Nostradamus
Bionic Poster
110+ MPH serves were easy with thoseAre those your racquets?The APDO+ is truly a rare one, I cannot even imagine how heavy it must've been to swing, would probably murder the ball!
110+ MPH serves were easy with thoseAre those your racquets?The APDO+ is truly a rare one, I cannot even imagine how heavy it must've been to swing, would probably murder the ball!
2012 model has the same solidness with twice the maneuverability.
Yes, the one with the "Active Cortex". Nice racquet, but too low of a swingweight in stock form. That is one stick which just begs for customisation. Lead tape and silicone in the handle, and you're good to go.With Cortex?
Hey if you like the way they currently play, I see no reason to worry.I still use the apdo+ I have 3 of them but sometimes wonder if after all these years the integrity can deteriorate.
Yes, the one with the "Active Cortex". Nice racquet, but too low of a swingweight in stock form. That is one stick which just begs for customisation. Lead tape and silicone in the handle, and you're good to go.
I don't like it with Cortex. Agree with the topic - the original is the best one.
Did it increase the grip size? Have you tried the APDO with a leather grip?I normally use leather to add feel, with this racquet it was vibrating so I tried a Wilson shockshield grip. It was like I added my own cortex, feels great on this stick.
So true2003 era Pure Drive. It basically started the “hey who needs an all court game when you can hit with lots of spin” mindset, unfortunately.
2 for $50? That's a ridiculously good deal. Even if you decide to not play with them anymore and eventually sell them off, I'd expect them to fetch atleast a $100 per frame if they are in even moderately good condition.I just hit with the APDO for the first time and it is amazing. Solid, stable, easy yet controllable depth, great spin. What an amazing stick.
Interestingly, mine measured SW 321, rather than the over 330 stated in OP. I strung it with 1.24mm poly.
In my mind it is the best Aero ever made (ok I haven't tried the 2nd version), and one of my favourite racquets ever. Lucky I got 2 for $50. Hopefully the honeymoon period lasts forever.
Long live the APDO
It’s probably just me and only a few others, but I feel that the new Pure Aero 2019 version is the best Aero, yet. It is just a great frame.
Just bought the Tour version of the 2019. First Aero I've ever used and I can't wait.You are not alone
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To add to this, been playing with the Pure Aero 2019 for some time now alongside my trusty APD Original, and I gotta say, it's the closest you'll get to the feel of the Original. Think of it as a slightly more powerful, easier to use APDO.Just bought the Tour version of the 2019. First Aero I've ever used and I can't wait.
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No it doesn't. The 2012/13 model was probably the best of the cortex range and maybe the most comfortable, but it had a laughably low swingweight of around 315+, and lacked plough through, something the APD Original doesn't.
Pure Strike Project One Seven 16x19 had a raw feel to it like the APD Original. Not sure how good the 3rd gen is, but reviews have been promising.I like the original APDO tried the green Pure Aero and it is too powerful for my taste, I have a full swing. and the pattern is way more open now. Which one from the new rackets feels like the first APD? Should I look at VS? or maybe other brands?
And the more successful oneMeh...the Aero will always be the Drive's little brother...
Oh and did I mention Rafa still uses it?
Haha not at all, it's just a paintjob like 99% of all racquets on tour.Doesn't Rafa use the Pure Aero 2019?
the 98in² or the 100?Pure Strike Project One Seven 16x19 had a raw feel to it like the APD Original. Not sure how good the 3rd gen is, but reviews have been promising.
98 sq inch 305 g onethe 98in² or the 100?
A large part of it honestly stems from Rafa's success of 19 Grand Slam titles with it. The same way Federer popularised the PS 90 and club level players worldwide started yielding the stick, even though the racquet far exceeded their skills. The Aero line in general, and the APD Original in particular has a strong cult-like following due to the racquet line's popularity, and because many have realised what Rafa actually uses under various paintjobs.APDO was an awesome racquet. Only the APD 2013 and arguably the current PA come remotely close
The APDO seems to have aged like a Van Gogh on TTW. I remember how hated they were for "ruining tennis" a decade ago; now people get all nostalgic over them like nothing happened (granted a lot of those guys stopped posting long ago).
absolutely. ive never seen doubles players at professional or amateur levels using an APD or PA, theyre as useless as holding a 27” rope at the net. this is why ive been considering a move to yonexbut it isn't for doubles where lightening quick net reflexes are mandatory
You sure about that? I know plenty of good doubles players around me with APDs/PAs who play terrific with those frames.absolutely. ive never seen doubles players at professional or amateur levels using an APD or PA, theyre as useless as holding a 27” rope at the net. this is why ive been considering a move to yonex
(im just being sarcastic. theyre fantastic doublesY
You sure about that? I know plenty of good doubles players around me with APDs/PAs who play terrific with those frames.
What exactly is it that makes these racquets not good for doubles?
