Tennis Warehouse: Babolat Pure Aero Tour Playtest

Vignesh

New User
@TW Staff : Thank you and I am going to add a OG over the replacement grip to get more cushioned but before I ordered the Skin feel, I spoke to a Tennis warehouse representative and they said Skin feel was thinner not prince resi thin..What would be ur suggestion? to go with Prince or babalot?
 

mad dog1

G.O.A.T.
@TW Staff : Thank you and I am going to add a OG over the replacement grip to get more cushioned but before I ordered the Skin feel, I spoke to a Tennis warehouse representative and they said Skin feel was thinner not prince resi thin..What would be ur suggestion? to go with Prince or babalot?

As Brittany said, it depends on how tightly you stretch/pull the grip when wrapping. As long as you pull either tight when installing, it'll be good.
 
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Vignesh

New User
I could see the thickness of skin feel is 0.06"..what is the thickness of Resi thin? Can someone please give me measurement and it is not there in TW website?
 

Vignesh

New User
Does anyone had a chance to hit with Genesis Thunder power because Spec wise Pure Aero tour and Genesis Thunder power are same..Please share some light on this..
 

mad dog1

G.O.A.T.
from this post...

http://tt.tennis-warehouse.com/inde...hickness-into-one-thread.465717/#post-7477908

1.50mm ... Tourna Pro Tour (RetailWebsite,2013)
1.50mm ... Prince ResiThin ... (Jocke,2013)
1.50mm ... Prince ResiThin ... (ducttrung3993,2012)

1.50mm ... Genesis Tru Comfort ... (RetailWesite,2013)
1.50mm ... **** Cushion Perforated ... (**** Website,2013)
1.50mm ... Pacific Smash Grip ... (robbo1970)

1.55mm ... Babolat Skin Feel ... (BabolatWebsite,2013)
 

Vignesh

New User
from this post...

http://tt.tennis-warehouse.com/inde...hickness-into-one-thread.465717/#post-7477908

1.50mm ... Tourna Pro Tour (RetailWebsite,2013)
1.50mm ... Prince ResiThin ... (Jocke,2013)
1.50mm ... Prince ResiThin ... (ducttrung3993,2012)

1.50mm ... Genesis Tru Comfort ... (RetailWesite,2013)
1.50mm ... **** Cushion Perforated ... (**** Website,2013)
1.50mm ... Pacific Smash Grip ... (robbo1970)

1.55mm ... Babolat Skin Feel ... (BabolatWebsite,2013)
Thank You....if you convert that into inches it is very minimal..Let see how it plays in Pure aero tour
 

EuroTraveler

New User
@TW Staff : I will be getting my Pure Aero tour 4 3/8 tomorrow and I have ordered Skin Feel grip from Tennis warehouse...I could see general concerns from members that 43/8 is bigger than usual. If i am going to replace the original grip with babolat skin feel grip solve my problem?
I also went with the Skin Feel to replace the grip (my PAT is due to arrive Tuesday...ish). However, I am sticking to my Gamma Supreme OG. The Babolat Thin Tacky did not seem very tacky.

I have been doing a bit of measuring due to the reviews here about the PAT. Interestingly enough, my Prince (4-1/2 stock) measures out a to just over 4-3/4 with the OG (stock leather grip still in place). So I figure if I can get the PAT down to 4-1/2 with the OG, it should feel noticeably different in comparison.
 

Vignesh

New User
I also went with the Skin Feel to replace the grip (my PAT is due to arrive Tuesday...ish). However, I am sticking to my Gamma Supreme OG. The Babolat Thin Tacky did not seem very tacky.

I have been doing a bit of measuring due to the reviews here about the PAT. Interestingly enough, my Prince (4-1/2 stock) measures out a to just over 4-3/4 with the OG (stock leather grip still in place). So I figure if I can get the PAT down to 4-1/2 with the OG, it should feel noticeably different in comparison.
 

Vignesh

New User
I am going to try putting skin feel grip to my pure aero tour and see how it works... If it does not bring the grip size down then I am going to try prince resi thin... If both the option doesn't work then I am going to remove original grip then replace with 2 over grips
 
Tennis experience/background---Play singles flex leagues at the 3.5 level. I play 3-4 times per week and have been playing for about 2 years.

Describe your playing style (e.g., serve & volley)--- defensive baseliner who is trying to learn to be more aggressive from a power standpoint.

