My experience with Power Fiber II was not that bad, but I've come to the conclusion that I prefer stiffer multis which provide more control. My ultimate setup may end up as a gut/poly or multi/poly hybrid. Trying out RIP control 17 full bed right now and that is not bad at all. So little time, so many strings. ;-)
To me the whole point of using multifilaments is arm comfort. When you get some that feel stiffer like a synthetic gut, I'd rather just save the money and buy some Gamma Synthetic gut for $3.50 per pack.
I'm thinking about trying out the Isospeed Control Classic this morning. The reason being that the time I playtested the new Isospeed Control was against the same opponent I'm playing in an hour or so. Should offer a good comparison of the two.
Dear Sir Mikeler,Just got back from 2 long singles sets with Isospeed Control Classic 16. Wow this is a good string. My only issue today was double faults but that was more likely due to the strong wind today. This string is much better than the newer Isospeed Control.
Dear Sir Mikeler,
we are in trouble
Could you take a peek at
http://tt.tennis-warehouse.com/showthread.php?p=7202805#post7202805
post #36
I just went to ski to New HampshireI think you are snowed in and getting cabin fever. ??????????
I just went to ski to New Hampshire
But I am back.
Do you think the question is crazy?
Please see
http://tt.tennis-warehouse.com/showthread.php?t=425724&page=2 post 37
by Fuji
Why I am NOT allowed to have some fun?
I understand now. Too much work for me.
Bosworth and Lendl must not be worrying about it too much. You could always string up an old stick as a trial.Do you see a chance to break a racket by using this stringing pattern?
TW Europe sells it if you don't mind paying for shipping & exchange rate.Mike, where did you purchase Signum Pro Micronite?
Do you see a chance to break a racket by using this stringing pattern?
Mikeler, A while ago, I asked you about a cheap alternative to X-!. I strung up my Dunlop Biomimmetic 300 Tour with Forten Sweet 16 in the mains at 52 and my usual TF Red Code 18 in the crosses at 48.
Sweet 16 looks kinda like X1, strings kinda like X1, and feels kinda like X1 to the touch. Basically, it can do a weak impersonation of X1:mrgreen:
So, I played 4 sets with it - two last night and two after work tonight, and it played so well I literally could not tell the difference between the Sweet 16 setup from the X1 in the mains. Probably plays different in a full bed, but in this hydrid it played great and I actually think my serves had a little more action.
Price is way better than the $285 a reel for the X1. Thanks for this great thread by the way.
mikeler, I just purchased Dunlop DNA per your review.
I play with Tour 16x18 as well.
50 lb tension you tested is kind of low for the racket (53-63 lb) and multi strings. I'm thinking to go for 60 lb. What is your recommendation for tension?
Um, how about 50 pounds.
What do you string other multis at in the Exo? Also are you using the 16x18 version?
Ok the party is over after 6-8 hrs of hitting , starting to spray balls , its a game of inches . I do not want to adjust my strokes at this point to compensate . It is a very arm friendly string for those with issues ..
I've noted that too - the second phase of the "bi-phase". Even in my hybrid with the TF Red Code crosses, I notice that I start to spray shots into the alleys much more often and feel like I have less control. Thrn I would go re-string and it was great again. Still though, good string. If it were, say, $175 a reel I'd be all over it.
Ok the party is over after 6-8 hrs of hitting , starting to spray balls , its a game of inches . I do not want to adjust my strokes at this point to compensate . It is a very arm friendly string for those with issues ..
I am using 16x18 pattern.
I have tried a half of your top 10 list: Xcel Prem, Premiere Attack, Gamma Professional, Multifeel, and Thunder Blast. However, my favorite multi is Head Rip Control @58 lb due to its durability and comfort.
I've noted that too - the second phase of the "bi-phase". Even in my hybrid with the TF Red Code crosses, I notice that I start to spray shots into the alleys much more often and feel like I have less control. Thrn I would go re-string and it was great again. Still though, good string. If it were, say, $175 a reel I'd be all over it.
Yep , 1 piece max prestretch for 45-60 seconds , I then cut it in half to do a
2 piece job on a 18/20 pattern , it was fun to play with but not for serious
match play , I do use string savers to help save the sweet spot fraying ,but
they wont make up for excess elongation ,which I assume is tension loss.
OK, I did a 60 second prestretch on both pieces of string in a 2 piece job. I'll keep tabs on it with RacquetTune this time around to monitor tension loss. I've got a funny inkling it may not be due to tension loss but the loss of the outer coating. I shall test my hypothesis.
Interesting thing. I tried doing some prestretching with GPro (machine prestretch at 10%) and I feel like it actually "stretched the life out of" the string. I've tried it a few times at different tensions, and I really don't like it.
I'm starting to think that most multis (or at least GPro) play better when you leave that resiliency in the string, rather then pull it out. If the tension drop is too quick for you, then I'm almost wondering if the better idea is to account for that by stringing a little higher and "breaking it in" in a non-match scenario first.
I do pre-stretch on X1 that consists of my hooking a clamp onto one end, sticking the clamp in a vice, then pulling the entire 40 foot section by hand for about a minute. Not sure if the really counts as a true pre-stretch but that's what I do.
Never used string savers, but I have never broken the X1 16 in my mains withe the red code 18 crosses. I did use X1 18 once in the mains and that snapped after about three hours of play.
Right now, I am liking sweet 16 in the mains a whole lot and it is holding up very well.
At that price point, the string better not need a break in period!
Yeah, I can't exactly use a multi in full. I play 6 days a week at a Division 2 college. I'd be restringing 3 or 4 times a week. Just looking to reduce the soreness afterward. Natural gut would be ideal, but I don't have the budget for it.
Mikeler, I apologize if this has been asked before. I'm battling some shoulder tendonitis, and I'm looking for a cross string that will soften the bed and still provide a little bit of spin. I'll be using Tour Bite 1.20 mains. I'm thinking of keeping the tension the same at 56 all around. I've tried stringing lower with a syn gut cross, and the control doesn't remain the same, and with a syn gut cross at 56, I still have a good deal of pain after matches. I don't want to drop a lot of cash on gut, but I'd like a softer multi. I was thinking maybe Thunderblast or MCS? Any other suggestions? I'm using a Pure Storm with a leather grip and 2 overgrips and lead at 3 and 9. Total weight is 11.6 oz.
Thanks for your input. I strung one up this morning with Tour Bite mains and PPA crosses at 50 all around. Feels better. I've played low tensions before, so that's a minimal adjustment. My coach doesn't have Thunder Blast in the shop, so I might have to order a set to try. I feel like this soreness is going to persist for awhile.
To your Tour Bite Soft question, I tried it, and it just wasn't the same. Just not crisp enough for me when compared to the regular tour bite.
My coach does provide string, but only Kirschbaum Super Smash (insanely stiff) and Prince Synthetic Duraflex
Just ordered a set of Solinco Tour Bite Soft 17 1.20 and Yonex Tournament Super 850 Pro 16 at Morten's suggestion. I tried the non-Pro Yonex version a few years back and was not impressed. I looked up the Pro version reviews and many were positive.
Let us know how it compares to Yonex Poly Pro Tour. I think one of these two polys will go perfect as a cross with natural gut mains. I have tried the Yonex and love one but wondering how well Tour Bite Soft compares.