The perfect stick: Volkl C10 Pro

[donnayblack99]

I've come full circle. Started playing with heavy, player's frames in the 80's and 90's, then drank the Kool Aid and went to lighter, wider, more powerful Babolat frames in the 00's and now I'm back, playing better than ever with my 12oz German Beauty.

She's thin, seek, soft and wonderful on the body. She's like a fine wine that keeps getting better with age!

Seriously, though, I forgot what a heavy, plush, frame felt like after playing with Yonex, Babolat, Wilson over the last 10 years. This Volkl is not only solid, but I haven't lost any power comparing it to my Pure Aeros. In fact, it feels as though it comes through the air faster than those wide-body frames.

Go test one out... you won't be disappointed.

 

[Lucas2015]

Its nice stick but I think she is not German, she is Chinese.

 

[Kot_Bigemot]

I love Volkl frames. Becker frames we're great as well. I still play with Becker Melburn. I
And yes, I agree, heavy, flexy thin frames are great. I just have a soft spot for thin frames.

Sent from my Pixel XL using Tapatalk

 

[CopolyX]

volkls are great underdog frames, little complainants on this side except for grip shapes and color themes...which can be fixed...
I still have a bunch of customized volkls in a bag somewhere..
glad you have come back home..
me, I keep a few angells by my side.

 

[stingstang]

Keep looking at these. I do and don't want to try one - I'm kinda sold on using 6.1 95's but I worry that I would like the C10 Pro even more. The spec looks perfect.

 

[CopolyX]

it is always nice to get a reinforcement that the 6.1 is for you if the c10pro doesn't work out..
but what if it does...??? .and your hands are real happy....

plus they can be found at a great prices out there also...

 

[SinjinCooper]

They are ok!

 

[OldSkoolSlice]

I am also sticking with C10 Pros - i have been using 2 of the 2010 model for 5 years or so. I noticed on TWU power test it has similar Sweet spot power potential numbers to Wilson PS RFA and PS 97S which are 2 frames I would normally consider. For what it's worth I think of it as same output just a different means of getting there. I like the feel of the racket through the air and on impact - allows me to do everything I need to and is pretty forgiving.

Sent from my SM-G950F using Tapatalk

 

[donnayblack99]

Its nice stick but I think she is not German, she is Chinese.

She’s German by design

 

[tapatio]

I've come full circle. Started playing with heavy, player's frames in the 80's and 90's, then drank the Kool Aid and went to lighter, wider, more powerful Babolat frames in the 00's and now I'm back, playing better than ever with my 12oz German Beauty.

She's thin, seek, soft and wonderful on the body. She's like a fine wine that keeps getting better with age!

Seriously, though, I forgot what a heavy, plush, frame felt like after playing with Yonex, Babolat, Wilson over the last 10 years. This Volkl is not only solid, but I haven't lost any power comparing it to my Pure Aeros. In fact, it feels as though it comes through the air faster than those wide-body frames.

Go test one out... you won't be disappointed.

What happened to the Pure Control 95s?

 

[donnayblack99]

What happened to the Pure Control 95s?

Pattern too tight. Was having trouble getting pop from the string bed- that frame needs a 16/18 pattern instead of the tight 18/20. The C10 does everything that the PC95 does but with more pop and a larger head size

 

[blip]

Love the c10, used 4 from different years for over a year with great results.

The only thing I couldn’t gel with was the low power at the top of the racket.

I tend to hit high in the stringbed and it affected my serves too much. My strokes were great though and I could hit anywhere I wanted with pace.

I couldn’t dial it in, and decided to switch to other rackets.

Mine were kinda heavy too. My current preferred weight is right at or below 12oz.

I still have 1 in the bag that I bring out for an occasional run.

 

[Kot_Bigemot]

Keep looking at these. I do and don't want to try one - I'm kinda sold on using 6.1 95's but I worry that I would like the C10 Pro even more. The spec looks perfect.

Try Power Bridge 10 Mid. I guarantee you will love it. A bit unforgiving but, if you hit center, the best there is.

