Pure Aero 98 vs Head Speed MP vs Vcore 95

[Rdrizzla]

I am a former university level player looking to compete again and need a new set of sticks.

I’m a grindy baseliner, taking inspiration from Nadal/Ruud/Thiem, and need a whippy spin-oriented racket.

Currently have the Pure Aero 98, Head Speed MP, and the Vcore 95 in mind (and potentially the Pure Strikes?)

Has anyone played with these frames, and how do they compare?

A side note is that I am fairly sensitive to stiff frames, otherwise I would love to try the Pure Aero Origin just to emulate the GOAT Rafa (but that 73RA is awful, nor is it the whippiest of frames with a 370 swingweight).

 

[MasterSlice74]

I'm an 8-9 UTR with a pretty heavy, spinny forehand. Like to dictate off the forehand and use spin to push people back and out of the court. If you want spin and whippiness the aero 98 will by far be the best of those 3. However it will also be the hardest on your arm. I also get arm pain but I can manage with a soft string and a dampener. I have heard the new version coming out in January will be more comfy. Maybe consider the vcore 98 or the extreme tour as well but for the the PA98 is the best racket for your playstyle.

 

[Rdrizzla]

I'm an 8-9 UTR with a pretty heavy, spinny forehand. Like to dictate off the forehand and use spin to push people back and out of the court. If you want spin and whippiness the aero 98 will by far be the best of those 3. However it will also be the hardest on your arm. I also get arm pain but I can manage with a soft string and a dampener. I have heard the new version coming out in January will be more comfy. Maybe consider the vcore 98 or the extreme tour as well but for the the PA98 is the best racket for your playstyle.

Thanks for the reply!

I’ve heard nothing but rave reviews for the PA98, but the stiffness does make me hesitant.

I’ve played with the the Pure Aero 100 (albeit strung a little too tight for my liking) and that did cause me elbow pains on my flatter/harder first serves, which has me worried about the 98.

Is the Pure Aero 98 similar to the 100 in terms of stiffness, or is it hopefully a little bit softer?

Also I was unaware that there was a new version releasing in January - exciting!

 

[Verdi]

Try a vcore 100 and 98
Also Extreme MP and Pro

Of the 3 you have in mind, Speed MP fits what you’re describing the most (+arm friendly for sensitivity)

 

[MasterSlice74]

Thanks for the reply!

I’ve heard nothing but rave reviews for the PA98, but the stiffness does make me hesitant.

I’ve played with the the Pure Aero 100 (albeit strung a little too tight for my liking) and that did cause me elbow pains on my flatter/harder first serves, which has me worried about the 98.

Is the Pure Aero 98 similar to the 100 in terms of stiffness, or is it hopefully a little bit softer?

Also I was unaware that there was a new version releasing in January - exciting!

I'm not sure honestly, I haven't used the 100 enough to really say. From my very brief hit with one the feel was similar to my 98, but the string/tension were completely different...

 

[RF2017]

I am a former university level player looking to compete again and need a new set of sticks.

I’m a grindy baseliner, taking inspiration from Nadal/Ruud/Thiem, and need a whippy spin-oriented racket.

Currently have the Pure Aero 98, Head Speed MP, and the Vcore 95 in mind (and potentially the Pure Strikes?)

Has anyone played with these frames, and how do they compare?

A side note is that I am fairly sensitive to stiff frames, otherwise I would love to try the Pure Aero Origin just to emulate the GOAT Rafa (but that 73RA is awful, nor is it the whippiest of frames with a 370 swingweight).

Out of curiosity, what is your racket history? Just so that we know what your preference would lean towards in terms of what we recommend. Also what are you looking for specifically in a new frame; power, spin, forgiveness, etc.?

 

[SlapBackhands]

What are you normally used to using? That will help direct you into a certain direction because these 3 are very different racquets. Speed MP is a forgiving all-rounder, but lacks specialness. A good option if you don't really know what you want. Aero 98 is a spin/power racquet in a more control spec and so you can generate a lot of out of it when everything goes right(especially compared to the Speed MP and Vcore 95) but can also feel quite unforgiving outside of the sweetspot. It is also a reasonably stiff frame and so adjustments might be necessary. Vcore 95 is a forgiving 95 that has spin potential similar to a lot of 98/100s. Lots of ball pocketing, but it is still a 95 and so finding the sweetspot is essential to success. I'd look at all the spin 98s and start from there, you could very well enjoy the response of the power 98s too. Good luck with the search!

 

[Rdrizzla]

Try a vcore 100 and 98
Also Extreme MP and Pro

Of the 3 you have in mind, Speed MP fits what you’re describing the most (+arm friendly for sensitivity)

I’m in the UK and no stores offer Yonex demos, so I would have to blind-buy one - although I have heard you get what you expect with Yonex thanks to their fantastic quality control.

Why the Vcore 98 over the 95 in your opinion?

 

[Rdrizzla]

Out of curiosity, what is your racket history? Just so that we know what your preference would lean towards in terms of what we recommend. Also what are you looking for specifically in a new frame; power, spin, forgiveness, etc.?

