Steam 100 vs similiar rackets

[Anni.Angel]

I changed it and added the string patterns. They’re all 16x20 except for the Team which is 16x18.

OK, I found that one. Interesting.

Just don't forget you have to find the right string for the racquet you are playing.

It's not like any string will work in any racquet. Then people are different. For example I cannot play full bed Head Velocity MLT.
I tried that is not working for me, way way too soft. At the same time other people find that as being a stiff multi.

 

[Ross K]

Please tell me more….

Like all these Blades etc under discussion the 295 (RS version) is a great platform frame. It's characteristics - within of course this spec and range - are precision (does seem like a 99" head size), a bit of feel, really good on both flat and slice serves, it accesses spin well enough but it is on the lower trajectory side and lends itself well to hitting flatter (something I'm always looking for in a frame these days)...

TBH, though I've slightly been leaning towards the Steam 100 lately, these are all frames that work well for me as they are all very similar (Steam being the most different with the .25" added length, and it does hit with a combination of stability, power and control that I've been slightly preferring.)

No doubt though it is going to take a while to see which eventually rises to the top.

 

[TennisHound]

https://imgur.com/a/qoyHUVx

 

[jackcrawford]

For the first time in many years, I have myself a Steam. This time around though instead of the mega spin-creating, string-eating 99s, it's the Steam 100. Impatient to check it out and compare with Blade Team 99 and v8 Blade 100 L that I also got pretty recently. Tbh I've wanted to get my hands on one of these for a very long time. Specially curious re that extra .25" as I have a history of getting on well with certain plus-size frames.

After a love affair with a heavily modified TiS6, I have recently aquired a match used Petra Martic pro stock Steam in Blade paint from 2019. It started life lighter than the retail at 290 versus 295 unstrung to allow for some silicon and lead tape. I tried it with her strings that were originally at 28/27 kilos with Alu Rough, and restrung it with Alu Power 1.25 at 23 kilos. In the 100 square inch market, I prefer variable beam 27.5 inch frames like the Pure Drive Plus, especially the 2015 pro stock version, and nothing about this Steam makes me change my mind. I never hit the retail, but like a true holic felt there must be some magic in the WTA version, but, no so I think you are getting the same experience with used retail frames. It's of course highly personal, but even though this is .25 extended and 100 vs 98, this hits a lot like the Tec Iga autograph.

 

[Ross K]

After a love affair with a heavily modified TiS6, I have recently aquired a match used Petra Martic pro stock Steam in Blade paint from 2019. It started life lighter than the retail at 290 versus 295 unstrung to allow for some silicon and lead tape. I tried it with her strings that were originally at 28/27 kilos with Alu Rough, and restrung it with Alu Power 1.25 at 23 kilos. In the 100 square inch market, I prefer variable beam 27.5 inch frames like the Pure Drive Plus, especially the 2015 pro stock version, and nothing about this Steam makes me change my mind. I never hit the retail, but like a true holic felt there must be some magic in the WTA version, but, no so I think you are getting the same experience with used retail frames. It's of course highly personal, but even though this is .25 extended and 100 vs 98, this hits a lot like the Tec Iga autograph.

Interesting reading there Jack... I'm still slightly favouring the Steam 100 but there are quite a few other competitors in the running atm. Just need more time to assess and experiment with set ups etc - so, uh-ha, this could take a while! However...

I take special note of your PD+ pro stock comment as my first proper frame really was the PD+ (early 2000's Team and Swirly) and I do consistently revisit, and really enjoy this frame. Needless to say, I would love to get my hands on one of these '15 pro stocks...

Second bit of note taking... I confess to being rather intrigued by the Tec Iga observation... Hmm. I may just have to take a look at this one...

 

[dekxter]

one day... maybe one day we can see a pro stock in the pro labs etc..
Infact I was thinking the other day, why didn't they just make it in the burn cosmetic on the pro labs page so that the line could get some 'marketing' .... *shrugs

 

[PCunique]

First and for most I add a leather grip as I do to every single racquet I own.

Then I weigh the racquet and measure the balance. Usually lighter racquets are a bit head heavy. At this point the racquet is in it's standard form as I call it.
That means it is in it's factory weight and has leather grip. From here forward I make my calculation of what I want.

