Pure Strike 2024
- Thread starter Blade_X
- Start date
Fighting phoenix
Professional
Just hit with the 98 16x19 today - very familiar to the Gen2/3 I used to use, but definitely more comfortable with better feel.
Compared to 100 16x20??
Also launch angle comparison to gen3?
Between the 16x20 and 98, I'm still preferring the 98 so far. I'm curious to know what you think.
Fighting phoenix
Professional
No compared to previous 98s, the 16x20 100 is definitely more flexible/comfortable. Launch angle is the same as previous gen
Fighting phoenix
Professional
It’s tough to say after just one outing with the 98. I think I get a little more on the serve with the 98, but the 100 16x20 is more forgiving and love the flex and feel of it.
Sorry I meant how does the new 98 stack up against the 100 16x20.
Well if the launch angle is still the same between the 98s then the fsi control is a hoax. Damn
Fighting phoenix
Professional
Well, it’s been a year since I played with gen 3 and it was just one hit. Now I wish I hadn’t sold them and I could then do a true comparison. This new 98 does feel like it’s a better racquet, for sure on the feel and comfort side
16x20 feels slightly more controlled than 98 for me. 98 has more power, balls are heavier and yes I agree on the serve, 98 is better.
I will play for another week to see which one I will go for. My takes so far are 16x20 is for more all-court players, 98 is more for aggressive baseliners.
Speaking of looking for the PA98 alternative (my main purpose to demo the strikes), I feel like Strike 98 is more close to PA98.
Fighting phoenix
Professional
Interesting - yeah I feel like there's definitely more control, touch, normal launch angle in the 100 16x20 vs. the PA98. Why would you say the 16x20 is more for all courters vs. the 98? Better feel and what not?
Thats what I really want to know! Can you please compare them with PA98????
Fighting phoenix
Professional
PA98 will give you a higher launch angle, a little more power, for sure more spin. The Strikes are still very spin friendly and have more pop than a typical "control" frame, and I feel more confident on my second serves and hitting driving balls through the court with the strikes vs. the PA98. I also haven't been a huge fan of the PA98 at the net for some reason, whereas the strikes are somewhat better for an all court game vs. the PA98 being more of a baseline topspin stick.
I find the 100 16x20 is better at the net, maybe because of the 100-inch head, and I slice better with it than 98 as well. So when I play with it, I approach the net more often.
With 98, I tend to stay at the baseline more, cause the power produces heavier and deeper balls, I can usually keep my opponent at the baseline, and easier to hit winners from the baseline.
So far I'm actually liking Strikes more, could be the honeymoon period, the biggest reason is they are def more comfortable than PA98.
And I find I hit more consistently with PS as well. PS98 has more pop than 100 16x20. Maybe because I came from PA98, I'm still craving a little stiffness, 100 16x20 feels a little 'soft' from time to time, PS98 just has the right amount of stiff to it but is still comfortable. Also PS98 kinda helps me to 'slow down' my swing to watch the ball more carefully. With PA98, sometimes I feel it's too fast through the air, resulting in mishit sometimes. Of course, I believe higher-level players won't have this problem lol.
Does ps98 has more pop than pa98? Also how about launch angle between the two? Thanks
PA98 still has more pop and a higher launch angle, PS98 hits the ball go through the court more, and it has higher SW, so more plow through. PA98 feels 'hollow' compared to the PS98, but you get more feedback. PS98 feels more muted and 'solid'.
Fighting phoenix
Professional
Yep totally agree
McGradey
Hall of Fame
That’s great news. The P17 was one of the most fun racquets I ever used, but it was rather harsh. A comfier version has my interest piqued!
topspn
G.O.A.T.
Yeah, I loved the P17 but always had arm discomfort and let it go.
Fighting phoenix
Professional
The Speed MP 2022 is probably easier to play with, slightly higher launch angle, more easier topspin. The Strike feels firmer, more solid of a stick, I think it serves slightly better, drives the ball through the court better, better feel and control.
notthatgood
New User
Following up on my thoughts on the PS100 16x20 where I predicted I'd like the PS100 16x19 better... I was very, very wrong. I strung the 16x19 in exactly the same way as the 16x20 and it plays dramatically stiffer and less comfortable. It also feels significantly less stable from a twistweight perspective, and the higher launch angle makes it less predictable. Obviously QC could play a role (I didn't have a chance to weigh the 16x19) but both frames felt within the ballpark of a similar spec. While the 16x19 is definitely crisper and more powerful, I didn't feel that the increases in power or spin were significant enough to beat out the 16x20 in any way.
backhandtough
New User
I'm considering to buy 2023 vcore 100 or 2024 pure strike 100 16x20. Which one would play better in stock form(no customization)?
SinneGOAT
Legend
I imagine they would play similar. I tried the 2021 vcore 100 and it has a solid feeling, a little whippy but solid and from what I’ve read the pure strike 100 would be similar. I can’t speak for the 2023 however.
