Tennis Warehouse: Babolat Pure Aero Tour Playtest

[TW Staff]

Attention Talk Tennis Members:

We will be sending out a very limited number of the new 2015 Babolat Pure Aero Tour racquets for a playtest. The racquets are factory pre-strung with Babolat Spiraltek. However if would like to re-string using a multi, polyester or hybrid string yourself, you will also receive a set each of M7 17, Origin 17 and RPM Blast 17 to use.

The application period has ended. We will notify selected playtesters by Wednesday evening. If you are selected, you will need to reply to our notification email with a confirmation in order to receive the playtest sample.

We select playtesters based on a number of factors, including past performance on playtests, message board participation, message board history, etc. Due to the very limited number of racquets, we will not be able satisfy the large majority of the applicants.

This playtest is FREE of charge. The only thing that we require of you is to post your findings in this thread by the deadline.

**Review is due October 30, 2015. **

If you do not post a review, or if your review is clearly lacking effort, you will be excluded from future playtests.

Please use the following to write your review:

Tennis experience/background:
Describe your playing style (e.g., serve & volley):
Current racquet/string:
String set-up in test racquet:
How many hours did you play with the racquet?
Comments on racquet performance:
-groundstrokes:
-serves:
-volleys:
-serve returns:
General reaction/comments on overall performance:

Thanks,
TW Staff

PS: We request you not post "Email Sent" posts to this thread. All of those posts will be deleted. Feel free to post questions or comments.

 

[El_Yotamo]

By when will you notify the selected playtesters?

 

[tennisfan17]

As with the Pure Aero playtest, will the testers be allowed to keep the racquet once the playtest is over?

 

[tennis4fun]

Hopefully I am one of the many that get selected to play test the tour version. Am a long time user of the aero line.

 

[n8dawg6]

I'm an L2. ya'll gonna have to go attit without me this round. looking forward to the thoughts, feelings, emotions, science, and commentary. maybe nostradamus/fedace's SW fears will be dispelled ... OR JUSTIFIED???!

 

[MIKEPANTELAKIS]

Hoping I get to try the racquet that could very well replace my Aero Storm Tour!!!

 

[mhkeuns]

This is exciting!

 

[Bartelby]

Hopefully there will be no playtesters who play with either mids or very heavy racquets. Or who have arm issues or like flexible racquets.

We do know it's not a mid, weighs less than 340 grams, and that it is on the stiff side and may cause arm issues for those exposed to deadly French graphite.

 

[TW Staff]

By when will you notify the selected playtesters?

@El_Yotamo

We will notify the users by email in the next 24 hours and they will have 24 hours to respond to confirm their interest in the playtest.

As with the Pure Aero playtest, will the testers be allowed to keep the racquet once the playtest is over?

@tennisfan17,

Correct, the playtesters will be allowed to keep the racquet.

Thanks,

Brittany, TW

 

[ChadW]

So excited about a stick that fits my generally favored specs. These play tests are a great opportunity for TT forum members. Thanks to Babolat and Tennis Warehouse.

**Fingers crossed**

 

[mhkeuns]

Held off on Pure Aero... because I wanted to wait for the Tour version. With added weight, I can only imagine the stability and plow through it will provide while generating massive spin... Salivating right now...

 

[langdon0555]

Should be a fun Playtest.

 

[TW Staff]

Attention Talk Tennis Members:

Emails have been sent out to those selected to playtest the Pure Aero Tour. For those of you that were selected, congrats! And please email back an email by tomorrow to confirm your participation. For those of you that weren't selected, keep trying and don't give up! We had a ton of applicants and a small amount of playtest racquets so we thank everyone who applied. There will be more playtests coming very soon!

Thanks,
TW Staff

 

[El_Yotamo]

I can't believe I didn't get accepted! I signed up 7 minutes after this was posted!

 

[jaxadam]

I can't believe I didn't get accepted! I signed up 7 minutes after this was posted!

I can't believe I didn't either, participation was already closed by the time I read it!

 

[JohnBPittsburgh]

Thank you Tennis Warehouse, can't wait to review this frame! I would guess this playtest was one of the fastest to close. The Pure Aero thread has over 30,000 views, and there were a lot of people excited for this frame.

 

[mhkeuns]

Congrats to the selected. Wasn't chosen but can't wait to demo.

 

[Doc Hollidae]

Anyone have any official specs yet?

 

[Babolat Official]

Anyone have any official specs yet?

Sure thing. Here are the unstrung specs:

Head size: 100 sq in/645 square cm
Weight: 315 gm/11.1 oz
Balance: 315 mm
Flexibility: 72 RA
Stringing Pattern: 16 x 19
Length: 27"

 

[Seth]

Allez.

Can't wait for mine to arrive.

