Your Favorite Round Poly & Why?

[EggSalad]

This is more curiosity than anything. But for me, I play the most consistently with round strings. While I love the benefit of shape poly, I think it makes me a little lazier with my swing path. And I greatly prefer round strings up at net.

Current favorite is:

Kirschbaum Proline Evolution 17g (1.25).

Probably going to go down a round string rabbit hole before the end of the year so thank you for indulging in this thread.

 

[TennisManiac]

Alu Power

I only buy reels on the auction site from reliable and reputable dealers for way less than the large distributors.

 

[OldSkoolSlice]

I've gravitated toward round polys—I like being able to flatten the ball out sometimes. Also, the red/orange strings, which I read somewhere, hold tension better. (I think Chris Edwards said it in a review video somewhere).

Apart from several shaped polys, I've used TF Red code, Tourna Black Zone. Tourna Big Red, Kirschbaum PL Evolution.

But I've recently started using Signum Pro Poly Plasma, and it beats all of them by a mile for me. Soft feel despite being relatively stiff, good control, and the tension maintenance is awesome. After the initial drop-off, it just sits at the same tension hour after hour (15 so far and no change). The strings don't move around, either. It removes an element that often bothers me when I'm playing.

 

[K1Y]

Razor code. firm but comfortable. Good balance of pop and control to me. Also good spin potential.

 

[jimmy8]

I like round polys. Poly tour pro 1.25 works great in my prestige pro 360+. Tourna big hitter silver 1.20 works just as good, and it's so affordable.

 

[OldSkoolSlice]

I like round polys. Poly tour pro 1.25 works great in my prestige pro 360+. Tourna big hitter silver 1.20 works just as good, and it's so affordable.

How is the tension maintenance of Big Hitter Silver in that gauge? Have you tried other gauges?

 

[Rabbit]

Luxilon TiMO 1.10 my fav for over 15 years.

 

[Torps]

Been on the round string rabbit hole all year for the same reasons you prefer them.. I much prefer the consistent launch angle of a round poly. My top picks are YPTS, YPTP and kirschbaum pro line evo all in 1.25mm. Alu was nice, but didn't offer enough control as the others. Dollar for dollar nothing beats YPTP. It does everything well in a comfortable package.

 

[jimmy8]

How is the tension maintenance of Big Hitter Silver in that gauge? Have you tried other gauges?

Tension maintenance is good. I've tried 1.25 also. 1.25 is good also.

 

[Yamin]

BBO by far, Revolve for budget.

 

[OldSkoolSlice]

Tension maintenance is good. I've tried 1.25 also. 1.25 is good also.

What tension do you use?

 

[LOBALOT]

Tension maintenance is good. I've tried 1.25 also. 1.25 is good also.

I string a ton of Big Hitter Silver as a cross to multis and gut. It works great!

 

[gold325]

I'm still with Kirshbaum Super Smash Orange 1.23

BUT

Topspin Cyberflash 1.20 will get a full workout soon - I've been using it as a cross so far.

 

[LOBALOT]

I'm still with Kirshbaum Super Smash Orange 1.23

BUT

Topspin Cyberflash 1.20 will get a full workout soon - I've been using it as a cross so far.

Super Smash is too much string for my game but I have had the opportunity to string it for a tournament kid lately and could certainly see the bang for the buck quotient. Can't beat the price and if your game requires that type of string it is a pretty good option to look at.

 

[Steve Huff]

Been on the round string rabbit hole all year for the same reasons you prefer them.. I much prefer the consistent launch angle of a round poly. My top picks are YPTS, YPTP and kirschbaum pro line evo all in 1.25mm. Alu was nice, but didn't offer enough control as the others. Dollar for dollar nothing beats YPTP. It does everything well in a comfortable package.

It's tough to imagine an $18/set string like YPTP being the best "dollar for dollar" string. It may be good, but there are others for at least 40% less that are good too.

 

[gold325]

It's tough to imagine an $18/set string like YPTP being the best "dollar for dollar" string. It may be good, but there are others for at least 40% less that are good too.

