***The Pure Storm Tour thread***

PSTers ^,

Whilst the unleaded PST is pretty good re stability and heft etc, I do tend to go for your, er, VERY stable, rock solid, plow-monster, felt-ripping ball-crusher type frames!!... that is, until I realize I can't swing it easy enough and then hastily remove all the lead!

Also, there's a tension issue as the Alu Power @ 56 lbs isn't quite right for me... as I said before, I hit too short with this... which is one reason I pined for the "bullying power" of your older Babs, and then really enjoyed revisiting the PD+... hence I've put lead at 12 o'clock (as well as 3 and 9 o'clock) on the PST whilst I decide if I will in fact get another string job.

R.

BTW, the leaded up PST only had a brief outing yesterday. It was predictably awesome on serves and groundies and it felt like granite, however, yeeeees... it was like swinging a tree-trunk sometimes!
 
Hey Ross

I found that I had to drop the trenson quite a lot with the Alu Power - mine's now at 52 lbs and I'm really finding the missing power. No idea if the Biphase in the crosses is helping with the feel as I haven't tried it without, but overall I'm pretty happy with the PST right now...
 
I'd like to know how you folks lead up your PST. I'm demoing one now and feel that it's missing some "oomph," mostly on serves. For reference, I'm using Technifibre 16ga Synthetic Gut strings (dunno what tension the shop owner put them at).

I put 20g at the top of the handle, 1g (four inch-long strips) at the outside of the "add lead tape here" region, and just a little bit (about .3g) inside the buttcap.

I haven't hit with it like this yet, but swinging it around the house and bouncing balls to myself feel very good. The TW calculator says it's got a SW of a touch less than 340 now. Swinging around in my house, it feels identical to my MGPP demo, which has a PHT/X-Cel setup.

What are your setups? If they're already posted, would you please put a link to the post? I'll look a little, but 16 pages is a lot to sift through while I'm at work.

Thanks!
 
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I played a match with my demo today, and woah was it nice! It swung easily but spit out a pretty heavy ball.

I have a couple small complaints about this racket, though:

(1) - It feels kinda hollow, dontcha think? I'm used to a PSC6.1 and a leaded-up, silicone-injected Vantage. This Bab feels like a toy compared to those! Leaded the way it is (see my previous post) it's not so bad, but I'd still describe it as being hollow. Has anybody experimented with stuffing the handle with anything, like cotton balls, foam, or silicone? Have you added weight to the handle to give it a little more sustenance?

(2) - It makes a funny noise when hitting the ball. Almost a "squish" instead of a "plink" or a "thwop." The feel relates to this - it's kinda muted, instead of rich or plush. It's not the strings, as I've played with these in a different frame before. Maybe the string job, though I have no reason to lay the blame here.

(3) - The paint seems to have a clear coat that comes off easily. I pick up balls by bouncing the racket on top of them, making them bounce up in the air. If I do this on the tip of the stringbed, it's fine. If I do this in the sweetspot, though, the tip of the frame hits the ground. This hasn't been a problem for me with my previous frames, but the clear coat (and maybe the rest of the paint?) seems to be very delicate on this racket.

That said, my opponent tonight (a good friend) said that I better not even think about looking at more rackets, because I found one in the PST that fits me well. Have you any fixes to the issues listed above?
 
I got the same gripe about the whole paintjob problem. Usually, racquets with a matte finish (I.E. K90) has problems with paint coming off too easy...or is that just me?
In any sense, I just wanted to add in that I absolutely love this racquet, just received a new pair in the mail and just got back from hitting a few serves, and it absolutely plays like butter :)
 
Hello all, I'm returning to the game after about 5 years (was 4 - 4.5, i.Prestige Mid / VS @ 58). I spent the last two month demo-ing about two dozen racquets: all the MG Prestiges, all the MG Radicals, all the EXO3 Graphites, APDC, PD, PDR, AST and the Pure Storms (Ltd., "standard" & Tour). I've had elbow issues before (with the Ti Radical before switching to the i.Prestige Mids), so I've been experimenting with softer strings and hybrid set ups.

Anyway, after all that work...and reading this and other racquet threads, I've made my decision and have ordered a couple of PSTs. I will try Hurricane/BiPhase on one and Hurricane/Excel on the other, probably at 60. I'll post the results.

