Pure Aero 2016 - to the 2023 PA or Pure Aero Rafa?

[RocketF2]

Hey all,

I currently own the 2016 Pure Aero. I've hit with the APD Cortex back in the day and liked it but i wasn't technically proficient back then so can't really analyze.

I like the 2016 Pure Aero, but felt its sometimes was stiff and potentially a bit erratic. I think the erraticness I can live with but its more about the feeling I didn't love as much.

Anyway, I use a Blade 98/Gravity Pro/Blade Pro these days and sometimes for fun (and maybe some real usage) would like free power on some days.

From my understnading:
PA 2023 - 2023 Layup, more denser string pattern.
PA Rafa (NON-origin) - 2013(?) layup - open pattern of the 2016/2019ish.
PA Rafa (origin) - 2013(?) layup - PA Rafa but heavier and more denser pattern.

I'd like to get a stick that is not a replica like my Pure Aeros.. or else I guess I'd feel like i'm wasting money.

Which would be the better buy in that regard? Good feel, decent control?

Are the Rafa (either one)'s layups much softer than the standard Pure Aero?
I've never hit with the more denser pattern of hte 2019/2023 - I have heard some posters say that they were hitting the mid court balls long because there was less spin.. is this the case? Or more just for peole who don' ttypically hit with an 18x20 etc.

I'm more an all court player but as mentioned sometimes wanted the free power. Demos around here are not stringable, so they don't help me as much.

Thanks!

 

[Curtennis]

I’m considering moving back to pure aero family after having played the origin for a few weeks. Im just absolutely loving it.

Just trying to decide if either of the lighter non origin Aeros would be right for me. Not crazy about a 65 stiffness in an aero. Thinking I’d need a little more free power for spin generation and depth than a somewhat flexy 65 would give.

But I’m also not crazy about going back to the open 2019 style pattern the Rafa light would give me.

Thinking maybe just a pure drive is what I’m looking for. How does PD string spacing compare to Rafa light and 2023 regular? Anyone know?

 

[aus89]

Hey all,

I currently own the 2016 Pure Aero. I've hit with the APD Cortex back in the day and liked it but i wasn't technically proficient back then so can't really analyze.

I like the 2016 Pure Aero, but felt its sometimes was stiff and potentially a bit erratic. I think the erraticness I can live with but its more about the feeling I didn't love as much.

Anyway, I use a Blade 98/Gravity Pro/Blade Pro these days and sometimes for fun (and maybe some real usage) would like free power on some days.

From my understnading:
PA 2023 - 2023 Layup, more denser string pattern.
PA Rafa (NON-origin) - 2013(?) layup - open pattern of the 2016/2019ish.
PA Rafa (origin) - 2013(?) layup - PA Rafa but heavier and more denser pattern.

I'd like to get a stick that is not a replica like my Pure Aeros.. or else I guess I'd feel like i'm wasting money.

Which would be the better buy in that regard? Good feel, decent control?

Are the Rafa (either one)'s layups much softer than the standard Pure Aero?
I've never hit with the more denser pattern of hte 2019/2023 - I have heard some posters say that they were hitting the mid court balls long because there was less spin.. is this the case? Or more just for peole who don' ttypically hit with an 18x20 etc.

I'm more an all court player but as mentioned sometimes wanted the free power. Demos around here are not stringable, so they don't help me as much.

Thanks!

believe the Rafa Origin is the original APD layup? - very high 60's RA... different to the non-Origin etc... obviously a hefty frame - not sure about the regular Rafa layup but it is a different mold/beam to the origin iirc anyway. 2023 is still very powerful as Aero's are but has some dampening to make it feel softer and string pattern is denser to add some control to the equation -I'd suspect going from a Blade/Gravity then the regular 2023 Aero might be the best option there so you aren't adding wildly more power to the equation but still an easier time (also the Pure Strike would be worth looking at)

 

[Power Player]

I’m considering moving back to pure aero family after having played the origin for a few weeks. Im just absolutely loving it.

Just trying to decide if either of the lighter non origin Aeros would be right for me. Not crazy about a 65 stiffness in an aero. Thinking I’d need a little more free power for spin generation and depth than a somewhat flexy 65 would give.

But I’m also not crazy about going back to the open 2019 style pattern the Rafa light would give me.

Thinking maybe just a pure drive is what I’m looking for. How does PD string spacing compare to Rafa light and 2023 regular? Anyone know?

PD string spacing also sucks now. It's too open, and the feel is not crisp and open like the old 2012 ones. May want to look into a Carve 100. It's an APD copy with the tighter string spacing. I have been playing the APD 2010, and it's a glorious frame. Will be comparing it to the Carve soon.

The Rafa lite was going to be my league match frame for sure. But the open pattern just made it so I'd have to restring way too often or have a lot of inconsistency with it. Plus I could not go low tension with it.