 

[Crocodile]

Love all the 10 series Volkl's, but my favourite is the C10 and v engine mp and the SG 10 mp. Love Volkl, love Dunlop Biomimetics, love twin tube head Premier Tours and Prince Textremes and Pacific X Feel Pro 95's Samurai Tecnifibres in the 320 and 325 configurations.

 

[SpinToWin]

Pattern too tight. Was having trouble getting pop from the string bed- that frame needs a 16/18 pattern instead of the tight 18/20. The C10 does everything that the PC95 does but with more pop and a larger head size

Tried low tensions and/or gut/poly on the PC?

 

[ultradr]

She was near perfection.
Holly grail, great for both groundies and volleys. Yet I could put loot take oomps on both forehand and one handed backhand.
Only reason I moved on was that it was somewhat tiring to put pace on my serves, with my increasingly aging body.
And in the sea of stiff powerful frames and polyester armed young spinners out there.

 

[EdMcMush]

Its nice stick but I think she is not German, she is Chinese.

 

[WarrenMP]

If I could do it all over again with picking a main racquet to develop my game, it would be the C10 pro. I play with the PS 90 and I switched for a bit to the C10. I couldn't stick with that racquet because of the simple fact that I developed my game off of the PS 90.

The C10 pro key property is that it brings out the technology in strings. Chris from TW used the racquet to test out strings to see how they really perform (I believe). You can mod the swingweight with a leather grip and lead tape. The racquet reacts very different to various set ups. The racquet is very arm friendly with decent control.

 

[fuzz nation]

Keep looking at these. I do and don't want to try one - I'm kinda sold on using 6.1 95's but I worry that I would like the C10 Pro even more. The spec looks perfect.

I'd say ease up on the expectations. I've used the C10 for a number of years and it offers a boatload of upside for anybody who enjoys a rig that's on the heavier and softer side of the street. Although this racquet is a 98", it's an elegant hitter that can give me more of the impression of a 93"-95" frame in terms of its control. Maybe it's just that hoop shape - a little on the narrow side up toward the top compared with some 98"-100" options that are more of a fat oval which can seem slightly more clunky.

If I want big power, I get more with this frame than anything else. It's also more superlatively arm-friendly for me than anything else I play, including a pair of customized Volkl O10 325g's. I generally set mine up with a snug bed of 17 ga. syn. gut. Although I like the C10's control, I have to be a little more deliberate with my angular swings to get extra spin production with it. While it's fine for me in an all-court style of play, I'm a bit more confident around the net with my O10's and generally prefer those for heavy doubles, but I'll occasionally use my C10's for big doubles, too.

Agree that it's string sensitive - dialing in a setup can take some trial and error - and I also added some weight to the handles of my C10's to get my preferred balance at around 10 pts HL.

The 6.1 95 is a really nice racquet - I switched from the 6.1 Classic into the C10 some years back and still have a couple of the most recent generation of the "parallel drilled" 6.1 95, too. Maybe it's the longer mains in the C10 - not quite sure - but the Volkls give me a little more top end gas than the Wilsons. Not necessarily a good or bad thing - I might be a little more prone to keep the ball on the court with the 6.1 95 without that extra power, but it will also thump the ball nicely when I take a full turn. Because of the high marks for comfort along with its great performance (for me), that's probably why the C10 has become my close personal friend.

 

[flanker2000fr]

Marry me.

 

[Classic-TXP-IG MID]

Love this racquet... Mine I have weighted up (hoop and handle), approx. 364g total (depending on string choice and gauge) and 340-ish SW...

Best string so far has been Luxilon Savage (Black) at 52M/ 50C (from memory)... played almost telepathic...

 

[Purplemonster]

This design = The Hague

 

[Addxyz]

I see the 2018 version available for pre-order along with the PB10.

 

[mrravioli]

Aha, Volkl is still renewing their old goodies with new cosmetics once in a few years. A lot of people are crying about manufactures discontinuing classics and keep producing new fancy stuff. Now Volkl should be all they want, but then what? No one even cares about Volkl!

 

[Classic-TXP-IG MID]

I love my Volkls... C10 Pro and PB10 Mid. They are part of my permanent racquet collection. The ones that will not be sold...