The other issue is I've lost a bit of foot speed and i think it'll be the rest of the summer before I feel like I'm back at my old level.

Thanks all for this thread, it was a big help as I was figuring out what to go with.
 
Just a quick question to you loyal PST users.. How is the PST on your arm? I have been using the Wilson K6.1 95 18*20 last 6 months and when i play a couple of days in a row the K6.1 kills my golfers elbow.

Is the PST more easy on the arm or is it know to cause elbow problems?
 
Hankenstein said:
Just a quick question to you loyal PST users.. How is the PST on your arm? I have been using the Wilson K6.1 95 18*20 last 6 months and when i play a couple of days in a row the K6.1 kills my golfers elbow.

Is the PST more easy on the arm or is it know to cause elbow problems?
Click to expand...

It's very easy on the arm. Plays soft and relatively flexy (well, for a Bab frame anyway.) Def not a harsh hit (unlike, say, the Pure Control or the PDR.) From what I've heard about the K Six-One, and from what I know about the PST, the Babolat is much, much gentler.

R.

BTW, If you demo it, do let us know your thoughts.
 
Ross K said:
It's very easy on the arm. Plays soft and relatively flexy (well, for a Bab frame anyway.) Def not a harsh hit (unlike, say, the Pure Control or the PDR.) From what I've heard about the K Six-One, and from what I know about the PST, the Babolat is much, much gentler.

R.

BTW, If you demo it, do let us know your thoughts.
Click to expand...

Thanks for the reply.. I almost never demo any frames. Don´t have any pro-shop within 2 hours drive and i also have an own sporting goods internet company so i buy the frames pretty cheap, try them, and if i don´t like them sell them to friends in the surrounding area.
I just ordered 2 PST and will definately send in my thoughts here
 
I have now played the first 2 hours with the PST and it was a nice experience! The frame is much softer compared to my former bat , Ksixone 95 18*20 and the spin is amazing. Power is enough for me and it really fits my game like a glove. Maaaaybe it needs about 10 grams lead to be a fraction more solid/stable, but i guess it´s just because it was the first hit with it.

I actually recorded the first 5 minutes of groundstrokes and then a couple of serves. If anyone is interested i can post a youtube link here!?
 
Please do post your YouTube link... I've been eying and testing this stick for some time... Just hard to let go of my PDC...
 
Appears like you are taking a bigger, faster cut with the PST (could be the opposite angles for each video that make it appear this way - not sure) which would compliment your experience with amazing spin. Would you agree? Did you notice and change in your swing?
 
the need said:
Appears like you are taking a bigger, faster cut with the PST (could be the opposite angles for each video that make it appear this way - not sure) which would compliment your experience with amazing spin. Would you agree? Did you notice and change in your swing?
Click to expand...

The PST was strung a bit tighter then the LM Radical. I also had major elbow pain when playing whit the LM Radical and couldn´t swing away. The PST have less power then the LM Radical but much better control and spin potential.
 
Just acquired a PST. For the initial hour it was hit with, sore shoulder and all, it is everything I wished my PDC was. Didn't swing with 100% force everytime, yet was able to retain the spin I was used to while directed the ball and not praying for its landing zone. So far so good.
 
Hankenstein said:
Just a quick question to you loyal PST users.. How is the PST on your arm? I have been using the Wilson K6.1 95 18*20 last 6 months and when i play a couple of days in a row the K6.1 kills my golfers elbow.

Is the PST more easy on the arm or is it know to cause elbow problems?
Click to expand...

I had arm problems (dead arm and golfer's elbow) while using this racquet. However, there were a lot of other factors so I can't say that the racquet caused any of it. This is an amazing racquet, especially for groundstrokes.
 
My sore arm is due to a PDC strung with ALU-R. It's the first time in 7 months it felt a bit sore. I'm not taking any chances with that racquet. However, I'm extremely happy I have made the switch.

Today's session revealed my 1hbh that I thought I never had. Also was tapping the right corner of the AD court. Something I could not do with the PDC. My ground stroke trajectory angles seem to be sharper. Nothing but positives so far with this bad boy. I'm sure I'll get over it within 5 months or so :oops:
 
I found that PST is very string sensitive so make sure to try out different string tensions and strings in there. Despending on your sting and stiffness it could have as small of a sweetspot as a dime or as big of a sweetspot as an entire string bed.