Current racquet/string--- Babolat Aerostorm Tour w/ Diadem Solstice at 50 pounds

String set-up in test racquet--- RPM Blast at 54 mains/52 crosses

How many hours did you play with the racquet?---15-17. I was hoping to get more play time, but we (in Atlanta had two periods of rain that each lasted 5 days each. bummer.

Comments on racquet performance---Boom! Much much more power. Noticed that right from the start. The first couple hours were rather awkward as I was struggling a bit adjusting to the higher launch angle. The FSI spin string pattern is definitely noticeable. It felt to me as if I was playing with a Juice 100s a good bit of the time.

-groundstrokes---Once I got dialed in after about 6 or so hours. This racquet was "a gift from above!" Every now and then I get in trouble with my Aerostorm with lack of power and leaving balls short. I was able to hit super consistent and deep with this racquet. Even hitting off my back foot, I was able to hit fairly consistently deep. The power of this racquet was great once I got dialed in with it.

-serves---This was an area that I had a bit of trouble getting used to. First serves were hard to keep in unless I pulled back a bit or added a bit of kick to them. 2nd serves were quite nice however. Definitely noticed more jump off the court.

-volleys---SOLID!!! with my Aerostorm, I've never really felt comfortable coming to the net and putting away volleys. I tend to try to over-work with the Aerostorm at the net instead of solid footwork and letting the racquet do the work. With the PAT, the forgiving sweet spot and the power allowed me to come to the net and let the racquet do the work (again, once I got used to the abundance of power after a few hours.

-serve returns: This was the SINGLE area that I prefer my current racquet over the PAT wholeheartedly. I tended to overshoot my returns consistently. I "TRY" to be very aggressive on returns and take big swings to start the point, but this racquet made me dial back A LOT.

General reaction/comments on overall performance: Overall, this has been very enjoyable. This racquet has really made me consider switching just because it makes playing (within my playstyle) a bit easier. I definitely enjoyed having more power at my disposal. I want to restring again with my usual string to make a more close comparison with less variables.


As always (AND ESPECIALLY ON THIS ONE!) Thank you for the playtest opportunity TW!!!

---I tried posting this last night, but it (obviously) did not post. Sorry for being a bit late TW.
 

Vignesh

New User
Just finished playing with the racquet... Overall feel of the racquet is very good the only gripe is generating racquet speed when the opponent does not give you any pace because of high swing weight...
 

Vignesh

New User
Someone has asked for a comparison between PAT and head extreme pro.. The PAT HAS MUCH BETTER PLOW THROUGH THAN HEP... These 2 racquets are not similar because of the swing weight.. PAT is more solid on serves... I would say this is babalot version of HEP with improvements
 

Vignesh

New User
Comparison between pure aero and PAT...
Serve - PAT
Volley - PAT
Power - PA
control - PAT
spin - Scores are even on ground strokes but PAT WINS ON SERVE
MANUVERABILITY - PA
Power - PA

it is very easy to customize pure aero to tour and that's the beauty... Hope this helps... I am not part of playtest but got the racquet from one of my friend [emoji3]
 

dgoran

Hall of Fame
Comparison between pure aero and PAT...
Serve - PAT
Volley - PAT
Power - PA
control - PAT
spin - Scores are even on ground strokes but PAT WINS ON SERVE
MANUVERABILITY - PA
Power - PA

it is very easy to customize pure aero to tour and that's the beauty... Hope this helps... I am not part of playtest but got the racquet from one of my friend [emoji3]
To have a feel that PA is more powerful than PAT you either are simply able to accelerate Pa faster than PAT (most likely) or you are unfortunate victim of babolat qc where PA was super stiff and PAT you got came out flexi out of the factory in China otherwise it's impossible
 

dgoran

Hall of Fame
One of the two PA's I tried left same impression that it's very powerful and stiff and second (one I bought) that it's not powerful at all
 

ChadW

Rookie
One thing I forgot to mention in my review, but i would like to get others' comments on: why, on these $200+ sticks do the manufacturers not include a piece of rubber worth mere pennies in order to complete the package?? Please restart the practice of including dampeners! Please!
 
One thing I forgot to mention in my review, but i would like to get others' comments on: why, on these $200+ sticks do the manufacturers not include a piece of rubber worth mere pennies in order to complete the package?? Please restart the practice of including dampeners! Please!

