TW probably has the values of the 16g but accidentally listed it as 17g…this happens a lot
Head Velocity
- Thread starter Holliman
- Start date
robyrolfo
Hall of Fame
Hey everyone, I must admit that I have probably only read 20 something pages out of the 66 in this thread, but I hope you will permit me to post anyway. I just wanted to share a humorous personal Velocity anecdote...
I've been a poly user for a few years now (I'm still pretty new to tennis, so essentially for as long as I have been serious about playing), but my wife recently had per racquet (Pure Strike 16x19) strung with a full bed of Wilson NXT 16g, and I thought it felt really, really nice. So I bought a pack of Black Velocity 17g for my own Pure Strike 18x20, because the Velocity was cheap and I like black strings. Somehow, however, in the time between getting the velocity and actually using it, I made a racquet switch.
So fast forward a few months and I'm really enjoying my Vcore Pro HD, but only using poly strings to this point. Then I find this thread and that pack of Velocity I have lying around is staring me in the face! So the next time my poly goes dead (which is a feeling I hate), I head over to my local stringer and drop off my racquet to be strung with the black Velocity 17g at 51lbs (my poly tension was usually around 47-48 for the Vcore, and I wanted more power). He wasn't there when I dropped it off, so I left it with his wife, who dutifully took note of my preferences.
Well, two days later I go to pick it up and he starts giving me a hard time. I like my stringer, he has personality, and he isn't afraid to share his opinions (part of the reason I like him), so this wasn't exactly something new, but he was a little more vehement than usual. He said, "I strung it up for you because you bought in the string, but otherwise I would never have strung your racquet with this string." I asked him why, and he pretty much just said a few times that it wasn't the right string for me (English isn't his first language, so maybe he couldn't quite articulate his exact thoughts on it). Suffice to say, as I offered up my usual 'see you later,' while walking out the door, he replied with a very deliberate and wry, "see you soon," clearly in reference to how long he expected my Velocity experience to last.
And how has that experience been so far? Well, it's still a little early to say. I've only have one practice session at the wall, and one 1.5 hour doubles session to go by so far, but generally things are positive. The feel is pretty great, spin is just fine (very comparable to polys), and I haven't had too much string movement. But the power is noticeably on the low side. Nothing awful that I shouldn't be able to adjust to, but certainly noticeable. I guess the biggest question is over durability, as the strings are already feeling slightly rough/frayed to the touch (oh, I should also mention that they felt SUPER slick when freshly strung. As if they had a coating of oil or WD-40 on them). So let's see how they hold up. As for my game, I do like to hit hard at the wall, but in doubles find myself hitting more for accuracy than power, and as I mentioned I'm using an 18x20 Vcore Pro HD, which in theory should help a little with longevity.
I've been a poly user for a few years now (I'm still pretty new to tennis, so essentially for as long as I have been serious about playing), but my wife recently had per racquet (Pure Strike 16x19) strung with a full bed of Wilson NXT 16g, and I thought it felt really, really nice. So I bought a pack of Black Velocity 17g for my own Pure Strike 18x20, because the Velocity was cheap and I like black strings. Somehow, however, in the time between getting the velocity and actually using it, I made a racquet switch.
So fast forward a few months and I'm really enjoying my Vcore Pro HD, but only using poly strings to this point. Then I find this thread and that pack of Velocity I have lying around is staring me in the face! So the next time my poly goes dead (which is a feeling I hate), I head over to my local stringer and drop off my racquet to be strung with the black Velocity 17g at 51lbs (my poly tension was usually around 47-48 for the Vcore, and I wanted more power). He wasn't there when I dropped it off, so I left it with his wife, who dutifully took note of my preferences.
Well, two days later I go to pick it up and he starts giving me a hard time. I like my stringer, he has personality, and he isn't afraid to share his opinions (part of the reason I like him), so this wasn't exactly something new, but he was a little more vehement than usual. He said, "I strung it up for you because you bought in the string, but otherwise I would never have strung your racquet with this string." I asked him why, and he pretty much just said a few times that it wasn't the right string for me (English isn't his first language, so maybe he couldn't quite articulate his exact thoughts on it). Suffice to say, as I offered up my usual 'see you later,' while walking out the door, he replied with a very deliberate and wry, "see you soon," clearly in reference to how long he expected my Velocity experience to last.