 

[Doc Hollidae]

Sure thing. Here are the unstrung specs:

Head size: 100 sq in/645 square cm
Weight: 315 gm/11.1 oz
Balance: 315 mm
Flexibility: 72 RA
Stringing Pattern: 16 x 19
Length: 27"

Do you have an official unstrung SW?

 

[JonnyAbs]

Hopefully I am one of the many that get selected to play test the tour version. Am a long time user of the aero line.

Likewise, but for the Pure Aero, they selected 12 people, so this will likely have a similar number I would guess.

 

[djNEiGht]

wonder what this will play like compared to a weighted (HL) APD / PA

 

[MIKEPANTELAKIS]

Thank you for the playtest opportunity TW! Can't wait!!!

 

[Jay_The_Nomad]

Just saw this. What's the protocol to be considered for play tests in the future?

I don't see any application instructions.

 

[TW Staff]

I can't believe I didn't get accepted! I signed up 7 minutes after this was posted!

@El_Yotamo

This playtest was not a first come, first serve playtest like a lot of the string playtests are. We open the playtest application window up for a certain amount of time. We then review all the playtesters and pick the amount (in this case 12) playtesters out of the 50 plus playtesters that applied in the time period. We look at a variety of criteria including past playtests, amount of playtests, message board participation, message board history, etc. Unfortunately, we can't choose every playtester but don't give up! There are many more playtest opportunities that will come up throughout the year! Keep trying!

Just saw this. What's the protocol to be considered for play tests in the future?

I don't see any application instructions.

@Jay_The_Nomad

The playtests will appear at the top of each forum on Talk Tennis with information on how to apply. So for example, we have 2 string playtests, a racquet playtest and a sensor going on right now (although the application process is closed for all). They are titled Tennis Warehouse Playtest: XXXX and located as a sticky at the top of their respected forums. You will have to keep an eye out for the playtests as they pop up randomly throughout the month and normally fill up with playtesters anywhere from a couple hours to a couple days. We tend to have two string playtests a month plus any other additional playtests that come up. We pick playtesters based on the playtest. Like I was explaining to El_Yotamo above, some playtests we have enough samples to give to everyone that has applied or it is a first come, first serve basis. Other playtests are more selective and we base them on several factors such as message board experience, message board posts and previous playtests.

Thanks,

Brittany, TW

 

[ed70]

Sure thing. Here are the unstrung specs:

Head size: 100 sq in/645 square cm
Weight: 315 gm/11.1 oz
Balance: 315 mm
Flexibility: 72 RA
Stringing Pattern: 16 x 19
Length: 27"

Wow must be putting Viagra's in the frames to keep them so stiff.

 

[dgoran]

wonder what this will play like compared to a weighted (HL) APD / PA

If you are lucky that you get the same specs for flex they will play the same

 

[JonnyAbs]

Wow must be putting Viagra's in the frames to keep them so stiff.

This made me chuckle. They are stiff but actually don't feel too harsh because of the active cortex. I do feel some discomfort on forehand shots that I try to bring up from my feet, probably because of my grip and the angle of my arm and the racquet and the fact that I don't get as much force in this position...

 

[mhkeuns]

As stiff as the APD was, it didn't feel harsh at all to me. If they improved on comfort for the Pure Aero line, the stiffness shouldn't feel bad at all. But from the reviews of the Pure Aero, it seems like many who's used them, even for a short period of time, felt pain in their elbows. With slightly more added weight with the Tour version, I can only imagine it being more comfortable than the Pure Aero.

 

[Babolat Official]

Do you have an official unstrung SW?

I haven't thrown one on the RDC yet. I'll take a look soon.

 

[atatu]

As stiff as the APD was, it didn't feel harsh at all to me. If they improved on comfort for the Pure Aero line, the stiffness shouldn't feel bad at all. But from the reviews of the Pure Aero, it seems like many who's used them, even for a short period of time, felt pain in their elbows. With slightly more added weight with the Tour version, I can only imagine it being more comfortable than the Pure Aero.

I'm not sure "many" have complained about elbow pain, but I'll just say that I'm pretty careful about arm pain and I have had none with my Pure Aeros. On the other hand, I added a leather grip to mine and I use gut mains so I'm not using a full poly bed like some of the play testers.

 

[mhkeuns]

I'm not sure "many" have complained about elbow pain, but I'll just say that I'm pretty careful about arm pain and I have had none with my Pure Aeros. On the other hand, I added a leather grip to mine and I use gut mains so I'm not using a full poly bed like some of the play testers.

I thought more people had elbow issues probably because the negative comments tend to stand out more. I was surprised to see them so quickly on the classified, honestly...

Having high expectations in performance upgrade and expected improvements in comfort that to some, the upgrades weren't enough I guess. It had mixed review for sure and is somewhat expected for being the newest version of the most popular racket in the world.