Two reasons.

-A lot of players do not use a dampener. So it's not enviro friendly to supply something as a standard extra that many purchasers won't use.

-The $$$ profit margins on dampeners is huge. They sell millions of them.
 

TW Staff

Administrator
@Bud,

The racquet will launch tomorrow, November 3rd.

@Vignesh,

Like I said before, it will depend how tightly you wrap the grip as well as there are variances with the grips. It will come down to a personal feel/preference.

Thanks,
Brittany, TW
 
J

joohan

Guest
pfrischmann,

Yes, the Tour and Plus reviews will be up tomorrow.

Thanks,
Brittany, TW

Tomorrow meaning after midnight Pacific time? Just asking if its worth it to stay awake here in Europe. I can't wait, obviously.
 

djNEiGht

Legend
So got some updated specs on my PAT.

Strung and with an OG it was 12.1 oz at 8 pts HL. Played well for me but it felt a bit sluggish at the net. I was a bit confused as other racquets I have used with the same balance have been better for me on quick net exchanges.

I feel that any of the less positive part of my review could be due to the smaller grip size. I prefer a small 4 5/8 or a large 4 1/2. I put on a full size heat shrink and a 1.5 leather grip from TW.

12.9 oz at 12 pts HL. Beast looking specs but maybe with the added weight in the handle I was still able to swing at a decent speed. Seemed much faster at the net and also my kick serves felt like I could swing through faster.

I would like to see if I can try a proper grip size with leather and see how that works out for me.
 
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EuroTraveler

New User
So got some updated specs on my PAT.

Strung and with an OG it was 11.9 oz at 8 pts HL. Played well for me but it felt a bit sluggish at the net. I was a bit confused as other racquets I have used with the same balance have been better for me on quick net exchanges.

I feel that any of the less positive part of my review could be due to the smaller grip size. I prefer a small 4 5/8 or a large 4 1/2. I put on a full size heat shrink and a 1.5 leather grip from TW.

12.9 oz at 12 pts HL. Beast looking specs but maybe with the added weight in the handle I was still able to swing at a decent speed. Seemed much faster at the net and also my kick serves felt like I could swing through faster.

I would like to see if I can try a proper grip size with leather and see how that works out for me.
11.9 oz all in sounds strange. Unstrung stock, it is heavier than my Prince. Strung, OG, all in, my Prince comes out to 350g. I was betting the PAT would turn out to be at least 360g all in, once mine arrives and gets configured.
 
So got some updated specs on my PAT.

12.9 oz at 12 pts HL. Beast looking specs but maybe with the added weight in the handle I was still able to swing at a decent speed. Seemed much faster at the net and also my kick serves felt like I could swing through faster.

12.9 oz! That's about 366g. 12 pts HL? Measuring that on a Balance Board? Yes?

If you don't mind be asking .... How tall are you @djNEiGht? (Apologies if you already mentioned this in a previous post)

I customised a 2013 APD from 340g 9 pts HL back to 340g 6 pts HL (to try and simulate stock PAT specs with added control). My player hated it. It appears he prefers higher HL specs. (He also prefers a 4 1/2 grip size.)

Might be worth experimenting with a real PAT with more weight in the handle to bring it up to 350g and more HL balance like yours and see how he goes. His main concern with PAT is that he might lose some edge in Control compared to 2013 APD. But we won't know for sure untle we can test the real thing.
 

djNEiGht

Legend
11.9 oz all in sounds strange. Unstrung stock, it is heavier than my Prince. Strung, OG, all in, my Prince comes out to 350g. I was betting the PAT would turn out to be at least 360g all in, once mine arrives and gets configured.
I weight a new unstrung PAT and it hit the 11.1 just as labeled. Guess strings/OG/Rubberband was just under an ounce
 

djNEiGht

Legend
12.9 oz! That's about 366g. 12 pts HL? Measuring that on a Balance Board? Yes?

If you don't mind be asking .... How tall are you @djNEiGht? (Apologies if you already mentioned this in a previous post)

I customised a 2013 APD from 340g 9 pts HL back to 340g 6 pts HL (to try and simulate stock PAT specs with added control). My player hated it. It appears he prefers higher HL specs. (He also prefers a 4 1/2 grip size.)