And how has that experience been so far? Well, it's still a little early to say. I've only have one practice session at the wall, and one 1.5 hour doubles session to go by so far, but generally things are positive. The feel is pretty great, spin is just fine (very comparable to polys), and I haven't had too much string movement. But the power is noticeably on the low side. Nothing awful that I shouldn't be able to adjust to, but certainly noticeable. I guess the biggest question is over durability, as the strings are already feeling slightly rough/frayed to the touch (oh, I should also mention that they felt SUPER slick when freshly strung. As if they had a coating of oil or WD-40 on them). So let's see how they hold up. As for my game, I do like to hit hard at the wall, but in doubles find myself hitting more for accuracy than power, and as I mentioned I'm using an 18x20 Vcore Pro HD, which in theory should help a little with longevity.
robyrolfo
Hall of Fame
So I had another 1.5hour doubles session with my full bed of 17G black Veloctiy, and it felt much better this time. It's strange, because the strings are really starting to move around now, despite some very noticeable notching, but they just felt better to me after a couple of hours of play on them. Groundstrokes felt more controlled, and my touch on drop shots and volleys was as good as it gets for me. Maybe I started at too high a tension (51lbs)?
Dawgtennis327
New User
I've tried other rackets for wrist/arm issues and have decided to move away from poly and hybrid stringing but stick with my 360 Radical MPs. So, first time with Velocity 16g...give me your recommended tension please?
Brando
Professional
Hey, @Dawgtennis327 , per the Stringway Tension Advisor, the Radical MP should be strung at 56/51#. That's how I string Forten Sweet 16 (a very multi-like syn gut) in my Radical MPs, and that's 34 DT (dynamic tension). In my experience, stringing a multi any tighter than 34 DT burns too much of its elasticity on the stringer. And elasticity is what makes a multi perform, well, like a multi.
(And, in case you're wondering about the fairly wide difference between main and cross tensions, it's much due to the deep scoop in the Radical's throat beam.)
(And, in case you're wondering about the fairly wide difference between main and cross tensions, it's much due to the deep scoop in the Radical's throat beam.)
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ChanTen
Rookie
ChanTen
Rookie
I have used Velocity at 52/52, 52/50, 50/48, 48/46 with current setup being the latter, I started hitting about 6 months ago, so far 48/46 is the most comfort, but I do hit long ball a lot. Might go back to 50/48 next with 17G Black
Brando
Professional
Reply me your racquets' vertical and horizontal diameters (from inside edge to inside edge) in exact millimeters and I can get the apt tensions for your frames from the STA. Or you can use the tool for yourself. Here's the link:What about tension for Head Radical S ?
I have XT and Touch Version
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ChanTen
Rookie
Thank you, will try it out!
Brando
Professional
Note that the tool is extremely accurate but has its limitations. It asks brief questions that 'click' you to the useful part where you input hoop diameters and string pattern so it can output the correct tensions for your racquet. But the intro questions can confound. For instance, one asks if you hit "with spin" or "without spin?" Wait, who doesn't hit with at least some spin?
When I first found the STA, it advised me (as a man who plays with spin, prefers playability over durability, and has no arm injuries) to string an S3 (syn gut) string at 37DT. Turns out, my ideal dynamic tension is actually 34DT (dynamic tension), which the tool only advised for women and children… So the tool's utility is definitely NOT in the dynamic tensions its generic questions choose for you. It's in how, once you input your own DT, it gives you a blueprint for A) how to change tensions (in pounds) in the racquet you have to accurately explore new dynamic tensions (in kiloponds, which measure the entire stringbed's tension), and B) how to tension any racquet to achieve that same feel.
