jmacdaununder2
Legend
Sounds like a good fit.
Official Babolat Strike VS 2022 thread
- Thread starter AceyMan
- Start date
Classic-TXP-IG MID
Hall of Fame
When I had it in my C10 Pro (Volkl Psycho), it lasted a while but the Power Fibre II frayed but didn't snap. It didn't seem to affect spin in a negative way either (or at least I got enough of it to not make a significant difference).
Keep us posted, as that might be a great hybrid combo to use in my ET Nite.
Cool - how long did it last you in the C10 Pro, if you can remember?
Classic-TXP-IG MID
Hall of Fame
It was a while ago, but I would say at least a few weeks... if not a month. The ET is maybe more open in the spacing though, so not sure how it may last. That's why I'm interested to see how you go. I also have a reel of Weiss Cannon Explosiv that I could use in place of the Power Fibre II.
tennisralph4
New User
Ordered a pair of Pure Strike VSs that arrived earlier this week. Felt a little off when I hit with them the first time so added 2.5g at 3 o’clock and 9 o’clock each and was amazed at what a difference it made. Felt more connected but the power and stability felt great. This is my first time experimenting with tungsten/lead tape and like it so far. Anyone else tried adding weight to these sticks?
Yep, if you read through the last few pages, of this thread, there's talk about that. Definitely needs lead. I put mine at 12. Awesome sticks! Hope you enjoy.
Well, I'm not sure the psycho experiment is gonna last too long. I played a set with it today and then switched back to my other frame with Cream/OGSM and liked that a whole lot more. Somehow ended up feeling like the latter gave me both more pop and more control, and I just love the feel of that string combo. Krispy Kreme. Could just be that I'm used to it, but I'm thinking I'll just stick to the old reliable for now.
Classic-TXP-IG MID
Hall of Fame
Makes sense. There are so many great choices these days. Glad you're liking the PSVS though. Looks and sounds like a great racquet.
Yeah, the PSVS is still rocking it for me. I'm sure it won't keep my eye from wandering, but it's a keeper. I'm going to limit myself to 2 for now, since that's really all I need and I have lots of great backups.
TennisManiac
Hall of Fame
You added 22 grams and your new static weight is 350? Hopefully that's without an overgrip. Or your frame came in way under spec.
Last edited:
TennisManiac
Hall of Fame
This guy does the greatest reviews. I really like watching his videos.
I play without an overgirp, so yes, that's correct.
GummiiBear
Semi-Pro
My goodness... so I finally took mine out today - with strings and overgrip, 327g. Opted for 16ga Yonex Dynawire at 55 lbs. with Isospeed Rexxxer at 51lbs.
I don’t know if it’s because I’m just so used to hitting with my 350g 97HDs or what, but the VS felt... too light/whippy? If I swung out with good acceleration the balls went floaty on me, and I felt unable to get the ball to dip in like I typically can. I wonder if how I get good racquet acceleration is by guiding the momentum of a heavier stick, instead of, er, I don't know. Maybe the simpler explanation is that I just suck, haha.
This is something I don't think weight could help "fix". Whenever I choose a racquet I pick it based off how it plays in stock form, and any weight added after is fiddling more than anything else (or so one could argue). And once I settle on that I don't change it. If I don't like it in stock form it's not for me. Admittedly I gave it 15 minutes or less, but that may hint at a severe lack of connection with the racquet. I'll try it later on this week (didn't want to 'waste' my session with my coach using it) to give it another chance.
I don’t know if it’s because I’m just so used to hitting with my 350g 97HDs or what, but the VS felt... too light/whippy? If I swung out with good acceleration the balls went floaty on me, and I felt unable to get the ball to dip in like I typically can. I wonder if how I get good racquet acceleration is by guiding the momentum of a heavier stick, instead of, er, I don't know. Maybe the simpler explanation is that I just suck, haha.
