Spin? SixOne 95S, Steam 99S, Ezone Ai 100

[Surion]

Hi,
I am using the Ezone Ai 100, which plays pretty well, but sometimes I miss some Spin on flat shots.
I demoed the Steam 99S and the Juice 100S and fell in love with that nasty spin, but the Steam wasn't good on flat shots, while the Juice had too much power.
I am considering demoing the Sixone 95S, but i don't know, if that Spin is still that good.
How is the Spin of the 95S compared to the Ezone Ai 100?

And furthermore is that 95 sq-head too demanding for a 3.5-4.0-player like me who normally uses 100 sq-heads.

And one last question.
What about the durability, is the 95S a stringkiller like the Steam?

Thank you very much.

 

[AllDownTheLine]

It's a must demo! Does everything really well although only you can decide if 95 sq inches is a problem. I wouldn't think it'll be an issue but at least try it.
I haven't experienced any issues with string breakage.

 

[Sander001]

What about Blade 98S?

 

[A_Instead]

95s isn't to demanding. But is not a Pure Drive either.
Control is great. Spin is there when you choose it. It's not a string eater.
Its a great option.

 

[mhkeuns]

I would suggest the IG Extreme Pro 2.0 if you want a racket that can do it all, feels plush and provides loads of spin. I tried the Steam 99S, and it was too much spin for me. I also tried the Six.One 95S and didn't think it was anything to rave about. It played decent, but the spin wasn't anything out of ordinary.

I do have a heavy topspin baseline game, but when I want more spin, I like to pull out the Aeropro Drive and Ai 98 (*recently) for the spin game.

 

[Surion]

Thank you very much for your replies.
I tried the Extreme Pro 2.0 and didn't really like it.
Awkward shape of the grip and no good control for me.

How is the 95S' spin compared to the AeroPro Drive?

 

[dblsplayer]

I was reluctant to trythe 95S after trying the Steam and Blade spin versions. Boy was I wrong, the 95S plays like a lighter six-one 95 and the S version actually opens the sweetspot a little more so the 95 size is not an issue.

Really a nice racquet. I think Chris's video review pretty much nailed it.

 

[mhkeuns]

Thank you very much for your replies.
I tried the Extreme Pro 2.0 and didn't really like it.
Awkward shape of the grip and no good control for me.

How is the 95S' spin compared to the AeroPro Drive?

I think the Aeropro Drive compares closer to the Steam 99S than the 6.1 95S. The 95S was not a bad stick. At the time I was playing with it, I also had the IG Prestive MP, Donnay Formula 100 and the Aeropro Drive. Eventually, I settled on the IGPMP for its precision feel and comfort. The Donnay, to me, hit much heavier balls than the 6.1 95S. It was nice, but it didn't seem like anything too special...
Just my experience.

 

[Surion]

Thank you.
Are there more opinions?

 

[SpinToWin]

Thank you.
Are there more opinions?

I am very sorry for saying this, but in your case I have no choice… Take lessons and develop better topspin groundstrokes. If your flat strokes are going long, then that usually has more to do with your technique than anything else (especially when discussing a racquet such as the Ai 100). A flat groundstroke still has a considerable topspin component, otherwise it would never land in the court.

Another thing: spin racquets are made for spin groundstrokes. They usually have inherently more power so that you can really brush up the ball and still get depth. I used to use the APD and anything flat had literally no margin for error. I could hit loopy topspin groundstrokes for days though.

 

[Surion]

I can hit loopy topspin the whole day, but that isn't my point.
I just want to add some RPMs to my game without changing my strokes and isn't that, what those spin rackets were made for?

 

[Surion]

Oh, and I just wanted to know how the mentioned rackets compare in terms of spin.

 

[SpinToWin]

I can hit loopy topspin the whole day, but that isn't my point.
I just want to add some RPMs to my game without changing my strokes and isn't that, what those spin rackets were made for?

They add some RPMs, but not as much as advertised… However, they also add power and launch angle. Playing flat strokes with spin effect racquets is harder than playing them with traditional racquets. The Six.One 95S is one of the few options I'd even consider, as it has slightly less power than the Ai 100 IMO. Otherwise… The Pro Staff 95S may be worth a look. I found both not suited to flat hitting though.

If you want to get your flat shots to go in, it makes more sense to get a more controlled racquet than to get a spin effect racquet. It makes even more sense to improve your technique. If I'm playing badly, it's me, not my racquet.

 

[carlosoki]

Please try Prince Tour ESP 98 or 100 16x16.

 

[Surion]

Thank you, but I tried the Tour 100 ESP.
Terrible racket, just way too dampened. Literally no connection to the ball.

 

[mhkeuns]

They add some RPMs, but not as much as advertised… However, they also add power and launch angle. Playing flat strokes with spin effect racquets is harder than playing them with traditional racquets. The Six.One 95S is one of the few options I'd even consider, as it has slightly less power than the Ai 100 IMO. Otherwise… The Pro Staff 95S may be worth a look. I found both not suited to flat hitting though.

If you want to get your flat shots to go in, it makes more sense to get a more controlled racquet than to get a spin effect racquet. It makes even more sense to improve your technique. If I'm playing badly, it's me, not my racquet.

This totally makes sense. I didn't like hitting with the Steam 99S or the Six.One 95S because I drive through the ball, instead of just brushing it. Even if I hit through the ball, the stroke itself generates more than enough topspin to make my opponents feel the heaviness of the ball. As I've said before, I hit my hardest and the heaviest shots with the Pure Strike Tour because it gives me the stability and the plow through I need to do the stroke that generates the most heat and spin. Even if the ball is hit flat, it can have massive topspin.