When I first found the STA, it advised me (as a man who plays with spin, prefers playability over durability, and has no arm injuries) to string an S3 (syn gut) string at 37DT. Turns out, my ideal dynamic tension is actually 34DT (dynamic tension), which the tool only advised for women and children… So the tool's utility is definitely NOT in the dynamic tensions its generic questions choose for you. It's in how, once you input your own DT, it gives you a blueprint for A) how to change tensions (in pounds) in the racquet you have to accurately explore new dynamic tensions (in kiloponds, which measure the entire stringbed's tension), and B) how to tension any racquet to achieve that same feel.
robyrolfo
Hall of Fame
Just an update. I'm still playing with my full bed of Velocity 17G, and although the strings are moving more and more, I'm actually enjoying the feel more and more. Starting to get just a touch too much pop/trampoline on the occasional one-handed backhand that I mis-time and hit too flat, but other than that it's been great. I might be toward the end of the road with this set, but I'm thinking of trying 16g next.
ChanTen
Rookie
Today, with a sad note that I must confess that I've try other combination and leaving Book of V behind (for now hopefully) as Velocity has been out of stock for 2-3 months.
Tried my hand of my first hybrid Triax 1.33/ YPTA 1.25 (52/50). So far the control and spin was better. Also with months going by, starting to have more comfortable with 50-52 lbs of tension instead of lower tension, as my ball kept going out if I string V at <50lbs.
I'm sorry that we must part way even just for a while V. You take care for now, I'll miss you for sure. All the memories of us during this 5 months have been great and will forever be ingrained inside me! @KluddKalle @ByeByePoly
Sincerely,
ChanTen
Tried my hand of my first hybrid Triax 1.33/ YPTA 1.25 (52/50). So far the control and spin was better. Also with months going by, starting to have more comfortable with 50-52 lbs of tension instead of lower tension, as my ball kept going out if I string V at <50lbs.
I'm sorry that we must part way even just for a while V. You take care for now, I'll miss you for sure. All the memories of us during this 5 months have been great and will forever be ingrained inside me! @KluddKalle @ByeByePoly
Sincerely,
ChanTen
ChanTen
Rookie
@ChanTen , I know Velocity personally and she asked me to reach out and tell you you're a dirty cheater-- and with that slippery trollop Triax, no less. Velocity will never forgive you, and she's keeping the ring dampener
Ah shoot, forgot about the ring!
Brando, help out your friend here and ease her pain, tell her everything's going to be alright, sometime we go on a journey, to experience stuffs, to realize things, and maybe just maybe, only to find a way back home to the one that matters.
jmacdaununder2
Legend
If you love someone, set them free;
if they come back they're yours;
if they don't you're a bloody idiot...
if they come back they're yours;
if they don't you're a bloody idiot...
ChanTen
Rookie
Hear hear.
KluddKalle
Semi-Pro
All I can say is: this means more V for the rest of us!
ByeByePoly
G.O.A.T.
Sometimes you just need some strange … don’t beat yourself up over it. You probably should change your locks.
GOATn10s
New User
I’ve also recently acquired a used POG
107 and was wondering if you tried the 63lb you mentioned before. I have a roll of natural Velocity 17g and wasn’t really sure about tension either. If you or anyone here in this forum can suggest a tension for this frame or oversized frames would be helpful.
Thanks in advance.
robyrolfo
Hall of Fame
Another quick update. I thought my full bed of 17g Velocity was past its prime, as I was getting a few shots that felt "launchy," and it was start to move around and notch considerably. But fortuitously my stringer was closed when I stopped by the other day, so I decided I'm going to keep playing this bed until it breaks or it gets really bad. So far that decision has paid off, as this past Wednesday it felt great, and I was hitting touch and finesse shots around the net that I could rarely pull off in the past.
PrinceYonex
Semi-Pro
Why not full bed biphase?
Happi
Hall of Fame
X1 and Vel mix well, and you save some money.
ChanTen
Rookie
Does it move a lot ? As I tried with my 48/46 Fullbed V moves a lot after the first few hours.
Happi
Hall of Fame
Both FB X-1 and X-1/Vel moves less than FB Vel. However FB Multifeel black is the King if you are looking for a multi with SnapBack and minimal string movement.
ChanTen
Rookie
To all the velocity believers out there, I just bought a clash 100 v2 and a reel of velocity 16g natural to cure my tennis elbow while keep playing after following the book of v for some time
I also have bought several packs of tier one ghost wire in several gauges as I'm in principal a poly lover.
