Steam 99 Discontinued??

cincyMike

Rookie
I recently switched to the steam 99 from the steam 100 (discontinued a while back), and now I'm being told the steam 99 is also being discontinued by the rep at my local tennis store. Is this not one of the most popular Wilson rackets on the tour? This racket is like the aeropro drive of Wilson rackets. Such an awesome all around racket, why would they choose to discontinue such a great racket and keep pumping out these outlandish spin rackets that break strings every 3 hours. Maybe I am being misinformed but when I asked if a new model was coming out he said No.
 

cincyMike

Rookie
I see many WTA players with Steam 99, but retail sales must not be very high.

You're right, there are a lot of WTA players including Halep, even on the mens side you have Neishokori, Gulbis and a few others. I have played with a TON of rackets and haven't found a more complete racket. I'm surprised to see it go. In my opinion it just needed a new paint job and probably would have done better on the market.
 

KYHacker

Professional
Well, that was the initial rumor about the Blades before the new paintjob as well. I knew that wasn't true, though when I heard it.

However, I wouldn't be surprised to see the Steam 99 discontinued. I would think that the regular 99 has a pretty good chance of sticking around, though due to the number of pros using it. I wouldn't be surprised to see it survive as a Juice paintjob for the pros. Maybe Wilson will rename it and put it in the Juice series. A Juice Tour?
 

cincyMike

Rookie
Nobody has bought Steam 99 and 96 it seems, they are a lot harder to use than 99s and 105s.

Personally I thought the 99s was one of the hardest rackets to use of all of them. The ball felt very strange coming off the bed of this thing and the trajectory was crazy. I guess coupled with the fact that the strings last about an hour or two if your lucky. With the right technique and mechanics I think someone will always have a higher ceiling with the non spin version of a racket though, I think that is why you hardly see any pros using the spin version of a racket, they are more geared towards recreational players and are probably why they are selling much better towards that market than the regular version.
 

burn1986

Banned
The only reason these spin racquets (like the 99s) are selling as much as they are is because the local pros and shop owners are pushing them hard. I see a lot of them collecting dust in racquet bags (usually with broken strings) while the old racquet is getting used more regularly.
 

cincyMike

Rookie
I originally fell for the hype, I briefly switched from my steam 100 to a juice 100s, that lasted about a month and when I realized I was replacing strings every time I played and that I was losing to people I previously had no trouble with I took the loss and they were on **** and the steam was back in service.
 

jsnj

New User
100 to 99

How was the transition from the 100 to the 99? I like the light and plush comfortable feel of the 100. Thinking of getting the 99 since it's on sale, but the difference in swing weight and Tw's review of it being stiff and jarring off center has me concerned. Your thoughts?
 

cincyMike

Rookie
How was the transition from the 100 to the 99? I like the light and plush comfortable feel of the 100. Thinking of getting the 99 since it's on sale, but the difference in swing weight and Tw's review of it being stiff and jarring off center has me concerned. Your thoughts?

Well I was very high on the steam 99 my first few days of use, I will be honest I have already switched back to the steam 100.

I have literally tried about 30 other frames and none can match up to the control and precision of the steam 100. I just feel like I'm never going to miss with that racket. The 99 offers more power and more pop on the serve as well as more solid volleys, but my confidence goes out the window on ground strokes, it seems very erratic, a few perfect balls then one flies. Of all of the rackets I have demoed in the past the pure storm (also now discontinued) was the only other racket that I felt offered similar control to the steam 100 but even that racket did not allow me to get the depth I get on my shots with the steam 100.

Its sad to see all these gimmick rackets (Spin etc) replacing other models. Wilson has always been my favorite but if they keep getting rid of their regular model rackets then I will have to jump ship altogether.
 

SoCalJay

Semi-Pro
I guess I'll be the devil's advocate here and say that I absolutely love the Steam 99S and favor it over the regular 99. Yes, I have to re-string my sticks frequently but I have my own machine and buy string by the reel. It's worth it for me because the spin production is unlike anything I've ever played with and it complements my game really well.
 

shaneno

Professional
Steam 99 discontinued. Heard it from Wilson directly. They actually have no more of the frames....

What about the steam 96?

I mean let's be honest here guys. Nishikori is using the tour 95 but when he was in the us open you can see that pws on his racquet. It looks a lot more like the steam 96. Idk why wilson choose the steam 99 for him. :confused:
 
M

Mementi

Guest
I just bought 4 Steam 99 rackets. I love the spin versions but i break strings every 45 minutes. I am a hard hitter. The string pattern of the 99 is much better for my game and I create enough spin already. I did not test the Steam 99 but i had a great deal for the 4 rackets + they are hard to find nowadays. I also like the Juice but the new model is playing different. I prefer the first Juice but that one is sold out.
 
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shaneno

Professional
I didn't really like the spin version. I loved the normal version but to much power for me. I find I got more spin with the 99 then the 99s

Great choice of frame mementi






I just bought 4 Steam 99 rackets. I love the spin versions but i break strings every 45 minutes. I am a hard hitter. The string pattern of the 99 is much better for my game and I create enough spin already. I did not test the Steam 99 but i had a great deal for the 4 rackets + they are hard to find nowadays. I also like the Juice but the new model is playing different. I prefer the first Juice but that one is sold out.
 