Most people are buying it for $93-$110 for reel from Europe - $5.5-$7 per stringing.

 

[jimmy8]

What tension do you use?

I use big hitter silver in the mains at 40 lbs, head velocity 1.30 natural at 52 lbs in the cross. Plays amazing! So much control.

 

[jimmy8]

Most people are buying it for $93-$110 for reel from Europe - $5.5-$7 per stringing.

I got yptp from Europe to USA for $120.

 

[gold325]

Super Smash is too much string for my game but I have had the opportunity to string it for a tournament kid lately and could certainly see the bang for the buck quotient. Can't beat the price and if your game requires that type of string it is a pretty good option to look at.

Needs some effort to find an optimal tension.... Above that feels stiff, at or below feels freaking awesome. I find it similar stiffness to that Tourna Big Hitter Silver when at the optimal (or below) tension but crisper.

 

[ClownCar96]

I'm looking for a round poly to use as a cross that is available in a thinner gauge 1.15 or 1.20. It would be used a cross for a stiff shaped main like Tour Bite. Any suggestions? Is there a list somewhere with round polys?

If I were to use a 1.20 main and a 1.25 cross, what is impact on hitting? I've used thinner crosses to mains but not the reverse... just curious. Thanks!

 

[gold325]

I'm looking for a round poly to use as a cross that is available in a thinner gauge 1.15 or 1.20. It would be used a cross for a stiff shaped main like Tour Bite. Any suggestions? Is there a list somewhere with round polys?

If I were to use a 1.20 main and a 1.25 cross, what is impact on hitting? I've used thinner crosses to mains but not the reverse... just curious. Thanks!

Topspin Cyberflash 1.20 works great as a cross and also in full bed. Life is great in 18x20s and feels awesome in full bed as well. I've also used Isospeed Baseline 1.20 as a cross without any issues but I hate it in full bed in those same 18x20s - feels wiry, plasticky and cheap in full bed.

I've never tried a thicker cross but I wouldn't hesitate doing it with a 2# tension drop - this +/- 2#/gauge has worked great for me to adjust mains, crosses or even full bed.

 

[Fed Kennedy]

Topspin Cyberflash 1.20 works great as a cross and also in full bed. Life is great in 18x20s and feels awesome in full bed as well. I've also used Isospeed Baseline 1.20 as a cross without any issues but I hate it in full bed in those same 18x20s - feels wiry, plasticky and cheap in full bed.

I've never tried a thicker cross but I wouldn't hesitate doing it with a 2# tension drop - this +/- 2#/gauge has worked great for me to adjust mains, crosses or even full bed.

What kind of tension do you go for with cyberflash. My go to reference would be tier one BK at 44# (HEAD 18x20)

 

[Lazuras_Long]

I'm looking for a round poly to use as a cross that is available in a thinner gauge 1.15 or 1.20. It would be used a cross for a stiff shaped main like Tour Bite. Any suggestions? Is there a list somewhere with round polys?

If I were to use a 1.20 main and a 1.25 cross, what is impact on hitting? I've used thinner crosses to mains but not the reverse... just curious. Thanks!

GhostWire from the recently rebranded “Tru-Pro” (formerly Tier One) is the best small gauge string.

I use the 19 gauge (1.10) It’s soft but has great tension maintenance.

I like It a lot in 18x20 racquets of all stiffness and head size. Currently use it in both Gravity Pro and Pro Staff Six.one 95.

 

[gold325]

What kind of tension do you go for with cyberflash. My go to reference would be tier one BK at 44# (HEAD 18x20)

Between 44-46# for CF 1.20 (Ultra Tour) - after the initial drop is gets to a nice place. This string was a recommendation from JGads and Richard Pioline and I am pretty sure RP goes even lower than despite playing at a higher swingweight.

 

[RF_PRO_STAFF]

Head Hawk Touch hands down. 1.25 is superb but the 1.20 is just magical for me. Whenever I can, I usually use the latter. If the string pattern is too open, I choose the 1.25.

