Babolat releases another string in the RPM family. RPM Power is a lively poly string in electric brown color. Here is my Babolat RPM Power String Review.
I was only able to test this string in one racquet for this Babolat RPM Power string review. The reason being that I only got one test set. But I think I got enough time with this string to understand how it plays.
Babolat RPM Blast is a bestselling poly string that oozes control. RPM Blast Rough was a softer and shaped version of that string in various colors. RPM Power is a lively and round poly in electric brown color with above-average comfort.
String characteristics
The string feels brassy to the touch, but I personally like the unique colorway. It might not look great in all racquets, but it does have a nice shine to it. I tested the 1.25 gauge, but I am sure it will be available in other gauges as well.
I strung it up in my customized Babolat Soft Drive Original at 25 kg or 55 lbs. The string made a lot of squeaky noises during the stringing and felt a bit metallic to the touch. It definitely has some kind of coating that creates this sensation and sound. The stringing was the least enjoyable part of this string.
How the string plays
At the time of writing, I have been using this for about 10 hours and the strings have started to move a bit, but not enough for me to lose control. Throughout the play-test, I have enjoyed a good level of control, spin, and comfort. The strange sensation I had with RPM Power while stringing it has completely gone and I have really enjoyed playing with this string.
The string bed of my Soft Drive is quite open and I was worried about the liveliness of the string creating a too powerful response or an uncontrollable launch angle, but I have had no such issues. I especially like the comfortable feel of this string, which is a contrast to the ultra-controlled RPM Blast. I wouldn’t perhaps call this string “power”, but compared to Blast, it is definitely more lively and powerful. But to me, this is not in a bad way.
I could imagine that it might not be durable enough for players who hit heavy groundstrokes with a lot of topspin, but for players who like to hit a bit more flat, this string is definitely a nice option. This is easily a string I could take into a tournament and feel completely comfortable with.
Summary
Babolat RPM Power is a comfortable and somewhat powerful poly string. It has a unique coating that seems to create a good level of spin and snapback. Yes, it might not be the most durable string, but I have gotten 10+ hours in an open pattern racquet out of the string, which is something I am completely happy with. If durability is what you are looking for, there are other strings on the market that might work better for you, but if you want a string that offers good control, spin and a comfortable feel – give Babolat RPM Power
a go.
The video review of Babolat RPM Power is coming soon!
Have you tried Babolat RPM Power? What did you think about it?
9 comments
I’ve recently tried it and it seems to me that it has everything but power.
It gives a lot of control and grip just like the old polyester strings do. I tested the caliber of 1.25.
In fact, the sound it produces at the time of stringing is typical of polyester strings.
Currently, most strings are copolyester.
In fact, in the factory where they are produced, they are remanufactureing many polyester.
On my Pure Strike 16/19 v3 2020 racket, the Wilson Revolve 1.30 string works much better.
Agree with Eduardo, everything but power, strung it in RF97 @51 and Pure Aero VS Tour @51 same performance in both racquets. Cut it out of both racquets after a couple of sessions. Don’t waste your time. Go with Tour Bite or Hyper G
Using the 1.25,I strung this at 48# in my Yonex V-Core 98. As mentioned it was annoyingly squeaky during the stringing process. I typically use Völkl Cyclone 1.25 at 48#, Babolat RPM Power seems to be in the same neighborhood stiffness wise.
I played about 10 hours of singles and doubles with this string. I honestly did not like the overall feel of it. Control was good, volleys were best aspect, however I felt a little too disconnected from the ball. It was also more “board like” which is odd because Cyclone is not exactly plush. After 10 hours of play notching was fairly deep, still had ok snap back, did notice a slight increase in launch angle. For me most polys are near end of life at 10 hour mark.
Most major string manufacturers are producing a more forgiving co-poly to address the public’s desire for poly without the perceived stiffness or arm related issues.
All said for RPM fans It’s worth giving them a “spin” for comparison.
Cyclone or Hyper-G are still my favorites. If you string your own rackets you’ll want to crank up the tunes as these are by far the noisiest strings.
Jeff ????
First of all, I have to rectify. I have to admit that I was wrong, and that this string I could not assess correctly, because at the time of testing it, no one alerted me to two fundamental factors (it does not require pretension and its optimal tension is low)..
