Thin beam Pure Drive
- Thread starter JOSHL
- Start date
The Pro Staff X is going to feel heavier (of course) while also meatier (from the kevlar) and more flexible in the neck. I would actually advocate that if you're going to try a Pro Staff, the Six.One 100 v14 would be a better selection, as it's 10g lighter and will have a more firm neck and crisp layup overall, more akin to how the PD flexes/feels. But, the Six.One also has a fairly small sweet spot and a bit more classic oval head shape than the PD, so in those areas, I still think a spec'd up Blade 100L would be a better stand in (provided, of course, the user has no issue customizing a lighter-spec "platform" frame). It addresses the slightly more modern modern head shape and string bed just a bit better than the Pro Staff. But, if @JOSHL doesn't want to monkey with customizing, then either the X or Six.One might do the trick, who knows.
JOSHL
Hall of Fame
I don’t mind customizing. Finding one of these is tricky unless you’re a grip size 0.
PCG 100.
ChanterRacquet
Professional
As mentioned previously, the Blade 100L weighted would be a good choice. Remarkably comfy given the RA. My daughter uses them stock.
At 23 mm, it’s not under your 22 mm “requirement” but when I think of non-stiff power racquets I think of the Speed MP.
At 23 mm, it’s not under your 22 mm “requirement” but when I think of non-stiff power racquets I think of the Speed MP.
Hulger
Semi-Pro
That's a misguided recommendation; the Pure Drive excels in driving through the ball. PS100 is a spin monster, one of the poorest available for flat hitting.
Grafil Injection
Hall of Fame
If you're sticking with around 100sqi and 300g unstrung weight and a PD stiff feel, then it's pretty difficult to get <22mm. The 23mm Speed MP, or 22-24-22 Volkl V8 come to mind.
Spot on! For years I kept playing with my heavy Pro Staffs. In long matches would get tired so decided to demo. Couple of years ago tried the 2021 Pure Drive and loved it. It’s a fantastic racquet and I am playing better with it. Biggest difference for me is much easier on defense.
ChanterRacquet
Professional
Having measured 100L and 100 (both v8) with digital calipers at several spots around each frame, they’re the same. Most measurements around 22.2-22.3 mm, down in the yoke more like 22.7-22.8 mm.
Fantastic post, and a great confirmation of specs!
mavsman149
Hall of Fame
Super random but the CX200 is very popular amongst the really good 4.5 and 5.0 players in my area
JOSHL
Hall of Fame
Nope, looked there before you posted and none of them are able to add to cart.
Power Player
Bionic Poster
Top banana has pretty nice power for a 22.
JOSHL
Hall of Fame
Yea my thought was to see about the V9.
Also thought about this (well the reg not extended) but I’d need to get an underspec one on the static and SW.
Power Player
Bionic Poster
Yeah the regular one swung a bit sluggish. I
Prefer the top b. I think the xl swings easier and provides that extra power too. I actually may add some weight to the throat of mine. They both weigh around 302 with a 324 sw.
The one frame that pulls up in racquet finder with PD specs in a thinner beam - the Head Graphene XT Speed MP. TW has the reissue on sale for $99 right now.
I haven’t hit with it so I can’t comment on how similarly it plays to a PD. I do know many have said it plays stiffer than the 67 that TW has listed for it. Based on the weight and SW, it might need a bit of weight in the head to simulate the PD’s stability.
I haven’t hit with it so I can’t comment on how similarly it plays to a PD. I do know many have said it plays stiffer than the 67 that TW has listed for it. Based on the weight and SW, it might need a bit of weight in the head to simulate the PD’s stability.
SlowTiger
Professional
Sad they have such a bad rep because their racquets are actually pretty nice
ChanterRacquet
Professional
I whipped out my spare FX 500 LS (my son plays non-LS so I get some play with both) today for doubles. Such a great frame that plays power but has nice touch. The LS is rated a little softer than the 300g. Anyways, not 22 mm but it has finesse and solid power.
Underdog
Professional
They need a full revamp. Changing the brand logo for a tennis-specific Dunlop logo, renewing their whole racquet lines with cool, innovative tech and big time playing racquets (think Ezone, Aero 98, Gravity Pro, Radical MP…), rename their lines and go for timeless slick looking paintjobs.
mavsman149
Hall of Fame
Embrace the thickness and get a Swirly
Grafil Injection
Hall of Fame
I think some people may have missed your sarcasm. The Dunlop logo is probably the most 'timeless' in tennis having been used in the 'flying-D' form since at least the early 1960s, and in a similar form back to the 1930s, even if it is the same as the tyres version. The 'innovative tech' like Sonic Core is basically the same stuff that all those rackets you mentioned use, and the sticks are made in the same Chinese factories as 99% of all rackets, probably by the same personnel using the same ovens and pre-preg rolls. The paint-jobs I grant you are a bit plain at the moment, but that's probably why they are able to be priced about 20% less than other brands, and it won't affect how they hit.
