socallefty
G.O.A.T.
For those who are using the Strike VS Gen3 or Strike 97 Gen4 as one of your main racquets, what kind of customization have you done? If you are using it in stock form, mention that also.
Users of Strike VS/97 - what customization have you done?
- Thread starter socallefty
- Start date
Lots of talk on this in the holic thread too if you want to dig.
For me, I have about 4g at 12, it's not my main stick. If it were I'd consider adding more at 3/9 and counter balance with weight in the buttcap.
Loved it with Mayami Hit Pro, not a fan of how it feels with the ReString hybrid I have in it now. Going to try 1.18 Black Knight next.
For me, I have about 4g at 12, it's not my main stick. If it were I'd consider adding more at 3/9 and counter balance with weight in the buttcap.
Loved it with Mayami Hit Pro, not a fan of how it feels with the ReString hybrid I have in it now. Going to try 1.18 Black Knight next.
Alcawrath
Hall of Fame
I use mine completely stock. I don't have a way to measure swing weight. It feels like it's about what I prefer in terms of weight, balance, and stability, so that's how I run it. I will say that part of the reason I haven't added anything is that I have two, and the one I usually play feels slightly more headlight. My timing and RHS feels so much better with the more headlight stick that I haven't been tempted to weight it up knowing that my second PSVS doesn't feel quite right with a more head heavy balance.
TwinCinema
Hall of Fame
4g at 12 here as well, on both my PSVS sticks.
I also recently swapped out my leather grips with replacement synthetic Hydrosorb Comfort grips due to wrist issues, and while I love the feel more, I’m wondering if losing a few grams of weight on the handle means I might want to add some putty in the butt now. I agree with @Alcawrath that you want it more head light.
I also recently swapped out my leather grips with replacement synthetic Hydrosorb Comfort grips due to wrist issues, and while I love the feel more, I’m wondering if losing a few grams of weight on the handle means I might want to add some putty in the butt now. I agree with @Alcawrath that you want it more head light.
socallefty
G.O.A.T.
Wow…not too many users on TTW. Many experimented with it including me, but looks like very few stuck with it.
Maybe Babolat should have thought of releasing a heavier Tour version when they relaunched this thin beam, flexible racquet.
Maybe Babolat should have thought of releasing a heavier Tour version when they relaunched this thin beam, flexible racquet.
10S-Junkie
Semi-Pro
I tried both the VS and 97 hoping they would play like my old favorite, the Pure Control Tour 98 but was disappoined by both.
Found them (especially the 97) to have smallish sweetspots, less stability, and less control versus other raquets in my bag.
It's too bad, cause the VS is one of the sharpest looking frames ever.
socallefty
G.O.A.T.
What are some of the current retail racquets you like?
10S-Junkie
Semi-Pro
Prince ATS Textreme Tour 95, Head Prestige Tour 2023.
You?
You?
Doulke
New User
Got a vs a while back cause of the colour and glossy paint, only used it a couple times cause did not have time at the moment to mess with new racket. Sw was about 315, first thing I did was replace leather grip cause it was to head light and add some bumper tape 10 to 2, felt better immediately.
extreme_western
Rookie
100 percent this. I’m a 13 UTR level player who has used the Pure Control Tour for 15 years but was really disappointed by the lack of stability in the PS 97 when recently looking for a new set of rackets. I don’t really understand Babolat’s thinking in discontinuing the Pure Control Tour given how iconic a racket it was, and hopefully they will realise this mistake at some stage and rectify it when they bring out the new line of rackets, it just doesn’t make sense to produce a racket which is so light in stock form for this market of players. I’m now using the Wilson Blade Pro 16 x 19 and really liking it.
socallefty
G.O.A.T.
Strike Tour
y0035215
Rookie
Have you modified the blades? In your opinion, are they also suitable for lower levels than UTR13 players?
I've been using it since it came out, and find it to be perfect. It's a great platform for those who like to customize, and takes weight so well, without becoming a log. And, while I'm surprised that more haven't liked it, I'm glad, because I've picked up a lifetime supply for a fraction of the cost (thanks TTW classifieds!). My signature has my specs.
tim-ay
Legend
13 UTR so totally legit. But I’d say even for you , you can get close to the stability of the BP. Just have to mess with the setup. BP is a stable beast right out of the box.
socallefty
G.O.A.T.
Where did you add the weight to get to your specs?
Its different for each one, but generally I added about 4-6g at 12, then a bit at 6 (or at the top of the handle) and then 5-15g in the handle. There's one where I put a bit of weight at 3/9 to get the twistweight in line with my others, but that's unusual. What I like about this spec is that it feels light through the air, but the mass makes it solid on blocked returns and volleys, and the SW is not so high that it holds me back.
extreme_western
Rookie
I am playing the blade pro in stock form. I tried adding 5 and then 10 g of lead at the top of the handle and liked it but decided it wasn’t necessary given that it has a good balance of plow through and manoeuvrability in stock form.