 

[ClownCar96]

Topspin Cyberflash 1.20 works great as a cross and also in full bed. Life is great in 18x20s and feels awesome in full bed as well. I've also used Isospeed Baseline 1.20 as a cross without any issues but I hate it in full bed in those same 18x20s - feels wiry, plasticky and cheap in full bed.

I've never tried a thicker cross but I wouldn't hesitate doing it with a 2# tension drop - this +/- 2#/gauge has worked great for me to adjust mains, crosses or even full bed.

to clarify your method, in a matched gauge setup say 1.2/1.2 you would do say 44/42. But if you were to use 1.2/1.25 you would drop crosses an additional 2lbs to 44/40?

 

[gold325]

to clarify your method, in a matched gauge setup say 1.2/1.2 you would do say 44/42. But if you were to use 1.2/1.25 you would drop crosses an additional 2lbs to 44/40?

Ultra Tour #1
Tour Bite 18 (1.15) M46# / Cyberflash 1.20 C44#

Ultra Tour #2
Restring Zero 1.23 M44# / Cyberflash 1.20 C44#

So with Tour Bite 17 / CyberFlash 1.25 I woud have gone 44 / 42 (2# down on both main and crosses)

Just a random rule of thumb that works for me once I have a reference setup. You will have to find your reference setup somehow first.

 

[Happi]

Ultra Tour #1
Tour Bite 18 (1.15) M46# / Cyberflash 1.20 C44#

Ultra Tour #2
Restring Zero 1.23 M44# / Cyberflash 1.20 C44#

So with Tour Bite 17 / CyberFlash 1.25 I woud have gone 44 / 42 (2# down on both main and crosses)

Just a random rule of thumb that works for me once I have a reference setup. You will have to find your reference setup somehow first.

Great, I am a big fan of CF 17L too but use mostly FB, how do you string FB CF 1.20

 

[gold325]

Great, I am a big fan of CF 17L too but use mostly FB, how do you string FB CF 1.20

I only tried 44/44 but this is an Ultra Tour, so your mileage may vary. Low launch angle setup but so much better than Isospeed Baseline 1.20. Also love the slighter silver color

Current Tour Bite 18 x Cyberflash 17L 46/44 setup

 

[Chairman3]

Big Banger Original, classic, no frills, but stands the test of time.

PT Strike (1.20) only used the 1.20, nice dampened feel (sounds almost like syngut), great tension maintenance and control. Just the right amount of power. Really good if you're a little more flat hitter, spin potential was average to slightly below.

Head Lynx, softer feel, good control, good spin, all-around very good. Some say tension maintenance is iffy, I think it has one drop then kind of stays playable at that lower level. I was also stringing around 45lbs, so maybe not as noticeable.

 

[K1Y]

Super Smash is too much string for my game but I have had the opportunity to string it for a tournament kid lately and could certainly see the bang for the buck quotient. Can't beat the price and if your game requires that type of string it is a pretty good option to look at.

what do you mean with too much string?

 

[Slicehand]

kirschbaum super smash honey, reason: its cheap, dead and oily, grrrr i love oily

 

[SlowTiger]

Mine is also Kirschbaum Proline Evolution

 

[Tronco20]

I think most of you should check the thread title again, it says "&Why?"
It would be great to read what you all like best about that particular string
My favourites:
- Kirschbaum Pro Line X 1.25, the crispest round string I've found and it does everything well, not soft not stiff, just right. Only use it indoors on hard as it breaks very quickly on clay for some reason
- Isospeed Black Fire, I usually play very well with it despite not liking the feel, or lack thereof, doesn't give you much feedback but is quite predictable, no frills, below average spin potential though

I'm looking to try RPM Power, PT Strike and SPPP in 1.25, 1.23 respectively

 

[LOBALOT]

what do you mean with too much string?

I am going to be 60 in 2 months. I can't play with string that stiff. I play with something soft like Cyclone Tour or gut/poly hybrids strung with a nice soft slick round poly cross that holds tension really well.