Racket history is as follows:

Speed MP, Babolat Pure Control, Radical MP, Wilson Burn 95 FST, Gravity Pro.

What I’m specifically looking for is a super whippy racket with max spin potential, high-launch angle, but also being low powered (I can generate my own pace).

Quite hard to find spin rackets that aren’t also high-powered though

 

[Rdrizzla]

What are you normally used to using? That will help direct you into a certain direction because these 3 are very different racquets. Speed MP is a forgiving all-rounder, but lacks specialness. A good option if you don't really know what you want. Aero 98 is a spin/power racquet in a more control spec and so you can generate a lot of out of it when everything goes right(especially compared to the Speed MP and Vcore 95) but can also feel quite unforgiving outside of the sweetspot. It is also a reasonably stiff frame and so adjustments might be necessary. Vcore 95 is a forgiving 95 that has spin potential similar to a lot of 98/100s. Lots of ball pocketing, but it is still a 95 and so finding the sweetspot is essential to success. I'd look at all the spin 98s and start from there, you could very well enjoy the response of the power 98s too. Good luck with the search!

Thanks so much for the advice!

I think you’re right, that the Aero 98 does have high potential but I just don’t want destroy my elbow playing 5 times if it’s too still as Babolat have a reputation for being (although my old Pure Control did feel buttery smooth).

In terms of your remarks on the Vcore 95 I’d hoped that the Isometric head shape would make it seem like a bigger head size, but guess I can’t find out without playtesting.

What’s your favourite spin-oriented 98 you’ve ever tried?

 

[_FrankTheTank_]

Racket history is as follows:

Speed MP, Babolat Pure Control, Radical MP, Wilson Burn 95 FST, Gravity Pro.

What I’m specifically looking for is a super whippy racket with max spin potential, high-launch angle, but also being low powered (I can generate my own pace).

Quite hard to find spin rackets that aren’t also high-powered though

As you already said, the vcore 95 is one Option. Another Option is Head extreme pro. The launch angle seems medium-low when you're stroke style is hitting through the ball, but if you're someone that brushes up fast, the tech (better say grommet design) Enhances string(bed) movement and give high launch angle.

 

[Rdrizzla]

As you already said, the vcore 95 is one Option. Another Option is Head extreme pro. The launch angle seems medium-low when you're stroke style is hitting through the ball, but if you're someone that brushes up fast, the tech (better say grommet design) Enhances string(bed) movement and give high launch angle.

Nice, I'll do some research on the Extreme Pro - Musetti can generate a ton of spin with that frame.

 

[_FrankTheTank_]

Nice, I'll do some research on the Extreme Pro - Musetti can generate a ton of spin with that frame.

I forgot to say that on average spec the extreme pro is whippier and lower powered than both PA98 and vcore 98, as I understood that you're for that.

 

[ajspurs]

Thanks for the reply!

I’ve heard nothing but rave reviews for the PA98, but the stiffness does make me hesitant.

I’ve played with the the Pure Aero 100 (albeit strung a little too tight for my liking) and that did cause me elbow pains on my flatter/harder first serves, which has me worried about the 98.

Is the Pure Aero 98 similar to the 100 in terms of stiffness, or is it hopefully a little bit softer?

Also I was unaware that there was a new version releasing in January - exciting!

I own both and In my experience the PA100 is definitely softer than the 98.

 

[MasterSlice74]

I forgot to say that on average spec the extreme pro is whippier and lower powered than both PA98 and vcore 98, as I understood that you're for that.

Yeah I agree with you. I would change my recommendation from the PA98 to the Extreme pro. If you want power + spin + whippy, I would've said the aero but if you're looking for spin + whippy + low-powered extreme pro is likely more up your alley. But I personally have never tried it, just going off of what people are saying about it on the forums.

 

[TheNadural]

Is this the consensus for folks who have played both? The PA98 is more powerful than the EP?

 

[Holic]

Is this the consensus for folks who have played both? The PA98 is more powerful than the EP?

100%

 

[Rdrizzla]

I own both and In my experience the PA100 is definitely softer than the 98.

Even with an identical string setup?

If this is true I probably won't be able to play with the PA98, which is pretty disappointing. The PA100 shredded my elbow, so if the 98 is even worse/stiffer then it is a no-go.

 

[ajspurs]

Even with an identical string setup?

If this is true I probably won't be able to play with the PA98, which is pretty disappointing. The PA100 shredded my elbow, so if the 98 is even worse/stiffer then it is a no-go.

Yeah with the same strings, Hyper-G Soft 1.25 to be specific. I would string the PA98 lower but it wouldn't match the softness of the PA100. I think it was something like the PA98 at 48lbs and the PA100 at 52lbs. When I had arm problems with the PA98 (I don't anymore though) I remember being surprised at how much softer the PA100 was after not using it for a while.

The PA98 wrecked my elbow at one stage but I think that was a combination of poor technique at the time, not changing strings near often enough and playing with dead balls for too long.