racertempo
Semi-Pro
I have my sets of Ripspin cut out. It seems like a 2nd generation poly to me. My bet is you'll like the Prince better.
I could not agree more, such a disappointing offer from Wilson.
I have my sets of Ripspin cut out. It seems like a 2nd generation poly to me. My bet is you'll like the Prince better.
Was invited to the Wilson SET (Spin Effect Tour) event yesterday, where the highlight of the upcoming Wilson Products for the 2013 Year was surely the Wilson Steam 99S.
Specs:
99 square inches
27 inches length
strung weight: 11.3
balance: 2 pts HL
string pattern: 16:15
cross section: 24 mm
All attendees were able to hit with all the 2013 Wilson frames, but what made this event special, was being able to demo the 99s. Not only that, but be able to actually find out if it does in fact provide more spin.
Wilson set up one court with a computerized tracking system to determine the amount of spin, pace and height hit on ground strokes.
Racquets provided for this play test were the Babolat Aero Pro Drive, Head Speed MP 315, and Steam 99S. All were strung with Luxilon 4G. And balls were fed with a ball machine.
Here are my test results:
Most pace (average):
1. Head Speed MP
2. Steam 99S
3. Aero Pro Drive
Highest Net clearance (average):
1. Steam 99S
2. Aero Pro Drive
3. Head Speed
Most Spin (average):
1. Steam 99S
2. Head Speed
3. Aero Pro Drive
My average spin on the Steam was over 2800 RPMs, reaching up to 3,300 RPMs on a few shots.
Average on the Head was 2,500 with highest being 2800 RPMs on a few shots.
Average on the Aero was 2,300 RPMs with a few shots at 2600 Rpms.
A few more notes:
Hit a few fhs with the steam a little over 80 mph (which were the fastest I recorded), and average height over the net was 63 inches.
The frame was incredibly comfortable to swing and hit with. Has a great cushiony, but very responsive feel at impact. Easy to generate power, tons of spin, and surprisingly, easy to control the shots. Great to volley with and serves were simply amazing. The heaviness of spin shots was just sick. This frame is going to be very attractive to a very wide range of players, from recreational, to mid level players, to advanced. As far as I could tell, frame really has no weaknesses.
I definitely believe this racquet is going to absolutely dominate public courts everywhere. This frame truly is a SPIN monster. Wilson absolutely knocked it out of the park with this one and Hit a Home Run.
One more note:
Every tester I saw, hit with much more spin with the 99S than with any other frame. This was backed up by the data of every playtester.
Sorry for the short review, I'll try and answer as many questions as I can.
Video of ex UM player hitting 115 mph serve with a Steam 105s.
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=1AL7IURVMpI
Photos can be found here (thanks to ThePowerof choice):
http://tt.tennis-warehouse.com/showpost.php?p=7015222&postcount=432
http://tt.tennis-warehouse.com/showpost.php?p=7015223&postcount=433
EDITED TO INCLUDE OTHER PLAYTESTER REVIEWS FOUND HERE:
DMCB101:
http://tt.tennis-warehouse.com/showpost.php?p=6965544&postcount=144
suresh:
http://tt.tennis-warehouse.com/showpost.php?p=6973617&postcount=231
Hankenstein:
http://tt.tennis-warehouse.com/showpost.php?p=6989460&postcount=285
http://tt.tennis-warehouse.com/showpost.php?p=6989507&postcount=290
TennisTodd:
http://tt.tennis-warehouse.com/showpost.php?p=7042975&postcount=624
Power Player:
http://tt.tennis-warehouse.com/showpost.php?p=7047140&postcount=667
couch:
http://tt.tennis-warehouse.com/showpost.php?p=7054943&postcount=811
MongolMike:
http://tt.tennis-warehouse.com/showpost.php?p=7065024&postcount=872
dgdawg:
http://tt.tennis-warehouse.com/showpost.php?p=7070396&postcount=903
TW Tennis Warehouse Review:
http://www.tennis-warehouse.com/REVIEWS/STM99S/STM99SReview.html
Rabbit:
http://tt.tennis-warehouse.com/showpost.php?p=7143670&postcount=1296
Has anybody tried lead tape on the 99s and what were the results?
Thanks
I was breaking strings with the 100T ESP but not with the Steam 99s, so my input might not be helpful.
I hit pretty hard and with spin. So far I've used 4G 1.25, Beast 1.25, and PLII 1.30, all at 58CP. All are lasting me 10 hours+. I'm pretty sure I'll stay with 1.25 as I much prefer the feel and comfort, and personally I don't need thicker.
Could be that I use only smooth polys and especially 4G seems to have a hard, durable surface. Other than Ripspin, the polys you mentioned are shaped. Wilson recommends 4G over Ripspin as their durable poly for spin racquets.
I'm also trying Ramons setup soon: Monogut ZX 16 and Gamma marathon 15L. My son is using it with good durability, comfort and feel in an PS 100LS.
Is anybody getting any type of longevity out of string jobs? I am a string breaker and I have had three strings tested so far:
1. Wilson Ripspin 15 at 56- 4.5 hours
2. Kirschbaum Black Shark at 58 16- 1.5 hours
3. Genesis Black Magic 16 at 58- 4 hours
It almost makes me want to sell it, I enjoy the racquet though.