This is something I don't think weight could help "fix". Whenever I choose a racquet I pick it based off how it plays in stock form, and any weight added after is fiddling more than anything else (or so one could argue). And once I settle on that I don't change it. If I don't like it in stock form it's not for me. Admittedly I gave it 15 minutes or less, but that may hint at a severe lack of connection with the racquet. I'll try it later on this week (didn't want to 'waste' my session with my coach using it) to give it another chance.
It may just be the wrong racquet for you, but this thing is a platform stick and it won't play well in stock form, in my opinion. Especially if you are used to 350g. If you are happy with what you have, there's probably no reason to customize, but if you want to give it a fair shake, I'd add at least 4 grams at 12 and then counterbalance as needed in the handle.
GummiiBear
Semi-Pro
One of my 97HDs does have 5g spread from 10 to 2, so mayhaps something similar on the VS...
FuzzyYellowBalls
Legend
The VS is going to have a noticeable power boost over an HD, will take adjustments to "tame" that power especially if your HD is strung above 48 lbs. I used the HD for awhile and flirted with pure strikes, I'm assuming this VS doesn't deviate substantially from the spirit of the strike lines of the past.
I took mine off but can't seem to find them at the moment, so I can't measure that. I replaced with Volkl leather, which is my favorite.
On a different note, I've also adjusted my specs just a bit and am very pleased with the new setup. I put Volkl Cyclone 19 in at 50lb, and that dropped the weight be 3g or so. This inspired me to remove a bit of weight from the handle and then increase the weight at 12. I'm now at about 340g with a 31.5cm balance and a 335 SW. This is working really well. Whip/RHS is increased and there's plenty of plow too. What a great racquet!
Seems like a more playable spec long-term, but I don't know your ability, I'm just speaking generally.
Can't wait to do a little customization myself, how are you tailweighting?
socallefty
G.O.A.T.
Wrong assumption as it is a totally different racquet from a different mold. In the last gen, Babolat said the Pure Strike VS was renaming/repainting of the Pure Control which had nothing in common with the Gen 1/2 Strikes.
I have owned Gen 1/3 Pure Strike Tours, demo’d Gen 2/3 standard weight Pure Strikes, bought and sold G2 VS Tour and recently the G3 VS. As a long-term PST user since 2014, I can say that the G2 VS Tour and G3 VS are totally different racquets from anything in the Pure Strike series.
The fact that Babolat decided to take a Pure Control successor and brand it as part of the Strike family (albeit VS series) is mind blowing and makes no sense to me. It is like if Head suddenly decided to call the latest Prestige a variation of the Speed family.
The VS Tour G2 and VS G3 have thinner beams, smaller sweet spots, less power, lower launch angle and slightly more flexibility than the Strikes. The new VS is a bit more comfortable also than G3 Strikes while the last gen VS Tour was not much more comfortable than the G2 Strikes. The G3 in both Strikes and VS are better racquets than the previous generation mainly in feel/comfort and the new VS has the best paint job I’ve seen - even better than G1 Strikes.
Last edited:
I wish I had a better way to measure true performance - it's all very unscientific. I had no problem swinging 350g for 3 hours of singles, but I like this even better, I think. I'm tailweighting with Blue Tack under the trapdoor.
I agree completely. Love the PSVS, but why did they merge the control into the strike line to begin with?
jmacdaununder2
Legend
It was noted quite some time ago that the Pure Strike CTRL paint job was an attempt to obfuscate the fact that players such as Cornet and Stosur were still insistent on using the outdated Pure Control line.
I get that, but it seems like keeping the Control line might've been smart.
TennisManiac
Hall of Fame
Forgive me if it's been mentioned in this thread. I really don't feel like going back and reading 9 pages of posts. Does anyone know if Babolat will be putting out a new line of Pure Strikes in the near future?
Okinawa Puroresu
Rookie
Definitely not this year, and there’s an answer in one of the threads about when next year.
