Strings to help Tame Babolat frames

[stav_babolat]

I have a couple of Pure drives and a couple of Pure Aeros. I do like them but sometimes (especially when strung with thinner gauge strings ie 1.2mm 18G), the balls can tend to fly long on me, or the launch angle is sometimes a bit wild as my stringjob loses tension over time.

I have a reel of 1.35 15L Gauge TOPSPIN cyber Flash... I was wondering if this could work well to tame the string bed a bit, give a bit more control and maybe slightly flatten up the trajectory in these kinds of open pattern stiff rackets with wide spacing? Seeing as I have 2 of each I could try 1.25 in 1 frame, and 1.35 in the other and compare...

 

[Trip]

To increase control, there are numerous things you can do with strings (from most to least effective):
1) String at higher reference tension (increases string bed stiffness, decreases rebound)
2) Use thicker gauge string (fills in the pattern, increases contact area, lowers launch angle, decreases trampoline effect, increases durability)
3) Use lower-powered string (higher stiffness and/or lower energy return -- reduces rebound)
4) Use string with higher tension-maintenance (preserves string bed stiffness longer)

Since you're using Pure Drives and Pure Aeros, I would opt for the lowest-powered options you can find, and as soft as your arm requires. Cyber Flash is certainly one of them. Others might include:
- MSV Focus Hex Soft 1.30 or 1.25
- Tier One Black Knight 1.33 or 1.28
- Tier One Ghost Wire 1.27 (as a hybrid cross to BK mains)

 

[LOBALOT]

This is the issue I find with these frames. One either deals with inherent power of these frames / adjusts their strokes or goes with stiffer string / tighter strung racquets.

The issue with that is you now have a stiff frame and you are adding a stiff setup. It is great if you can generate the racquet head speed and your arm / shoulder can take it.

Otherwise it is not so great.

 

[K1Y]

This is the issue I find with these frames. One either deals with inherent power of these frames / adjusts their strokes or goes with stiffer string / tighter strung racquets.

The issue with that is you now have a stiff frame and you are adding a stiff setup. It is great if you can generate the racquet head speed and your arm / shoulder can take it.

Otherwise it is not so great.

I switched away from my pure aero because of this. I would try a black string like volkl cyclone or something like signum pro poly plasma. Which are lower powered so you dont have to go to high tension. I never found the best setup but msv focus hex soft was good as well (color matters. Blue is too powerful imo).

 

[socallefty]

Or buy a Pure Strike Tour.

 

[Happi]

Topspin Cyber Flash is a good string and since you have a reel, why dont you just try it out for yourself ?

I have a couple of Pure drives and a couple of Pure Aeros. I do like them but sometimes (especially when strung with thinner gauge strings ie 1.2mm 18G), the balls can tend to fly long on me, or the launch angle is sometimes a bit wild as my stringjob loses tension over time.

I have a reel of 1.35 15L Gauge TOPSPIN cyber Flash... I was wondering if this could work well to tame the string bed a bit, give a bit more control and maybe slightly flatten up the trajectory in these kinds of open pattern stiff rackets with wide spacing? Seeing as I have 2 of each I could try 1.25 in 1 frame, and 1.35 in the other and compare...

 

[Maloya]

I think that's where the limits of next-generation frames are reached.

these stiff frames are great when it comes to generating power and spin without prioritizing technique.

but power is often, if not always, gained at the expense of control.

Reminder: the stiffer a frame is, the more power you "gain", even without great technique.
the more you want to gain spin, the more you string with low gauges.
the more you want to gain spin, the more you choose an open string pattern.
the more we want to gain control, the more we take a tight string pattern
the more you want to gain control, the more you take a heavy gauge string
finally, the more you want to gain control, the more you choose a flexible frame.

once this is achieved, if you want to "gain" control, by keeping these frames, there is no miracle, poly, thick and rigid, and high tension!

but comes a limit or, rigid string + high tension + rigid frame = big injuries unless you have a muscular arm 40cm in diameter!

 

[Anni.Angel]

I never understood the guys complaining about too much power from Pure Drives. I think it is all about poor technique.

I am currently playing a Pure Drive Plus 2015, prostock version customized by DC Customizing. Never ever had any kind of issues with control, never felt it would be too powerful.
I have recently dropped tension from 24kg mains, 22kg crosses to 22 kg mains, 20 kg crosses and it feels amazing.

I skipped the bottom cross, so now it is a 16x18.

Also I am playing it without any kind of dampener. Of course DC Customizing added silicone into the handle of the racquet but it is smooth as butter.

So, no arm issues, no control issues, no overpower issues. It is just perfect.

 

[stav_babolat]

I should add that I'm just being a bit finicky, more looking to experiment.

I think that's where the limits of next-generation frames are reached.

these stiff frames are great when it comes to generating power and spin without prioritizing technique.

but power is often, if not always, gained at the expense of control.