Yellow ProSupex Big Ace woket great I remember and red Code.

Just an FYI for you.
 
the need said:
My sore arm is due to a PDC strung with ALU-R. It's the first time in 7 months it felt a bit sore. I'm not taking any chances with that racquet. However, I'm extremely happy I have made the switch.

Today's session revealed my 1hbh that I thought I never had. Also was tapping the right corner of the AD court. Something I could not do with the PDC. My ground stroke trajectory angles seem to be sharper. Nothing but positives so far with this bad boy. I'm sure I'll get over it within 5 months or so :oops:
Click to expand...

I liked hitting a slice backhand with that racquet. It had a nice weight on the takeback and something about the grip shape made it work for that shot too.
 
for the last 3 weeks or so i have been playing/hitting with my other racquets. MG Prestige, n90, n95, k95, APDC, even the new Head Speed Pro; purposely NOT hitting with my PSTs.

well, now i am convinced that PST is the right racquet for me.
I will probably pick up another 2-3 frames soon.

first of all, my shoulders, elbow and arms are getting sore by me NOT using my PSTs. (maybe it's because i have been playing 5 times a week). got to the point i have to take advil after matches. and i would HATE for my tennis elbow to come back.

after 2 days of hitting with my PSTs again, shoulder/elbow/arm not hurting. :)

second, with the PST i can KILL the groundies. cant seem to do that with others.

i wonder what that NEW PST will be like....
or will it be called something else, or discontinued?
 
I have 6 now - all weight and bala nce matched.
The 4 is directly from Babolat France made for me and to me - see the serial numbers - 1,2,3 & 4 - from Febrauary/02 2009:

v4qck1.jpg


2qd095g.jpg


sboje0.jpg
 
^ Those are some seriously nice sticks. About to start playing again (Summer baby) and can't wait to get some hits with my PST.
 
I've been using a wilson ps tour 90 for several years. stopped playing for a while. Remembered hitting with the pure control and liking it alot, fairly similar feel, but astonishingly the pure control was a bit less forgiving to my arm then the tour 90. I eventually tried switching to the yonex rds001 mid (trying to find a more readily available racquet etc.)

The PST looks like what I pretty much need. Just wanted to ask you guys about how this might compare to either of those racquets? also I use a two handed backhand, wanted to know about the pallet/grip length on the standard as opposed to the plus. (the tour 90 was great for two handers)
 
ive been looking into getting the pst but am a bit weary of its flexibility. I currently play with the kblade 98 and constantly feel my racquet jump back at me, especially when i hit outside of the sweetspot. Has anyone had this problem with the pst?
 
I am thinking about switching to this racquet based on my outing with a demo of it. It was very stable, but had some not so great strings on it. But, i still played great with it, so imma try it with something else.

Would Big Banger Original be a good choice, or what about Black Code?
thanks.
 
Rycat0624 said:
I am thinking about switching to this racquet based on my outing with a demo of it. It was very stable, but had some not so great strings on it. But, i still played great with it, so imma try it with something else.

Would Big Banger Original be a good choice, or what about Black Code?
thanks.
Click to expand...

I use Big Banger Original at 55...it plays well. Really stiff, but plays well. Provided you can put a good amount of pace on your shot.
 
I absolutely love this racquet and want to switch to it, but I can't find one used on talk tennis!
 
KOtennis said:
for the last 3 weeks or so i have been playing/hitting with my other racquets. MG Prestige, n90, n95, k95, APDC, even the new Head Speed Pro; purposely NOT hitting with my PSTs.

well, now i am convinced that PST is the right racquet for me.
I will probably pick up another 2-3 frames soon.

first of all, my shoulders, elbow and arms are getting sore by me NOT using my PSTs. (maybe it's because i have been playing 5 times a week). got to the point i have to take advil after matches. and i would HATE for my tennis elbow to come back.

after 2 days of hitting with my PSTs again, shoulder/elbow/arm not hurting. :)

second, with the PST i can KILL the groundies. cant seem to do that with others.

i wonder what that NEW PST will be like....
or will it be called something else, or discontinued?
Click to expand...

