98 's are designed to perform optimally with 16 gauge strings . Players who use the thinner strings want a certain response but that does not balance the rackets performance. Even the pure strike 97 performs excellently for a 16x20 by using 16 gauge vs when I also tried 17 gauge in seperate demos .
I know some players use 1.30 mm strings in Pure Aeros and Pure Drives for better durability and to save some money on string jobs, but most people don't play with 1.30 mm strings from what I've observed. I think the 1.25 mm thickness is the perfect balance for good power, feel and control.
@CzechTennisGuy While a player can do what they want with their own racket . What the designers design their rackets for is another , companies should not design by user norms but by opti.al proficiency . Therefore should be tested based on it and it's actual design intent .. Dunlop has been sending their new sx300 to japanese reviewers . Dunlop from what could see placed 17g 1.25 mm strings in this 100 sq inch head racket . They want to over emphasize spin and power vs any balance of control . It then by design is intended to give a false image of performance . 17 g 1.25 has always worked properly with 95 's and 16 and above with incremental increases in head sizes . It looks like not only are they creating a false illusion of performance , and to sell more 17 g because of a loss ofvthe 95 market , but it seems to align to users imitating pros movevto use smaller grip sizes . It seems like a way to get around performance development and more to cheap sales . Producers end up diluting the brand and creates in accurate reviews .
I use a Pure Drive Plus 2022 version and am thinking about upgrading to the new pd Plus. I am a 4.5 player with a somewhat injured shoulder and stringing my current racket at 53 with VS Gut on main and Velocity MLT on crosses. Thoughts? Will it make a diffrerence to upgrade or should il just reduce my tension to around 50. BTW try accupunture!!!
I'm quite critical about the new Pure Drives 2025 in terms of what they really bring to the table. It's almost the same, just in a different paintjob. Maybe more sensitive players will find bigger difference, but for me the Pure Drives stay the same last couple of generations. The lack of bigger improvement is very obvious for me. Babolat plays it safe and they don't want to risk too much, which is quite dissapointing in today ever evolving world of tennis rackets. You will have to demo the racket to really find out what's new and if the upgrade is worth your money. Everyone is different so you can't be 100% sure if my recommendation not to upgrade is really valuable to you.
This was the review assessment I was looking for Thanks for your honesty! Too much of the “best ever XYZ we have ever made” crap on YT .. like they are selling iPhones The racquet mfrs just keep cycling between feel, power, feel, power and trying to palm it off as “new tech” Ok that’s my rant 😂
I plyaed with it for an hour yesterday. Same set up with Velocity MLT on full bed at 52. Difference was my current strings are old and white. The new racket was with black strings. I did forehands, backhands, volleys and some serves. I felt the racket moved rather easily through the air. I felt good control ( i use topspin) on both sides but partilcularly my foehand. I think that was due to the newer strings which seemed tighter. BAckhands were erratic on both rackets becuase my shoulder is hurting in part. Volleys were a little crisper on the new racket. The big difference seemed to be softness and comfort. Even with the tighter strings on the new racket i did not feel any jarring. I use a rubber band dampener as well. So overall, I really liked the racket adn the setup. The big difference is a slight difference in comfort but to me, with a sore shoulder, this might be enough to buy oneracket as my prime and use my others ( i have several) as a backup. Will play again tomorrow. Hope this helps. BTW I am a 4.5 basically baseliner and am north of 65 yo but in very good shape like a 30 yo!!
@@Tennissensitive oh yeah, good point. I'm not sure, but since everyone is showing the new Pure Drives, I can't hide in the corner like a baby. I need to go full out with them.
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98 's are designed to perform optimally with 16 gauge strings . Players who use the thinner strings want a certain response but that does not balance the rackets performance. Even the pure strike 97 performs excellently for a 16x20 by using 16 gauge vs when I also tried 17 gauge in seperate demos .
I know some players use 1.30 mm strings in Pure Aeros and Pure Drives for better durability and to save some money on string jobs, but most people don't play with 1.30 mm strings from what I've observed. I think the 1.25 mm thickness is the perfect balance for good power, feel and control.
@CzechTennisGuy While a player can do what they want with their own racket . What the designers design their rackets for is another , companies should not design by user norms but by opti.al proficiency . Therefore should be tested based on it and it's actual design intent ..
Dunlop has been sending their new sx300 to japanese reviewers . Dunlop from what could see placed 17g 1.25 mm strings in this 100 sq inch head racket . They want to over emphasize spin and power vs any balance of control . It then by design is intended to give a false image of performance .
17 g 1.25 has always worked properly with 95 's and 16 and above with incremental increases in head sizes . It looks like not only are they creating a false illusion of performance , and to sell more 17 g because of a loss ofvthe 95 market , but it seems to align to users imitating pros movevto use smaller grip sizes .
It seems like a way to get around performance development and more to cheap sales . Producers end up diluting the brand and creates in accurate reviews .
I use a Pure Drive Plus 2022 version and am thinking about upgrading to the new pd Plus. I am a 4.5 player with a somewhat injured shoulder and stringing my current racket at 53 with VS Gut on main and Velocity MLT on crosses. Thoughts? Will it make a diffrerence to upgrade or should il just reduce my tension to around 50. BTW try accupunture!!!
I'm quite critical about the new Pure Drives 2025 in terms of what they really bring to the table. It's almost the same, just in a different paintjob. Maybe more sensitive players will find bigger difference, but for me the Pure Drives stay the same last couple of generations. The lack of bigger improvement is very obvious for me. Babolat plays it safe and they don't want to risk too much, which is quite dissapointing in today ever evolving world of tennis rackets.
You will have to demo the racket to really find out what's new and if the upgrade is worth your money. Everyone is different so you can't be 100% sure if my recommendation not to upgrade is really valuable to you.
This was the review assessment I was looking for
Thanks for your honesty! Too much of the “best ever XYZ we have ever made” crap on YT .. like they are selling iPhones
The racquet mfrs just keep cycling between feel, power, feel, power and trying to palm it off as “new tech”
Ok that’s my rant 😂
@@user-th8hx5vl9k I am going to try it today and will let you know what i find. I am more concerned with comfort without losing crispness.
@ I feel like all the reviewers saying they dampened this Gen11.. but keen to hear how you went!
I plyaed with it for an hour yesterday. Same set up with Velocity MLT on full bed at 52. Difference was my current strings are old and white. The new racket was with black strings. I did forehands, backhands, volleys and some serves. I felt the racket moved rather easily through the air. I felt good control ( i use topspin) on both sides but partilcularly my foehand. I think that was due to the newer strings which seemed tighter. BAckhands were erratic on both rackets becuase my shoulder is hurting in part. Volleys were a little crisper on the new racket. The big difference seemed to be softness and comfort. Even with the tighter strings on the new racket i did not feel any jarring. I use a rubber band dampener as well. So overall, I really liked the racket adn the setup. The big difference is a slight difference in comfort but to me, with a sore shoulder, this might be enough to buy oneracket as my prime and use my others ( i have several) as a backup. Will play again tomorrow. Hope this helps. BTW I am a 4.5 basically baseliner and am north of 65 yo but in very good shape like a 30 yo!!
My friends got a few demo frames and the sw is sub 300 …
If it is sub 300 strung, it's very low.
So, are you sure, it is legal 😮😂?
What do you mean by "it is legal"?
@ because it is the new pure drive and you got problems some weeks ago, without showing the racket. It was just an ironic comment…
@@Tennissensitive oh yeah, good point. I'm not sure, but since everyone is showing the new Pure Drives, I can't hide in the corner like a baby. I need to go full out with them.
@ absoutely