 

[dgoran]

atatu and mhkeuns Not sure if you got a chance to see my reply to aeropro thread but I was curious myself why so many polarizing experiences and the reason is that babolat qc for flex is worst than their weight quality control so some can be testing pure aero with 66ra and some with 72 ra and those are not close by any means

 

[mhkeuns]

atatu and mhkeuns Not sure if you got a chance to see my reply to aeropro thread but I was curious myself why so many polarizing experiences and the reason is that babolat qc for flex is worst than their weight quality control so some can be testing pure aero with 66ra and some with 72 ra and those are not close by any means

I saw that, too. Could it really be? Isn't that off spec by a bit too much? I have never heard flex rating being different from the same model, but it is totally feasible that they vary... a lot.

 

[JohnBPittsburgh]

I wish I had access to a RDC machine, hopefully the weight of the tour will make it a little more arm friendly, absorbing some of the shock.

 

[joohan]

@El_Yotamo

This playtest was not a first come, first serve playtest like a lot of the string playtests are. We open the playtest application window up for a certain amount of time. We then review all the playtesters and pick the amount (in this case 12) playtesters out of the 50 plus playtesters that applied in the time period. We look at a variety of criteria including past playtests, amount of playtests, message board participation, message board history, etc. Unfortunately, we can't choose every playtester but don't give up! There are many more playtest opportunities that will come up throughout the year! Keep trying!




@Jay_The_Nomad

The playtests will appear at the top of each forum on Talk Tennis with information on how to apply. So for example, we have 2 string playtests, a racquet playtest and a sensor going on right now (although the application process is closed for all). They are titled Tennis Warehouse Playtest: XXXX and located as a sticky at the top of their respected forums. You will have to keep an eye out for the playtests as they pop up randomly throughout the month and normally fill up with playtesters anywhere from a couple hours to a couple days. We tend to have two string playtests a month plus any other additional playtests that come up. We pick playtesters based on the playtest. Like I was explaining to El_Yotamo above, some playtests we have enough samples to give to everyone that has applied or it is a first come, first serve basis. Other playtests are more selective and we base them on several factors such as message board experience, message board posts and previous playtests.

Thanks,

Brittany, TW

I presume its US only playtesters...?

 

[TW Staff]

joohan,

Correct. At this time, our playtests are for US residents only. We are looking into TW Europe doing some playtests in the future and hope to be able to offer playtests to our customers outside the US.

Thanks,
Brittany, TW

 

[joohan]

joohan,

Correct. At this time, our playtests are for US residents only. We are looking into TW Europe doing some playtests in the future and hope to be able to offer playtests to our customers outside the US.

Thanks,
Brittany, TW

Thanks a lot. Just wanted to know if I've missed much or a LOT. Looking forward to the European playtests. Keep up the good work, you are doing a terrific job.

 

[AC Tennis]

I noticed that recently TW has limited playtests to the 48 contiguous states, thus excluding Hawaii (where I live), Alaska and other US territories. I've participated in many string playtests over the years and even got a "golden ticket" for a racket playtest a few years back and really enjoyed them. I was wondering why the change in who can be in on these playtests.

 

[A_Instead]

Shipping to Hawaii isn't that expensive... I guess living in paradise isnt all what its cracked up to be??

 

[pfrischmann]

Awww man! The one day I don't sign in...Still, thanks for doing this TW. I am really excited about this one.

 

[AC Tennis]

Shipping to Hawaii USPS is about the same as shipping w/in the continental US. Hence why I'm wondering why TW decided to exclude us from the playtests.

 

[fundrazer]

Shipping to Hawaii USPS is about the same as shipping w/in the continental US. Hence why I'm wondering why TW decided to exclude us from the playtests.

It probably depends on what is being shipped. I dunno how shipping rates are lately, but I'm guessing it could cost around 40 bucks to UPS a racquet to Hawaii.

 

[Supermange]

Anybody care to share some thought's on the racquet?

 

[JohnBPittsburgh]

I don't think anyone received the racquet yet. I can only speak for myself, but I didn't get it yet. I don't know if we will get UPS tracking info, because then we would know what day it will arrive. I am excited though!!

 

[Doc Hollidae]

Still curious if someone has an unstrung SW for this stick.

 

[Seth]

I don't think anyone received the racquet yet. I can only speak for myself, but I didn't get it yet. I don't know if we will get UPS tracking info, because then we would know what day it will arrive. I am excited though!!

Haven't gotten mine yet, either.

 

[imajica77]

I don't think anyone received the racquet yet. I can only speak for myself, but I didn't get it yet. I don't know if we will get UPS tracking info, because then we would know what day it will arrive. I am excited though!!

I recieved UPS tracking today. Mine is expected to arrive tomorrow. I am on the East coast. Looks like it shipped from CO.

 

[djNEiGht]

Where did you get the tracking number?