Kirschbaum Max Power - Feedback on Gauge/Stiffness

[OldSkoolSlice]

I've been using the Wilson Clash 98 (v1.0) with some weight added for 8 or 9 months now with Head Velocity MLT 15L gauge @53-54#s, which has worked pretty well. But I'd like to get more directional control and want to try poly again. The multi-strings hold their tension well, but start moving around after a couple of hours and lose some control.

I think the Clash is arm-friendly enough to use a poly at low tension (e.g. mid-40s). FYI I'm an advanced player, USTP 5.0, playing competitive matches.

I've gone through the TW database and read many of the forum threads. I looked at Solinco Hyper-G because of all the "hype" about it. My primary criteria is tension maintenance because I like a consistent stringbed for as long as possible—I hate playing a match and being distracted by string setup. (It's mainly why I went to multi a while back, before I changed to the Clash)

I prefer rounded polys and have played Tourna Black Zone/Big Red and Technifibre Code Red in the past.

The string that jumped out of the database results this time around is the Kirschbaum Max Power because of the tension maintenance and price. I can get a reel for around $90, which is cheaper than Solinco Hyper-G or Head Lynx Tour—both highly-rated strings—and much cheaper than Luxilon 4G, which is known for tension maintenance (and also being a stiff string).

My questions to those of you with experience with Kirschbaum Max Power are: i) does the string play as stiff as the data shows, and ii) what gauge would you recommend? I've never played with thinner than 1.25 before, but TW data shows the 1.20 has better tension maintenance and spin potential?

Also, if anyone has a direct comparison with Head Lynx Tour, that'd be great, too.

Thanks in advance for any info.

 

[nintendoplayer]

I have a lot of experience with MaxPower and both the Clash 98 v1 and v2.
This combination works very well, MaxPower is one of the most controlled strings out there and yes - it is also one of the stiffest and you can definitely feel that.

I went down to 16kg with MaxPower 1.20 because of the stiffness, but I‘m also a very sensitive guy with a weak shoulder. But regarding performance, it was a nearly perfect combo. The sweetspot opened up at such low tension and the stiffness of the string still enabled a very controlled hitting experience. Still had to get used to the Clash‘s power, takes some time.

Haven‘t tried 1.25 but 1.20 worked fine and was already more than stiff enough. Also haven‘t tried Lynx Tour, but a lot of other strings, you can check out my other thread for details.

Post in thread 'Is the 93p the right choice for me?'
http://tt.tennis-warehouse.com/inde...-the-right-choice-for-me.732487/post-17216180


I would advise you to primarily look at controlled strings, Hyper G is a very „lively“ string which doesn‘t fit the Clash as well as something like MaxPower in my opinion and according to the Tennisnerd. The Clash is a lively racquet so you should „tame“ its wild character with a controlled string.

 

[OldSkoolSlice]

Thank you for sharing your experience with the racquet and Max Power string. In terms of stiffness how did it compare to other polys?

I don’t find the Clash 98 too lively, but I generally go for control strings. 15L gauge Head velocity has been okay so far.

I’m going to try signum pro poly plasma to start with as it’s a bit softer than max power.

 

[nintendoplayer]

MaxPower is definitely one of the stiffest strings I ever tested, but also one of the most low powered ones. And because it is so low powered, it works very well at low tensions....and I went down as low as possible to save my arm.
I tested almost every string you can name and is well known in the tennis community, and Max Power is definitely one of the most controlled strings I ever played. So perfect for going very low in tension.

 

[AmericanTwist]

I strung up a buddy's vcore 98 v6 at 55 lbs. with maxpower 16, and he thinks it is great for Spring temps so far. Likely go up 1-2 lbs when Summer hits. I debated among 16, 17, 18 and chose the 16 for tension maintenance. Spin hasn't been lacking so far. We are 4.5 pluses. I am still experimenting with frames so I usually install Prince nylon 15L and some syn gut 16 with kevlar coating (any number of brands) for testing. I am zeroing in on frames I wish to carry for good, but I am not done experimenting yet lol.

I have a few Prince textreme tour 100L's (260) that I string with Prince nylon 15L at 57 lbs in the summer. That frame has so much spin I had to use 15L because I like to hit flat shots too. Prince as a brand is very under-rated. Iga won her first major with the TT 100/290, proving that is a world class frame. Bought the 100L's to experiment with lengthening but they are still stock lol...

 

[konstantinos kalfountzos]

I've been using the Wilson Clash 98 (v1.0) with some weight added for 8 or 9 months now with Head Velocity MLT 15L gauge @53-54#s, which has worked pretty well. But I'd like to get more directional control and want to try poly again. The multi-strings hold their tension well, but start moving around after a couple of hours and lose some control.

I think the Clash is arm-friendly enough to use a poly at low tension (e.g. mid-40s). FYI I'm an advanced player, USTP 5.0, playing competitive matches.

I've gone through the TW database and read many of the forum threads. I looked at Solinco Hyper-G because of all the "hype" about it. My primary criteria is tension maintenance because I like a consistent stringbed for as long as possible—I hate playing a match and being distracted by string setup. (It's mainly why I went to multi a while back, before I changed to the Clash)

I prefer rounded polys and have played Tourna Black Zone/Big Red and Technifibre Code Red in the past.

The string that jumped out of the database results this time around is the Kirschbaum Max Power because of the tension maintenance and price. I can get a reel for around $90, which is cheaper than Solinco Hyper-G or Head Lynx Tour—both highly-rated strings—and much cheaper than Luxilon 4G, which is known for tension maintenance (and also being a stiff string).

My questions to those of you with experience with Kirschbaum Max Power are: i) does the string play as stiff as the data shows, and ii) what gauge would you recommend? I've never played with thinner than 1.25 before, but TW data shows the 1.20 has better tension maintenance and spin potential?

Also, if anyone has a direct comparison with Head Lynx Tour, that'd be great, too.

Thanks in advance for any info.

MaxPower is definitely one of the stiffest strings I ever tested, but also one of the most low powered ones. And because it is so low powered, it works very well at low tensions....and I went down as low as possible to save my arm.
I tested almost every string you can name and is well known in the tennis community, and Max Power is definitely one of the most controlled strings I ever played. So perfect for going very low in tension.

Both Max Power and Flash felt stiff at 22-23kg. Both low powered with excellent control. I'd try a set first before buying a whole reel of anything.

 

[Trip]

I have experience with all three gauges of KB Max Power, usually as a cross, most often to shaped poly mains. It's a good-to-great string in that role. Firm, crisp, controlled, decently slick, good tension maintenance. If you're willing to invest roughly double for a 10-20% gain on comfort, control, durability, rebound predictability and playable longevity, then Head Hawk Silver would be an even better choice.

Another excellent alternative that is more on the budget end would be IsoSpeed Grey Fire, which will have more natural spring/pop than either Hawk or Max Power, while still remaining nicely controlled and offering medium-level comfort. Excellent string, and at $7.50/set on TW, quite possibly the best value of any poly out there, period.