What I know for sure is I want polarised setup and I want it a bit headlight. So, it means I will add weight in the butt cap and into the hoop. I usually ad weight from 11 o'clock to 1 o'clock.
I leave some space at 12 o'clock so that stringing it won't mess the lead tape.

That means that I take off the trap door and simply fill that trap door with around 10 grams of tungsten paste. Depending on what weight it comes it might be more or less.
Then I cover that with some duck tape to make sure it won't spread or stick to anything inside the racquet.

And then I add about 10 grams at the top of the hoop. I cover the whole space between 11 and 1 o'clock. I just leave some space of 1cm at 12 o'clock so that restringing won't mess that up.
The quantities and the weight added can vary as you like it. After I got 10 grams at the top and into the trap door. I start adjusting that depending on the balance.

Now this quantities and weights might depend on the balance of the racquet and the weight we start from. So the 10 grams is just for the purpose of illustrating it.
But on my Blade 101L I did exactly that. I worked with 10 grams butt cap and hoop and then adjusted that a bit to get a headlight polarised setup.

I am into polarised setup. Once I tried it never went back. It was odd at first and had to adjust to it. But it is the best thing ever invented into racquet setups.

The V9 Blade 101L throat piece no longer have that rubber part.

 

[TennisHound]

The V9 Blade 101L throat piece no longer have that rubber part.

So the V9 101L is out? I didn’t see it on the Wilson site

 

[flyhome]

I asked to a professional stringer and reseller here in Italy, he said that even if the mold Is similar (of course shorter) the polar index, weight distribution and stiffness is very different compared to the Steam 100. You can customized to the Steam's specs but It Will play like crap.

I have never tried it, but I trust him

 

[TennisHound]

Polar index hmm

 

[PCunique]

So the V9 101L is out? I didn’t see it on the Wilson site

Yes it's available in China & some other markets already.

 

[TennisHound]

Yes it's available in China & some other markets already.

Link?

 

[PCunique]

Link?

It's listed here: https://www.wilson.com/en-gb/tennis/tennis-rackets/blade

 

[TennisHound]

It's listed here: https://www.wilson.com/en-gb/tennis/tennis-rackets/blade

Awesome, TY. Oddly not available on the Wilson US site

 

[Justin_Henin]

The Blade 101L grommets fit very well on Steam 100 racquets.

The throat grommet is rubber as it is in Steam 100, the only difference is, the throat grommet is not white.

But in the new Steam 100 prostock it is black just like the Blade 101L. I guess it is easier for them to manufacture the same throat grommet for all racquets.

Hi，which generation of Blade 101L grommets could fit on steam 100 very well？V8 or V9？Thanks！

 

[R_Gasquet]

Hi，which generation of Blade 101L grommets could fit on steam 100 very well？V8 or V9？Thanks！

In my experience both V8 and V9 grommets shall do. I just put Blade 101L V9 grommets on my Steam 100 last month and they fit perfectly.

One thing worth mentioning though is that V9 grommets are about 4-5 grams heavier than V8 and original Steam 100 ones. Using V9 grommets would add 4-5 grams of weight and about 14 swingweight to the racquet (the added weight are mostly from the bumper guard, similar to applying same amount of lead at 12 o'clock).

Another minor thing is that the throat piece of V9 grommets is pure plastic. There is no longer a rubber part like V8 and original Steam grommets. It does not affect the fit (or the feel in my opinion).

 

[Justin_Henin]

In my experience both V8 and V9 grommets shall do. I just put Blade 101L V9 grommets on my Steam 100 last month and they fit perfectly.

One thing worth mentioning though is that V9 grommets are about 4-5 grams heavier than V8 and original Steam 100 ones. Using V9 grommets would add 4-5 grams of weight and about 14 swingweight to the racquet (the added weight are mostly from the bummer guard, similar to applying same amount of lead at 12 o'clock).

Another minor thing is that the throat piece of V9 grommets is pure plastic. There is no longer a rubber part like V8 and original Steam grommets. It does not affect the fit (or the feel in my opinion).

Thanks for your reply！

 

[R_Gasquet]

Thanks for your reply！

You are welcome! Hope it helped.