I do think for the right player with the right strokes that can compress the ball the Kirschbaum strings discussed are great but not for me.

There is a kid I string for that is a snapper.... He snaps anything you put in his racquet in less than a week no mater how stiff, how thick, how expensive.

So I suggested trying a really good string that is cheap and ride this out until he outgrows it which he will.

I ordered Max Power, Max Power Rough, Pro Line II, Pro Line II rough, and we have access to Super Smash. I am going to have him play with these and see if one of these will work and once he decides on one we can order some reels and he can just snap string to his hearts content.

I think he will snap the rough strings even faster but if it is what he wants it is cheap so it really won't mater.

 

[ClownCar96]

What is a good LOW power round string? I Want something to tame gut mains a little better… l’ve found 4G soft and PT FIRE to be too much juice as tension drops.

Hawk Touch perhaps? Isospeed Grey fire maybe?

 

[RF_PRO_STAFF]

What is a good LOW power round string? I Want something to tame gut mains a little better… l’ve found 4G soft and PT FIRE to be too much juice as tension drops.

Hawk Touch perhaps? Isospeed Grey fire maybe?

Regular Head Hawk is even more low powered. My favorite poly cross to gut mains.

 

[EggSalad]

What is a good LOW power round string? I Want something to tame gut mains a little better… l’ve found 4G soft and PT FIRE to be too much juice as tension drops.

Hawk Touch perhaps? Isospeed Grey fire maybe?

I love Hawk or Hawk Rough with gut. Hawk Touch as well if you want a little softer stringbed than that other hawks.

 

[ClownCar96]

Regular Head Hawk is even more low powered. My favorite poly cross to gut mains.

Thanks I have a pack of regular hawk will give it a shot

 

[Hawks9451]

Alu Power and nothing else is close. It's like 2-4 dollars per set more than other name brand strings. Negligible. I'd be fine to play with PTP, Adrenaline, PT Strike, Hawk Touch, BBO, and even 4G if I'm feeling up to it.

Rant about durability:
String durability is a moot point. Hit hard enough to break poly within 10 hours or less or use Element. If you can't break Element, use Triax/Element Soft/or some other multiple extrusion triple poly string until you're breaking those.
A lot of pros use their strings in practice until they break (Tommy Paul, Med, Fed, Kyrgios, Safin, et al). You only have to cut out constantly if you're not hitting hard enough to break strings, and therefore on the track to giving yourself tennis elbow, or if you have money on the line.

 

[ClownCar96]

Interesting to compare... sometimes I think racketpedia gets the comfort and elasticity columns mixed up or we have different understandings of what those terms mean.

 

[ulunxtns]

It's tough to imagine an $18/set string like YPTP being the best "dollar for dollar" string. It may be good, but there are others for at least 40% less that are good too.

You can easily find a reel of PTP for about $90, just use google.

 

[Torps]

I’d vote razor soft over Alu

 

[galapagos]

Luxilon Original, razor code, razor soft, hawk power, firestorm, Alu power (but 1.30 over 1.25 for me)

 

[WYK]

Another vote for Big Banger Original, especially on top of ALU or ALU rough.
I am also a big fan of Prince Tour XR as a cross.

 

[hanjulian]

RS Lyon 1.20mm
Love the feel and comfort, and i think the string tension maintenance is pretty good.
String it at 52lbs on my PT630

 

[ichaseballs]

Lux 4G Soft because control

 

[KungfuTennis]

Hawk Power has really surprised me, feels great

 

[Holic]

Hawk Power has really surprised me, feels great

Does it last though?

 

[Dansan]

YPTRev and YPTStrike 16L. A bit more firmness and better tension maintenance than YPTP. Better spin, rev is the slickest string I've come across. Normally play Tour Bite but I can see myself possibly switching as there's more feel w/YPTRev and strike.

For reference: 2022 ezone 98. 332g, 32.7cm balance. 54lbs mains and crosses, 90 degrees.