In terms of suitability for lower level players it is plausible that an 8-13 UTR level player could like them yeah especially if they have an aggressive game style and the reason for their relatively lower level is consistency or footwork rather than their strokes. Which is really to say that the level of feel, stability and plow through are such that I don’t see any reason why a lower level player couldn’t really enjoy this frame as long as their swing speed is at the minimum level required to be able to wield it.
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extreme_western
Rookie
Yeah I can see that. Generally have a preference for playing with rackets in stock form though as I haven’t got that much experience with customising successfully especially when it comes to the head of the racket as I prefer head light rackets. I tried adding 10g to the top of the handle of the pure strike 97 and it still didn’t feel stable enough, have heard that a few grams at 12 o clock is a game changer but didn’t feel necessary when I was happy with the blade pro in stock form.
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socallefty
G.O.A.T.
Has anyone added lead tape to the inner area of the throat so that you add weight without changing the balance point as described in this article? I don’t see this leadtape placement discussed much here.
www.tennis-warehouse.com
How to Customize Your Tennis Racquet | Tennis Warehouse
www.tennis-warehouse.com
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SirCraigoryy
Semi-Pro
I used the 2022 Strike VS very briefly but when I did I had 3g of lead at 12 and 3g of lead under the trapdoor for counter balancing. I was looking for a replacement for my VC95s at the time but unfortunately the frame felt kind of anemic in the power department and the sweet spot felt too small and unforgiving especially on returns which is too bad because if I was to design a stick it's stock specs were exactly what would pick.
ClaudTT
Semi-Pro
I have six (6) VS97 all identical set ups with different string type and tensions. All hybrids between 53-58 lb. I tuned weight and s-weight for me and my style. Am all courter but like to shape the ball when needed.
I have plenty of power and above all control and spin variety. (16x20 pattern helps)
My crazy head got help from this frame and as result I win more than ever.
There is good feel for the ball. I compared many many modern and old frames and VS97 it is my favorite overall. Note: I haven't had a chance to hit with the white 97, but I don't see much difference possible since the frame is so well defined.
I keep several Tecnifibre Tfight LTDs (6) with same set ups as the VS97, because some times I want to feel and retune my game and serve to fundamentals with a 'traditional' frame (i.e. smaller narrow-er head and thinner beam).
I hope that other brands maintain the traditional concepts alive that are so well represented in the VS97. Clearly Tecnifibre lost its North in this regard by not bringing a replacement to the LTD, and they won't admit it.
I also have tuned for many people for better performance on any frame type, everyone has a preferred feel when playing and has to be found.
So, tune to your preference, not to what other people are saying... you are unique, one of a kind, find your jewel set up.
I have plenty of power and above all control and spin variety. (16x20 pattern helps)
My crazy head got help from this frame and as result I win more than ever.
There is good feel for the ball. I compared many many modern and old frames and VS97 it is my favorite overall. Note: I haven't had a chance to hit with the white 97, but I don't see much difference possible since the frame is so well defined.
I keep several Tecnifibre Tfight LTDs (6) with same set ups as the VS97, because some times I want to feel and retune my game and serve to fundamentals with a 'traditional' frame (i.e. smaller narrow-er head and thinner beam).
I hope that other brands maintain the traditional concepts alive that are so well represented in the VS97. Clearly Tecnifibre lost its North in this regard by not bringing a replacement to the LTD, and they won't admit it.
I also have tuned for many people for better performance on any frame type, everyone has a preferred feel when playing and has to be found.
So, tune to your preference, not to what other people are saying... you are unique, one of a kind, find your jewel set up.
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tophersuwita
Rookie
I played with BP briefly but it didn't suit me, kinda surprising because I like heavier rackets. But maybe I found VS and Ultra Pro much more enjoyable due to lower SW even when I customized the static weight close to 340 g
extreme_western
Rookie
Thanks for the response and interesting re your experience with the BP, in what way didn't it suit you? And what level do you play at?
I've had mine customised and are now 333 SW, 343.5 static weight and 5 points head light balance, still have some doubts whether its the right racket for me because prefer even more head light rackets but the feel on contact is hard to beat
thatguymattin
Professional
Got three VS frames and all are matched to be 330sw, 7pts hl, 334-336g static.
I was thinking about increasing the swing weight a tad but didn’t want to take away from the frames whipping nature.
I was thinking about increasing the swing weight a tad but didn’t want to take away from the frames whipping nature.