I think you may enjoy the 2010 or 2013 APD, and most likely the Carve.

 

[Power Player]

believe the Rafa Origin is the original APD layup? - very high 60's RA... different to the non-Origin etc... obviously a hefty frame - not sure about the regular Rafa layup but it is a different mold/beam to the origin iirc anyway. 2023 is still very powerful as Aero's are but has some dampening to make it feel softer and string pattern is denser to add some control to the equation -I'd suspect going from a Blade/Gravity then the regular 2023 Aero might be the best option there so you aren't adding wildly more power to the equation but still an easier time (also the Pure Strike would be worth looking at)

The Rafa lite is the APDO layup, but they changed the string spacing. It has a very raw and connected feel. An amazing racquet if they only kept the pattern the same as the Origins. It's a real shame. I guess they didn't want to cannablize the PA23 sales, which it would have. The Rafa Lite destroys it in every way besides the string pattern.

 

[aus89]

The Rafa lite is the APDO layup, but they changed the string spacing. It has a very raw and connected feel. An amazing racquet if they only kept the pattern the same as the Origins. It's a real shame. I guess they didn't want to cannablize the PA23 sales, which it would have. The Rafa Lite destroys it in every way besides the string pattern.

I thought it had been said that the Rafa Lite was the regular Aero mold/string pattern rather than the Origin which is 95% an APDO

 

[Power Player]

I thought it had been said that the Rafa Lite was the regular Aero mold/string pattern rather than the Origin which is 95% an APDO

Rafa lite feels like an apdo to me. It definitely does not feel like the pure aero and the string spacing is more open on the Rafa as well.

 

[ajspurs]

I'm really enjoying the 2013 Aeropro Drive to be honest. The 2019 one was too powerful for me, and even though the 2023 one is better in that regard I still found myself trying to dial it down a little. I don't feel that need at all with the 2013 version and it very rarely feels too powerful. I tweaked my forehand a bit since though so wouldn't mind doing a direct comparison with the 2023 version now.

Not sure about the new Rafa's though, but have heard good things. It's all subjective but I couldn't consider it with that bubblegum paint job

 

[Power Player]

I'm really enjoying the 2013 Aeropro Drive to be honest. The 2019 one was too powerful for me, and even though the 2023 one is better in that regard I still found myself trying to dial it down a little. I don't feel that need at all with the 2013 version and it very rarely feels too powerful. I tweaked my forehand a bit since though so wouldn't mind doing a direct comparison with the 2023 version now.

Not sure about the new Rafa's though, but have heard good things. It's all subjective but I couldn't consider it with that bubblegum paint job

2013 and 2010 are the peak for APDs. The Rafa PJ is amazing to me, but you have to like that loud 90's look.

I think you are in really good shape with the 2013. It has a very low swing weight which is probably why you are finding it easier to control. I have mine sitting here right now, and I'm going to mod it to play a little heavier like my 2010 does. Babolat really peaked 10 years ago, imo. After that it's a bunch of attempts to improve on greatness that have all fallen short.

 

[ajspurs]

2013 and 2010 are the peak for APDs. The Rafa PJ is amazing to me, but you have to like that loud 90's look.

I think you are in really good shape with the 2013. It has a very low swing weight which is probably why you are finding it easier to control. I have mine sitting here right now, and I'm going to mod it to play a little heavier like my 2010 does. Babolat really peaked 10 years ago, imo. After that it's a bunch of attempts to improve on greatness that have all fallen short.

Yeah definitely agree with you there mate. I've thought about altering the weight as I typically prefer a heavier racket, but like you say the low swing weight probably contributes well to finding it easier to control so I don't really want to tinker with it too much. Doesn't feel unstable or particularly any more lacking of plow-through because of it to my surprise. May very well need to pick up a second one.

How does the 2010 one compare with the 2013? And sorry, don't mean to hijack the thread.

 

[Power Player]

Yeah definitely agree with you there mate. I've thought about altering the weight as I typically prefer a heavier racket, but like you say the low swing weight probably contributes well to finding it easier to control so I don't really want to tinker with it too much. Doesn't feel unstable or particularly any more lacking of plow-through because of it to my surprise. May very well need to pick up a second one.

How does the 2010 one compare with the 2013? And sorry, don't mean to hijack the thread.

2010 is a more raw feel and a higher SW around 325. I love having both. It's mindless to switch between them if needed

And to keep it on topic, the OP may want to just grab some of these old frames and GOAT.

 

[ajspurs]

Thanks mate. I very rarely customise my rackets as more often than not they end up feeling worse for me, but if I ever felt I needed a little more additional swing weight then I may try and pick one up. I do prefer the paintjobs of the 2010 ones too, and the Roland Garros version is interesting...

I agree though, if I was the OP I'd be very tempted to look back at some of the older ones.