Perhaps making some adjustments on the strokes might be the answer. There is more than enough spin potential in the AI 98, and I think it's the same or more with the AI 100. I really don't think it's the racket.

 

[RollTrackTake]

Blade 98 S is a nice option with good power and control being that it's an 18x16 pattern. The feel is a bit more crisp than the Prince ESP. I've used the 99S for close to a year and have adjusted to it's strengths and weaknesses. I have no problems flattening out shots when need be. Give them all a try!

 

[Surion]

I do really appreciate your help, but still nobody answered my intentional question.
I didn't ask for advice, I just wanna know if the 95S creates significantly more spin than thr Ezone.

 

[macguyvur]

I was reluctant to trythe 95S after trying the Steam and Blade spin versions. Boy was I wrong, the 95S plays like a lighter six-one 95 and the S version actually opens the sweetspot a little more so the 95 size is not an issue.

Really a nice racquet. I think Chris's video review pretty much nailed it.

Cool. The Six.One 95S on my shortlist, with the Ai 98 and the new PS 97 315g version. I wonder how the Six.One 95S will compare to the PS 97 315g. Most of us won't get to knock with it until Oct 1, but some lucky reps and friends of reps have it already, and are saying great things in other forums.

Like @Surion, I'm curious as to spin potential of 6.1 95S vs Ai 98 vs. PS 97.

 

[souledge]

I was reluctant to trythe 95S after trying the Steam and Blade spin versions. Boy was I wrong, the 95S plays like a lighter six-one 95 and the S version actually opens the sweetspot a little more so the 95 size is not an issue.

Really a nice racquet. I think Chris's video review pretty much nailed it.

Compare the pros and cons of the 99S and the 95S?

 

[TobyTopspin]

They add some RPMs, but not as much as advertised… However, they also add power and launch angle. Playing flat strokes with spin effect racquets is harder than playing them with traditional racquets. The Six.One 95S is one of the few options I'd even consider, as it has slightly less power than the Ai 100 IMO. Otherwise… The Pro Staff 95S may be worth a look. I found both not suited to flat hitting though.

If you want to get your flat shots to go in, it makes more sense to get a more controlled racquet than to get a spin effect racquet. It makes even more sense to improve your technique. If I'm playing badly, it's me, not my racquet.

I have to agree. I haven't noticed much difference in my shots. I'm sure I could generate more spin with the spin sticks but in actual match play I don't see much difference. In spirited ralleys I have to concentrate to hit the ball deeper so that I don't leave anything to short as most of these sticks don't have the plow through I need for my game. I think the loss of control from these sticks are a detriment.

 

[dblsplayer]

Pros and Cons

Compare the pros and cons of the 99S and the 95S?

The 95S is much more solid, and has more control. Also, even though it is a "spin" racquet, it is not exagerated with normal strokes and feels natural.

Another big pro is volleying, solid and nice touch with a nice amount of power.

I find these to be pros with the 95S and cons with the Blade 98S

As with any racquet, how it plays for you is more important than how it plays for someone else.

 

[drak]

Compare the pros and cons of the 99S and the 95S?

I have owned both, playing with the 6.1 95S now.

IMO the number one contrast is power/control. Where the 99S is a high powered frame the 95S offers much more control with some still very decent power. If you need a lot or power from the frame the 99S is the one, for more control 95S.

Second for me is comfort, 99S with it's stiffness and higher swingweight bothered my shoulder, while the 95S for me is very comfortable and I do not have to use a Poly.

with the more open pattern the 95S has a very large sweetspot which allows me to play fine with the smaller headsize, it's also more HL with a lower SW

Those for me are the biggest differences

Drak

 

[Chuonfood]

Steam 99S - nuff said.

 

[souledge]

Steam 99S will change your playstyle in one respect, you won't finish points from the baseline as much. However, you will get a lot more short balls / chance balls that you can move up in order to finish the point or volley away for a winner.

 

[Alien]

If you liked the Juice you can increase the string tension. Or try the Burn 100s if you arm has no trouble, or the Blade 98s if you need arm comfort.

 

[bobombom]

I've tried out both the PS 95s and 6.1 95s thinking they may add some spin to my predominantly flat style. Couldn't hit my normal flat shots for my life. Play style had to change completely..

 

[GioV]

They add some RPMs, but not as much as advertised… However, they also add power and launch angle. Playing flat strokes with spin effect racquets is harder than playing them with traditional racquets. The Six.One 95S is one of the few options I'd even consider, as it has slightly less power than the Ai 100 IMO. Otherwise… The Pro Staff 95S may be worth a look. I found both not suited to flat hitting though.

If you want to get your flat shots to go in, it makes more sense to get a more controlled racquet than to get a spin effect racquet. It makes even more sense to improve your technique. If I'm playing badly, it's me, not my racquet.

^^This.

I borrowed my friend's 99S and I loved the free power it had, but the launch angle was much higher than with my regular stick. My topspin goundstrokes weren't quite moon balls, but there was plenty of net clearance and they were kicking up pretty high and quick after the bounce. Pretty addictive feeling from the baseline and I could make the switch based off that alone, but I had trouble flattening out strokes... And that's my bread and butter.

 

[Sander001]

^^This.

I borrowed my friend's 99S and I loved the free power it had, but the launch angle was much higher than with my regular stick. My topspin goundstrokes weren't quite moon balls, but there was plenty of net clearance and they were kicking up pretty high and quick after the bounce. Pretty addictive feeling from the baseline and I could make the switch based off that alone, but I had trouble flattening out strokes... And that's my bread and butter.

Solved with an 18x16 pattern.