PB10 Mid VS. BB11 Mid?????
- Thread starter TheShaun
- Start date
Team_Volkl
New User
This might sound strange, but I've played with the BB11, the PB10 and the PB Light, and I prefer the PB Light.
I rank them:
1) PB 10 Light
2) PB 10 Mid
3) BB 11
Now between the BB11 and PB10 Mid+, I initially liked the feel of the BB11 more. I felt that it had better balance than the PB10, but after playing for a bit I found that the PB10 has more power, control and a larger sweet spot than the BB11.
Any of these racquets are great, but I feel that the PB's are a step above the BB.
TheShaun
Hall of Fame
I will be able to tell you after this weekend.
i shall wait patiently. thanks, samster!
I've made a number of references to both of these frames in the following thread:
http://tt.tennis-warehouse.com/showthread.php?t=247676&highlight=jrod
I used the BB11mid for about 1 year before making the switch recently to the PB10mid. Initially I had no interest in even trying the PB10mid since I was very happy with the BB11mid. I thought it was about the best matched frame for my game that I had found and had nothing substantial to complain about. However, after reading several comments from Rush (subsequently banned) and others seemingly knowledgeable about both frames, my interest in the PB10mid piqued.
One of the biggest concerns I had before trying the PB10mid was it's published SW on TW site (337). My BB11mid's SW is at the maximum that I can handle at 330 so I was reluctant to try anything heavier. As it turned out, a number of posters stated that they felt the PB10mid swung lighter than the BB11mid, despite the obvious discrepancy. So given this, I bought one to try out, although I specifically asked TW to select the lightest SW frame they had in stock in my grip size.
The frame I purchased had an unstrung SW of 294. Corners kindly estimated it's strung SW to be ~324m, which felt about right. I subsequently purchased a second frame which came in at 299, unstrung (329 strung). Both frames swing easier than either of my BB11mids. In fact, this was one of the more notable differences between the frames. The comparison below is with both frames strung identically; Tonic 15g mains @ 55lbs and WCSS 1.2g @ 53lbs.
Ok, now in terms of playability, there are a number of things about the two frames that play similarly even though they feel distinctly different. Spin, stability and power are similar with both frames. The PB10mid probably has a tad better stability and power, but this may be due to an adjustment in my playing style as opposed to the frame itself. I found that the PB10mid rewards a more aggressive playing style than the BB11mid. That is, with the BB11mid I could play less aggressively and the frame responded well whereas the PB10mid didn't really respond as well until I played more aggressively. This was most noticeable on volleys.
I think the PB10mid displays somewhat better control than the BB11mid. When I play aggressively with the BB11mid, balls tend to fly on me more often when I flatttened out my strokes. The PB10mid has better control and targeting than teh BB11mid when hitting flat. This was a point Rush also made, and I definitely agree with him here.
Another notable difference between the frames is how they feel, and I suspect this has to do with frame flex. The BB11mid feels crisper and more lively than the PB10mid. This is especially noticeable on volleys, but it's also apparent on groundstrokes and serves. The PB10mid seems to pocket the ball better, and has better overall feel and connectivity to the ball. I find touch shots more easily accessed with the PB10mid, including dropshots, touch volleys, half-volleys and lobs. With the BB11mid, I had a harder time connecting with these types of shots and was often unsure of myself. The PB10mid's response seems more linear and easier to gauge.
The one area where I initially struggled with the PB10mid was serving. The BB11mid seemed to serve bigger, at least during the initial stages of playtesting the PB10mid. The weight of the BB11mid allowed me to relax more easily and let the racquet do the work on the serve, therefore resulting in bigger serves. The lighter SW of the PB10mid fooled me into thinking I had to swing bigger, which basically translated to a poorer response. When I finally managed to relax with the PB10mid, serving improved immensely. Now I would say that both frames serve equally well, but it did take some time to dial in the PB10mid.
One final thought about the PB10mid that still has me perplexed. The frame is extremely maneuverable and gives the impression that it won't stand up to heavier balls as well as say the BB11mid or even a k90 or C10 PT. The really surprising thing is it does. The PB10mid plays like a heavier frame, but swings light. This is a unique property that I haven't found in any other frame I've tried.
http://tt.tennis-warehouse.com/showthread.php?t=247676&highlight=jrod
I used the BB11mid for about 1 year before making the switch recently to the PB10mid. Initially I had no interest in even trying the PB10mid since I was very happy with the BB11mid. I thought it was about the best matched frame for my game that I had found and had nothing substantial to complain about. However, after reading several comments from Rush (subsequently banned) and others seemingly knowledgeable about both frames, my interest in the PB10mid piqued.