I can only compare it to the Pure Drive 2019 and is definitely less powerful. I think is a bit more powerful than my previous Head Gravity Tour.
For fun, I added 10g total at 9 and 3 thinking it would open the sweet spot. In reality made it somewhat stiffer and more difficult to swing. I'll experiment with 5g at 12 and also 5g at 2 and 10 and report back.. without playing and just holding/swinging in the air the later modification seems to feel the nicest.
GummiiBear
Semi-Pro
I haven't added any weight or anything yet, but the second session with my VS left a considerably better impression than the first.
I guess if asked if this racquet plays like a modern version of my old Control Team, I would say it's probably the closest you can get? Albeit without the magic that drew me to that one in the first place, all those years ago. My hitting partner seemed to gel with it better - he uses a Radical MP as his main. Eh, I don't know. I'll try it with a bit at 10/12/2 next time I suppose. At this point I'm just a bit relieved I don't feel so disappointed anymore.
I guess if asked if this racquet plays like a modern version of my old Control Team, I would say it's probably the closest you can get? Albeit without the magic that drew me to that one in the first place, all those years ago. My hitting partner seemed to gel with it better - he uses a Radical MP as his main. Eh, I don't know. I'll try it with a bit at 10/12/2 next time I suppose. At this point I'm just a bit relieved I don't feel so disappointed anymore.
That sounds good. I feel like this thing really sings at about 335 SW. Cyclone 19 at 50lb feels great, and has good bite.
Classic-TXP-IG MID
Hall of Fame
Try Cyclone 18L... from memory it has a higher spin rating/ value on the TW University string info. Just a thought.
GummiiBear
Semi-Pro
Anyone else find the paint of theirs chip way too easily?
I noticed paint bits flaking off even before it was strung up once, which I kind of shrugged off.
But I noticed today there's already a small paint chip in the hoop.
I don't think any of the racquets I got in the past couple years have any (yet).
[At least, nowhere near as prominent.] And one of them is a glossy RF97...
Edit: I double-checked, and my 97HDs have nicks here/there, but we're talking >100 hours vs. ~2.
I noticed paint bits flaking off even before it was strung up once, which I kind of shrugged off.
But I noticed today there's already a small paint chip in the hoop.
I don't think any of the racquets I got in the past couple years have any (yet).
[At least, nowhere near as prominent.] And one of them is a glossy RF97...
Edit: I double-checked, and my 97HDs have nicks here/there, but we're talking >100 hours vs. ~2.
Last edited:
I haven't seen that at all. I bang them around in a backback and am not easy on frames - I haven't seen a single chip yet on either of mine.
AMGF
Hall of Fame
Power wise the PSVS is great. I took the radar out and hit slap fh and serves and I beat my Ezone98+. However, I have 4g of lead spread 11-1.
In stock form it might not be very powerful with a SW of only 322 and relatively flexible frame though it's hard to imagine being lower than the vcore95. Not data on this just gut feeling.
TennisManiac
Hall of Fame
4 grams of lead at the tip really isn't that much weight. So you're saying that this PSVS is pretty powerful with just a few grams at 12oclock?
AMGF
Hall of Fame
It’s all it takes. At 335-340sw you have great power and keep the whippiness. Radar proven. 6g will bring it over 340 should you want more.
TennisManiac
Hall of Fame
Its funny. This new PS VS is almost identical in every aspect to the Wilson Pro Staff 97 in terms of specs.