John Kawasaki

Professional
Agree with shaneno.....the original Juice 100 is different than the latest. I have less control with it; don't know if that's due to the "parallel drilling" change. I actually get better control of the ball with the Juice 100s even thought it too has the "parallel drilling"....go figure.
 

shaneno

Professional
Thanks john!

I actually have the BLX juice 100. Wonderful frame if your just hitting and not playing matches. When your playing a match you got to remember the power.

My friend has the newest one. Feel a little funny I have to agree. I didn't get to try the juice 100S. Looks nice. :)



Agree with shaneno.....the original Juice 100 is different than the latest. I have less control with it; don't know if that's due to the "parallel drilling" change. I actually get better control of the ball with the Juice 100s even thought it too has the "parallel drilling"....go figure.
 

mpournaras

Hall of Fame
The Steam is being replaced. The Wilson rep told me there is a racket being made to complete with "you know who" and I said "Babolat?" and he smiled at me menacingly. This was after discussing us unloading all of our Steams. The original steam WAS Wilson's Aero Pro competitor so this all comes together nicely.
 
M

Mementi

Guest
The Steam 99 is a nice racket. I hope Wilson will make new versions.
 
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Nobody has bought Steam 99 and 96 it seems, they are a lot harder to use than 99s and 105s.

I must be "Nobody". I bought a 96 although I favour the 99S's.

The 96 weighted down a bit to 340g is an awesome racquet. I can use strings such as Dynamite 18 soft in the mains, which don't last for more than 2 sets in the 99S, and it is plenty powerful, particularly on serve, ample spin, and gives more control (generally) than the 99S.
 

shaneno

Professional
I must be "Nobody". I bought a 96 although I favour the 99S's.

The 96 weighted down a bit to 340g is an awesome racquet. I can use strings such as Dynamite 18 soft in the mains, which don't last for more than 2 sets in the 99S, and it is plenty powerful, particularly on serve, ample spin, and gives more control (generally) than the 99S.

Really? Are you looking for any more steam 96?

Please email me at shaneno3@aol.com, if interested!

Got 4 of the steam 96
 

kklin

New User
So which racket does Nishikori really use? Steam 99 or Steam 96?
Some websites say Steam 99 but some say Steam 96?

Any advice if I should get one vs another?
I read steam 96 has less power, both have similar stiffness, etc.

Thanks
 

shaneno

Professional
If you ever look at a close up of his racquet. It look like the steam 96 but it's actually just the paint job. It's a ntour 95

I had both. The 99 has way to much power. Like you can't hit flat or with your own power. You can only put spin and let the racquet power do it for u. Kinda annoying. The 96 has some power but not as much. Wonderful frame tho. I liked it more then the 96 but that's just me. That extended length is something to get uses too. But over time you forget it and it comes like any normal frame.

What's your playing style like? And what racquet are you using currently?




So which racket does Nishikori really use? Steam 99 or Steam 96?
Some websites say Steam 99 but some say Steam 96?

Any advice if I should get one vs another?
I read steam 96 has less power, both have similar stiffness, etc.

Thanks
 

kklin

New User
If you ever look at a close up of his racquet. It look like the steam 96 but it's actually just the paint job. It's a ntour 95

I had both. The 99 has way to much power. Like you can't hit flat or with your own power. You can only put spin and let the racquet power do it for u. Kinda annoying. The 96 has some power but not as much. Wonderful frame tho. I liked it more then the 96 but that's just me. That extended length is something to get uses too. But over time you forget it and it comes like any normal frame.

What's your playing style like? And what racquet are you using currently?
Thanks Shaneno.

I used a variety of frames, Babolat Pure Storm Team, Wilson Prostaff 100L, Prince EXO3 Red 105, etc..

Would Steam 99 too heavy vs. the aboves?
 

shaneno

Professional
Those are light yet powerful frames. Hmmm I did try the wilson BLX prostaff 100L was very powerful and light but stable. The steam 99 is 11.3 oz to the prostaff 100 which is 10.6... So you'll feel little differences and yeah their the same balance so that helps out. But it's not too heavy. For me those frames are way to light. Lol I'm in the 12.8-13.2 oz range


Thanks Shaneno.

I used a variety of frames, Babolat Pure Storm Team, Wilson Prostaff 100L, Prince EXO3 Red 105, etc..

Would Steam 99 too heavy vs. the aboves?
 

kklin

New User
Those are light yet powerful frames. Hmmm I did try the wilson BLX prostaff 100L was very powerful and light but stable. The steam 99 is 11.3 oz to the prostaff 100 which is 10.6... So you'll feel little differences and yeah their the same balance so that helps out. But it's not too heavy. For me those frames are way to light. Lol I'm in the 12.8-13.2 oz range
Thanks again Shaneno for sharing.

TW review said Steam 99 is stiff, esp. with poly. Is this your experience?
 

shaneno

Professional
Thanks again Shaneno for sharing.

TW review said Steam 99 is stiff, esp. with poly. Is this your experience?

Well yes it is stiff... first day you'll feel some soreness in your shoulder or forearm. What kind of poly we talking about? there's two Poly and CO-poly? If you give me names of your string i can tell you.
 

kklin

New User
Thanks for your reply.

How about Wilson Steam 99LS? It's not as stiff and much lighter. Anyone has experience on it?

BTW, Wilson Steam 99 is on sale Black Friday for only $71!
 
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