Reminder: the stiffer a frame is, the more power you "gain", even without great technique.
the more you want to gain spin, the more you string with low gauges.
the more you want to gain spin, the more you choose an open string pattern.
the more we want to gain control, the more we take a tight string pattern
the more you want to gain control, the more you take a heavy gauge string
finally, the more you want to gain control, the more you choose a flexible frame.

once this is achieved, if you want to "gain" control, by keeping these frames, there is no miracle, poly, thick and rigid, and high tension!

but comes a limit or, rigid string + high tension + rigid frame = big injuries unless you have a muscular arm 40cm in diameter!

Haha I actually do have a very muscular physique. I don't look like a tennis player, more like a cruiserweight or light-Heavyweight boxer at 6'3 98 kg (220lbs)

So I think I'll give it a go!! Haha
I'm not too concerned with arm injuries because I don't typically use full bed of poly, I use a Poly SG hybrid, & I also never string above 50-52 ... I'll be taking a 2 day stringing course next month so will be able to regularly restring my own frames as well which will mean I'm never hitting with dead old poly!

 

[stav_babolat]

I never understood the guys complaining about too much power from Pure Drives. I think it is all about poor technique.

I am currently playing a Pure Drive Plus 2015, prostock version customized by DC Customizing. Never ever had any kind of issues with control, never felt it would be too powerful.
I have recently dropped tension from 24kg mains, 22kg crosses to 22 kg mains, 20 kg crosses and it feels amazing.

I skipped the bottom cross, so now it is a 16x18.

Also I am playing it without any kind of dampener. Of course DC Customizing added silicone into the handle of the racquet but it is smooth as butter.

So, no arm issues, no control issues, no overpower issues. It is just perfect.

Can I just clarify, this post isn't complaining about my rackets. I really like them and am hitting well with them! I'm merely asking about how string gauge thickness can tame some of the inherent power because I tried using a 1.18 poly / 1.2 SG hybrid in my pure drive, and noticed there was quite a trampoline like effect on volleys, dropshots and shots I was slightly late on.... I have never tried using a poly thicker than 1.25 before so was wondering if 1.3 or 1.35 would "calm down" the string bed in tense or rushed moments...

Please don't misunderstand the purpose of this thread. I'm not saying "I can't keep the ball in the court, help"

 

[stav_babolat]

I think that's where the limits of next-generation frames are reached.

these stiff frames are great when it comes to generating power and spin without prioritizing technique.

but power is often, if not always, gained at the expense of control.

Reminder: the stiffer a frame is, the more power you "gain", even without great technique.
the more you want to gain spin, the more you string with low gauges.
the more you want to gain spin, the more you choose an open string pattern.
the more we want to gain control, the more we take a tight string pattern
the more you want to gain control, the more you take a heavy gauge string
finally, the more you want to gain control, the more you choose a flexible frame.

once this is achieved, if you want to "gain" control, by keeping these frames, there is no miracle, poly, thick and rigid, and high tension!

but comes a limit or, rigid string + high tension + rigid frame = big injuries unless you have a muscular arm 40cm in diameter!

Topspin Cyber Flash is a good string and since you have a reel, why dont you just try it out for yourself ?

It will have to wait till Mid Feb as I'm doing a stringing course, I have a nice Gamma Crank machine here that I can't wait to start using!

 

[Happi]

It will have to wait till Mid Feb as I'm doing a stringing course, I have a nice Gamma Crank machine here that I can't wait to start using!

Its really not that difficult, there are a lot of good videos on YouTube and the stringing section here you can also find good info. Enjoy it can be quite meditative to string racquets.

 

[stav_babolat]

Its really not that difficult, there are a lot of good videos on YouTube and the stringing section here you can also find good info. Enjoy it can be quite meditative to string racquets.

Unfortunately my knot skills sucked and I lost a lot of tension last time I tried.... Also struggled with grippers and starting clamp tarnishing / scraping the string... I'd rather just wait for now, videos make itt look easier than it actually is when I'm at the machine face to face ! Haha

 

[Anni.Angel]

Please don't misunderstand the purpose of this thread. I'm not saying "I can't keep the ball in the court, help"

Sorry, my bad. I had this problem in my first year of tennis, when I was just learning the trade. That's why I made this mistake.
I ended up playing the smallest size and densest string pattern. Later on things changed.

No offense intended, hope none taken. Respect!

 

[stav_babolat]

Sorry, my bad. I had this problem in my first year of tennis, when I was just learning the trade. That's why I made this mistake.
I ended up playing the smallest size and densest string pattern. Later on things changed.

No offense intended, hope none taken. Respect!

Haha I actually had the opposite problem.... I started playing and learning tennis with a 95 square inch yonex Vcore and vcore Pro 320g HD 18x20 and I hit the ball well in lessons and training but SUCKED in matches. Plus I couldn't swing through on soft mid court balls and finish points. I relied on people smashing the ball to the baseline at me to be able to do anything with the ball, which is why I decided to swap for some "easier" more forgiving rackets... Now I mis hit the ball less, can counterpunch way easier, less double faults, and achieve more spin.

The only trade off is sometimes overhitting, or having terrible touch shots... For a club level tennis player, I think it's a no brainer. How many deft touch half volleys am I going to hit in a typical match?! Haha
I'll take the additional power, help and stability any day!