| Name | Babolat Pure Strike VS 2022 | Wilson Pro Staff 97 v13 |
|---|---|---|
| Head Size | 97 sq. in / 625.81 sq. cm | 97 sq. in / 625.81 sq. cm |
| Length | 27.00 inches / 68.58 cm | 27.00 inches / 68.58 cm |
| Weight | 11.70 oz / 331.7 g | 11.70 oz / 331.7 g |
| Balance | 12.59 inches | 12.60 inches |
| Swing Weight | 322 | 321 |
| Beam Width | 22.0mm | 21.5mm |
| Tip/Shaft | 21.0mm / 21.0mm | 21.5mm / 21.5mm |
| Composition | Graphite | Graphite braided with aramid |
| Power Level | Low-Medium | Low |
| Stiffness | 63 | 66 |
| String Pattern | 16 Mains / 20 Crosses | 16 Mains / 19 Crosses |
| Main Skips | 7T,9T,7H,9H | 7T,9T,7H,9H |
| String Tension | 50-59 | 50-60 |
janelgreo
Professional
Not too familiar with how they gauge their "Power Level", even with similar specs why is the PSVS rated at Low-Medium while the PS97 is Low...
TennisManiac
Hall of Fame
Not sure either. Especially seeing as how the PS VS has a lower RA of 63, which translates to being more flexible which in turn robs energy from the ball. Makes no sense to me. It's all just a bunch of marketing BS if you ask me.
marceloriosfan
Rookie
guessing they didn't sell enough to keep making the line
I was quite disappointed with the PSVS on my first sessions, so i left it on my bag e went back to other sticks i have. A few days ago, i was having a bad session with the new ezone e grabbed the VS from the bag, almost a month after i left it there. Man, the tension must have dropped and the racquet completely changed for better.
I am now back to it, with a lower tension (44lbs), changed the leather grip, added 2g at 12, 6g at the handle, and nothing i have (about 47 racquets) hits like or better than the PSVS
I am now back to it, with a lower tension (44lbs), changed the leather grip, added 2g at 12, 6g at the handle, and nothing i have (about 47 racquets) hits like or better than the PSVS
That is a good decision.To hell with it, I bought one... stupid pay in 4
Having them string it with Head Lynx Tour 17 @ 50. Never used this string, didn’t have my current string of choice (Mayami Tour Hex) as an option.
I was not a fan of the Blade V8, for the record.
I had high hopes but it just felt a little too muted. I would not characterize it as flexy in a plush/feel way. It's flexy in a not-hurting-your-arm way, but doesn't provide the response I'd expect from a low 60s RA. Again it felt muted to me.
The PSVS definitely provides more feedback and very slightly higher launch, but it is fairly low[flat] for a 16x20. Albeit this depends on technique too.
Both were plenty whippy/easy to swing, but for me the PSVS felt more natural to swing.
PSVS probably had a firmer response, but not harsh.
I played both strung a little too tight, so take that for what it's worth.
To revisit the "muted" aspect, with the PSVS I felt pretty confident of where on the strings I was hitting, the Blade not so much.
They are both lighter than my normal racquet so that undoubtedly increased racquet head speed and caused some slightly off-center shots due to timing.
PSVS felt a little more solid feeling and powerful.
My balls were deep with the blade, but not overly spinny or penetrating (not very heavy)
janelgreo
Professional
Thanks for this, are you still using the PSVS? If so, have you added any lead to it or keeping it stock?
I can't wait to get my hands on mine but I may definitely have to put lead on mine as I like heavier racquets (340+ strung) and around 10 pts HL. Never know though, I may love this racquet stock!
I used it for about a week or so, from a local shop but didn't want to keep their only demo so returned it.
I did get selected for the TW playtest of this racquet, so as soon as I get mine I will begin using it as my main racquet and then posting a review.
I only demoed it stock and it was strung too tight. I will be stringing mine at 48lbs with big banger original once I get it. Then various other poly's and tensions to find something that works the best.
I envision adding weight from 11-1 in the hoop, ideally for some free power and to bump the swingweight. I'll likely put weight in the handle to counterbalance and try to get a strung balance of 31.5cm.
Out of the box it felt stable just a little light for my taste. I struggled a bit with defensive slices so the weight will hopefully help there too. My usual racquets are 335-345g strung.
It has a very whippy feel, so I don't want to go overboard on the lead either.
Similar threads