Underdog
Professional
In all fairness, I wasn’t being sarcastic. I do agree with the logo being a true classic, but my general point stands, I think.
I didn’t intend to say Dunlop doesn’t provide tech or is below the more representative brands, but it’s clear to me they need to go a step further to regain space in the market. I feel that’s a little of what Wilson is doing in advance now with their innovations. Dunlop needs to do a Yonex, if you know what I mean. Invest in their QC, develop straightforward racquet lines that are appealing and play great, keep the prices reasonable at first and develop the aesthetics and endorsement part.
Rabbit
G.O.A.T.
I’ve purchased the PD twice. Sold it twice. I recently moved from the Yonex VC98 to the EZone 100 which is Yonex’s version of the PD. There was an adjustment period but I’m glad I did.
sargeinaz
Hall of Fame
Damn. We’re all getting old now. We all need more pop, myself included. Can’t cover the court the way I used to. Hope everyone has a great 2024.
People weren’t suggesting the PD VS because you said you wanted to keep the beam 22 or less. The VS is 23 in the middle.
You may like it, but it does not play like a regular's PD, especially the 2012. It feels very stiff, has a small sweet spot, and is not nearly as maneuverable as its published specs would suggest. It does crush the ball and has better control than the regular PD for flat hitters.
You may like it, but it does not play like a regular's PD, especially the 2012. It feels very stiff, has a small sweet spot, and is not nearly as maneuverable as its published specs would suggest. It does crush the ball and has better control than the regular PD for flat hitters.
Let us know
And the PD98 is even more of an enigma, with the swing weight apparently having been bumped up into the 300-ish unstrung territory, so now you have even less whippy maneuverability to work with. Great, I suppose, for those who have aims of customizing up beyond 330 strung SW from the get-go anyways, but potentially a miss for many players who might otherwise want/need something in the 320's (or lower) and like all the rest of the specs. Kind of a weird move by Babolat, but I'm sure they have a method to their madness that I'm probably not realizing...
JOSHL
Hall of Fame
I think QC may be at play as well I’ve seen published strung SW spec for the PD98 at 315.
That may be the case, yet when you go to Babolat's own website, you see an advertised unstrung swing weight of 300:
Pure Drive 98 Unstrung | Babolat
Babolat Pure Drive 98 Unstrung. for both beginners and professionals. Have fun and play your best game with Babolat!
www.babolat.com
That may very well be a typo, but, considering their level (or lack thereof) of QC, I also wouldn't find it super surprising if a majority of PD98's has as much of a variance as 285 unstrung swing weight.
mad dog1
G.O.A.T.
Yeah, I have a PD98 that’s close to 285 and another that’s well under 300.That may be the case, yet when you go to Babolat's own website, you see an advertised unstrung swing weight of 300:
Pure Drive 98 Unstrung | Babolat
Babolat Pure Drive 98 Unstrung. for both beginners and professionals. Have fun and play your best game with Babolat!
That may very well be a typo, but, considering their level (or lack thereof) of QC, I also wouldn't find it super surprising if a majority of PD98's has as much of a variance as 285 unstrung swing weight.
Rosstour
G.O.A.T.
Honestly just reading about the "Babolat Feel" makes me queasy
lidoazndiabloboi
Hall of Fame
My PD98 has a SW283. Another one that I gave to a buddy had a SW278That may be the case, yet when you go to Babolat's own website, you see an advertised unstrung swing weight of 300:
Pure Drive 98 Unstrung | Babolat
Babolat Pure Drive 98 Unstrung. for both beginners and professionals. Have fun and play your best game with Babolat!
That may very well be a typo, but, considering their level (or lack thereof) of QC, I also wouldn't find it super surprising if a majority of PD98's has as much of a variance as 285 unstrung swing weight.
Tronco20
Rookie
Agree with this suggestion! I actually switched from a 2018 PD to PS 100 3rd Gen and been super happy, way more feel, precision, control, same/similar power on groundstrokes. The ONLY negative which was clearly noticable is power on serves. The PD just gives you extra speed on the 1st serve. The rest is similar or better with the Strike.
Power Player
Bionic Poster
Have not heard of that, but I suspect that will be a must buy for me if it happens and is like the Rafa OG- with the tighter string pattern and older feel.
Wow. I realize it's own a few samples shared here, but I suspect either Bab's literature is wrong on unstrung SW (300 per their website) or "QC" is hilariously bad. I would venture they've listed the wrong number, and that they actually haven't changed it that much, if at all, from PDVS... what say anyone else?
marceloriosfan
Rookie
PDVS was 300 unstrung, PD98 is 305 unstrung = could be why the swingweight of PD98 is higher?