Trying velocity at 25kg tension, I still hit more out balls than usual. I believe that some poly in the mix could fit well here.
Any recommendations around a velocity ghost wire hybrid? Or just up the tension?
Cream was unfortunately sold out, read a lot of good stuff about this as a hybrid option here.
Thank you!
I also have bought several packs of tier one ghost wire in several gauges as I'm in principal a poly lover.
Trying velocity at 25kg tension, I still hit more out balls than usual. I believe that some poly in the mix could fit well here.
Any recommendations around a velocity ghost wire hybrid? Or just up the tension?
Cream was unfortunately sold out, read a lot of good stuff about this as a hybrid option here.
Thank you!
robyrolfo
Hall of Fame
Strangely I found that my full bed of Velocity (black 17g) felt better after a couple of hours when the tension seemed to drop a bit, but I'm using a racquet (Vcore Pro 97HD) that many people say responds well to lower tensions. In your situation it does seem like higher tension would be better. But give it a few more hours to see if things change at all.
As for my Velocity experience, it ended up going really well. I finally had to get it restrung, though, and despite my feedback I'm now trying a full bed of Tecnifibre Triax 16g, which also feels super smooth/slippery to the touch. Don't ask me how I ended up with that, but suffice to say my stringer, who I love, is a bit of a string bully sometimes.
So I tried it with 58 lbs and I think it's indeed better now
Still looking forward to a time where I can play a hybrid hopefully to up the spin potential a bit. Are there any pros and cons between cream and ghostwire as a cross or even main?
janelgreo
Professional
Hey first time moving to multi and got a bunch to try: X1, Multifeel, Velocity MLT, and RPX… all in natural — I’ve always used full bed but I saw y’all doing hybrid with X1 and Velocity or others with Velocity. I definitely want to give it a try, what tensions do you recommend and which one in the Mains and Crosses?
Happi
Hall of Fame
X-One and Velocity works well together, tension is up to your preferences, but 2-4 kg higher than your normal poly tension., could be your starting point.
X-One crossed with Multifeel black version is even better for snapback and less string movement, but a lottle crispier. Be aware that MF natural is very different from the black version. Black version is almost poly like in snap back.
I have yet to try RPX
Enjoy your test.
janelgreo
Professional
Thank you very much! I’ll see how I like that natural and will definitely buy black to try out.
So I recently ordered a reel of velocity 16 natural color from one of the big online companies (jeff bezos owned) and the string looks more pearly white than the previous reel I bought from somewhere else. This online company is known for selling fake products (crest mouthwash that would turn your mouth blue). So my question is, how do I tell if my reel of velocity 16g is fake?
KluddKalle
Semi-Pro
good question. I’m looking at my reel of 16 natural and even though colour is very subjective I wouldn’t describe it as pearly. Colour is more yellowish/natural. There should also be text on the string itself saying HEAD VELOCITY 16 G.
1HBHfanatic
Legend
-my tan color reel shows/has "HEAD VELOCITY MLT 16G" print, EVERY 42" !!
-yours?
-also "the smell" is not crazy/pungent, just "chemical type" as expected from a new string
Yeah mine has that printed on the string but the string color looks way off! It looks more white than tan and it feels slightly stiffer (I’m not completely sure of this as I only use it in crosses of hybrid) but it doesn’t seem right…plus Amazon is known for selling fake stuff sometimes (crest mouthwash that made people’s mouth turn blue is an example)
Hi,
I am currently playing with the V1 Clash 100. I have strung it with 16g black velocity.
For arm issue, i avoid playing with monofilament strings even the softer one's.
I hit a pretty flat ball. I was thinking of trying an hybrid Gut mains with velocity in the crosses. My goal is to to increase power spin and comfort. Do you think that set up is worth trying?
I am currently playing with the V1 Clash 100. I have strung it with 16g black velocity.
For arm issue, i avoid playing with monofilament strings even the softer one's.
I hit a pretty flat ball. I was thinking of trying an hybrid Gut mains with velocity in the crosses. My goal is to to increase power spin and comfort. Do you think that set up is worth trying?
Sorry I didnt notice this earlier. I strung my Pog 107 with PPC again at 63LB. I didn't end up using Velocity. IMO velocity at 58/55 would work well in a POG 107.