One of the biggest concerns I had before trying the PB10mid was it's published SW on TW site (337). My BB11mid's SW is at the maximum that I can handle at 330 so I was reluctant to try anything heavier. As it turned out, a number of posters stated that they felt the PB10mid swung lighter than the BB11mid, despite the obvious discrepancy. So given this, I bought one to try out, although I specifically asked TW to select the lightest SW frame they had in stock in my grip size.
The frame I purchased had an unstrung SW of 294. Corners kindly estimated it's strung SW to be ~324m, which felt about right. I subsequently purchased a second frame which came in at 299, unstrung (329 strung). Both frames swing easier than either of my BB11mids. In fact, this was one of the more notable differences between the frames. The comparison below is with both frames strung identically; Tonic 15g mains @ 55lbs and WCSS 1.2g @ 53lbs.
Ok, now in terms of playability, there are a number of things about the two frames that play similarly even though they feel distinctly different. Spin, stability and power are similar with both frames. The PB10mid probably has a tad better stability and power, but this may be due to an adjustment in my playing style as opposed to the frame itself. I found that the PB10mid rewards a more aggressive playing style than the BB11mid. That is, with the BB11mid I could play less aggressively and the frame responded well whereas the PB10mid didn't really respond as well until I played more aggressively. This was most noticeable on volleys.
I think the PB10mid displays somewhat better control than the BB11mid. When I play aggressively with the BB11mid, balls tend to fly on me more often when I flatttened out my strokes. The PB10mid has better control and targeting than teh BB11mid when hitting flat. This was a point Rush also made, and I definitely agree with him here.
Another notable difference between the frames is how they feel, and I suspect this has to do with frame flex. The BB11mid feels crisper and more lively than the PB10mid. This is especially noticeable on volleys, but it's also apparent on groundstrokes and serves. The PB10mid seems to pocket the ball better, and has better overall feel and connectivity to the ball. I find touch shots more easily accessed with the PB10mid, including dropshots, touch volleys, half-volleys and lobs. With the BB11mid, I had a harder time connecting with these types of shots and was often unsure of myself. The PB10mid's response seems more linear and easier to gauge.
The one area where I initially struggled with the PB10mid was serving. The BB11mid seemed to serve bigger, at least during the initial stages of playtesting the PB10mid. The weight of the BB11mid allowed me to relax more easily and let the racquet do the work on the serve, therefore resulting in bigger serves. The lighter SW of the PB10mid fooled me into thinking I had to swing bigger, which basically translated to a poorer response. When I finally managed to relax with the PB10mid, serving improved immensely. Now I would say that both frames serve equally well, but it did take some time to dial in the PB10mid.
One final thought about the PB10mid that still has me perplexed. The frame is extremely maneuverable and gives the impression that it won't stand up to heavier balls as well as say the BB11mid or even a k90 or C10 PT. The really surprising thing is it does. The PB10mid plays like a heavier frame, but swings light. This is a unique property that I haven't found in any other frame I've tried.
TourTenor
Professional
^^^ Excellent review, JRod. I am liking the PB10mid for the same reasons that you are ...
I am now into my third demo session with the PBmid. I agree that there it is slightly easier to go aggressive when using the PB mid versus the BB11 mid. My initial concerns about finding my pop with the PB have been put to rest. I had one of my best serving nights with this stick the other night and I have found that the string tension has made a huge difference (52 lbs. and not my usual 57lbs.)
I really like all the attributes and plan to purchase one tomorrow. I can't wait to see how it performs with my usual hybrid setup. cheers.
I am now into my third demo session with the PBmid. I agree that there it is slightly easier to go aggressive when using the PB mid versus the BB11 mid. My initial concerns about finding my pop with the PB have been put to rest. I had one of my best serving nights with this stick the other night and I have found that the string tension has made a huge difference (52 lbs. and not my usual 57lbs.)
I really like all the attributes and plan to purchase one tomorrow. I can't wait to see how it performs with my usual hybrid setup. cheers.
Thanks TT!! I am anxious to hear more from you about your thoughts regarding this frame. I'm still find myself pleasantly surprised by it the more I hit with it. I actually managed to beat the head pro the other day in a 9 pt TB with it (5-4). I've NEVER done that before. One of the keys to my win was my increased confidence in taking the ball on the rise with this frame. Stunning performance for me really...the pro was quite impressed also.