TO BEGIN, I HAVE TO RECOGNIZE THAT IT IS THE MOST ADVANCED STRING THAT I HAVE TRIED IN RECENT TIMES. POWER WITH THE MAXIMUM OF CONTROL AND PRECISION.
The problem is that when you buy it, nobody tells you that the string is pre-tensioned and that its recommended tension is between 20kg and 22kg.
I stringed it with a pretension of 10% and at 26 kg. Obviously not the best combination.
A week ago I gave this string a second chance and I was surprised by its exquisiteness when transmitting the orders I give to the ball.
It is a monofilament (with all the advantages of this type of co-polyester string), but with the grip offered by multifilament or gut strings.
As a senior player, I never finished adapting to co-polyester monofilament strings, since I have always felt that the ball slips and nuances are lost, and that those that come with geometric profiles produce imprecision.
This great string introduces you to the high-speed game required by today’s tennis, while still allowing for massive grip and spin.
With this string I have returned to play with joy and creativity, while after each training session there is no injury.
I stopped playing with Wilson Revolve two weeks ago, because in top-flight tournaments, young players will beat you up if you don’t add speed. I tried playing with Luxilon Adrenaline 1.30 Century, but after each session my back, elbow and shoulder were very damaged.
I am a fourteen-year television tennis commentator, senior individual state champion and national doubles champion. Last season, I won two ITF seniors and a finalist.
Hi. How would you compare it to head lynx tour and poly tour strike in terms of spin, tension and confort ?
Hi, I think Poly Tour Strike is slightly more comfortable, tension maintenance is better with Lynx Tour, spin generation about the same in my opinion.
Playing tennis takes on a new dimension with RPM POWER.
It’s the greatest evolution in tennis strings after the appearance of the gut and copolyester.
It’s a type C copolyester that does not require pre-stretching (it is stretched at the factory) and whose maximum recommended tension is 23kg (25 has Thiem, but he’s a professional).
It has a high playability and maintains tension excellently. It allows for very high effects, facilitating topspin and under spin. The contact and connection with the ball is maximum.
The gut and nylon strings also needed to be repositioned with the fingers, and it wasn’t a problem; what’s more, in some cases, it’s a great way to stay focused during points.
Dominic Thiem really uses it, and we are talking about a tennis player who has the best Babolat technology at his disposal. He switched from gut with RPM Blast, then colored versions of the same string, and finally opted to use experimental HEAD string to get his victory at Indian Wells (defeating Federer). After that, he gave the step to RPM POWER and has not taken a step back, obtaining the best sporting successes from him and his first Grand Slam.
That string does not need to be edged to produce the highest Revolutions Per Minute, as can be seen in Thiem’s ??beastly way of powering the ball now, who actually uses that string (The fans should be grateful for that).
I have visited the Babolat string factory and had the string used by Nadal in my hand. When it was yellow, he used Babolat Duralast (Moyá also in another color). On the yellow string, it was printed in black PRO HURRICANE NADAL. That yellow string had no edges and produced a beastly effect, thanks to the fact that the polyester grabs the ball on contact and makes it rise very easily. The problem is that it loses tension and playability in a very few minutes, with the aggravation that it is very hard and causes shoulder injuries in the long run (Nadal and Moyá were affected). Later another black string was created for Nadal, but that is not RPM Blast. That string of Rafa, has RPM NADAL 1.35 written in white and has no edges (it is cylindrical and does’nt have eight faces). That black string is no longer made of polyester, but of copolyester, which is a material that reaches more speed, and arm friendly.
According to the technicians who make Babolat strings, using 8 faces on textured strings is the best option. Profiles with fewer edges (4-sided or 5-sided), facilitates the topspin effect for amateurs, but sacrificing precision. It is because those geometries (4 or 5 faces) at the time of stringing can be more or less twisted. This greater or lesser twist can make the edges more alive or less in some areas of the string bed. Those textured strings are only valid for amateurs, but the professional cannot depend on these random variables.
I’m testing. The initial impression is that it is inferior to blackout. I found the beat very dry. But only with time will I be able to confirm.
My default setup is luxilon alu power on the main 44lbs and babolat rpm on the Cross 42lbs. the best for me
André.
You can exchange Luxilon Alu Power with Super Smash Orange or Pro Last or Top Spin Cyberflash or Poly Gold…. and save a ton of money.
Are you refering to Pros Pro Black Out?