Dawgtennis327
New User
If it helps any, the best feel I've found with Clash 100 is Biphase 15L mains and Velocity 16g crosses @ 42/44. Really nice!
I've just bought the following rackets due to some lingering elbow and shoulder soreness:
-Prokennex Black ace 315 (100 Square inch)
-Prokennex QTour 295 (98 Square inch, modified to around 320g strung)
Stringing the black ace with Natural velocity 16 at 52lb and the QTour with Black velocity 17 at 52lbs.
I'm still not sold on V in general, but im looking forward to seeing how these play.
-Prokennex Black ace 315 (100 Square inch)
-Prokennex QTour 295 (98 Square inch, modified to around 320g strung)
Stringing the black ace with Natural velocity 16 at 52lb and the QTour with Black velocity 17 at 52lbs.
I'm still not sold on V in general, but im looking forward to seeing how these play.
1HBHfanatic
Legend
-head.reflex and/or tecnifiber.NRG are the next step up, in regards to comfort and performance (for multis)
-dont expect the price to be similar, the two suggestions are premium multis!!
Velocity just doesnt have a feel that I enjoy, but I may be guilty of stringing it too tightly. I had it at 55lb and 55/53 in a weighted up Gravity S and it was extremely low powered.
Im going to try it at 52 to see if that helps. May even try 52/50.
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liftordie
Hall of Fame
How much lead did you add to your S?
I got the swingweight and static weight up to 320. I no longer have it so I cannot really remember the exact details of how much weight and where.
Weirdly the best the racket felt was with the factory strings (no idea what poly it comes strung with). Poly usually flares up my elbow/ shoulder, and I played multiple matches with no issues with the factory string.
I didnt like mlt in it, and Pros Pro Black force at 43lb gave me a sore arm dispite the low tension and the low ra of the Gravity S.
Dan D
Rookie
Is anyone here who mixed Velocity with poly? Wher do you put V and poly, and why? Tension rec?
I switched from Velocity to KSSO (Kirschbaum Super Smash Orange) and I liked very much. Now I play the best tennis in last 5 years. But I think to test to mixed Velocity with KSSO, and I don't have any ideas which is best: to have Vel in mains or crosses? My first thoughts are to have KSSO in mains (at maybe 48, which tension I already tested and I liked lot) and Vel in crosses (at 52, which tension I already tested and it works ok). I'm playing with 2013 APD and 2015 Blade 104.
The tensions who I liked mostly for KSSO was at 48/48 in 2013 APD and at 52/52 in 2015 Blade 104. Both setups play very well and I can put o lot of pressure on the opponent. APD+KSSO was more offensive than B104+KSSO but I was able to beat guy who are 32 YO, and I'm 60 YO!
What people here think? Any recommendations?
PS: I know, I know, I'm a traitor who move over from Velocity to poly, but what can I do?
EDIT: I only want to use KSSO 17G and Velocity MLT 17G (natural and black)! Those strings I already have and I don't want to test anything else! My question is which string do I use in mains and which in crosses, and why? Thanks for your help!
I switched from Velocity to KSSO (Kirschbaum Super Smash Orange) and I liked very much. Now I play the best tennis in last 5 years. But I think to test to mixed Velocity with KSSO, and I don't have any ideas which is best: to have Vel in mains or crosses? My first thoughts are to have KSSO in mains (at maybe 48, which tension I already tested and I liked lot) and Vel in crosses (at 52, which tension I already tested and it works ok). I'm playing with 2013 APD and 2015 Blade 104.
The tensions who I liked mostly for KSSO was at 48/48 in 2013 APD and at 52/52 in 2015 Blade 104. Both setups play very well and I can put o lot of pressure on the opponent. APD+KSSO was more offensive than B104+KSSO but I was able to beat guy who are 32 YO, and I'm 60 YO!
What people here think? Any recommendations?
PS: I know, I know, I'm a traitor who move over from Velocity to poly, but what can I do?
EDIT: I only want to use KSSO 17G and Velocity MLT 17G (natural and black)! Those strings I already have and I don't want to test anything else! My question is which string do I use in mains and which in crosses, and why? Thanks for your help!
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