I also love my Boris Becker DC Melbourne, which is a Volkl of sorts... part of the same group... "The Permanents"

 

[grhcan99]

I love my Volkls... C10 Pro and PB10 Mid. They are part of my permanent racquet collection. The ones that will not be sold...

I also love my Boris Becker DC Melbourne, which is a Volkl of sorts... part of the same group... "The Permanents"

What playing conditions would make you choose which racquet (C10 or PB10) to play with? Or which one do you play with mostly?

 

[Classic-TXP-IG MID]

Aha, Volkl is still renewing their old goodies with new cosmetics once in a few years. A lot of people are crying about manufactures discontinuing classics and keep producing new fancy stuff. Now Volkl should be all they want, but then what? No one even cares about Volkl!

Either TW has made a mistake... or both the C10 pro (which is clearly not 93 sq in - which is a mistake), and the PB10 Mid have different specs...

The C10 Pro has a different static weight, balance, SW, and RA... as well as a different composition...

The PB10 has a different RA... stiffer

@TW Staff .... are the figures correct...? or has there been an error?

 

[TW Staff]

@Classic-TXP-IG MID,

They should just be cosmetic updates. I will double check the specs for you as there appears to be an error.

Thanks,
Brittany, TW

 

[Classic-TXP-IG MID]

What playing conditions would make you choose which racquet (C10 or PB10) to play with? Or which one do you play with mostly?

Thanks for your question @grhcan99... I like them both. I had to tinker with the PB10 Mid more before I got it to my liking and my fitness was an issue at first, so I played more with the C10 Pro.

I found the PB10 Mid to be too Head Light for my liking and I was always too early on the swing and therefore mistiming my shots, causing errors. The same went for the service motion, which I was not timing right and couldn't get into a rhythm. I think personally I need to feel the head of the racquet a bit more and for that reason needed to add more weight to the head (added it at 12, 2, 3, 9, and 10). Might have added a smidge in the handle, just so I don't lower the balance too much. I also wanted to increase the sweet spot in order to improve off-center hits (in case I got to the ball a little late, due to the fitness issues and smaller head size). Now, when I'm feeling like I'm moving well and I have my eye in, I use the PB10 Mid and it's an absolute beast of a stick. It monsters the ball, is very stable, comfortable, and incredibly versatile. It produces amazing weight and depth of shot, the ball moves off the court very well, and I always know where the head is at, so I time my shots much better. I also it when I am practicing and hitting against the coach. That way I have to work harder and when I pull out the C10 Pro everything seems even easier...

The C10 Pro I played well with immediately. It had the larger head size, so I didn't have as many mishits, it's balance was slightly less HL, so that was not an issue. I modified it with weight as I wanted to increase the sweet spot, make it even more stable, and give it a greater weight of shot. So I added weight to the handle and the head. It now weighs around 364g (depending on string and gauge) and has a SW of around 345 (not sure about the balance, but it feels about the same as before). Love it ... love it ... love it. I will still play with it more in matches and competitions simply due to the head size and just trying to make things easier for myself in pressure situations (stack the deck in my favor as much as possible).

But I love both.

 

[Classic-TXP-IG MID]

@Classic-TXP-IG MID,

They should just be cosmetic updates. I will double check the specs for you as there appears to be an error.

Thanks,
Brittany, TW

Thanks Brittany (@TW Staff)

 

[Classic-TXP-IG MID]

Hi @TW Staff ... not trying to be a pain, but the Volkl PB 10 Mid specs are still showing the RA as 62 and it used to be 59... Has the stiffness increased... or is this a mistake?

Thanks and sorry if you were in the process of changing it already or if the value has changed

 

[Rabbit]

Hi @TW Staff ... not trying to be a pain, but the Volkl PB 10 Mid specs are still showing the RA as 62 and it used to be 59... Has the stiffness increased... or is this a mistake?

Thanks and sorry if you were in the process of changing it already or if the value has changed

It could just be a production variance

 

[grhcan99]

Thanks for your question @grhcan99... I like them both. I had to tinker with the PB10 Mid more before I got it to my liking and my fitness was an issue at first, so I played more with the C10 Pro.