I ve played apdo, but not Pure Aeros. In what way are these updates worse? I do find the yellow white APD cortex plus lenght however better serving than original standard lenght apd.Just rediscovering my love for the apd. Any shot played by your opponent is an opportunity to attack. I totally love control and classic frames but it’s just easier to win points this way. No need to paint the lines with an apd, absolute precision is not required. Even better if you do hit the lines of course but it’s a different game with this racket. Better for me than current and previous pure Aeros.
They changed the drill pattern with the Pure Aeros. The APDO, Cortex, GT and 2013 are the same molds, with different playing characteristics. The APD mold offers more control than the more open pattern of the PA's, without sacrificing power and spin.I ve played apdo, but not Pure Aeros. In what way are these updates worse? I do find the yellow white APD cortex plus lenght however better serving than original standard lenght apd.
I understand that the drill patterns changed, but did the overall mold change too? seemed similar in my hands but honestly I wouldn't be able to tell, not really a babolat user so... but I used to have the 2016 pure aero and still have a couple 2010 apdgt+. And Im obviously excluding the plastic cortex part in the throat.They changed the drill pattern with the Pure Aeros. The APDO, Cortex, GT and 2013 are the same molds, with different playing characteristics. The APD mold offers more control than the more open pattern of the PA's, without sacrificing power and spin.
Same mold, just a more open string pattern!I understand that the drill patterns changed, but did the overall mold change too? seemed similar in my hands but honestly I wouldn't be able to tell, not really a babolat user so... but I used to have the 2016 pure aero and still have a couple 2010 apdgt+. And Im obviously excluding the plastic cortex part in the throat.
Not the same mold. Agree on the drill pattern being more open though.Same mold, just a more open string pattern!
How so? And did it affect much?Not the same mold. Agree on the drill pattern being more open though.
Subtle differences visually, but if you hold them side by side you will see they are different. The construction of the frames is different too in terms of where the frames flex on ball impact. So I would say yes it’s a pretty big difference in terms of feel and response.How so? And did it affect much?
Comparing the specs on the APD and the PA, the PA has a higher stiffness rating. It could be that Babolat stiffened up the throat a little. The PA is definitely more powerful of the two.Subtle differences visually, but if you hold them side by side you will see they are different. The construction of the frames is different too in terms of where the frames flex on ball impact. So I would say yes it’s a pretty big difference in terms of feel and response.
Ic that's quite interesting. I thought they had same mold. I do understand the changes in layups though.Subtle differences visually, but if you hold them side by side you will see they are different. The construction of the frames is different too in terms of where the frames flex on ball impact. So I would say yes it’s a pretty big difference in terms of feel and response.
Ic, probably layup changed as well as the more open string pattern.Comparing the specs on the APD and the PA, the PA has a higher stiffness rating. It could be that Babolat stiffened up the throat a little. The PA is definitely more powerful of the two.
acquired an APD 1st gen recently in 9.5/10 condition. strung it up with weiss cannon ultra cable (main) and weiss cannon scorpion (crosses) at 50lb to double down on spin. put 4 grams of lead at 9/3 and 2 grams at 12 to counterbalance a tourna grip. As presumed, this racket works great when I was on offense dictating pace from the baseline, but I was disappointed in how unstable it is defensively! I'm going to add 4-6 more grams at 9/3 and see if that helps, but I can't imagine trying to play against a heavy hitter with the frame in stock form - way too unstable. I was pleased with my serve, I was able to place my flat first serves better than expected. volleying, on the other hand, was a disaster. I felt like even volleys I was contacting out in front would fly deep, but my string setup I'm sure did not help that.
how can it be not stable? I think that you probably arent used to the very profiled Ultra cable and maybe you have put to much lead unto it. Its as solid as any racquet. If you put onto too many overgrips or they are too thick than your grip becomes to round which could give the sensation of difficult to grip and thus not stable..acquired an APD 1st gen recently in 9.5/10 condition. strung it up with weiss cannon ultra cable (main) and weiss cannon scorpion (crosses) at 50lb to double down on spin. put 4 grams of lead at 9/3 and 2 grams at 12 to counterbalance a tourna grip. As presumed, this racket works great when I was on offense dictating pace from the baseline, but I was disappointed in how unstable it is defensively! I'm going to add 4-6 more grams at 9/3 and see if that helps, but I can't imagine trying to play against a heavy hitter with the frame in stock form - way too unstable. I was pleased with my serve, I was able to place my flat first serves better than expected. volleying, on the other hand, was a disaster. I felt like even volleys I was contacting out in front would fly deep, but my string setup I'm sure did not help that.
you could be right, maybe I'll try Scorpion or even Solinco Confidential in the mains and see how it plays. Don't think it's an overgrip issuehow can it be not stable? I think that you probably arent used to the very profiled Ultra cable and maybe you have put to much lead unto it. Its as solid as any racquet. If you put onto too many overgrips or they are too thick than your grip becomes to round which could give the sensation of difficult to grip and thus not stable..
PC 600, PT630, nCode 6.1 95 18x20, Ultra Tour, Blade Pro... all of these feel infinitely better than the APDO could ever dream of.Original APD has some serious solidness. And the feel when you hit the sweetspot is second to none.