What do you mean by the "new pst"
 
Yess, I just put in an order for a Pure Storm Tour strung with Luxilon ALU Power @ 56. Im so excited. Will order 2 more soon...
 
swamlepow said:
ive been looking into getting the pst but am a bit weary of its flexibility. I currently play with the kblade 98 and constantly feel my racquet jump back at me, especially when i hit outside of the sweetspot. Has anyone had this problem with the pst?
Click to expand...

Funny, I tested the KBlade98 and thought the same thing. I tried several racquets and ended up selecting the PST. It just drives through the ball, even outside the sweetspot, compared to the KBlade98.
 
i used to hit with the tour and it worked amazing with pro hurricane 16g at 60-61 lb for like 3 weeks but then the strings just died so lately ive been using big banger original at 61lb and its excellent
 
i was just wondering if luxilon bb power and Babolat VS gut, would be a good hybrid? Because im ordering a GT version when they come out and i wanted to try them out.
 
3499qo7.jpg

my babies.. they're kinda orange looking in this pic but they are actually red. I love them!! best racquet change i ever made!!
 
Topspin24 said:
Timmy, is that the tour??? How does it play, similar to the old one? What are its pros and cons? I must know!!!
Click to expand...

yeah its the tour and i love it!!, i wrote a short review about it on another thread.. i'll find it real quick and copy it over.

unfortunately i never had one of the old models so i cant make a comparison..
 
here you go..
TimmyG said:
the sticks are great!! i weighed them all after stringing:
psl was 11.9oz
pst w/ n.vy was 12oz
pst w/ cyberflash was 12.1oz
havent had the chance to check the balance on them yet.

i wasn't a huge fan of the new n.vy string but then again im more of a poly user anyway.. it reminded me of a slightly softer psgd, which im sure some people will really enjoy.

the pst with cyberflash 17 strung at 55lbs felt amazing!! i felt like a was moving the ball around the court easier than ever, and getting lots of topspin without having to use a lot of effort. since i dont play as much as i used to moving up from a prestige mid with a 89.5 head to the pst with a 98 head felt wonderful! and when you hit the sweet spot on this stick nothing feels better!
volleys were very solid, i come to the net quite a bit and felt very comfortable moving the racquet around at the net.
serves were good.. they didnt feel as solid as my prestiges but that didnt come as that much of a suprise to me...

the ptl strung with cyberflash at 55lbs had a very good feel too. i hit with the older model a couple times and wasnt a big fan cause it felt to dead to me but the new gt i felt had a little more pop to it that i really enjoyed.
groundstrokes felt good but i felt as though more of my shots were landing short that should have.. great spin and a very solid feel.
i didnt get to hit very many volleys with is but the few i did felt amazing. i was able to be very aggressive without losing control which i really liked.
the serves saved this racquet for me.. it was a beast!! i cant believe im saying this but it felt almost prestige-like off the serve... huge flat serves and huge kickers one after another...

i will probably be sticking with the pst gts because i thought they felt better overall but i will definitely be getting a couple leather grips to replace the synthetic ones they come with.

i hope you guys enjoy this review.
thanks
timmyg
Click to expand...
 
12 oz...hmm that maybe risky for me to try out, having mild TE so I'm looking for an arm friendly racket. Is it arm friendly or should I look somewhere else?
 
if weight is an issue then you might like the regular pure storm.. the pst gt feel light to me but thats just because i switched from a mgpm bumped up to 13oz... what i have found tho is that as long as youre making solid contact on time... not constantly framing shots or hitting late.. the weight of the racquet is far less of an issue..
 
hmm, i used to hit around with the old one at 11.8 oz but that was before my mild TE...i'm not sure if i want to hit with the PS because the drop in weight from rackets (currently using the K90) may throw me off a lot, it has before.
 
if youre using a k90 now you might like the psl gt.. more head light that the pst, definitely doesnt feel like 12oz.. plus the bigger sweetspot that your k90 will probably help take some of pain out of your elbow..
 
hey. im thinking about getting the storm tour, however what I'm switching from is the original pure storm. is there a large difference between the feel considering the weight change? not sure if i should just stick with the pure storm gt or up it to the storm tour gt..
 
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