I found the PB10 Mid to be too Head Light for my liking and I was always too early on the swing and therefore mistiming my shots, causing errors. The same went for the service motion, which I was not timing right and couldn't get into a rhythm. I think personally I need to feel the head of the racquet a bit more and for that reason needed to add more weight to the head (added it at 12, 2, 3, 9, and 10). Might have added a smidge in the handle, just so I don't lower the balance too much. I also wanted to increase the sweet spot in order to improve off-center hits (in case I got to the ball a little late, due to the fitness issues and smaller head size). Now, when I'm feeling like I'm moving well and I have my eye in, I use the PB10 Mid and it's an absolute beast of a stick. It monsters the ball, is very stable, comfortable, and incredibly versatile. It produces amazing weight and depth of shot, the ball moves off the court very well, and I always know where the head is at, so I time my shots much better. I also it when I am practicing and hitting against the coach. That way I have to work harder and when I pull out the C10 Pro everything seems even easier...

The C10 Pro I played well with immediately. It had the larger head size, so I didn't have as many mishits, it's balance was slightly less HL, so that was not an issue. I modified it with weight as I wanted to increase the sweet spot, make it even more stable, and give it a greater weight of shot. So I added weight to the handle and the head. It now weighs around 364g (depending on string and gauge) and has a SW of around 345 (not sure about the balance, but it feels about the same as before). Love it ... love it ... love it. I will still play with it more in matches and competitions simply due to the head size and just trying to make things easier for myself in pressure situations (stack the deck in my favor as much as possible).

But I love both.

Thanks Classic. My personal takeaway from your reply is that the C10 is still the "go-to" racquet when a match is important. I was intrigued by the PB10 Mid's specs as I'm not totally sold on my C10 yet which I bought and started using this year.

 

[Classic-TXP-IG MID]

Thanks Classic. My personal takeaway from your reply is that the C10 is still the "go-to" racquet when a match is important. I was intrigued by the PB10 Mid's specs as I'm not totally sold on my C10 yet which I bought and started using this year.

Out of those two racquets, yes the C10 is still the go-to racquet.

If I'm playing well though, the PB10 Mid (as I find with all Mids) has that special magic touch and feel due to the smaller head and therefore increased maneuverability. It is a great racquet and I love the unique head shape. If you can get the opportunity to try it, I would highly recommend it, especially if your fitness is not an issue. When I first got it I was getting back into tennis after 5 or so yrs away, and the legs were not moving as well as before and the hand-to-eye co-ordination was a little off, so I would get to the ball a little late and frame some balls when stretched out wide. Other than that (and the racquet head coming around too fast at times) the PB 10 Mid was a superb racquet.

 

[Faris]

Chris had his vlog up and he mentioned new update is cosmetic only...

 

[Classic-TXP-IG MID]

Chris had his vlog up and he mentioned new update is cosmetic only...

I know, they (TW) changed the C10 Pro specs back to what they were for 2012 and 2015 paint jobs (before they had different material for racquet and different specs), however, they haven't changed the PB10 Mid (which is still showing the RA as 62 instead of 59). They'll get there at some point... or the RA is higher... either way, I've got mine and I'm not planning on getting more...

 

[Deki]

Nice, Völkl brought back PB 10 mid. I would like to have again PB 10 MP 325g with 18x20 string pattern.

 

[Simplicius]

What playing conditions would make you choose which racquet (C10 or PB10) to play with? Or which one do you play with mostly?

Personally, I play PB10Mid on day and C10 Pro at night...
I frame many balls with mid in low light conditions.
Mid is a perfect racquet but you have to focus on the ball with owl eyes!!!

 

[Tordne]

I have one of the new ones on backoeder. Also saw a Grade A used one (matte paint) with a #2 grip so bought that for the wife to try. She’s strangely excited to try this

One of the customer reviews said that they thought the power was up their with the Pure Aero. Chris mentioned stringing high to rein it in as well. So this could actually be a very interesting stick. If it’s got that exceptional feel from the low RA and thin beam, yet is also powerful enough to have solid serve and ground strokes it could be a winner!