Did you break RipSpin in the sweetspot? My game is harsh on strings and I get longer than that. Maybe Kevlar mains are worth a shot.
Well, I ordered some Kevlar to try to up the longevity of string jobs. It will be interesting to try it out. I tried it once with a friend's 6.1 95 and thought it was actually pretty nice. I think I will start with a Kevlar/syn-gut mix and see if it destroys my arm. After doing some research on the boards, I am seeing mixed messages. Some say it really isn't that harsh on the arm and others saying the opposite. Time to play with fire.
Any advice from experts about tension? In this frame I like the poly at 58, I am new to this so not sure where to go.
I have Kevlar/RPM in a 99S at 45lbs. I usually play with Snakebite at roughly 67lbs in that frame. It's a great groundies setup but I lost SO much zip on serves. Didn't kill my arm by any means, but I found it a lot less comfortable than my full poly set up.
-Fuji
I tried out the Steam 99s about 3 months ago when I had a chance to test hit an assortment of Wilson racquets. I instantly ordered 2 and can't put them down - it was an instant cure for my 'holic tendancies. It is a game changer................
All pretty true, can't disagree at all. I have a stringer, but it is still a hassle. I like mine a great deal.my experience with the 99s based on my son's hitting:
1. great racket. feel is intuitive and minimal vibration / shock, even with tight string tension.
2. spin: superb. Simply amazing. Shots that seem like they would sail long, drop in at the last second. Very vexing for his opponents.
3. Not too powerful compared to others we've tried.
4. only negative:: string life> this racket EATS strings for breakfast, lunch, and dinner. DO NOT buy this racket if you don't own your own stringing machine. having said that, we've tried Luxilon 4g, wilson ripspin, gosen polylon, volkl cyclone, and solinco tour bite. Don't waste your time with any shaped poly. shaped strings will be notched and cut through within 2-3 hours of play.
so far, he likes the wilson ripspin in a 16 gauge. I like the gosen because it's dirt cheap, and plays great, but looses it's spin snap back quickly. at $2.50 per stringing, it's not an issue.
I've read a lot about LOW tension stringing here. Anyone use this racket strung in the 30's? I think Chris from TW has a blog where he was testing out polys strung as low as 10? but i don't think he was using this racket.
lower tension: better ball pocketing, more spin, less power, less fatigue, and perhaps LONGER string life.
will experiment with this racket using gosen in the 30's.
10s and 30s?
What unit of measurement?
Are we talking about Lbs.?
will experiment with this racket using gosen in the 30's.
Is anybody getting any type of longevity out of string jobs? I am a string breaker and I have had three strings tested so far:
1. Wilson Ripspin 15 at 56- 4.5 hours
2. Kirschbaum Black Shark at 58 16- 1.5 hours
3. Genesis Black Magic 16 at 58- 4 hours
It almost makes me want to sell it, I enjoy the racquet though.
With a open string pattern 16:15 I would certainly expect a huge amount of spin. However my experience with rackets that have very open string patterns is that the strings keep separating. It is very distracting to have to keep adjusting the strings after a play. Of course the pro's have lots rackets and can afford to restring after a match t omaintain the string roughness that keeps the strings in place but not the average player.
With poly string, adjusting strings was not really a factor. However, the constant breakage was. I played the year with these, but the constant breaking was a problem and I sold mine.
I definitely believe this racquet is going to absolutely dominate public courts everywhere. This frame truly is a SPIN monster. Wilson absolutely knocked it out of the park with this one and Hit a Home Run.
While Wilson deserves credit for putting these SPIN racquets on the map, the 99S is far from "dominating public courts everywhere". In fact. I hardly ever see them being used on public courts. Still see way more APD's, PD's and Radicals.
The thing is, not everyone benefits from crazy amounts of spin and power. These OPEN patterns tend to be hard to control if you have a flattish or traditional stroke.
Rick,
Having read this guy's posts on threads about your stringing experience and reviews (and those of the so called "racket king" as well), I am reminded of one of my favorite professor's life rules: "Never argue with someone who knows less than you do."
They aren't worth your time or energy.
Best-
Harry Z
Leather grip & 7g of silicone in the handle for more headlight balance and vibration absorption.
3g lead in the throat
4g lead at 12 oclock
SWEEEEEEEEEEEET
While Wilson deserves credit for putting these SPIN racquets on the map, the 99S is far from "dominating public courts everywhere". In fact. I hardly ever see them being used on public courts. Still see way more APD's, PD's and Radicals.
The thing is, not everyone benefits from crazy amounts of spin and power. These OPEN patterns tend to be hard to control if you have a flattish or traditional stroke.
Anybody tried Prince Tour XC 15 in their 99S?
Anybody tried Prince Tour XC 15 in their 99S?
I did at one point. It's a stiff string and hurt my arm more than Kevlar. I definitely wasn't a fan at all.
Anybody tried Prince Tour XC 15 in their 99S?
Thanks for the warning, Fuji. I guess I'll have to experiment to see what works best and is reasonably durable.