Might be worth experimenting with a real PAT with more weight in the handle to bring it up to 350g and more HL balance like yours and see how he goes. His main concern with PAT is that he might lose some edge in Control compared to 2013 APD. But we won't know for sure untle we can test the real thing.
I'm 5'10".

My primary goal was to get the grip size up since the demo on the bottom end of the spectrum of grip size for me. I got used to it in the end. I noticed some wrist discomfort and attribute it to holding on so the racquet wouldn't fly away.

I have an original APD with leather and a 1/2 size heat shrink that came to 11.9 9 pts HL. Haven't hit with it as of late. Was trying to put in some serious time with the PAT

Correction (will edit my post above). PA stock strung with OG and rubberband was 12.1
 

EuroTraveler

New User
I weight a new unstrung PAT and it hit the 11.1 just as labeled. Guess strings/OG/Rubberband was just under an ounce
I use an Ektelon/Prince worm dampener. Heavier I am sure than a rubber band, but I would not expect it to be that much heavier.

I am eager to see how my PAT tops out now. I am putting the Skin Feel on it, so it may come down a bit and be in line with my Prince when all is said and done.
 

EuroTraveler

New User
Pure Aero Tour is now available on Tennis-Warehouse.com. They list the balance point as 12.7 inches (vs. 12.4 inches on the Babolat site). That 6 HL must be strung.
 
Sorry if this has been asked before, but are they coming out with a Babolat Pure Aero Tour Plus version? Thanks!

Probably better to ask @Mansoor on the "Bonjour from Babolat" thread.

But from what I have been able to glean ... I don't think there are any plans to release a Pure Aero Tour Plus.

Probably wouldn't be that difficult to customise a PA Plus to get close to such a beast.
 

branman1986

Rookie
Thanks, I posted up there. I've never customized a racquet, would I just put some silicone in the handle and lead tape on the hoop? 9 and 3 o'clock and maybe 12 o'clock? Thanks in advance!
 

EuroTraveler

New User
My PAT arrived! Grip will be replaced with Babolat Skin Feel and I strung up with NXT Duo II Hybrid. I cannot wait to hit with it tonight.
 

EuroTraveler

New User
The good news is I got to hit for an hour tonight with my PAT. All in - NXT Duo II Hybrid, Skin Feel grip replacement, dampener, and Gamma OG - it is 355g (close to what I expected). However the OG I used I think is lighter than the Gamma Supreme I normally use. I put my son's preferred OG on it so that he could compare it with his Wilson Steam 99S. So I might get few more grams out it when I put my OG on the racquet.

The bad news is that I may not get to keep it. My son seems to like and may decide to switch to the PAT after a couple of more hitting sessions.
 
Thanks, I posted up there. I've never customized a racquet, would I just put some silicone in the handle and lead tape on the hoop? 9 and 3 o'clock and maybe 12 o'clock? Thanks in advance!

There are a few other threads on the Forum that discuss how to customise a racquet.

Different people have different views on how to go about it, what materials to use etc.

For what it's worth ... I always experiment using Blu-Tac first. It is very easy to work with, and any customisation is totally reversible without leaving any trace on the racquet.

The Babolat racquets have a trapdoor on the but-cap which makes it simple to add weight inside the handle. Just weigh up the desired amount of Blu-Tac and evenly insert inside the handle - I use metal skewers and long needle tweezers to work the stuff in the handle.

Blu-Tac can also be easily affixed to the inside of the racquet hoop on both sides of the string bed at the desired positions. Again, weigh up the desired amount and affix it evenly to the hoop.

TW specs show PA Plus as 320g static weight, 6 Points HL, and SW 333 (These are strung specs).

Assuming your particular racquet meets those specs (remember Babolat QC permits static weight variations of +/- 7g)... I suggest adding 10-15g of weight into the handle, 2.5g at 10-11 in the hoop, and 2.5g at 1-2 in the hoop as a starting point. That should give you a racquet with about 335g- 340g of static weight, and 8-9 Points HL Balance. That will increase the heft of the racquet quite a bit without having too much of an impact on the SW. If that feels good and you crave for even more stability and plow add another 5g to the handle and another 2g at 12 in the hoop.

If you reach a point where you are really happy with your customisation, you can probably leave the Blu-Tac in the handle but replace the Blu-Tac in the hoop with lead tape or tungsten strips.
 
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