd but lacks a little spin because of the dense pattern . Otherwise the HD is a great racket .

 

[Wilsonbro]

Is the VS stable against big Hitters .

 

[GummiiBear]

Hmm, that's the thing - there's nothing wrong with my VS. It's probably at my ideal specs for it as well.

Contrary to what my posts may suggest, I am very much a feel/intuition-reliant player. I can play with any racquet (within reason) just fine; I seem to adjust to whichever one I use subconsciously (based off shot feedback). The Strike VS doesn't have a certain... magic I like to experience when hitting the ball. Certain shots. Any.

I like racquets that accentuate my strengths. Those seem to be the ones I gravitate towards. It's a question of what I want to foster most with regards to my game.

 

[tomato123]

Hmm, that's the thing - there's nothing wrong with my VS. It's probably at my ideal specs for it as well.

Contrary to what my posts may suggest, I am very much a feel/intuition-reliant player. I can play with any racquet (within reason) just fine; I seem to adjust to whichever one I use subconsciously (based off shot feedback). The Strike VS doesn't have a certain... magic I like to experience when hitting the ball. Certain shots. Any.

I like racquets that accentuate my strengths. Those seem to be the ones I gravitate towards. It's a question of what I want to foster most with regards to my game.

I think it's generally a problem of having a racquet that "does everything well" but doesn't have that one standout feature. I've been sticking with the VS since getting it in the summer because it's great for what I'm trying to accomplish with my game, but yeah, sometimes I just want to spin the #@* out of the ball or feel like I'm crushing forehands and I have racquets that do those better than the VS.

 

[Kozzy]

I do wish the PSVS had a slightly crisper feel. I've been thinking perhaps a crisper string setup would be good, but I like it so much with Cyclone 19 that it's hard to give much else a chance, but I do have a 3rd one now, so will do some experimentation. In terms of going against big hitters, I play with some 4.5/5.0s a few times a month and it does great for me. Very stable racquet, especially with 4-6g added. I guess that maybe it's true that it doesn't just have a single standout feature, that just blows the mind. It hasn't kept me from trying other sticks, that's for sure, but I do just keep coming back to it, because it is so fun to play with.

 

[tomato123]

I do wish the PSVS had a slightly crisper feel. I've been thinking perhaps a crisper string setup would be good, but I like it so much with Cyclone 19 that it's hard to give much else a chance, but I do have a 3rd one now, so will do some experimentation. In terms of going against big hitters, I play with some 4.5/5.0s a few times a month and it does great for me. Very stable racquet, especially with 4-6g added. I guess that maybe it's true that it doesn't just have a single standout feature, that just blows the mind. It hasn't kept me from trying other sticks, that's for sure, but I do just keep coming back to it, because it is so fun to play with.

Being a control oriented, 16 main midplus racquet with great feel and amazing cosmetics is stand out enough for me! Haven't had a day where I didn't enjoy playing with this racquet so far.

 

[RF_PRO_STAFF]

How are you guys liking this . Thinking about pick one up again. Coming from a Tfight iso 305 . Need a little bit more spin and big serves

Me and my PSVSs became best buddies.

 

[Kozzy]

If you're in the EU, the PSVS is on sale at TW EU. Pretty steep discount. Under $200 shipped to the US...

 

[Wilsonbro]

If you're in the EU, the PSVS is on sale at TW EU. Pretty steep discount. Under $200 shipped to the US...

In America DC to be exact it’s around $300 not incurling strings taxes

 

[Kozzy]

In America DC to be exact it’s around $300 not incurling strings taxes

I just ordered one last night for under $200 shipped from TW EU... I'm in the western US.

 

[Wilsonbro]

Great I will try that

 

[naturalexponent]

I just ordered one last night for under $200 shipped from TW EU... I'm in the western US.

Thanks for the tip! Here I was thinking I'd have to wait years haha.

 

[Wilsonbro]

Do you guys like this better then the Yonex vcore 95

 

[naturalexponent]

Do you guys like this better then the Yonex vcore 95

I do. It's much easier to play with, for me. Plus I like the feel better.

 

[Wilsonbro]

babolat should have made a 9 pack bag for this line

 

[ACT]

Real nice frame with customisation

 

[Wilsonbro]

Real nice frame with customisation

nice I was just watching your videos . Is it easy to hit big serves like a ezone or Regna . What’s your favorite frame so far

 

[Kozzy]

Real nice frame with customisation

I love your videos too - are you doing a review on this racquet (Pure Strike VS 2022)?

 

[ACT]

nice I was just watching your videos . Is it easy to hit big serves like a ezone or Regna . What’s your favorite frame so far

It's a control racquet with some slight power and spin for full swings, won't hit as easy as those, Regna is working very well, Gravity Pro and Ezone and maybe Aero VS are my current go to

I love your videos too - are you doing a review on this racquet (Pure Strike VS 2022)?

Should be the next one i do

 

[alexsoin]

Hmm, that's the thing - there's nothing wrong with my VS. It's probably at my ideal specs for it as well.

Contrary to what my posts may suggest, I am very much a feel/intuition-reliant player. I can play with any racquet (within reason) just fine; I seem to adjust to whichever one I use subconsciously (based off shot feedback). The Strike VS doesn't have a certain... magic I like to experience when hitting the ball. Certain shots. Any.

I like racquets that accentuate my strengths. Those seem to be the ones I gravitate towards. It's a question of what I want to foster most with regards to my game.