Fighting phoenix
Professional
I would think both would play pretty well in stock form, assuming QC isn't crazy off. I played with both recently, and they're pretty different racquets imo - Vcore 100 is great, but definitely a higher launch angle than the PS, less control but more power. The Vcore 100 is also noticeably more muted than the Pure Strike.
notthatgood
New User
I have a good amount of experience with Vcore 100s, 2021 and 2023. 2023 is much more muted, with a dramatically higher launch angle than 2021 (or than most other rackets I've ever played with). Control is also not great. But if you want something relatively comfortable and just want to rip the cover off the ball, go for it. In my 6-8 hours with the PS 100 16x20 I'd say it is indeed an extremely different racket than a VCore 100. Slower through the air, much softer, and with a much lower launch angle. It also feels more solid and stable, but a little on the clunkier side. I'd demo both and see what fits your game better.
backhandtough
New User
Thanks! How did volley, maneuverity, and stability compare between vcore100 and pure strike 100 16x20?
I am considering the same two racquets. I am really hoping to trade in my Clash 100 v2 for something better. Prior to having a major bout with tennis elbow back in 2018-2019 my two favorite racquets were the Pure Aero 100 and the Pure Strike Project One 7. I am a lefty so I loved getting more "lefty spin" with the PA, but I am also a consistent grinder so I loved the control of the PS. My elbow made we go to the Clash. My elbow feels much better and I was able to play the Speed MP the past 2-3 months without any elbow concerns. So, now I am considering the VCore 100 as a way to return my game to my Pure Aero days, or the PS 100 16x20 to return to my Pure Strike days.
PistolPete23
Hall of Fame
What's going on? Babolat is going flexible? Pure Strike 100 2024 RA of 61 and a very low vibration frequency of 135.
HypnoticLasagna
Rookie
It still feels like a Babolat though. It is really nice feel now. And the new blade is supposedly stiffer. Seems like we are all converging on a happy medium.
konstantinos kalfountzos
Hall of Fame
Fighting phoenix
Professional
Just got an email from TW saying they received my demos, so maybe you'll get mine ;-)
You'll know if it comes with a white wilson overgrip lol
TennisManiac
Hall of Fame
I wonder if the new Pure Strike 98 16x19 can hit as heavy a ball as the Pro Staff 97 V14 can? 
I'm sure it can produce the same if not more spin. But plow and stability seem very doubtful to me as I've demoed the last two generations and decided that they just didn't have that "drive" and "pop" that the Pro Staff delivers. Could this be the version that finally catches up to the Pro Staff?
I'm sure it can produce the same if not more spin. But plow and stability seem very doubtful to me as I've demoed the last two generations and decided that they just didn't have that "drive" and "pop" that the Pro Staff delivers. Could this be the version that finally catches up to the Pro Staff?
SinneGOAT
Legend
I actually am the opposite, I felt the pro staff was more of a headlight racquet that got power from its weight and not swingweight. The pure strike to me could flatten and plow the ball better than the pro staff v13, don’t know about the v14 however.I wonder if the new Pure Strike 98 16x19 can hit as heavy a ball as the Pro Staff 97 V14 can?
Fluffy_Skye
Semi-Pro
Having tried both I would say vcore 100 is more powerful is easier to play. PS100 is more controlled.
Fluffy_Skye
Semi-Pro
OK WTF, no grip size 1 for PS100. I kind of expected that. No grip size 1 for PS98 either??? Even Yonex has grip size 1 on most models.
TennisManiac
Hall of Fame
The V14 is a lot different than the V13.
@topspn - It's a very encouraging frame -- good power, good consistency out of the string bed (more so than any Aero or Drive). Just pray you get one that's on-spec -- so, ~31cm unstrung balance and <= upper 290's swing weight -- because over-spec (mine playtest sample is 31.7 and 304sw...) it's a bit of slug. On-spec, however, I can see tons of promise.
topspn
G.O.A.T.
I currently play the PA98 at 331-332SW. I made an MRT order for the strike targeting 297-298SW and other specs inline. That would put me at around 331SW with full poly which adds 33pts.
That'll do! Fascinated to hear your take on it.
I ordered 4 frames and plan to keep the 2 that are the closest in spec to what TW says are specs. I am not a master technician so the only thing I can do is use my scale to weight the frame, and then do the poor man’s balance by seeing where they fall off my kitchen counter. I figure if they weigh the same, and have the same balance point they should have the same swing weight.
My question is. If I want a swing weight at 320 what should I hope they weigh in at? Considering I am not going to remove the plastic around the grip or the promotional card that is typically fastened into the frame?
TennisManiac
Hall of Fame
Like Yonex... does Babolat grip sizes still run large compared to brands like Wilson, Head, Dunlop ect.?
TwinCinema
Professional
No. The Strike VS I just got actually feels a touch smaller in my hand than my Wilson Blades. Could be the leather grip, could be the grip shape. But I measured around the center of the handle with a string and they’re identical circumference. Whatever size you are in Wilson, get the same in Babolat.
topspn
G.O.A.T.
It depends! Pure drive and Aeros will be bulky with syntec pro grip. Strike comes with syntec team which is more svelt
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