 

[beltsman]

I am also sticking with C10 Pros - i have been using 2 of the 2010 model for 5 years or so. I noticed on TWU power test it has similar Sweet spot power potential numbers to Wilson PS RFA and PS 97S which are 2 frames I would normally consider. For what it's worth I think of it as same output just a different means of getting there. I like the feel of the racket through the air and on impact - allows me to do everything I need to and is pretty forgiving.

Sent from my SM-G950F using Tapatalk

I just looked at the TWU specs for power and sweet spot, and it's hard to believe! More power than a lot of stiff tweeners...

How?

 

[Tordne]

I just looked at the TWU specs for power and sweet spot, and it's hard to believe! More power than a lot of stiff tweeners...

How?

I know, sort of defies belief doesn’t it?

 

[Tordne]

I just looked at the TWU specs for power and sweet spot, and it's hard to believe! More power than a lot of stiff tweeners...

How?

I know, sort of defies belief doesn’t it.

 

[BaronVonSlam]

two words: kyber crystals

 

[beltsman]

I know, sort of defies belief doesn’t it.

Seems similar to the 2016 Pure Strike, except the PS has the stiffness to provide the power. I'm not sure where the C10 gets it from. If it indeed does have that much power.

 

[Tordne]

Seems similar to the 2016 Pure Strike, except the PS has the stiffness to provide the power. I'm not sure where the C10 gets it from. If it indeed does have that much power.

I have literally just purchased four matched Pur Aeros. But I tell you, if this has the touch and feel of a players frame (Pro Stock frames are my point of comparison) and the power on serve and off the ground then I could be in for another spend on rackets. Really must get to selling some of my “stock” LOL.

 

[SFrazeur]

Anyone know how the C10 Pro compares with the BXT X Tour Pro 97?

 

[SFrazeur]

Anyone know how the C10 Pro compares with the BXT X Tour Pro 97?

 

[Classic-TXP-IG MID]

I have one of the new ones on backoeder. Also saw a Grade A used one (matte paint) with a #2 grip so bought that for the wife to try. She’s strangely excited to try this

One of the customer reviews said that they thought the power was up their with the Pure Aero. Chris mentioned stringing high to rein it in as well. So this could actually be a very interesting stick. If it’s got that exceptional feel from the low RA and thin beam, yet is also powerful enough to have solid serve and ground strokes it could be a winner!

I string mine at the normal tension I string most of my racquets (52 Mains/ 50 Crosses) and I have no problem with balls flying long, yet it has all the control you could wish for. It has touch and feel but can provide plenty of power when desired, and the correct mechanics are used.

 

[Classic-TXP-IG MID]

I have one of the new ones on backoeder. Also saw a Grade A used one (matte paint) with a #2 grip so bought that for the wife to try. She’s strangely excited to try this

One of the customer reviews said that they thought the power was up their with the Pure Aero. Chris mentioned stringing high to rein it in as well. So this could actually be a very interesting stick. If it’s got that exceptional feel from the low RA and thin beam, yet is also powerful enough to have solid serve and ground strokes it could be a winner!

I string mine at the normal tension I string most of my racquets (52 Mains/ 50 Crosses) and I have no problem with balls flying long, yet it has all the control you could wish for. It has touch and feel but can provide plenty of power when desired, and the correct mechanics are used.

 

[Tordne]

I string mine at the normal tension I string most of my racquets (52 Mains/ 50 Crosses) and I have no problem with balls flying long, yet it has all the control you could wish for. It has touch and feel but can provide plenty of power when desired, and the correct mechanics are used.

That really sounds kind of perfect for me. Right now I’d rate the Prince Phantom as the racket I have that has the best feel and touch. But that is definitely on the low powered side and serve and groundstrokes are sacrificed for the feel. If the C10 covers all the bases I could really see myself loving it.

 

[BaronVonSlam]

Looks like they are selling out of the re-issue on TW. Can't preorder certain grip sizes anymore.