I had similar experience with PSVS. Good thing I never bought one but demoed it twice. Maybe because I was trying to switch from Vcore Pro 97HD too? And yes, I have a rule, no racket switch if I can't play with it in stock form. PSVS is nearly impossible to play in stock at least for me and I can see that most folks here added at least some weight to the hoop. I ended up with PS 18x20, paid a bit extra to get a matching couple at exact specs of 305g, same balance and SW. No mods needed, unbelievable control, great crispy response, strings in 18x20 last WAY longer than in 16x19 or 16x20 and I rock all court game with this thing. Every shot, any spins and paces.

 

[Kozzy]

I had similar experience with PSVS. Good thing I never bought one but demoed it twice. Maybe because I was trying to switch from Vcore Pro 97HD too? And yes, I have a rule, no racket switch if I can't play with it in stock form. PSVS is nearly impossible to play in stock at least for me and I can see that most folks here added at least some weight to the hoop. I ended up with PS 18x20, paid a bit extra to get a matching couple at exact specs of 305g, same balance and SW. No mods needed, unbelievable control, great crispy response, strings in 18x20 last WAY longer than in 16x19 or 16x20 and I rock all court game with this thing. Every shot, any spins and paces.

I'd say the PSVS is a very different racquet from the 97HD - much more open pattern for sure, as I think it's a pretty open 16X20, as opposed to something like the Pure Control/Storm Tour, which I think is tighter down the middle. And it's got a very different feel, too, if I remember correctly. The 97HD never really felt plush to me, where the PSVS definitely does. Hard to recall since I used those for a few months after they came out and then moved on/sold them. Anyway, you are definitely correct that this thing needs some lead to reach its potential. Kind of like the Ultra Tour, but more muted.

 

[naturalexponent]

The idea of how something plays "stock" is an interesting idea because of QC variations. I would think the only thing you can rely on when testing a racquet stock (unless the actual racquet you have is properly specced in your preferred spec range) is whether you like how it feels. I was kind of meh on the PSVS when demoing because it was so light it felt like a toy, but I liked the feel and how easy it was to use. Decided to get one because I loved the look and wanted something easier to use. When I got one used off these boards I ended up with one that was way over spec which I was at first annoyed about, but which kind of turned out to be nice. I had to add a ton of blue tac to the handle but no fiddling with hoop weight, and I had to live with a SW in the 330s which I'm coming to realize is ideal for my game given that the racquet is adequately headlight.

Ultimately for me there's a certain je ne sais quoi about the feel. I know a lot of people don't seem to like the stock leather grip but I like it so much I don't want to put an overgrip on it haha.

I ordered a pair from TWE but wasn't able to get matched sticks so hopefully they end up being within spec!

 

[Classic-TXP-IG MID]

The idea of how something plays "stock" is an interesting idea because of QC variations. I would think the only thing you can rely on when testing a racquet stock (unless the actual racquet you have is properly specced in your preferred spec range) is whether you like how it feels. I was kind of meh on the PSVS when demoing because it was so light it felt like a toy, but I liked the feel and how easy it was to use. Decided to get one because I loved the look and wanted something easier to use. When I got one used off these boards I ended up with one that was way over spec which I was at first annoyed about, but which kind of turned out to be nice. I had to add a ton of blue tac to the handle but no fiddling with hoop weight, and I had to live with a SW in the 330s which I'm coming to realize is ideal for my game given that the racquet is adequately headlight.

Ultimately for me there's a certain je ne sais quoi about the feel. I know a lot of people don't seem to like the stock leather grip but I like it so much I don't want to put an overgrip on it haha.

I ordered a pair from TWE but wasn't able to get matched sticks so hopefully they end up being within spec!

Completely agree with all you have said. Unless the racquet is exactly your spec in stock form... the feel is the only thing to ascertain... and even that can be changed with mods.

 

[Wilsonbro]

It's a control racquet with some slight power and spin for full swings, won't hit as easy as those, Regna is working very well, Gravity Pro and Ezone and maybe Aero VS are my current go to



Should be the next one i do

nice i want to try the regna. i cant even demo one. they have one on **** for $460. you can get 2 vs for that price.

 

[alexsoin]

Completely agree with all you have said. Unless the racquet is exactly your spec in stock form... the feel is the only thing to ascertain... and even that can be changed with mods.

This is why I wanted two matching Pure Strike 18x20s (gen 3) right on spec as they have perfect specs for me: 330-335 SW, 305g unstrung, nearly evenly balanced (then strung), a bit on a crisper side but definitely not harsh PLUS it's loaded with tons of feel. No matter how many mods I tried on PSVS, it just never felt right for me: too muted, too light, launch angle's too high, strings are losing tension and breaking in no time even at 16g. PS 18x20 feels like a scalpel basically with any poly at around 55lbs and PSVS lacked the feel despite lots of mods and many different strings I tried with it while demoing for 3 weeks. Also the hyped increased comfort, the plushiest Babolat frame (the lone reasons I decided to demo), well, I didn't experience that tbh.

 

[Sahbatage]

Also the hyped increased comfort, the plushiest Babolat frame (the lone reasons I decided to demo), well, I didn't experience that tbh.

I've been experiencing some shoulder and elbow discomfort as of late with this frame which was the reason I initially left the pure strike line for Yonex frames. Have had no issues with the Yonex frames in that regard. I should probably move away from the leather grip but I also don't want to increase the grip size..... hmm